What do you think?
Rate this book
101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered
The Ultimate List of Must-Read Horror! Curious readers and fans of monsters and the macabre, get ready to bulk up your TBR piles! Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann has curated the best selection of modern horror books, including plenty of deep cuts. Indulge your heart’s darkest desires to be terrified, unsettled, disgusted, and heartbroken with stories that span everything from paranormal hauntings and creepy death cults to small-town terrors and apocalyptic disasters. Each recommendation includes a full synopsis as well as a quick overview of the book’s themes, style, and tone so you can narrow down your next read at a glance.
Featuring a foreword by New York Times bestselling author Josh Malerman and five brand-new essays from rising voices in the genre, this illustrated reader’s guide is perfect for anyone who dares to delve into the dark.
Featuring a foreword by New York Times bestselling author Josh Malerman and five brand-new essays from rising voices in the genre, this illustrated reader’s guide is perfect for anyone who dares to delve into the dark.
168 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2023
About the author
Sadie Hartmann
22 books6,233 followersSadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror is the co-owner of the monthly horror fiction subscription company, Night Worms and the Bram Stoker Awards® winning author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered from Page Street Publishing.
She lives in the PNW with her husband of 20+ years where they stare at Mt Rainier, eat street tacos, and hang out with their 3 kids. They have a Frenchie named Owen.
She lives in the PNW with her husband of 20+ years where they stare at Mt Rainier, eat street tacos, and hang out with their 3 kids. They have a Frenchie named Owen.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
Read
June 23, 2023Coming August 8th, 2023
Pre-Order anywhere books are sold.
Read horror responsibly and look up potential triggers for any book you're unsure about, but I've got you--the way I've set this book up will make it easier for you to choose wisely based on your personal preferences. Hope you find some great books to read!
Pre-Order anywhere books are sold.
Read horror responsibly and look up potential triggers for any book you're unsure about, but I've got you--the way I've set this book up will make it easier for you to choose wisely based on your personal preferences. Hope you find some great books to read!
October 13, 2023
It feels a little unusual to "review" a book that is, essentially, a collection of book reviews, and yet I can't not give this the 5-star treatment. Sadie knocked this one out of the damn park! I can't wait to shove this book into the hands of every horror reader I meet, but first, I need to give you some backstory.
I met Sadie on Instagram years ago, and meeting her is how I got into the horror book community and worked up the courage to start focusing primarily on my lifelong favorite themes. Horror has been my most reached-for genre since early childhood, but when I first joined bookstagram in 2016, I fell into a crowd whose mindset was "YA or bust" and I got crammed into a box I never really felt I belonged in.
If you ask anyone who's ever transitioned from the YA online community to another bookish space, they'll probably say the same: it's a nerve-wracking experience. I lost so many followers when I shifted my focus, and I even received DMs from friends who basically told me, "I like you, but I'm unfollowing and/or muting you because I can't stand seeing these scary books in my feed." It was rough!
But every time I felt discouraged, I looked at Sadie and the little circles she moved in, and I took heart. Here was someone who was inspiring me, who was doing what she loved—using her platform to promote horror—and she had found a niche that she fit perfectly into! Watching Sadie be true to herself told me that if I was true to myself, and did what I loved without worrying about what others thought, I could find my niche, too. And you know what? I did. I feel like I have a corner carved out for me here, a place at the table that's solidly mine, and I don't know if I would have ever taken a chance if I hadn't met Sadie.
I'm rambling, but the point is: I have a really special place in my heart for Sadie, so when I tell you I'm proud of what she's accomplished here, I mean I am really fucking proud of her.
But you know what, you're not here to listen to me gush about the author, you're here for my thoughts on the book. 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered is an absolute treasure chest full of prized jewels of the horror genre from traditionally published and mainstream bestselling authors, all the way to self-published indie works that don't get nearly the recognition they deserve. Whether you're new to the horror genre or a lifelong devotee, there are titles in here that you're going to want to add to your TBR immediately.
