With frequent floods in Bangkok, the author is spending more time at home, immersing themselves in reading. The article aims to introduce readers to lesser-known but highly acclaimed horror works that could be added to their reading list, especially with the spooky season approaching.

"Houdini Heart" – Kai Longfellow

The author calls "Houdini Heart" one of their favorite books, noting its uniqueness and high quality. The book tells the story of a writer trying to escape an unknown pursuer. She finds refuge in the "Riverhouse" hotel, a place from her childhood memories. The old, eerie building becomes her sanctuary, where she intends to write her last book, which may turn out to be a suicide note.

The work is permeated with a sense of impending doom, and the reader is left in the dark about many details. The narrative is told in the first person, resembling diary entries, which creates an atmosphere of uncertainty: is the heroine writing a novel, keeping a personal diary, or recounting her story with a tragic ending. The surreal nature of the events, the strange characters whose nature (people, ghosts, or figments of the heroine's imagination) remains unclear, intensifies the feeling of anxiety. The author compares the book to "Gone Girl" in terms of following an unpredictable heroine on the run. A Goodreads review characterizes "Houdini Heart" as "Mulholland Drive of the book world," emphasizing its psychological tension and mystery. The book is described as truly eerie, frightening, and unsettling, yet beautifully written and captivating.

"Lizard Wine" – Elizabeth Angstrom

This book is recommended for fans of more explicit and disturbing horror works that border on extreme horror, evoking a sense of discomfort. The plot, based on real horrors, describes three female students who go to a bar to find acquaintances but encounter a group of homeless psychopaths with murderous intentions.

The work is reminiscent of classic examples of extreme horror from authors like Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee. Despite the heavy subject matter, the book is distinguished by its beautiful language. The story follows a common plot of young women becoming victims of murderers but offers a unique perspective on the theme. The authorship by a woman adds an extra layer of realism to the work. The book is intense and difficult to digest due to its content but deserves a place among the classics of extreme horror. The reader feels completely immersed in the unpleasant world created by the author.

"We Like Like It Cherry" – J. S. Morris

The book tells the story of a film crew specializing in documenting the traditions and way of life of Native Americans. They are invited to create a film about the life of an isolated tribe in the Arctic, little known to the public. The producers see this as a unique opportunity to capture something previously undocumented.

Upon arrival in the Arctic, the film crew finds themselves trapped, facing the tribe's annual tradition, which may include horrifying rituals. The film is reminiscent of works like "Great Inferno" and "Cannibal Holocaust," but offers a fresh take on a similar plot. The book turned out to be very engaging and multi-layered, presenting not just senseless horror, but a commentary on issues of Native American identity. The main character, the show's host and of indigenous descent, describes his estrangement from his heritage and his participation in an exploitative industry where success and money are paramount. Alongside this, the book offers a thrilling horror plot. The work was recently released and made a strong impression on the author.

"The Great God Pan" – Arthur Machen

This is a classic work that, in the author's opinion, deserves more recognition alongside other horror classics. The book was published in 1890 and tells the story of a doctor who conducts a risky experiment on a young woman, attempting to grant her access to the supernatural world through surgical intervention in the brain. The experiment goes catastrophically wrong, leading to further terrifying events.

The work is distinguished by its strong atmosphere and evokes genuine fear. The author recalls reading the book in the dark and being forced to turn on the light due to intense fright. The book creates an oppressive and eerie atmosphere that, in the author's opinion, should be more widely known and comparable to works such as "Dracula," "Frankenstein," and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." "The Great God Pan" is considered scarier than many of its contemporaries and is recommended for those seeking a true scare.

"The Haunting of Alejandra" – V. Castro

This book left a lasting impression on the author, offering an intense reading experience. The work is based on Mexican folklore about La Llorona. The book is both eerie and deeply emotional, at times difficult to read due to its sadness, but this serves the story, amplifying its impact.

The story is about a woman named Alejandra who struggles with postpartum depression. She is exhausted, has many children, and receives no support from her husband, teetering on the edge of a breakdown. The book begins with her emotional breakdown in the shower, which is frightening in itself. Alejandra begins to have thoughts of harming herself and her children. At this point, La Llorona begins to appear to her – a ghost or demon from Mexican folklore, a woman who drowned her children. The ghost seems to feed on Alejandra's weakness, pushing her towards dark thoughts and depression.

As Alejandra tries to learn more about the ghost, she discovers that her family has been connected to it for generations. The narrative includes the perspectives of her ancestors, showing their struggles with La Llorona. The book explores themes of generational curses, intergenerational trauma, and the difficulty of breaking this cycle. The author expresses empathy for all the women in the book and notes that one genuinely worries for the main character. The work is described as incredibly well-written, eerie, and very sad, requiring emotional preparation.

"Black Flame" – Gretchen Felker Martin

This book tells the story of a cursed silent film, an exploitation film that was thought to be lost. The main character, Ellen, works as an archivist and accidentally finds a copy of this film. She is tasked with restoring it. In the process of working on the film, she begins to experience its influence and becomes its victim.

The book conveys the atmosphere of exploitation cinema: it is dark, repulsive, and effectively frightening. The descriptions of the film itself, titled "The Baroness," are particularly noteworthy. Parallel to this, Ellen's personal life is revealed, her struggles with sexuality, her religious upbringing in a Jewish family, and the loss of love due to her own repression. Working on the film pushes her to the brink of losing her sanity. The book explores the theme of loneliness, which is manifested through the gradual fading of Ellen's mind. Initially a lonely character, she loses touch with reality, and the reader is left unsure of whom she can trust. The author emphasizes that a deep sense of the protagonist's loneliness was felt while reading. The book is recommended for those interested in the theme of lost media and cursed films.

"Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day" – Emma E. Murray

This is an independent horror book, reminiscent of exploitation cinema or unsettling filmmaking. The plot revolves around a home invasion and a serial killer who preys on women. The book presents different points of view, including the perspective of a deceased woman.

The main protagonist is Birdie, a grieving mother dealing with the death of her child and an abusive relationship. On top of everything, she becomes the target of a serial killer. The book belongs to the extreme horror genre but is distinguished by its quality execution. The title is intriguing. The work deeply explores themes of grief and trauma, and realistically depicts abusive relationships. The book contains serious trigger warnings and may be difficult to read due to its brutality. The author encourages support for independent authors, noting the impressive quality of this book.

Additional Recommendations:

In the process of compiling the list, the author added several other books to their reading list:

• "The Necriliac" – Gabriel Vitoria.
• "Puppets Banquet" – Valkiria Lou Cru.
• "Human Sacrifices" – Maria Fernanda Aruero.
• "The Root of Ice and Salt" – Jose Luisa Zarate (a reimagining of "Dracula").

These books were added to the list without prior acquaintance but may be of interest to readers looking for something new. The author encourages sharing recommendations for lesser-known horror books to expand the endless reading list.