Idaho Commission for Libraries

So Entertainment Weekly, one of my FAVORITE magazines, just revamped their "20 Scariest Movies" of all time, and since it's close to Halloween (my FAVORITE holiday of the year, besides Guy Fawkes' Day), it got me to thinking about the scariest books that I have ever read. Sadly, I could only come up with 2 1/2 (the half is a short story). I guess I'm not spooked so easily with books (movies are a different matter). So here goes:

~ Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
It might have been something about the time I read it, but this one kept me up for several nights. There is just something so disturbing about a monster who rips people's brains out of their heads. Plus the writing is scarily good (oh, yes, I went there!).

~ The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
Okay, if you haven't read this, you need to be sure to do it in bed (because it's a scientifically proven fact that the bed -- specifically under the covers -- is a "safe" place that no monster or knife-wielding mass murderer can attack you). The thing that really freaked me out? Besides the ooze pouring out of the walls, it was the imaginary pig named Jodie, with the glowing red eyes, that had me cowering in fear. Pathetic, I know. And I don't know if this story is true or not (I'm thinking not), but it scared me nonetheless.

~ The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
Let me begin by saying that I'm not that big of a fan of Poe (especially that stupid Pit and Pendulum story), but my father made this UBER-scary for me when I was a kid. Of course, it didn't help that he read it around Halloween. With a deep and creepy voice. Just before bed.

So there you go. Three freaky works of literature. I know there's more out there, but I just haven't found it yet. But then, I have yet to pick up a Stephen King novel.

BTW, check out my blog in the next few days to see my comments on other things (movies and TV shows) that also scared the crap outta me. Until then, have a fun and creepy Halloween!