Luckily for me, even though I read a lot of horror titles, most of the ones in this book were still on my TBR or totally brand new to me! (Of the ones I had read, I second her recommendation for every single one: no duds here.) I even created an entire Goodreads shelf for Sadie's picks that I haven't read yet, and I'm challenging myself to work through that shelf over the next few years, because she hasn't led me astray with a recommendation yet.
In case you couldn't tell, I loved 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered a whole lot. Sadie's writing is so fun and relatable, she speaks from the heart, and she's really damn talented at making you want to read everything she recommends as soon as you possibly can. It's no wonder I have a shelf full of books I bought based on her suggestions and that shelf is growing all the time. On top of everything else, the physical copy of this book is a delight: it's beautifully formatted and has gorgeous artwork that I couldn't stop staring at. Sadie and Page Street Publishing killed it, and I really hope there's a sequel in the works someday!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
I met Sadie on Instagram years ago, and meeting her is how I got into the horror book community and worked up the courage to start focusing primarily on my lifelong favorite themes. Horror has been my most reached-for genre since early childhood, but when I first joined bookstagram in 2016, I fell into a crowd whose mindset was "YA or bust" and I got crammed into a box I never really felt I belonged in.
If you ask anyone who's ever transitioned from the YA online community to another bookish space, they'll probably say the same: it's a nerve-wracking experience. I lost so many followers when I shifted my focus, and I even received DMs from friends who basically told me, "I like you, but I'm unfollowing and/or muting you because I can't stand seeing these scary books in my feed." It was rough!
But every time I felt discouraged, I looked at Sadie and the little circles she moved in, and I took heart. Here was someone who was inspiring me, who was doing what she loved—using her platform to promote horror—and she had found a niche that she fit perfectly into! Watching Sadie be true to herself told me that if I was true to myself, and did what I loved without worrying about what others thought, I could find my niche, too. And you know what? I did. I feel like I have a corner carved out for me here, a place at the table that's solidly mine, and I don't know if I would have ever taken a chance if I hadn't met Sadie.
I'm rambling, but the point is: I have a really special place in my heart for Sadie, so when I tell you I'm proud of what she's accomplished here, I mean I am really fucking proud of her.
But you know what, you're not here to listen to me gush about the author, you're here for my thoughts on the book. 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered is an absolute treasure chest full of prized jewels of the horror genre from traditionally published and mainstream bestselling authors, all the way to self-published indie works that don't get nearly the recognition they deserve. Whether you're new to the horror genre or a lifelong devotee, there are titles in here that you're going to want to add to your TBR immediately.
Luckily for me, even though I read a lot of horror titles, most of the ones in this book were still on my TBR or totally brand new to me! (Of the ones I had read, I second her recommendation for every single one: no duds here.) I even created an entire Goodreads shelf for Sadie's picks that I haven't read yet, and I'm challenging myself to work through that shelf over the next few years, because she hasn't led me astray with a recommendation yet.
In case you couldn't tell, I loved 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered a whole lot. Sadie's writing is so fun and relatable, she speaks from the heart, and she's really damn talented at making you want to read everything she recommends as soon as you possibly can. It's no wonder I have a shelf full of books I bought based on her suggestions and that shelf is growing all the time. On top of everything else, the physical copy of this book is a delight: it's beautifully formatted and has gorgeous artwork that I couldn't stop staring at. Sadie and Page Street Publishing killed it, and I really hope there's a sequel in the works someday!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
May 21, 2024
It's always fun to see your enthusiasm for something reflected back at you, especially when that something is considered to be a weird of baffling (or even troubling) thing to care about by most people, like the horror genre is. Sadie Hartmann gets it. As she says in the closing section of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered, "Reading a steady diet of horror is going to ruin you for other genres." But luckily we have handy reference tools like this book to keep us well fed.
I for one am happy that 101 Horror Books stuck to contemporary horror fiction. If I haven't read them already in my many years or being a horror fiction lover, I already know the classics that I "should" read according to other lists and articles and books. Highlighting what's happening now in traditional and indie horror publishing was a refreshing approach.
