If you’re a fan of the MGM+ show From, you’re probably looking for more horror to keep you busy between episodes. Luckily, these six books are full of gory American horror, people trapped in small towns and maybe even some potential pocket dimensions. All of them have well-developed, complex characters, and many explore themes of trauma and grief. Of course, there are also plenty of truly terrifying monsters. Read on for six scary reading suggestions!
Books Like the MGM+ TV Series From
Pines by Blake Crouch
Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in Wayward Pines, Idaho, to investigate the recent disappearance of two federal agents. After a violent accident, however, he wakes up in a hospital with no identification and no way to contact his family. As Ethan explores the town, he discovers mysterious electric fences and the locals’ disbelief of his identity. The deeper he digs, the more he realizes that escaping Wayward Pines may be impossible – and survival is far from guaranteed.
Beginning with Pines, Blake Crouch’s Wayward Pines series is genuinely frightening. The need to understand exactly what is going on will keep readers turning the pages, complete with a knot in the pit of their stomachs. Like From, this series is weird and creepy but still wildly entertaining. If you enjoy the books, check out the two-season series on Hulu.
RELATED: From Drops Terrifying Season 3 Trailer, Casting News and Premiere Date
Darkness On The Edge of Town by Brian Keene
The residents of Walden, Virginia, awaken one morning to find their town encased in a wall of impenetrable darkness. With no light, communication, or resources able to enter or leave, the town descends into chaos as hunger, thirst, and fear drive people to madness. As the remaining sane residents struggle to survive, they must face not only their desperate neighbors but also an unknown terror lurking in the darkness beyond the barrier.
Reminiscent of Under the Dome and Lord of the Flies, Darkness on the Edge of Town is still a truly unique story. Brian Keene’s novel is bleak, blurring the lines of evil between the monsters lurking outside of town and the humans within, but still contains an element of hope.
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
Charlie and Eve, a young queer couple who flip houses, are thrilled to score a great deal on an old home in a picturesque neighborhood. But when a man and his family, claiming to have once lived there, ask for a tour, Eve reluctantly lets them in. As the family overstays their welcome, strange events unfold. A child goes missing, a ghostly presence emerges and Eve’s grasp on reality weakens. When Charlie also disappears, Eve is left questioning whether the house or the visiting family is the source of the horror or if she’s losing her mind.
We Used to Live Here begins with the standard home invasion or haunted house setup. Events escalate quickly, however, into a modern horror novel you won’t want to miss. Marcus Kliewer’s debut is even getting an on-screen adaptation soon, with Netflix securing the rights to the upcoming film. While it’s more of a haunted house story than From, the eeriness and gory horror make it a perfect read for fans of the show.
RELATED: Check Out 6 Great Novels About Unconventional Haunted Houses
Soon by Lois Murphy
On the winter solstice, the birds vanished, and a mysterious mist enveloped Nebulah. The remaining townspeople quickly learn to avoid the outdoors at night, but the mist is strangely alluring, making it hard to stay inside. As their numbers dwindle to six, Pete, with nowhere else to go, rescues a stranded psychic who warns him of his fate: if he doesn’t leave town before the next solstice, he’ll be dead.
Inspired by a real lost town in Australia, Soon is the story of people who can’t, or won’t, abandon everything they know. Lois Murphy effectively conveys a sense of dread, full of slow-burn horror.
The Leftovers by Tom Perrota
In Mapleton, the Sudden Departure has left the town reeling from the loss of loved ones in an unexplained event. Kevin Garvey, the new mayor, works to restore hope, even as his own family falls apart. His wife, Laurie, has joined a silent cult, his son, Tom, follows a dubious prophet, and his daughter, Jill, is growing distant. As Kevin tries to rebuild his life, he becomes involved with Nora Durst, a woman who lost her entire family in the Departure and is struggling to heal.
You may be familiar with the HBO show The Leftovers, but did you know it was based on a book? Tom Perrota’s novel doesn’t give definitive answers to what’s really happening, giving events a creepy undertone that never quite goes away.
RELATED: The Leftovers – A Eulogy
The Watchers by A.M. Shine
When Mina’s car breaks down at the edge of an uncharted forest, she’s forced into the dark woods. There, she finds a frantic woman, who urges her to run to a bunker. As night falls, strange creatures known as the Watchers emerge, observing their human captives. Trapped with strangers and haunted by terrifying screams, Mina desperately seeks answers about the Watchers and, above all, how to escape their sinister grasp.
Another book with a recent adaptation, The Watchers kicks off quickly, with a family on a drive through isolated woods that ends badly. Sound familiar? A.M. Shine’s debut is a fast-paced, addicting horror novel perfect for anyone who enjoys atmospheric, tense survival stories.
RELATED: Watch Dakota Fanning Get Watched in The Watchers Trailer
These books should provide all of the tense, terrifying vibes fans of From love. Let us know what you think below and keep an eye out for more reading lists for all of your favorite shows and films.
From Season 3 premieres September 22 on MGM+. From seasons 1 and 2 are available to watch on the MGM+ app, anywhere you access MGM+ and on Prime Video.
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