The Shining by Stephen King

Plot: A family staying in an isolated hotel for the winter is terrorized by supernatural forces. Highlight: King's masterful storytelling creates an atmosphere of creeping dread and psychological horror.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Plot: The classic tale of Count Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to England, bringing with him a reign of terror. Highlight: The epistolary format and timeless story make it a cornerstone of horror literature.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Plot: A scientist's quest to create life results in a monstrous being that haunts him. Highlight: Explores themes of ambition, creation, and the unintended consequences of tampering with nature.Highlight: The epistolary format and timeless story make it a cornerstone of horror literature.

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

Plot: The harrowing possession of a young girl and the battle of a mother and two priests to save her. Highlight: Chilling and intense, it's considered one of the most terrifying books ever written.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Plot: A paranormal investigation at a reputedly haunted mansion. Highlight: Jackson’s psychological depth and eerie atmosphere leave a lasting impression.

It by Stephen King

Plot: A group of friends confront a shape-shifting monster that emerges every 27 years in their hometown. Highlight: Combines supernatural horror with the horrors of childhood trauma and fear.

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

A post-apocalyptic world where unseen entities drive people to deadly violence. Highlight: The tension and fear of the unseen make it a gripping read.

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

Plot: An FBI trainee seeks the help of imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter to catch another killer. Highlight: The psychological interplay between Clarice Starling and Lecter adds depth to the horror.