Of the 101 books Hartmann recommends, I have read 19, enjoyed 13 of those, already had 7 on my TBR and added 7 more. The book is divided into sections by types of horror and features highlights of well known names in the genre today, such as Alma Katsu, Stephen Graham Jones and Grady Hendrix, with those authors' personal horror recommendations. Hartmann has also included a reference guide for readers to get their horror fix, from podcasts and social media to newsletters and magazines, which I look forward to exploring.
I for one am happy that 101 Horror Books stuck to contemporary horror fiction. If I haven't read them already in my many years or being a horror fiction lover, I already know the classics that I "should" read according to other lists and articles and books. Highlighting what's happening now in traditional and indie horror publishing was a refreshing approach.
Of the 101 books Hartmann recommends, I have read 19, enjoyed 13 of those, already had 7 on my TBR and added 7 more. The book is divided into sections by types of horror and features highlights of well known names in the genre today, such as Alma Katsu, Stephen Graham Jones and Grady Hendrix, with those authors' personal horror recommendations. Hartmann has also included a reference guide for readers to get their horror fix, from podcasts and social media to newsletters and magazines, which I look forward to exploring.
September 28, 2023
Rating is 4.5
Review in the June 2023 Issue of Library Journal
Three Words That Describe This Book: Genre overview, participatory, conversational tone
101 Books To Read Before You’re Murdered by Sadie Hartmann
Draft Review
Horror’s most well known fan, Hartmann presents a volume for readers and library workers to rejoice over whether they are established fear fiends or terror newbies. An excellent introduction lays out Hartmann’s mission, to take you on a tour through Horror as a reader, while also explaining her organizational process and demonstrating how to use the icons that serve as guideposts throughout. Most of the book is focused on specific titles, organized into five overarching categories each capped off with an original essay by the genre’s hottest authors. Within each section, Hartmann presents her conversational review of the titles, each on a single page with a sidebar summarizing the book’s appeal. Fun quizzes, illustrations that enhance the book’s atmosphere and tone, and more lengthy author overviews are also sprinkled throughout. The result: a gorgeously creepy book, told with an engaging and authoritative voice, diverse in every possible way. This book can be enjoyed from cover to cover or as a choose your own spooky adventure, but either way, it will entice all who encounter it to seek out more Horror.
Verdict: Horror’s popularity is on the rise and this book provides the widest possible view of the genre as it stands today and there are no repeat authors. Libraries should consider buying two copies, one for reference and another to circulate, and make extra copies of the reading checklist in the back to hand out, especially during spooky season.
Although I can't put this in the magazine, this title is a perfect readalike for my book. They are a yin and yang. Hartmann's written for the reader, mine written for the library worker.
Review in the June 2023 Issue of Library Journal
Three Words That Describe This Book: Genre overview, participatory, conversational tone
101 Books To Read Before You’re Murdered by Sadie Hartmann
Draft Review
Horror’s most well known fan, Hartmann presents a volume for readers and library workers to rejoice over whether they are established fear fiends or terror newbies. An excellent introduction lays out Hartmann’s mission, to take you on a tour through Horror as a reader, while also explaining her organizational process and demonstrating how to use the icons that serve as guideposts throughout. Most of the book is focused on specific titles, organized into five overarching categories each capped off with an original essay by the genre’s hottest authors. Within each section, Hartmann presents her conversational review of the titles, each on a single page with a sidebar summarizing the book’s appeal. Fun quizzes, illustrations that enhance the book’s atmosphere and tone, and more lengthy author overviews are also sprinkled throughout. The result: a gorgeously creepy book, told with an engaging and authoritative voice, diverse in every possible way. This book can be enjoyed from cover to cover or as a choose your own spooky adventure, but either way, it will entice all who encounter it to seek out more Horror.
Verdict: Horror’s popularity is on the rise and this book provides the widest possible view of the genre as it stands today and there are no repeat authors. Libraries should consider buying two copies, one for reference and another to circulate, and make extra copies of the reading checklist in the back to hand out, especially during spooky season.
Although I can't put this in the magazine, this title is a perfect readalike for my book. They are a yin and yang. Hartmann's written for the reader, mine written for the library worker.
August 10, 2023
“101 Books to Read Before You Are Murdered”, by Sadie Hartmann, is an excellent compilation of horror books everyone should read. There is an introduction by Josh Malerman which elevates the horror reader.
