My favorite books about things that go bump in the night

Why am I passionate about this?

I have always been fascinated with the macabre and things that go bump in the night. My parents took me to see my first horror movie when I was a month old. It was the 1974 version of It’s Alive. I have been a horror lover ever since. I read my first Stephen King novel, Pet Semetary, at age nine. Then I moved on to Salem’s Lot and The Shining, devouring all three books before I was ten. I have had experiences of things moving in my bedroom when I am the only one there. I believe in the things that go bump in the night. 


I wrote...

Big Book of Shorts

By Harmony Stalter,

Book cover of Big Book of Shorts

What is my book about?

The Big Book of Shorts is a compilation of short stories that will take you through different worlds and scenarios. There are 40 different stories in this book. Each one is different, and some were inspired by the other. Everyday events inspired others. Some may cause you to never look at your friends, family, or coworkers the same again.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Just After Sunset

Harmony Stalter Why did I love this book?

We all know King is the master of horror. Most of his books are novels of one story but I love his short stories. They are fast-paced and leave you wondering what lurks around the corner. King talks about struggling as a writer and barely making it in the beginning. He sold his stories to men’s magazines to make ends meet when he was first starting out. It gives hope to us who feel like we will never make it. 

By Stephen King,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Just After Sunset as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'A gripping and satisfyingly scary' (Sunday Telegraph) bumper collection of RIVETING, DARK STORIES from the No. 1 bestselling master of the form, now with a stunning new cover look.

Just after sunset, as darkness grips the imagination, is the time when you feel the unexpected creep into the every day. As familiar journeys take a different turn, ordinary objects assume extraordinary powers.

A blind intruder visits a dying man - and saves his life, with a kiss.

A woman receives a phone call from her husband. Her late husband.

In the emotional aftermath of her baby's sudden death, Emily starts…


Book cover of Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales

Harmony Stalter Why did I love this book?

We have all grown up with fairytales being told to us. However, they are the watered-down versions of the Grimm brother's tales. If you really want to know the truth about your favorite fairytale characters (i.e. red riding hood, the three little pigs, etc…), then pick this book up. It will change your entire childhood.

By Jakob Grimm,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Brothers Grimm: The Complete Fairy Tales is a collection of more than 200 tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

FREE AUDIOBOOKS INCLUDED.

The Brothers Grimm, Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Carl Grimm (1786–1859), were Hessian academics, philologists, cultural researchers, lexicographers and authors who together collected and published folklore during the 19th century. They were among the first and best-known collectors of German and European folk tales.

Among the most popular tales: "Cinderella" ("Aschenputtel"), "The Frog Prince" ("Der Froschkönig"), "The Goose-Girl" ("Die Gänsemagd"), "Hansel and Gretel" ("Hänsel und Gretel"), "Rapunzel", "Little Red Riding Hood" ("Rotkäppchen"), "The Wolf and…


Book cover of The Essential Edgar Allan Poe Collection: His Best-Loved Tales and His Complete Poems

Harmony Stalter Why did I love this book?

This book has all of his tales and poems in it. Even his poems get your heart racing and reference things that go bump in the night. Never read it before bed, you will be listening for every little sound, wondering just what may be coming to visit you in the dark.

By Edgar Allan Poe,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Essential Edgar Allan Poe Collection as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Masterful Genius Work Historical Spooky

From Edgar Allan Poe - "Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."

The Essential Edgar Allan Poe Collection Contains 76 Poems Written by Poe from 1824 - 1849, as well as 23 of his most Popular and Well-Loved Stories and Tales.

Tales In This Collection Includes:

Morella The Devil in the Belfry The Fall of the House of Usher The Murders in the Rue Morgue The Masque of the Red Death The Pit and the Pendulum The Black Cat The Tell-Tale Heart The Purloined…


Book cover of The Nurse

Harmony Stalter Why did I love this book?

This book was my first read of Amy Cross’ collection of books. I made quick work of it as I was sucked into the story. It is the tale of an old house and how it has a hold on anyone who lives in it. She masterfully tells the tale of the current occupants and the former occupants blended into one beautifully frightening tale. 

By Amy Cross,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Nurse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When she moves with her mother to a new house, Rachel immediately knows that something's not quite right. Although she's blind, Rachel realizes that all the stories about the house's past don't quite add up.

She's dead right.

This particular house was previously owned by a troubled nurse who spent her every waking moment caring for a sick old man. After losing her mind, the nurse went on a horrific killing spree. Is she still around now, lurking in the shadows, waiting for her chance to strike again?

The Nurse is a horror novel about a girl who finds herself…


Book cover of Cabal

Harmony Stalter Why did I love this book?

Cabal is a terrifying tale of one man on the search for who he believes he really is. He encounters demons and monsters in an underground world. These scary characters are the epitome of things that go bump in the night, haunting dreams and stealing souls. This is a terrifying story that ended up being a movie in the 90s.

By Clive Barker,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Cabal as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A fabulous journey through the mind of the master of dark imaginative fiction, Clive Barker.

The nightmare had begun....

Boone knew that there was no place on this earth for him now; no happiness here, not even with Lori. He would let Hell claim him, let Death take him there.

But Death itself seemed to shrink from Boone. No wonder, if he had indeed been the monster who had shattered, violated and shredded so many others' lives.

And Decker had shown him the proof - the hellish photographs where the last victims were forever stilled, splayed in the last obscene…


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Ferry to Cooperation Island

By Carol Newman Cronin,

Book cover of Ferry to Cooperation Island

Carol Newman Cronin Author Of Ferry to Cooperation Island

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Sailor Olympian Editor New Englander Rum drinker

Carol's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

James Malloy is a ferry captain--or used to be, until he was unceremoniously fired and replaced by a "girl" named Courtney Farris. Now, instead of piloting Brenton Island’s daily lifeline to the glitzy docks of Newport, Rhode Island, James spends his days beached, bitter, and bored.

When he discovers a plan for a private golf course on wilderness sacred to his dying best friend, James is determined to stop such "improvements." But despite Brenton's nickname as "Cooperation Island," he's used to working solo. To keep historic trees and ocean shoreline open to all, he'll have to learn to cooperate with other islanders--including Captain Courtney, who might just morph from irritant to irresistible once James learns a secret that's been kept from him for years.

Ferry to Cooperation Island

By Carol Newman Cronin,

What is this book about?

Loner James Malloy is a ferry captain-or used to be, until he was unceremoniously fired and replaced by a girl named Courtney Farris. Now, instead of piloting Brenton Island's daily lifeline to the glitzy docks of Newport, Rhode Island, James spends his days beached, bitter, and bored.

When he discovers a private golf course staked out across wilderness sacred to his dying best friend, a Narragansett Indian, James is determined to stop such "improvements." But despite Brenton's nickname as "Cooperation Island," he's used to working solo. To keep rocky bluffs, historic trees, and ocean shoreline open to all, he'll have…


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