Books Like...
'Angel Dust Apocalypse' by Jeremy Robert Johnson is a collection of bizarre and apocalyptic short stories that delve into themes like body modification, drug use, medical horrors, and the end of the world. The writing style is evocative, reminiscent of authors like Chuck Palahniuk and Lovecraft, with a focus on vivid imagery and exploring the darker aspects of human nature. The stories range from post-nuclear apocalypse scenarios to tales of mental illness and body exploration, creating a unique and unsettling reading experience.
If you liked Angel Dust Apocalypse, here are the top 37 books to read next:
'Willard and His Bowling Trophies' by Richard Brautigan is a quirky and surreal novel that follows the lives of two couples, the Logan brothers, and a papier mache bird named Willard. The story involves elements of humor, melancholy, and absurdity, with a unique writing style that combines postmodern sensibilities, non-linear narrative, and jarring stylistic approaches. Brautigan's playfulness with characterization and his ability to portray individuals and their peculiar behaviors in a light-hearted yet profound manner make this book a compelling read.
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The novella 'The Baby Jesus Butt Plug' by Carlton Mellick III follows a young couple who purchase a Baby Jesus to use as a butt plug, leading to chaotic consequences and the end of the world. The story is filled with dark satire, absurdist humor, and elements of social commentary, featuring a world where children are extinct, adults are cloned into existence, and people work mindless drone jobs in a cycle of consumerism and dissatisfaction. The writing style is described as whimsical, bizarre, and with a deliberate lack of finesse, adding charm to the twisted and disturbing narrative.
In a futuristic world where humans no longer procreate but clone themselves, the book explores themes of insignificance, perversion, abuse, and the narcissistic need for self-love. Despite its shocking and offensive content, readers find the book to be a thought-provoking allegory that draws parallels to the absurdities of modern society. The illustrations in the book enhance the disturbing and Children's Book-like aspect of the narrative, creating a unique reading experience that forces the reader to engage with the content on a deeper level.
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This is where our worst impulses take us. This is the past come back to do much more than haunt us. These are the moments where we cross into madness, never to return. This is what happens when we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to acting out...
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... In "Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World" by Donald Antrim, the story unfolds in a surreal and dystopian world where the city falls into a dark quagmire of paranoia and violence. The narrative follows Pete Robinson, a man with extreme delusions, navigating a society equally delusional. The book explores the brutal goings-on in a matter-of-fact tone, tempting readers to accept the horrors as normal while simultaneously shocking them. The plot involves fortified houses, people transforming into animals, public executions, and a descent into savagery that challenges societal norms and acceptance of violence.
Antrim's writing style in this book is described as pleasantly crafted and varied on the sentence level, creating an unforgettable and sickening world that is both appalling and nauseating. The book is filled with dark humor, unusual situations, and thought-provoking ideas, showcasing the author's ability to make wildly imaginative leaps while maintaining a coherent undertow of pathos. The narrative is a chilling portrayal of the darkest potentials of humanity, with an unsettling ending that leaves readers feeling more sickened than enlightened.
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'Siren Promised' by Jeremy Robert Johnson delves into the dark and gritty world of addiction, abuse, and redemption. The story follows Angie, a woman battling her past of addiction and abuse as she embarks on a journey to reunite with her daughter Kaya. Filled with disturbing imagery and raw emotions, the narrative weaves a tale of wretchedness and hope, showcasing the harsh realities of drug abuse and the desperate quest for salvation amidst haunting pasts and bleak circumstances.
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'Entropy in Bloom' by Jeremy Robert Johnson is a collection of dark and diverse short stories that cover a wide range of unsettling and thought-provoking themes. The stories delve into the depths of human condition, exploring paranoia, psychological disorders, and societal issues in a gritty and realistic way. The author's writing style is described as original, terrifying, and occasionally quite humorous in a dark manner, reminiscent of Clive Barker's works.
It’s obvious she’s having a hard time sipping her coffee. No matter how delicately she raises her hand or how straight and elegant her posture, she can’t help looking awkward when she drinks. Half the... - #7
Skullcrack City by Jeremy Robert Johnson is a mind-bending and immersive Bizarro science fiction epic that follows the journey of S P Doyle, a paranoid and drug-addled banker, as he delves into conspiracies and cults, all while battling his own drug-induced delusions. The story takes readers on a wild and unpredictable ride, filled with dark humor, detailed descriptions of body modification, and unexpected plot twists that keep them engaged until the very end.
The writing style of Jeremy Robert Johnson in Skullcrack City has been described as masterful and unique, with a narrative that grips readers from the very first sentence and refuses to let go. Johnson's distinctive voice shines through, offering a blend of cosmic horror, conspiracy thriller, and black comedy that sets this book apart from others in the genre. The story unfolds at a breakneck pace, seamlessly transitioning between drug-induced paranoia and introspective moments, all while maintaining a sarcastic edge that adds depth to the characters and the plot.
After thirteen years in the industry, I was damn near terminal. With each step up the corporate ladder I received a slightly smaller laptop, a slightly-harder-to-adjust office chair. To compensate the... - #8
"Dreamside" by Graham Joyce is a novel that delves into the intriguing concept of lucid dreaming, where four college students - Ella, Lee, Brad, and Honora - participate in a psychology research project to explore the boundaries of dreaming. Under the guidance of a psychology professor, they develop their abilities in lucid dreaming, but as they push the limits, they find themselves immersed in the dream world to a dangerous extent. The story unfolds both during their college years and thirteen years later, as they are haunted by dark dreams and must confront the consequences of their past actions. Graham Joyce's writing style is described as poetic and subtle, with a sense of menace and foreboding that sets this book apart from other storytelling in the genre.
He put down the phone. It had been twelve going on thirteen years since they had seen or spoken to each other. He stared at the wall, dumbly. His astonishment and dismay conflicted with the acute fear... - #9
'The Best Horror of the Year: 1' edited by Ellen Datlow is an anthology of horror stories from various authors. The collection spans different sub-genres of horror, from traditional ghost stories to modern tales involving zombies and supernatural beings. The book showcases a mix of established authors and emerging talents, providing a diverse range of narratives that aim to evoke fear, suspense, and a sense of unease. Ellen Datlow's curation brings together a selection of chilling and thought-provoking stories that explore the darker aspects of human nature and the unknown.
Katherine MacDonald, sitting beside the bed and attaching one of the four TENS units to his scrawny thigh just below the basketball shorts he now always wore, did not look up. Her face was carefully b... - #10
'The Dark Descent' by David G. Hartwell is a comprehensive collection of horror short stories spanning from classic authors like Poe and Lovecraft to contemporary writers like King and Barker. The stories in the book are ordered in a way that transitions from explicit supernatural themes to more subtle and ambiguous treatments of horror. The editor's introductions are recommended to be skipped in order to fully enjoy the bone-chilling tales on their own terms.
Stephen King is the single most popular writer of horror fiction since Charles Dickens; one of the most popular writers of fiction in the English language today. He is a pop culture phenomenon, the ki...