This fun book has a subgenre breakdown with book recommendations. Each section starts with an introduction explaining the subgenre and showcased books. each page includes Sadie’s thoughts, an informative sidebar, and the cover. There is an author spotlight at the end of the section with a conversational narrative, recommended titles, and author recommendations.
“101 Books To Read Before You Are Murdered” has something for everyone If you are a seasoned horror reader, this book is an excellent reference for seasoned horror readers. Individuals new to the genre will get an extensive introduction to the genre.
Reading Sadie’s thoughts on them was a fun experience. Her extensive knowledge of the genre graces the pages of this book. As a seasoned horror reader, I also discovered books that were immediately added to my tbr pile and ones I wanted to read again. There is a checklist on the back which is a great way to keep track. It is the ultimate horror reader reference guide.
This fun book has a subgenre breakdown with book recommendations. Each section starts with an introduction explaining the subgenre and showcased books. each page includes Sadie’s thoughts, an informative sidebar, and the cover. There is an author spotlight at the end of the section with a conversational narrative, recommended titles, and author recommendations.
“101 Books To Read Before You Are Murdered” has something for everyone If you are a seasoned horror reader, this book is an excellent reference for seasoned horror readers. Individuals new to the genre will get an extensive introduction to the genre.
Reading Sadie’s thoughts on them was a fun experience. Her extensive knowledge of the genre graces the pages of this book. As a seasoned horror reader, I also discovered books that were immediately added to my tbr pile and ones I wanted to read again. There is a checklist on the back which is a great way to keep track. It is the ultimate horror reader reference guide.
August 12, 2023
I hit a point in 2019 where I felt like I'd hit the end of horror. King, Koontz, Rice, Simmons, McCammon, Brite. The internet led me to believe that's all there was. In compiling 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered, Sadie Hartmann has cemented a list to help similiarly helpless readers find their next great read.
This list contains diversity in every sense of the word, showcasing writers from a variety of backgrounds making their mark on countless sub-genres in horror. Hartmann provides classifications, read-alikes, and everything a horror rookie could possibly need to dip their toes in the Camp Crystal Lake waters, even going so far as to compare lesser known authors and books to King and other horror royalty to provide context.
While I would've liked to see indie press horror leave a bigger mark on the list, there are plenty of books (Aaron Dries, Paula D. Ashe, Tim McGregor) that casual perusers of the B&N horror section might never stumble upon.
Complete with in-depth descriptions of sub-genres and brilliant illustrations, 101 Horror Books will keep readers busy for quite some time.
This list contains diversity in every sense of the word, showcasing writers from a variety of backgrounds making their mark on countless sub-genres in horror. Hartmann provides classifications, read-alikes, and everything a horror rookie could possibly need to dip their toes in the Camp Crystal Lake waters, even going so far as to compare lesser known authors and books to King and other horror royalty to provide context.
While I would've liked to see indie press horror leave a bigger mark on the list, there are plenty of books (Aaron Dries, Paula D. Ashe, Tim McGregor) that casual perusers of the B&N horror section might never stumble upon.
Complete with in-depth descriptions of sub-genres and brilliant illustrations, 101 Horror Books will keep readers busy for quite some time.
Read
August 31, 2023Thoroughly enjoyed this! But beware, if you like horror, it will blow up your TBR. Have your credit card and/or library card ready.
August 11, 2023
I’m gonna start this review off in a non-conventional way. Go buy this book. That’s it. Go buy it. Support @mother.horror and this incredible addition to the modern horror pantheon which she has graciously gifted us.
I won’t lie when I tell you that going into this book, I thought I knew exactly what to expect. What books would make the cut, what books wouldn’t, how many I’d have already read. But goddamn was I wrong. The final count of books I’d already read (not counting author spotlights) was 27/101. That’s crazy! To think, Sadie was able to craft a guidebook through modern horror that, even someone as steeped in the genre like me, could be surprised by the contents.
