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Collection Development and RA: Horror

What is Horror?

Horror is a feeling and reaction as much as a genre. Horror fiction may elicit fear and surprise, and contains any one or a combination of the following elements: mystery, gore, dark atmosphere, creeping dread, and unease. Some consider terror a separate genre while others believe it’s an aspect of horror.

No genre has defined borders and that’s perhaps truer for horror than other genres.

NoveList Crash Course

Additional Resources

Book Riot Horror: Horror book reviews and recommendations—email newsletter available

Thought Catalog (Creepy Catalog): fiction, true crime, horror, and horror-adjacent movies—email newsletter available

The Horror Bookshelf: Dormant, but has an extensive backfile of horror book reviews

Bram Stoker Awards

Shirley Jackson Awards

Back Pocket Picks: Under the radar suggestions for the patron who's read everything.