Back at it Again with Edgar Allan Poe: Top 5 Favorite Poe Stories

Hello, Book Nerds! Welcome back to Reading Has Ruined My Life or welcome if you are new. As always, my name is Hannah and I am your captain on this journey into my bookcases.

It’s Spooky Season. I don’t care, it’s Spooky Season. I have slowly eased you into my favorite time of year but it’s time I’ve went full on Spooky Season mode. No more calm Hannah. There is only Spooky Hannah now. Please refer to me as your Pumpkin Spice Queen and only as such. Now as your Pumpkin Spice Queen, I hereby decree the following as the best stories by Our Lord and Savior Edgar Allan Poe.

Happy Spooky Season!

That’s right, we’re talking Poe today. It ain’t Spooky Season without everyone’s favorite Gothic writer!

The following are my top five Poe stories. They are the best of the best in my opinion. These are top tier. They are the GOAT. And they may not be your favorites. That’s ok, drop your top five Poe stories in the comments below. And with that, let’s get to the ranking.

Tis time!

5. I don’t care what other people say. “Devil in the Belfry” is about a clock on Satan’s mantel that he enters and messes with from time to time. It’s giving “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” It’s giving Supernatural. Point is, it’s giving. Also go read my hot take on this short story so you know what I’m talking about. Click here for that.

4. Next up is the one and only “The Premature Burial.” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, stories about being buried alive are some of the scariest pieces of literature out there. “The Premature Burial” gets to me. It’s the narrator’s phobias, illnesses, and internal monologue that freaks me out. The narrator’s fear permeates the page. Ten-out-of-ten.

3. “Some Words With A Mummy” comes in at number three. Ever heard of this one? Yes, no, maybe so? Let me tell you a bit about this one. Victorian era mummy unwrapping goes wrong. Three men are berated by a mummy for disturbing his rest. We love to see it. Literally the first thing the mummy does when he’s awoken is yell at the villains of the story. It just makes this story so charming and so amusing to me. This one brings a smile to my face; I love it.

2. Next up is “The Fall of the House of Usher.” There’s no way this one can’t make the list with all its twisty glory. I still remember the first time I read this short story in high school. It has stuck with me for many, many years and it will stay with me for many, many more. Also I’m totally not counting down the days till Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher releases. Anyway, “The Fall of the House of Usher” is killer. Go read it if you haven’t.

1. And coming in at number one, the greatest Poe story of all time, is “The Masque of the Red Death.” Oh my god, I flippin love the imagery in this one. It is the most detailed thing ever. I want to live in the pages of this story. Minus the plague, but I lived through 2020 so I think I’m good. Anyway, I bow down to this story’s imagery. I love it. I love it, I love it, I love it!

Thus endeth our list! Tell me, what are your favorite Edgar Allan Poe stories? Are any of my favorites your favorites? Let me know. I’m curious to see how my favorites hold up to yours.

With that, I must bid you all adieu. I hope you enjoyed today’s post and I shall see you all next week with another great post. We will continue on with the Spooky Season vibes!

Until then, stay safe, wash your hands, and read some good books for me.

See y'all then, bye!