What lies within the pages of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered is nothing short of masterful. The dedication, love, passion, and laughs that poured out with every page turn was staggering. I read this one with one hand firmly holding my iPad, frantically running my fingers along the bottom of the screen to get to the next page, and my phone in my other hand with @goodreads on speed dial (and @pangobooks as a backup). I added a few dozen titles to various lists and shopping carts and I’ve begun a short invoice to send over to Sadie when it comes time to pay the credit card bill 😂
If you’re new to the genre and need a tangible guidebook to dive into the wealth of titles we’ve been blessed with over the past couple decades, then this book is for you. If you’re a seasoned veteran and are looking for some of the titles that might have slipped past you, then this book is also for you. If you love books, scary or not, and love to learn about other people’s passions by proxy, then look no further. These pages drip with the unbridled excitement and love of a genre historically pushed to the fringes of society. This one is for the weirdos, the queers, the bullied, the losers, the lovers — this one is for everyone.
5/5 🌟
And a huge shoutout to @fable for the free digital copy while I waited for my @night_worms copy to arrive 🔥
I won’t lie when I tell you that going into this book, I thought I knew exactly what to expect. What books would make the cut, what books wouldn’t, how many I’d have already read. But goddamn was I wrong. The final count of books I’d already read (not counting author spotlights) was 27/101. That’s crazy! To think, Sadie was able to craft a guidebook through modern horror that, even someone as steeped in the genre like me, could be surprised by the contents.
What lies within the pages of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered is nothing short of masterful. The dedication, love, passion, and laughs that poured out with every page turn was staggering. I read this one with one hand firmly holding my iPad, frantically running my fingers along the bottom of the screen to get to the next page, and my phone in my other hand with @goodreads on speed dial (and @pangobooks as a backup). I added a few dozen titles to various lists and shopping carts and I’ve begun a short invoice to send over to Sadie when it comes time to pay the credit card bill 😂
If you’re new to the genre and need a tangible guidebook to dive into the wealth of titles we’ve been blessed with over the past couple decades, then this book is for you. If you’re a seasoned veteran and are looking for some of the titles that might have slipped past you, then this book is also for you. If you love books, scary or not, and love to learn about other people’s passions by proxy, then look no further. These pages drip with the unbridled excitement and love of a genre historically pushed to the fringes of society. This one is for the weirdos, the queers, the bullied, the losers, the lovers — this one is for everyone.
5/5 🌟
And a huge shoutout to @fable for the free digital copy while I waited for my @night_worms copy to arrive 🔥
April 28, 2023
From Page Street Publishing, 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered by Sadie Hartmann is exactly the kind of gem I love discovering in the maelstrom of things to read out there.
Influential social media book personality, editor at Dark Hart Books (an imprint of Dark Matter Magazine), and co-owner of the rad, genre book subscription service Night Worms, Hartmann has added the profession of author to her resume. As you can imagine, she’s read a LOT of books.
To keep it somewhat digestible, Hartmann’s compendium focuses on her picks of the best fiction genre books from 2000 - 2023. I asked Hartmann about the origin of this book:
“I was invited by my editor, Alexandra Murphy, to write this book and the initial thought was both terrifying and daunting. But after spending time really imagining myself writing it, I realized that this book was my opportunity to share with the world all the love I have for horror fiction and how much love horror fiction has for us,” Hartmann says.
I'm one of those people who loves both reading the book and seeing the show or film that it transforms into. Every book in here deserves an adaptation, and though there are several, there should be far, far more. Or you can look at it the opposite way: seen the film adaptation and loved it? Go read the book, and love the story even more!
Of course, there are even more works here with films or shows in development, according to the trades and IMDb, so take this opportunity to read the book now. For instance, Brother and Seed, both written by Ania Ahlborn are in development, as is Red Widow by former senior intelligence analyst Alma Katsu. I'm willing to bet that there are lots of books in here optioned by production companies or currently out to market that we don't know about yet.
Hartmann’s writing is enthusiastic and infectious; reading about these books feels like you’re getting the most exciting recommendations from your best friend while pausing for tea at a bookstore cafe. This book is about very dark subjects, but it’s so much fun. To be quite honest, reading and learning about the myriad stories and themes within was invigorating and inspiring. It actually helped get me out of a creative funk!
