Book List by Theme

Welcome.
These horror book lists were originally compiled for ReadThisNow.net, a 24/7 online readers’ advisory service started by Cleveland Public Library. When the entire KnowItNow 24/7.net family moved to the State Library of Ohio, they eliminated the role of the genre genius and the book and website lists we had made. I was granted permission to take my book lists and use them as I wished.
–Compiled by The Undead Rat


The Undead Rat’s Favorite Books

Ever wonder what titles I read and love? Here are a list of some of my favorites.
Created on: Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Updated on: Sunday, May 18, 2008

Ohio Fear Masters

Ohio has her share of horror writers and they are very much worth checking out here.
Created on: Sunday, May 23, 2004
Updated on: Monday, May 19, 2008

Women Writing Horror

Some of the best horror fiction is being written by women who want to scare you to death. This list is an introduction to them.
Created on: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Updated on: Thursday, May 29, 2008

Women Writing Urban Fantasy

Some of the best horror/urban fantasy fiction is being written by women who want to scare you to death. This list is an introduction to them.
Created on: Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Updated on: Thursday, May 29, 2008

African-Americans Writing Horror

Far too long underserved by the horror field, there are now several African-Americans who are making a name for themselves here and bring their unique perspective to the genre. Here are a few of them.
Created on: Sunday, January 30, 2005
Updated on: Monday, May 5, 2008

British Horror Writers

The horror story has a long tradition in Britain and these authors are the latest generation to inherit and extend this fine tradition into the future. And, oh yeah, they’ll scare the socks off of you.
Created on: Friday, December 1, 2006
Updated on: Monday, December 11, 2006

Old Horror Classics

These books have stood the test of time and many are considered classics. If you are seeking books that will challenge as well as scare you, or if you are a student of the genre, then these books are required reading.
Created on: Thursday, June 19, 2003
Updated on: Saturday, June 21, 2008

Son of the Old Horror Classics

More books that have stood the test of time and are considered classics. If you are seeking books that will challenge as well as scare you, or if you are a student of the genre, these books are required reading.
Created on: Friday, June 20, 2003
Updated on: Monday, December 18, 2006

Grandson of the Old Horror Classics

These are the early modern not-quite-classic horror novels that will, most likely, withstand the test of time. If you are new to horror, one of these books is sure to please. The authors here generally wrote between the 1970s and present day. This was formerly called Best of the Best.
Created on: Friday, February 9, 2006
Updated on: Monday, December 18, 2006

Alien Horror — You’re So Strange . . .

. . . You probably think this list is about you.
Created on: Friday, November 3, 2006
Updated on: Monday, May 5, 2008

Back From the Dead

They can’t stay dead, and so you dread, their inevitable return, dragging supernatural troubles behind them.
Created on: Friday, November 3, 2006
Updated on: Monday, May 5, 2008

Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad Science

Novels by horror writers where science may mean well but leads to horrific results . . . and the science that begins bad becomes very naughty indeed.
Created on: Friday, November 3, 2006
Updated on: Monday, May 5, 2008

Cursing Curses What Curse At Midnight

Curses come in many different shapes and sizes but they never bode well for anyone.
Created on: Friday, November 3, 2006
Updated on: Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Demon Ex Machina

Demons and their kin have plagued humanity for ages, and now they plague this list. Whether it is a simple demonic possession or an all out epic invasion of Earth, you’ll find the nasty critters here.
Created on: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Updated on: Sunday, May 11, 2008

Dying to be Immortal

If they are human, live forever and aren’t undead, then they are the few, the elite: the immortals. Whether they’re doomed to walk the Earth until the curse is broken or slough off their age and decadence onto a painting, the books in this list show how living forever can be a horrifying proposition.
Created on: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Updated on: Sunday, May 11, 2008

Hungry Like the Werewolf

They are not your pets next door. They’re werewolves and other shape-shifters and they are clawing and biting their way into more and more books — damanding equal time with the vampires. Who are we to say no?
Created on: Wednesday, July 16, 2004
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts

What else but great ghost stories?
Created on: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

It’s the End of the World . . .

Apocalyptic horror fiction comes in all shapes and sizes. Here are just a few . . .
Created on: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Updated on: Thursday, May 8, 2008

I, Vampire

Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful . . . and ageless . . . and undead . . . and a blood drinker. Why, I have troubles, just like everyone else.
Created on: Sunday, December 17, 2006
Updated on: Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Magicians in the Night

From stage magicians to wizards, these characters can be found either bring on accursed evil or trying to shed light upon the darkness.
Created on: Sunday, January 30, 2005
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Me and My Doppelgangers

Twice the fun when there’s two of you, especially when one of you is evil; they’re the doppelgangers. Ghostly duplicates, fleshy doubles and evil twins of all types can be found on this list.
Created on: Friday, July 25, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Mythic Horror and Fairy Tales That Bite

Cthulhu isn’t the only dark mythos in the brackish pond. These books derive their inspiration from myths, folk tales and fairy tales.
Created on: Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Updated on: Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Other Realities, Other Worlds

Horror happens in other realms, other realities and on other worlds. It’s not just for Earth, anymore.
Created on: Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Updated on: Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Safe as Haunted Houses

Here are haunted house tales that make home seem anything but safe.
Created on: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Scare Me With Psionics

Sometimes psionics — that little bit of knowing too much or a talent no ordinary mortal can do — lends itself to a truly scary story. ESP, Precognition, telekinesis, pyrokinesis and others can be a tool to combat evil or the source of evil itself as these stories show.
Created on: Saturday, July 12, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Shamans: Sinister and Otherwise

