“When I find myself in times of trouble, horror authors come to me.”

Wait, that’s not how that lyric goes…

It’s safe to say that at this point in lockdown/shelter in place, some of us are going a little stir crazy and filling our time is becoming more of a challenge. How many times can we watch the same movie or play the same board game with our families, after all?

While the urge to be out among people may be palpable, we’re still going to be cooped up for a while. For me, that’s meant a lot of around the house projects and updating my reading list to keep the mind sharp when everything else is so terribly dull.

With that in mind, I thought I’d reach out to some talented independent horror authors and ask what they’ve been reading in hopes of refreshing my list, and they did not disappoint me at all!

Take a look at what they’re reading below, and let us know in the comments what is on your lists, as well!

Rob E. Boley: Author of the Scary Tales series

“I’m reading The Wolf’s Hour by Robert McCammon. Lately I’ve been into shorter, 200 page books but I figured while on lockdown, it’s be a good time to dive into something longer like this one. I love McCammon and I’m all about werewolves, so this one has been on my list for awhile. It has not disappointed! His take on werewolves is brilliant, and I love that this particular werewolf is fighting Nazis in WWII. Good stuff!”

Rob is an author with a wicked sense of humor and his Scary Tales series is one of my personal favorites. You can follow Rob E. Boley to keep up with his work on his personal website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Samantha Kolesnik: Author of True Crime

“I recently read Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino. Kirino flays systemic patriarchal oppression and socioeconomic inequality in this novel, and does so with subtle ingenuity. The writing’s so good that halfway through, I ordered more of Kirino’s books and knew she’d become a new favorite author of mine. If you like complex characters and unreliable POVs, Grotesque is an absolute must-read.”

Kolesnik’s debut novella True Crime has become one of the most talked about books in the indie horror world this year. It is a grueling, gripping read that you just have to experience for yourself. For more information you can visit her website or follow her on Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram.

Mike Thorn: Author of Darkest Hours and Dreams of Lake Drukka and Exhumation

Photo by Robert Boschman

“I’m currently reading Daphne du Maurier’s The Breaking Point (1959), a collection of nine stories that depict characters experiencing various forms of intense psychological distress. This is only the second of du Maurier’s books I’ve read (the other is Rebecca, one of my favorite Gothic novels). So far, I have read the first two stories in The Breaking Point (“The Alibi” and “The Blue Lenses”), and I’m about midway through the third (“Ganymede”). I found the first an extremely unsettling depiction of a man’s dissociative descent into violent ideation, and I love the way the second story melds black comedy and surrealism. Du Maurier is an amazing prose stylist and a great writer of character interiority. She has a rare aptitude for building tension. I’m a little less than halfway through, but I can already tell this collection is going to be a favorite. Highly recommended for readers of all stripes.

Thorn’s own work repeatedly manages to repulse and terrify with evocative prose that works its way under your skin. For more information on the author and to keep up with his work, check out his website, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads!

Aaron Dries: Author of The Fallen Boys, A Place for Sinners and House of Sighs

“As is my habit, I’ve got about five books on the cooker that I bounce back-and-forth between on the daily. First up, I’m loving CONVERSATIONS WITH MARK FROST by David Bushman, a candid insight into the co-creator of Twin Peaks’ process and inspirations. On the fiction-front, I’ve almost finished ARE SNAKES NECESSARY? by Brian DePalma and Susan Lehman, a mix of tawdry thriller, moody noir, political peekaboo, and meta film narrative. Pure DePalma. I just finished an excellent novelette that’s coming out soon called THE ATTIC TRAGEDY by J. Ashley-Smith, which oozes atmosphere and is quite high on the creepy-factor. And my comfort reads at the moment are IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote (it’s legitimately perfect) and NOBODY BELONGS HERE MORE THAN YOU by Miranda July, a funny and melancholic collection of stories that I just want to hug. A diverse bunch, for sure, but all are worthy of your time. Happy reading!”

Aaron Dries is one of the kindest, gentlest horror authors I have ever had the pleasure of meeting who quite frankly writes transgressive fiction that terrifies me on a cellular level with imagery that you can never un-read. To learn more about his writing and to keep up with the latest updates on his work, visit his website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

Megan Hart: Author of Beneath the Veil and Little Secrets

“I just started reading this one. I think we picked it up at a used book store last summer. Anyway, my goal for 2020 was to read every book in the house that I had not yet read, before I could purchase any more or get any from the library. I have failed spectacularly. I’m not reading nearly as much as I should be. But I did just finish Oona Out of Order (mixed feelings) and so far, Dark Visions feels fun and old-school, but I’m only a chapter or so into it.”

Megan Hart is an award-winning author across multiple genres and I cannot recommend her work enough. Check out her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Glenn Rolfe: Author of Blood and Rain and the upcoming Until Summer Comes Around