The layout and format of the book alone is enjoyable, too. Featuring gnarly cover and inner illustrations by Marco Fontanili, 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered also sports a great introduction by bestselling horror novelist and musician Josh Malerman (Bird Box, Pearl, Spin a Black Yarn).
To make it even more readable, the book is broken into satisfying, themed sections:
*Paranormal (haunted houses, ghosts, and creatures & cryptids)
*Supernatural (demons & possession, the occult & witchcraft, and cosmic horror)
*Human monsters (coming of age, grief, loss & death, cults, slashers & serial killers, creepy kids, body horror, and crime & investigation)
*Natural order horror (apocalyptic, dystopian & sci-fi and eco horror)
*Short story collections
Author spotlights some of the most talented and experienced writers in the game right now, along with recommended books by Tananarive Due, Christopher Buehlman, Grady Hendrix, Ania Ahlborn, V. Castro, Daniel Kraus, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, Adam Nevill, Stephen Graham Jones, and Alma Katsu. As you might guess, there are tons of books here which have been or are currently being adapted into films and series. More source material is peppered in among the rest of the book, such as Max Booth III's We Need to Do Something.
Additionally, 101 Horror Books includes essays from exciting new voices in the genre. You’ll hear from Cassandra Khaw (Nothing But Blackened Teeth), Hailey Piper (Queen of Teeth), Eric LaRocca (Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke), RJ Joseph (the nonfiction The Streaming of Hill House), and Daniel Kraus (The Shape of Water with Guillermo del Toro).
These essays include a brief bio of these authors, but more importantly, the essays give them a chance to discuss what’s personally important to them in horror, and why. 101 Horror Books shines even more here; the book is quite inclusive of the authors it gathers, going way above and beyond the usual list of straight white guys. If you want more flavor in your horror diet, Hartmann tells you exactly where to find it.
There are also helpful suggestions on where to find more horror books, as well as a handy checklist of all the books, by title, if you’re really committed to reading everything listed.
If you love horror, you’re going to want to add 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered to your home library as soon as you can.
Though the book won’t be out until August 8, if you pre-order through Barnes & Noble today, April 28th, 2023, you’ll get 25% off this wonderful book and any other pre-orders with the code: PREORDER25. You can also find it on Amazon, and I’m sure your favorite indie shop would be happy to order it for you, as well.
Influential social media book personality, editor at Dark Hart Books (an imprint of Dark Matter Magazine), and co-owner of the rad, genre book subscription service Night Worms, Hartmann has added the profession of author to her resume. As you can imagine, she’s read a LOT of books.
To keep it somewhat digestible, Hartmann’s compendium focuses on her picks of the best fiction genre books from 2000 - 2023. I asked Hartmann about the origin of this book:
“I was invited by my editor, Alexandra Murphy, to write this book and the initial thought was both terrifying and daunting. But after spending time really imagining myself writing it, I realized that this book was my opportunity to share with the world all the love I have for horror fiction and how much love horror fiction has for us,” Hartmann says.
I'm one of those people who loves both reading the book and seeing the show or film that it transforms into. Every book in here deserves an adaptation, and though there are several, there should be far, far more. Or you can look at it the opposite way: seen the film adaptation and loved it? Go read the book, and love the story even more!
Of course, there are even more works here with films or shows in development, according to the trades and IMDb, so take this opportunity to read the book now. For instance, Brother and Seed, both written by Ania Ahlborn are in development, as is Red Widow by former senior intelligence analyst Alma Katsu. I'm willing to bet that there are lots of books in here optioned by production companies or currently out to market that we don't know about yet.
Hartmann’s writing is enthusiastic and infectious; reading about these books feels like you’re getting the most exciting recommendations from your best friend while pausing for tea at a bookstore cafe. This book is about very dark subjects, but it’s so much fun. To be quite honest, reading and learning about the myriad stories and themes within was invigorating and inspiring. It actually helped get me out of a creative funk!
