Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our Wednesday May 17th online book club meeting to discuss the topic: Horror. We asked – What constitutes horror? Why does it work? Is it just shock value (look at what I am reading!) or are these stories that truly resonate? When is it just too much for young readers?
As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated. We were also delighted to be joined, once again, by the fabulous and knowledgeable Jenny from The Younger Sun Bookshop in Yarraville.
This was our third book club meeting for 2023, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you at our next meeting!
You can see our full list of planned topics for 2023 HERE.
Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.
Classic Horror – recommended for secondary students
Cujo by Stephen King
Carrie by Stephen King
The Shining by Stephen King
It by Stephen King
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
The Rats by James Herbert
Lair by James Herbert
Domain by James Herbert
The Magic Cottage by James Herbert
The Fog by James Herbert
The Dark by James Herbert
The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Rawblood by Catriona Ward
Little Eve by Catriona Ward
Sundial by Catriona Ward
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Sandman by Neil Gaiman (graphic novel fantasy horror)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Brightly List – 13 Frightfully Good YA Horror Novels
Brightly List – Surefire YA Scares:
18 of the Best Teen Horror Books
What We All Saw by Mike Lucas
The Enemy Series by Charlie Higson
The Hazel Wood Book 1 by Melissa Albert
Horror Manga
Junji Ito
The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai, Posuka Demizu (Illustrator)
Jenny from The Younger Sun recommends
Upper Primary
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Witching Hour Series by Jack Henseleit
Goosebumps by R.L Stine
Into the Pit – Five Nights at Freddy’s Fazbear Frights Book 1 by Scott Cawthon, Elley Cooper
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Adult Books – What We Are Reading
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah – Squid Game meets The Handmaid’s Tale in THE new dystopian novel of summer 2023
Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater – the instant Sunday Times bestseller. The debut suspense thriller of 2023 that you don’t want to miss!
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams
We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis
Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au
Bear in mind that Stephen King novels can be very different than the films and include very inappropriate sexual content.
We absolutely agree, and as a result, made comments pointing this out during our book club meeting. Thanks so much for joining us.