Neil Gaiman, beloved horror and fantasy author, put an awesome idea up on Twitter a few days ago: “This year make Halloween All Hallow’s Read.” Neil suggested giving someone you love a scary book on the 31st. Being the colossal book geek I am, I think that has got to be the best Halloween idea I have ever heard! Even horror master Stephen King agrees, he mentioned the idea on his website.
So instead of just giving your loved ones candy this Halloween, give them a scary book to get lost in. Do more than rot their teeth, inspire them, let their imaginations run wild in a tale of horror.
Here are a few vampire horror book recommendations. Feel free to add your own book ideas in a comment below.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
You can’t go wrong with this classic. Every vampire fan needs to have this book on their shelves. Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray, Van Helsing and Count Dracula are names that should be in the minds of everyone.
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
In King’s famous novel, author Ben Mears returns to Salem’s Lot to write a book about a house that has haunted him since childhood only to find his isolated hometown infested with vampires. While the vampires claim more victims, Mears convinces a small group of believers to combat the undead.
Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan
The first book in the Darren Shan Saga is perfect for the younger readers. Unlike other young adult vampire books, this one isn’t full of weak vampires and cheesy romances, it’s an amazing horror story with badass characters and an action packed plot. The story follows Darren, whose life is forever changed the night he sneaks off to a traveling freak show.
The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo Del Toro became a movie fan favorite with Pan’s Labyrinth, but it was The Strain trilogy that won the dark hearts of horror readers. The story tells the tale of a horrific vampire virus that takes over New York and the epic battle that it triggers.
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Yes, the big Will Smith movie was based on a book. Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, which is often considered one of the most influential vampire novels of the 20th century, is about a terrible plague that has decimated the world, and those who were unfortunate enough to survive have been transformed into blood-thirsty creatures of the night. Except for Robert Neville. He alone appears to be immune to this disease. All alone, Neville embarks on a series of projects to discover the source of the plague and hopefully put an end to the vampires, all while trying to keep his sanity.
There are MANY more horror novels about vampires out there, let us know which ones you recommend for All Hallow’s Read.
– Moonlight
Dracula, of course, Carmilla and Clarimonde, wonderful if not very well-known vampire story. Salem´s Lot… meh. One of the better works of Stephen Dung, but sleazy human characters take too much time. However, vampire attacks are suitably spooky.
Carmilla by Sheridan LeFanu, and of course the Necroscope novels by Brian Lumley.
I’ve got to add, The Passage by Justin Cronin. I’m enjoying it myself.