The layout and format of the book alone is enjoyable, too. Featuring gnarly cover and inner illustrations by Marco Fontanili, 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered also sports a great introduction by bestselling horror novelist and musician Josh Malerman (Bird Box, Pearl, Spin a Black Yarn).
To make it even more readable, the book is broken into satisfying, themed sections:
*Paranormal (haunted houses, ghosts, and creatures & cryptids)
*Supernatural (demons & possession, the occult & witchcraft, and cosmic horror)
*Human monsters (coming of age, grief, loss & death, cults, slashers & serial killers, creepy kids, body horror, and crime & investigation)
*Natural order horror (apocalyptic, dystopian & sci-fi and eco horror)
*Short story collections
Author spotlights some of the most talented and experienced writers in the game right now, along with recommended books by Tananarive Due, Christopher Buehlman, Grady Hendrix, Ania Ahlborn, V. Castro, Daniel Kraus, Josh Malerman, Paul Tremblay, Adam Nevill, Stephen Graham Jones, and Alma Katsu. As you might guess, there are tons of books here which have been or are currently being adapted into films and series. More source material is peppered in among the rest of the book, such as Max Booth III's We Need to Do Something.
Additionally, 101 Horror Books includes essays from exciting new voices in the genre. You’ll hear from Cassandra Khaw (Nothing But Blackened Teeth), Hailey Piper (Queen of Teeth), Eric LaRocca (Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke), RJ Joseph (the nonfiction The Streaming of Hill House), and Daniel Kraus (The Shape of Water with Guillermo del Toro).
These essays include a brief bio of these authors, but more importantly, the essays give them a chance to discuss what’s personally important to them in horror, and why. 101 Horror Books shines even more here; the book is quite inclusive of the authors it gathers, going way above and beyond the usual list of straight white guys. If you want more flavor in your horror diet, Hartmann tells you exactly where to find it.
There are also helpful suggestions on where to find more horror books, as well as a handy checklist of all the books, by title, if you’re really committed to reading everything listed.
If you love horror, you’re going to want to add 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered to your home library as soon as you can.
Though the book won’t be out until August 8, if you pre-order through Barnes & Noble today, April 28th, 2023, you’ll get 25% off this wonderful book and any other pre-orders with the code: PREORDER25. You can also find it on Amazon, and I’m sure your favorite indie shop would be happy to order it for you, as well.
October 24, 2023
This has single handedly made my want to read list so much longer
August 9, 2023
Happy Publication Day to this gem, and to Mrs. Sadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror.
You know, when I heard Sadie was writing this book, I'll admit, I was skeptical. I thought this was going to be a new version of the same old lists we see time and again, just with her stamp on it. I fully expected this to just be a love letter to her favorite authors she gushes about on her social platforms.
BUT ITS NOT. ITS SO MUCH MORE.
I implore you to read the introduction by Josh Malerman. He says much of what I too am thinking.
This is exactly the outcome I would expect from Sadie. This is her moment. This is the book she needed to write. This is the book she was born to write! This is now the book YOU need to own!! This book will be for this generation what Paperbacks from Hell is for previous generations. Hendrix laid the foundation from the past, and Sadie built the freeway to the future.
This book is fun, inventive, informative, and useful. It provides a little something for everyone, whether you've been on the horror train your whole life, or you've just been picked up at the station.
Within its cover you'll get a spotlight of her favorite authors, complete with bonus recommendations! A sub-genre breakdown of the featured works. A really cool reference guide that even the most seasoned horror aficionado can appreciate. A few peppered author inclusions, and a very methodical list of her collected recommendations of the books she feels need to be in the hands of more readers! And as a reader and reviewer myself, that is not an easy task! You have to leave behind a lot of amazing stories to pull your idea of what are the cream of the crop.
And if you find your still making whispers about, 'What makes her the authority on this subject?' You may just want to step aside and get out of her way! Sadie has clearly proven she is the exact authority on this. She has fully committed herself to the genre, its creators all while ensuring she helps to facilitate the right book within the hands of the right reader. She is after all a true fan at her core. You can sense her genuine appreciation, love and heart in every word she has squeezed into this book. This needs to be in every horror fans hands!
