Horror Subgenre Challenge! - hosted by dexlud

Paranormal
Paranormal fiction is a loosely defined subgenre of horror. These stories and novels tend to overlap with other categories and subgenres. So we should start by defining the term “paranormal” and move on from there. Merriam-Webster defines paranormal as something that is “not scientifically explainable.” That definition includes a lot of different things — everything from telekinesis to witchcraft to demonic possession. But when it comes to fiction, the “paranormal” subgenre label usually applies to stories involving ghosts, haunted places, demonic forces and possession. Truly, those things are not “scientifically explainable.” They can also be terrifying, for that exact reason.

Interesting books in this horror subgenre: The Exorcist, by William Peter Blatty. The Family Plot, by Cherie Priest. The Shining, by Stephen King. A Head Full of Ghosts, by Paul Tremblay. The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson (it fits here, and also in the “gothic” category).
All books added
Dreams in Black Static: Eight Stories by Ambrose Ibsen

Dreams in Black Static: Eight Stories

Ambrose Ibsen

256 pages • first pub 2020 (editions)

fiction horror short stories challenging informative tense medium-paced
Hide: The Graphic Novel by Kiersten White

Hide: The Graphic Novel

Kiersten White

240 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction graphic novel horror adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

House of Leaves

Mark Z. Danielewski

732 pages • first pub 2000 (editions)

fiction horror literary mystery thriller challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

The Reformatory

Tananarive Due

576 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction historical horror dark emotional tense medium-paced
The September House by Carissa Orlando

The September House

Carissa Orlando

352 pages • first pub 2023 (editions)

fiction horror mystery thriller dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Dead Girls Walking by Sami Ellis

Dead Girls Walking

Sami Ellis

11 hours, 37 minutes • first pub 2024 (editions)

fiction fantasy horror lgbtqia+ young adult dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Whispers by Dean Koontz

Whispers

Dean Koontz

464 pages • first pub 1980 (editions)

fiction horror mystery thriller dark mysterious tense fast-paced
No One Gets Out Alive by Adam L.G. Nevill

No One Gets Out Alive

Adam L.G. Nevill

628 pages • first pub 2014 (editions)

fiction horror thriller dark slow-paced
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

The Amityville Horror

Jay Anson

315 pages • first pub 1977 (editions)

nonfiction horror thriller dark mysterious tense medium-paced
The House That Horror Built by Christina Henry

The House That Horror Built

Christina Henry

336 pages • first pub 2024 (editions)

fiction horror medium-paced