Can anyone recommend a book that will haunt me?? ?

Question

I need a terrifying book, one that will make me wary at all times, one that won't allow me to sleep. Any recommendations??

Answer 1

Well, as far as just plain scary, I really recommend The Shining or Pet Semetary [sic]. Both books scared the bejeezus out of me.

The word "haunting" evokes something far different for me. A book that "haunts" me (and is perhaps more terrifying than either of the books above, because it's realistic) was The Collector by John Fowles. This book first came to my attention randomly when I worked in a used book store, and it became one of those rare books I'll never let go of. It's the story of a rather dull, self-righteous, tedious British clerk whose only joys in life are collecting butterflies and keeping a close eye on a lovely art student he follows, yet has never met. When he wins the British equivalent of the lottery, he decides that he will add the girl (Miranda) to his collection.

Scary stuff, all. Good luck!  

Answer 2

THE RAPE OF NANKING (Paperback)

by Iris Chang

In 1937 the Japanese army took over the city of Nanking, China. Over the next few weeks the Japanese forces slaughtered approx. 350,000 Chinese civilians. True story. The author was so traumatized by the research for this book; she later committed suicide.

http://www.amazon.com/RAPE-NANKING-Iris-...

The Girl Next Door (Mass Market Paperback)

by Jack Ketchum

True story of a girl who was raped, tortured, and murdered by her neighbors.

http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Next-Door-Jac...

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers (P.S.) (Paperback)

by Loung Ung

True story of a girl who survived the regime of Pol Pot.

http://www.amazon.com/First-They-Killed-...

Hannah Senesh: Her Life and Diary, the First Complete Edition (Paperback)

by HANNAH SENESH

Hannah Senesh was a Hungarian resistance fighter in WW2.

http://www.amazon.com/Hannah-Senesh-Diar...

Answer 3

I like the first posts answer. I really liked Cell by Stephen King. As well as The Regulators and Desperation. But as the first post said Haunting does mean something different to me when I read and as I was looking for a new book to read I am going to take her advice and and try The Collector. Thanks to you for asking this and Thanks to Miss for answering it! Read On!!!!

Answer 4

Stephen King's volume of short stories.  "Bogeyman" is definitely haunting.

Answer 5

Ann Rice's Interview with a Vampire. Beats all h**l out of these books by Stephanie whatever her name is. Rice knows how to write!

Answer 6

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane... it may not terrify you but the ending is definately haunting!

Answer 7

Birdman by Mo Hyder, absolutely terrifying or The Surgeon, The Suregons Apprentice by Tess Gerritson.

Hope this helps.   I have read all of these and many more in similar vein.

Answer 8

Anything by Stephen King and also John Saul as his involve children and teens.

S King

The Shining, Cell, It, Misery, Night Shift, Dreamcatcher, Christine, my fave is The Stand as it could really happen. And Many More!

J Saul

Suffer the Children, Comes the Blind Fury, h**l Fire, Creature, Black Lightning, Brain Child, Sleepwalker, Th Unwanted. Plus many others

Or Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill ( SK's son)

Answer 9

The House on the Borderland , The Ghost Pirates or The Night Land written by William Hope Hodgson .

:0)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hop...

Answer 10

Aptly enough, "Haunted" by Chuck Palahniuk really bothered me and I don't get bothered that easily. It is a bit gory and I'm not big on it but it's effective in the story. Also, The Legend of h**l House had me on my toes. That's by Richard Matheson. Good luck!!!

Answer 11

I'm going to agree with "The Shining".

But I'm also going to add King's "IT" to the list, because I still haven't finished either the book or movie form.

I'm also going to add the whole series of book by Dave Pelzer, starting with "A Child Called It" (which is probably the most haunting). It's about his abusive mother, and how he was abused as a kid. It's disgustingly real and very horrifying to think about.

Anything about the Holocaust usually is haunting ("Night" was good, "The Girl in the Red Coat" was good, and "Schindler's List" is a little long but worth it).

Answer 12

lol I've never heard anyone ask this before... hmm. The only one that comes to my mind isn't really that "haunting", but it is sort of about a haunting...? lol Read "Dreadful Sorry" by Kathryn Reiss. Also, "Dreamland" by Sarah Dessen.

Two very good books that have stuck in my mind for a long time.