Welcome to Bookish Blatherings, a Bad Bird Reads feature where I ramble about bookish or bloggerish things and hopefully you will join in on the discussion.
I love ghost stories. The whole, do they or don’t they exist makes ghost stories so much more frightening. Maybe it can happen to you one day. BoOoOoOo! However, um, well, don’t look at me when I say this but, *sighs* I don’t like ghost stories in books. I know, how dare I even breathe such words. But I seriously thought this over. I can’t name one full-on ghost based book I fell in love with. There have been ones I liked a lot like the Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane and the few ghost books from the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong. They were good, but honestly, it wasn’t the ghosts that did it for me, it was the characters.
I’m more of a ‘ghost stories in movies’ kind of gal. Maybe when it comes to ghosts, I need more visual stimulation. I usually have a great imagination while reading, but not when it comes to ghost stories. I always feel a little lost. But not with ghost movies. What book can beat the visual horrific beauty of Poltergeist, Paranormal Activity, The Haunting (the original from 1963), The Blair Witch Project, Lady in White, House on Haunted Hill, The Others, The Sixth Sense, Insidious, and The Ring (I think these were all movies not originating from books, but let me know if I’m wrong)?
You know, while writing this, I did realize that I loved The Shinning, The Amityville Horror, and 1408 movies which were all books first. Maybe I need to try those before I ban ghost story books from my TBR forever.
So, that’s my spiel. How do you girls feel about ghost story books vs. movies?
Do you prefer ghost story books or movies?
Can you recommend any amazing ghost story books?
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Bee
I’m a huge wuss, so I have to be in the mood to crap my pants before starting a ghost story (movie or book). But I think it has more effect when it’s a movie because you get the visuals and the music that creates tension. It’s hard to create that in books.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I 100% agree. Books just don’t have the same effect.
Braine
I’m like you but with alien and sci Fi books.
I love ghost stories across the board even if it gets me paranoid. When I read Amityville, I slept with the lights on for two weeks and would jump at the smallest noise. I was a nervous wreck!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I soooo want to read Amityville.
Melanie Simmons @mlsimmons
I’m like you. I’m not a huge fan of ghost stories as a whole. For me, it is all about the characters around the ghosts. I love Downside and I’m anxiously awaiting for another book in this series (which Stacia Kane has said it is coming but hasn’t given a date).
I do highly recommend reading The Shining. While I loved the movie, as per with most movies, the book was better. It does start off slow, as there is more time before they get to the hotel building the characters at home, but worth it. Once again, it is the characters around the ghosts that make the story. I can’t speak to the others, as I haven’t read those books.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I always wanted to read The Shinning so I will go for it soon.
Laura Thomas
I love them, books and movies. Ever since I was little! I have seen so many ghost movies that when I read a book I have a lot to draw from for my imagination. Books do need something spectacular to scare me though.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I just don’t get scared with ghosts in books. Too many good ghost movies.
JenM
I don’t like to get too scared so I don’t usually read straight ghost stories, but on the other hand, I love UF or romance that features ghosts and characters that interact with them. I just finished a really good PNR with ghosts called Ghost of a Promise by Kelly Moran. It’s the first in a 3 book series that features a team of paranormal investigators. The ghosts aren’t really scary, the main characters are likable, and it was a good romance, so an all around good read for me and I would definitely recommend it.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Ooooh, I love the sound of paranormal investigators. I love watching those shows too. Thanks for sharing.
Olivia Roach
I can’t handle ghost stories in movies! Simply because in those cases it is mostly horror and I can’t do horror movies. When it comes to time to sleep after them my imagination does all sorts of things and then I get absolutely stressed because of it! Oh, and I don’t mind them in books but I haven’t read too many successful ghost novels. The Mediator series by Meg Cabot was a good one though!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
See, now I never get nightmares from scary stories. I get nightmares for no reason at all.
Nathan
I like ghost stories, just as long as it is not trying to use science to prove they exist. I really like the Creepy Canada series when it was on TV, but it’s gone now 🙁 Have you watched The Lady in Black? The main actor is the same guy who did Harry Potter. It was well done, and a horror movie at that, which I don’t watch much of. In books, have you read Sisters of Blood and Spirit by Kady Cross? It’s not exactly a horror, more of YA paranormal romance with an horror element, with ghost charterers. It deals with some major issues like the heroines (Lark) attempted suicide. Oh, and there is a serial killer ghost after her, her ghost sister and their friends.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yup, saw The Lady in Black. I liked it. OMG, serial killer ghost!!!! Awesome.
Nathan
Also Lark’s twin sister (Wren) is a ghost…you don’t want to make her your enemy….
kindlemom1
Ha ha! I’m so the opposite! I love ghost stories in books but movies freak me out too much and I had to stop watching them. So funny that we are totally the opposite on this.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
LOL, you all are scardy cats!!!!
Lekeisha
I like ghost stories, but I won’t read them at night. I don’t really do scary movies anymore, but I will watch reality shows that focus on ghosts. *Weird*
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
LOL, so random. Do you watch ghost investigation shows?
melliane
I don’t have a preference between books and movie but I love them both when it comes to ghosts.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Awesome.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’m actually not a horror movie watcher. I don’t care for them at all. However, I’ve been finding myself reading more in books than ever. I do like a ghostie book but I don’t usually find them scary (with the exception of a couple).
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Which ghostie books did you find scary?
Melissa (Books and Things)
Try The Girl From the Well series by Rin Chupeco and the Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens.
anna@herding cats & burning soup
I think I’m rather indifferent to ghosts. I don’t watch or read them too often but if they’re there…it’s okay too. Just not too scary because I’m a wuss. lol
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I love being scared. Have you tried good ghost movies, like The Shinning?
Christy LoveOfBooks
I like ghost stories in movies, like all the ones you mentioned. However, if I actually want to get creeped out, then I go with a book. It’s hard to scare or creep me out, so it’s nice to find those books that can do it. Have you read the Graveyard Queen series by Amanda Stevens? Read it! They are excellent.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I will have to check the series out for sure. Finally, someone who likes ghost movies!! From the comments on this post, I think we are a rare breed.
Jaclyn Canada
I recently read a series that had ghosts in it, but like you it was more the characters that made me love the book so much. Maybe without the soundtrack that goes along with their creepiness on screen, it just can’t make it to the book as well.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
LOL, that damn sound track does set the mood.