The Benefits of Reading Horror Books
While creepy, disturbing, and not for everyone, reading horror books can offer several benefits and unique experiences. So next time you see a hair-raising cover in a bookstore, consider picking it up for a good spook! Here are some of the advantages:
Emotional Thrills: Horror books are designed to evoke fear, suspense, and a sense of unease. Reading horror can provide an adrenaline rush and an intense experience. It is also a safe way to experience thrilling emotions and get a sense of suspense. You’ll experience that flight or fight response without needing to do either. If you can’t handle something, you can merely close the book.
Escapism and Entertainment: Just like any other genre, horror books can provide a means of escapism and entertainment. They offer a break from reality and immerse you in a different world. If you enjoy the adrenaline rush, suspense, and chilling atmosphere, horror can provide a thrilling and enjoyable reading experience.
Confronting Fears: Engaging with horror allows you to confront and process your fears within a controlled environment. By immersing yourself in scary or unsettling situations through literature, you can explore and understand your own fears better. This can lead to personal growth, increased self-awareness, and allow a reader to experience a sense of empowerment.
Engaging Storytelling: Horror books often feature captivating and suspenseful narratives. They tend to have well-crafted plots, intriguing mysteries, and intense conflicts (both external and internal). Engaging with horror can enhance your appreciation and allow you to learn from the techniques employed by horror authors to build tension, deliver scares, and create memorable experiences for readers.
Exploration of Dark Themes and Concepts: Horror literature often delves into deep and thought-provoking themes such as mortality, the nature of evil, the unknown, and the darker aspects of human nature. These can be more terrifying than any monster presented on the page. Reading horror can lead to introspection, philosophical contemplation, and a deeper understanding of the human condition.
Expansion of Literary Horizons: Engaging with different genres, including horror, broadens your literary horizons. It exposes you to different writing styles, narrative techniques, and thematic explorations. Exploring genres can diversify your reading repertoire and discover new authors and perspectives.
Remember that personal preferences and sensitivities vary, so what may be enjoyable for some could be unsettling or uncomfortable for others. Checking the trigger warnings of a big is always advised in order to assess your own comfort level.