Shamans both from Native American traditions and from the cultures of other peoples are featured in these books.
Created on: Sunday, January 30, 2005
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

So Not Your Typical Vampire

They may not drink blood like water, be undead or even seem all that monstrous, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be as deadly as their blood-sipping cousins.
Created on: Sunday, December 17, 2006
Updated on: Sunday, December 17, 2006

Technological Terror Treats

Technohorror has been around for a long long time. From mad scientist reanimating bodies to super computers taking over the world to nanotechnology taking over humanity, technology has scared us every bit as much as vampires and werewolves . . . sometimes more.
Created on: Sunday, January 30, 2005
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Unusual Horror

Here are novels filled with unusual horrors for those times when vampires, werewolves and ghosts aren’t enough.
Created on: Sunday, June 29, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Unusual Horror–The Sequel

When one list of unusual horror novels is not enough, here comes a second.
Created on: Friday, July 25, 2004
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Unusual Horror–The Sequel’s Sequel

When two booklist of Unusual Horror novels isn’t enough, here comes a third helping.
Created on: Friday, July 25, 2004
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Urban and Corporate Horror

Horror is invading urban cities and now even corporate America isn’t safe, as these books show.
Created on: Friday, October 10, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Vampire Hunters Unlimited

Vampires and humans co-existing in peace and harmony? Can it be? No -CENSORED- way. These bad mothers and fathers, boys and girls, half-elves, witches and what-not are going to stake their undead, fanged -CENSORED- or go down trying.
Created on: Sunday, December 17, 2006
Updated on: Sunday, December 17, 2006

Vampires You Love

Vampires and humans co-existing in peace and harmony? Can it be?
Created on: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Vampires You Love to Hate

Vampires as villans: what could be more (un)natural? Here are all the vampires you enjoy hating and the hunters who hunt them.
Created on: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

When Calls Cthulhu

The Elder Gods demand that you read these books or else they’ll send the Shoggoth to eat you.
Created on: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Where Walks the Ancient Undead

The mummy is perhaps the best known of the ancient undead, but there are others . . . and they are collected here for your enjoyment.
Created on: Sunday, July 20, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Which Witch is Witch?

Good witches, evil witches and witches of all sorts are to be found casting their spells over you in this list.
Created on: Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Who do Voodoo?

Shrouded in mystery and misinformation, this religion is sometimes seen as a benefit to the people or a dangerous bane. Which one will it be this time? Well, in the world of horror fiction, very little is ever a benefit . . .
Created on: Friday, November 3, 2006
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Zombies are a Guy’s Best Friend

Running out of friends? Bring them back from the dead like they do in these books.
Created on: Friday, July 25, 2004
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Horror All Too Human

Novels by horror writers where the evil is human and the horror hits too close to home are listed here. Many of these novels fall into a gray area between suspense/thrillers with both sides claiming them.
Created on: Monday, July 7, 2005
Updated on: Friday, May 16, 2008

Horror Most Human

More novels by horror writers where the evil is human and the horror hits too close to home are listed here. Many of these novels fall into a gray area between suspense/thrillers with both sides claiming them.
Created on: Thursday, December 7, 2006
Updated on: Friday, May 16, 2008

When Good Animals Go Evil

Just when you think you’ve got your pet St. Bernard or Great White Shark housebroken, the darn thing turns on you and eats you up. It’s a shame when good animals go bad.
Created on: Friday, November 3, 2006
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Horror Gorefest and Flying Body Parts

These books are only for those with a very strong stomach.
Created on: Sunday, December 17, 2006
Updated on: Sunday, December 17, 2006

Detecting Horror

One of the most popular genre combinations is mystery and horror. You not only have to figure out who did it but also how to stop it before it eats you!
Created on: Sunday, June 6, 2004
Updated on: Thursday, December 21, 2006

Erotic Horror

Often graphic and explicit, these novels combine the sensuality of erotic literature with gut-wrenching horror. Not for the faint of heart or easily offended.
Created on: Friday, November 3, 2006
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Here Lies Dark Fantasy

Another popular genre combinations is fantasy and horror, often called dark fantasy.
Created on: Friday, June 18, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Horror Most Humorous

Can there really be humorous horror? Can you laugh and be frightened at the same time? This combination worked well for Buffy the Vampire Slayer on television but can it translate to a novel? Read these titles and decide for yourself.
Created on: Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Let’s Get Graphic!

Comics and graphic novels have been publishing horror practically since their inception. Here is a list of just a few of them. It includes graphic novels, collected comics and books that are heavily illustrated.
Created on: Monday, June 30, 2003
Updated on: Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Literary Horror Rising

One would think that literary fiction and horror would make strange bedfellows and yet there has been a resurgence of the literary horror novel and it shows no sign of dying.
Created on: Friday, October 31, 2003
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Romantic Horror — Kiss, Kiss, Slurp, Slurp

A new and surprisingly strong genre combination is romance and horror. Vampires and muck monsters serve as the love interest and the weddings are something else.
Created on: Sunday, January 30, 2005
Updated on: Friday, December 1, 2006

Romantic Horror — Kiss, Kiss, Kill, Kill

Even the romance genre has gotten into horror. Lately its become fashionable to have a vampire or werewolf as a significant other. These titles tackle the darker side of romance and horror — often mixing the two in unusual combinations. Many of these titles have hot and steamy sex scenes.
Created on: Sunday, December 17, 2006
Updated on: Sunday, December 17, 2006

Totally Teen Horror

As if the teen years weren’t horrible enough, now we have horror for teens.
Created on: Friday, November 3, 2006
Updated on: Sunday, December 17, 2006