By: Christina Samek, Marketing Specialist.

I love all things horror. I’ve read the likes of The Exorcist, The Shining and have waxed poetic about The House of Leaves to anyone who will listen (seriously, you have to read it). But, I must admit, I am a bit of a baby. I put myself in this position, I endure the sleepless nights, and I carry a flashlight to avoid the dark hallways in my home in the middle of the night. There’s just something about being scared. It’s why we wait in line for gimmick-y haunted houses. It’s why we hype up Halloween. There’s something to be said for what I call “manageable fear”. Is it as scary if we seek it out?

Well, yeah. But, at least the monsters aren’t real (we hope).

I started reading Young Adult horror because I thought it wouldn’t be as scary as some of the Adult Horror reads out there. Boy, was I wrong. It’s just as scary and, bonus, it’s safe for young readers! Let’s all get scared, shall we? I got to discuss my love for all things YA Horror in a recent stint on OverDrive’s charming and much-loved Professional Book Nerd’s Podcast. AND Dawn Kurtagich guest stars (and she’s amazing as usual).

Here’s the full list of titles we covered:

The Merciless by Danielle Vega (Series: The Exorcism of Sofia Flores; Origins of Evil; Last Rites)
The Ravenous by Amy Lukavics
Daughters Unto Devils also by Amy Lukavics
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski
Juliet, Immortal by Stacey Jay
A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
House of Ash by Hope Cook
Come As You Are by Steven Ramirez
Cinderella Necromancer by F.M Boughan

Check out our recommendations (if you dare) for your next YA Horror reads and while you are at it, listen to all the Professional Book Nerds has to offer (book recommendations, author interviews, and delightful witty banter).

Stay safe out there readers!