Women in Horror Month: Elle’s Top 10 Horror Books
Inspired by Jason’s Top 5, I thought I’d touch on some of the best horror books I’ve read recently, and find a top ten for WIHM.
Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder
Review
A powerful, visceral novel with scenes that haunt me. This one quite literally gave me nightmares.
Welsh Gothic by Jane Aaron
Review
Shifting to non-fiction, this is an excellent examination of the gothic in Wales, exploring tales published throughout the last few centuries, and reflecting on the society around them. I found this one absolutely riveting.
Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste
Review
What happens when Lucy Westenra and Bertha Mason must confront the men who have haunted their long lives? Well, dive in and find out. Loved this one, and loved how it reclaimed the stories of these two women.
Transmuted by Eve Harms
Review
Body horror at its finest by a very talented writer. This novella is tightly packed and makes for a fascinating read.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Outstanding example of the Gothic, and a fresh take on the genre – I loved this book, every second I listened to.
The Man With No Shadow by Bonnie Quinn
Review
Taken from a series of r/nosleep posts, Quinn crafts together an excellent setting and mythology for Kate’s campground.
Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick
Really fun Middle Grade Horror, perfect for younger readers and highly enjoyable for young-at-heart, too – excellent Goosebumps-type feel while still being fresh.
The Science of Women in Horror by Meg Hafdahl, Kelly Florence
Review
More non-fiction, this book examines various tropes and character archetypes throughout horror. The authors do excellent work and provide plenty of interesting interviews with women in the industry.
Crossroads by Laurel Hightower
Review
The absolute Queen of Heartbreak Horror, Laurel delivers a tragic read that will have you sobbing in the best possible way – she crafts characters it’s impossible not to connect with, in situations you hope you never have to face, and as I mention in the review, I’m pretty sure readers’ tears are a core part of her diet. Excellent, powerful read.
Inheriting Her Ghosts by S.H. Cooper
Laurel might have Heartbreak Horror covered, by S.H. Cooper has cornered wholesome horror – Inheriting Her Ghosts and pretty much her whole body of work is excellent and well worth checking out, IHG is you especially enjoy the Gothic.
Because I can’t help myself, there’s a few more worth special mentions – Sloth by Joanne Askew, and two women in horror anthologies – We Are Wolves, which I loved, and A Woman Built By Man, which I co-edited with S.H. Cooper and honestly am just really proud of!
So if you were looking for your next read, definitely consider picking one of these up – you won’t regret it!
