I used to think that horror was all about haunted houses, demons and axe murderers. Instead, this might be classified as classic horror. However, there are so many sub-categories of horror out there that could appeal to you if you, like me, aren’t really interested in the former.
Social horror
Think the Get Out film by Jordan Peele. This is a great category if you want novels that explore the difficulties or experience of marginalised groups/communities. LGBTQ+, disabled folks, black and asian folks, books set in other cultures or countries to the Western sphere. Satire or social commentary.
- The Reformatory
- Model Home
- White Smoke
- Ghost Boys
- We Used to Live Here
- The Honeys
- Hell Followed With Us
- Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaeffer
- Bat Eater
Humorous Horror / Horror Parody
Think Beetlejuice and Shaun of the Dead. Stories that have horror elements but they are a parody, satirical, dark comedy, or funny in their exploration of themes and horror tropes.
- The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires and Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
- My Sister the Serial Killer
- A Touch of Jen
- John Dies At the End
- The Last Final Girl by Stephen Graham Jones
- A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
- Pride Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
- Rachel Harrison books
- T. Kingfisher books
Younger Horror
- Lockwood and Co.
- City of Ghosts
- Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
Pink Horror
Horror that focuses on misogyny, feminism, femme voices, female rage
- Chlorine by Jade Song
- Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
- Bunny and Rouge by Mona Awad
- Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid
Graphic Novel Horror
- After the Rain
- Sheets Brenna Thummler
- The Sad Ghost Club
- Anya’s Ghost
Sincerely,
S. xx
