23 Underrated Horror Books You Have To Read ASAP

You won't sleep with the lights off ever again.

We asked the BuzzFeed Community to recommend their fave underrated horror books. Here are the spooky results.

1. Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman

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Why you should read it: This book's got it all: Deep-rooted, devilish fears mixed in with a day at a haunted carnival. Need I say more?

-- Ttorres28

2. Penpal by Dathan Auerbach

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Why you should read it: Auerbach's story is based on a string of creepypasta stories he posted to Reddit. They were so freaky that they turned it into a goddamn novel.

-- Emily McCarthy, Facebook

3. The Bell Witch: An American Haunting by Brent Monahan

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Why you should read it: It's about a witch's vicious spirit that brutally torments a family, and it apparently actually happened.

-- caitlinm18

4. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

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Why you should read it: There's a guy whose job is to kill people who are ALREADY DEAD, and when he comes across a particularly violent spirit, she spares his life. And he wants to figure out why.

-- HeyMickey22

5. Gothic Tales by Elizabeth Gaskell

Penguin Books

Why you should read it: Gaskell's writing has been described as "unsettling," and this book is made up of a bunch of short stories, with themes anywhere from the Salem witch hunts to terrifying curses.

-- Bespectacled Heroine

6. The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis

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Why you should read it: The Monk was originally published in the 1700s, and people still rave about it. It focuses on the dangerous mix between temptation and responsibilities. Relatable, right?

-- georgep4

7. The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey

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Why you should read it: It's set in a dystopian future, and focuses around the life of girl infected by a fungal virus that makes her want to eat human flesh.

-- selfaj

8. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

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Why you should read it: This will single-handedly make you not want to move somewhere new ever again.

-- Cori Kromrei, Facebook

9. Naomi's Room by Jonathan Aycliffe

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Why you should read it: It'll make you hold your children closer. A guy's daughter goes missing on a shopping trip and though her dead body is found, she haunts her parents.

-- lisac4

10. Walkers by Graham Masterton

Time Warner Paperbacks

Why you should read it: The main character is your classic case of not-looking-into-all-the-details. He turns an abandoned castle into a resort, and mysterious mental patients show up and kidnap his son.

-- Sophie O'Brien, Facebook

11. Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk

Doubleday Publishing

Why you should read it: The protagonist here is also an antagonist -- he accidentally kills his wife and baby by reading them a cursed poem.

-- Sarah Curran, Facebook

12. Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

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Why you should read it: It'll make you say "HELL NO" to working the night shift.

-- Whitney Holiday, Facebook

13. Maplecroft by Cherie Priest

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Why you should read it: If you're into the story of Lizzie Borden, this is a unique take on the tale.

-- Whitney Holiday, Facebook

14. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

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Why you should read it: It'll make you want to opt out of any town gatherings that may present themselves.

-- Ginnie Kirby Grant, Facebook

15. The Demonologist by Andrew Pyper

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Why you should read it: You'll definitely reconsider taking up any offers to go on a free vacation, no matter how awesome they may seem.

-- Jennie Kelu, Facebook

16. The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero

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Why you should read it: It'll open your eyes to the dangers of inheriting an old as hell mansion from your dead relatives.

-- Whitney Holiday, Facebook

17. The House That Jack Built by Graham Masterton

Leisure Books

Why you should read it: You'll be terrified to start a new life with your spouse in a new town. Just stay in the same place, forever.

-- Sophie O'Brien, Facebook

18. The One That Got Away by Simon Wood

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Why you should read it: If you love tales of road trips gone wrong, this takes the cake. Oh, and if your BFF goes missing on vacation, DON'T GO LOOKING FOR HER.

-- Swe Franc, Facebook

19. The Ritual by Adam Nevill

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Why you should read it: You'll be convinced to never go on a trip in the wilderness. Ever.

-- Sophie O'Brien, Facebook

20. Communion by Whitley Strieber

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Why you should read it: Whitley Strieber's story is super controversial, because it's supposedly his real-life experience as an alien abductee.

-- Amber R Kirkwood, Facebook

21. A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay

instagram.com

Why you should read it: It'll shock you by showing you the dangers of mixing exorcism with reality TV.

-- Becky Klugiewicz, Facebook

22. The Town by Bentley Little

Penguin Books USA

Why you should read it: If you've ever thought about moving back to your hometown, this will make you think otherwise.

- Madonna Kilpatrick, Facebook

23. Suffer the Children by John Saul

instagram.com

Why you should read it: It's a gruesome reminder that history can repeat itself in the most frightening of ways.

-- Angela Hundley, Facebook

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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