From Netflix Zombie to Thriller Junkie: How Psychological Thriller Books Brought Me Back to Life

For the longest time, my entertainment diet was 100% TV series and movies. I mean, who wasn’t glued to their couch during lockdown pretending Netflix was an emotional support system? Somewhere along the way, I became addicted to the feeling of not thinking after work. I’d spend hours diving into fictional worlds, living vicariously through characters, and calling it “me time.”

It felt good. Too good. But without realizing it, my brain slowly clocked out of creative duty. Work kept me busy, sure, but it didn’t feed my mind. I was on mental autopilot, creatively parked, and collecting cobwebs upstairs.

When I first noticed that my creativity and curiosity had hit a plateau, I gave myself the same pep talks we all do:

“Tomorrow I’ll start that new book.”

“Tonight’s the night I’ll read something inspiring.”

Spoiler: I didn’t. Instead, I made lists of what to watch instead of what to read. 

Conversations with friends became the same rinse-and-repeat:

“What are you watching right now?”

“Oh my God, you have to see this show!”

Let’s face it—TV is magical. It numbs you just enough to make you forget the world exists. But I started missing that deep mental engagement, the way a good book makes you see and feel everything.

My Short-Lived Audiobook Era

To ease back into reading, I tried audiobooks. It was a noble effort, but the experiment was a total flop. I’m a visual learner. I need to see words to imagine them. With someone narrating in my ear, my brain was folding laundry, scrolling on my phone, or drifting into the void. Audiobooks are amazing, for someone else. I, however, need to hold a book (or Kindle) and get lost in the pages.

And yes, as a New Yorker, I had to admit that physical books hog precious square footage. Sure, I could shove them in the dishwasher… but then where would I keep my pots and pans, like every New Yorker who pretends to cook once a week?

The Book That Brought Me Back

Then it happened. I decided to snap out of it and buy my first book in years. A psychological thriller—my favorite genre. I bought and downloaded Haunting Adeline by H. D. Carlton on my Kindle, and let me tell you, this woman resurrected the bookworm in me.

Fair warning: always check the trigger warnings before diving into this book - or any intense read - and go in at your own pace.

The story was dark, suspenseful, and insanely hot. The way Carlton blends twisted passion with spine-tingling mystery had me hooked from page one. I went from hating Zade, to loving him, to hating him again… and then let’s just say I needed a cold shower.

When I finished, I jumped straight into Hunting Adeline. It was just as gripping, and honestly, when I reached the end, I felt this weird sadness. Why couldn’t it go on forever? Someone call Netflix immediately because this deserves a whole series.

I also don’t think I’ve ever cried that hard or felt so afraid to pick up a book again - well, my Kindle in this case. But curiosity won. As tough as some parts were, I appreciated Adeline’s strength and the way the story pulled at every emotion I had.

My Thriller Spiral (And Proud of It)

After that, I joined a Facebook group called ‘Psychological Thriller Readers’ where over a million fellow book addicts share recommendations, reviews, and TBR lists. That’s where I discovered The Housemaid series by Freida McFadden. Her writing is like a rollercoaster, fast, unexpected, and full of those “WAIT, WHAT?!” moments that make you forget to breathe.

But then… someone mentioned The Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby, and my inner dark-romance gremlin woke up. I started with The Risk, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I devoured it like a guilty pleasure burger in bed. It’s that addictive. Abby’s blend of love, revenge, and adrenaline is like therapy for twisted hearts.

Freida McFadden nails the thriller side of things, but S.T. Abby gives you the thrills and the chills with a side of forbidden love, and apparently that’s my new personality.

Where I’m At Now

So here I am, restarting my reading life, proudly ticking boxes on my Kindle list, and finally feeling that spark of imagination again. Reading reminds me that your mind needs exercise just as much as your body.

If you’re like me, someone who fell off the reading wagon but wants to climb back on, start with what excites you. Grab the book that hooks you, not the one you think you “should” read, but the one you won’t be able to put down.

Because honestly? Nothing beats the feeling of falling in love with a story again.