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

Book List by Theme

Ever wonder what titles I read and love? Here are a list of some of my favorites.

Ohio has her share of horror writers and they are very much worth checking out here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

. . . You probably think this list is about you.

They can’t stay dead, and so you dread, their inevitable return, dragging supernatural troubles behind them.

Novels by horror writers where science may mean well but leads to horrific results . . . and the science that begins bad becomes very naughty indeed.

Curses come in many different shapes and sizes but they never bode well for anyone.

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.

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?

What else but great ghost stories?

Apocalyptic horror fiction comes in all shapes and sizes. Here are just a few . . .

Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful . . . and ageless . . . and undead . . . and a blood drinker. Why, I have troubles, just like everyone else.

From stage magicians to wizards, these characters can be found either bring on accursed evil or trying to shed light upon the darkness.

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.

Cthulhu isn’t the only dark mythos in the brackish pond. These books derive their inspiration from myths, folk tales and fairy tales.

Horror happens in other realms, other realities and on other worlds. It’s not just for Earth, anymore.

Here are haunted house tales that make home seem anything but safe.

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.

Shamans both from Native American traditions and from the cultures of other peoples are featured in these books.

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.

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.

Here are novels filled with unusual horrors for those times when vampires, werewolves and ghosts aren’t enough.

When one list of unusual horror novels is not enough, here comes a second.

When two booklist of Unusual Horror novels isn’t enough, here comes a third helping.

Horror is invading urban cities and now even corporate America isn’t safe, as these books show.

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.

Vampires and humans co-existing in peace and harmony? Can it be?

Vampires as villans: what could be more (un)natural? Here are all the vampires you enjoy hating and the hunters who hunt them.

The Elder Gods demand that you read these books or else they’ll send the Shoggoth to eat you.

The mummy is perhaps the best known of the ancient undead, but there are others . . . and they are collected here for your enjoyment.

Good witches, evil witches and witches of all sorts are to be found casting their spells over you in this list.

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 . . .

Running out of friends? Bring them back from the dead like they do in these books.

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.

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.

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.

These books are only for those with a very strong stomach.

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!

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.

Another popular genre combinations is fantasy and horror, often called dark fantasy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As if the teen years weren’t horrible enough, now we have horror for teens.

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