And when its not in my hands, you will find my copy shelved next to Clive Barker's A-Z of Horror and Grady Hendrix, Paperbacks from Hell. It has now become an essential staple in the horror legacy.
A huge Thank You to Page Street Publishing Co. for the gifted copy and of course to the Lady of the hour, Mrs. Sadie Hartmann. All the late nights, early mornings, book parties, social platform time and countless hours you have spent promoting, rooting for, marketing, researching, showcasing, shouting about, fangirling over; the relentless journey has paid off in the BIGGEST way.
Fuck the Haters. You did it your way and you fucking crushed it!!!
You know, when I heard Sadie was writing this book, I'll admit, I was skeptical. I thought this was going to be a new version of the same old lists we see time and again, just with her stamp on it. I fully expected this to just be a love letter to her favorite authors she gushes about on her social platforms.
BUT ITS NOT. ITS SO MUCH MORE.
I implore you to read the introduction by Josh Malerman. He says much of what I too am thinking.
This is exactly the outcome I would expect from Sadie. This is her moment. This is the book she needed to write. This is the book she was born to write! This is now the book YOU need to own!! This book will be for this generation what Paperbacks from Hell is for previous generations. Hendrix laid the foundation from the past, and Sadie built the freeway to the future.
This book is fun, inventive, informative, and useful. It provides a little something for everyone, whether you've been on the horror train your whole life, or you've just been picked up at the station.
Within its cover you'll get a spotlight of her favorite authors, complete with bonus recommendations! A sub-genre breakdown of the featured works. A really cool reference guide that even the most seasoned horror aficionado can appreciate. A few peppered author inclusions, and a very methodical list of her collected recommendations of the books she feels need to be in the hands of more readers! And as a reader and reviewer myself, that is not an easy task! You have to leave behind a lot of amazing stories to pull your idea of what are the cream of the crop.
And if you find your still making whispers about, 'What makes her the authority on this subject?' You may just want to step aside and get out of her way! Sadie has clearly proven she is the exact authority on this. She has fully committed herself to the genre, its creators all while ensuring she helps to facilitate the right book within the hands of the right reader. She is after all a true fan at her core. You can sense her genuine appreciation, love and heart in every word she has squeezed into this book. This needs to be in every horror fans hands!
And when its not in my hands, you will find my copy shelved next to Clive Barker's A-Z of Horror and Grady Hendrix, Paperbacks from Hell. It has now become an essential staple in the horror legacy.
A huge Thank You to Page Street Publishing Co. for the gifted copy and of course to the Lady of the hour, Mrs. Sadie Hartmann. All the late nights, early mornings, book parties, social platform time and countless hours you have spent promoting, rooting for, marketing, researching, showcasing, shouting about, fangirling over; the relentless journey has paid off in the BIGGEST way.
Fuck the Haters. You did it your way and you fucking crushed it!!!
August 29, 2023
Lectura 190 101 horror books to read before you're murdered de Sadie Hartmann
No se me ocurre mejor libro para inaugurar mi particular #SpookySeason y #theroadtoHalloween. Una seleccion de libros de terror del siglo XXI realizada por la autora. Estos libros me sriven para recordar, apuntar futuros y ampliar mi espectro de autores/as. Qué bien condensado por la autora y que riqueza tenemos en el terror contemporáneo.
5/5
No se me ocurre mejor libro para inaugurar mi particular #SpookySeason y #theroadtoHalloween. Una seleccion de libros de terror del siglo XXI realizada por la autora. Estos libros me sriven para recordar, apuntar futuros y ampliar mi espectro de autores/as. Qué bien condensado por la autora y que riqueza tenemos en el terror contemporáneo.
5/5
April 20, 2024
What a fantastic and carefully curated book for both new horror fans as well as the long time horror buffs.
I have no notes on this one. It gives the opportunity for readers to learn and discover different subgenres of horror and it also puts on the spotlight many interesting authors on the rise.
I loved that the book did not focus on the classics because yes, most of us are very well acquainted with those and there is a new modern wave of horror authors out there that we can all discover and get so many new fresh and different stories and takes on classic horror tropes.
What a treat of a book. Also a great present for your bookish besties that want to start reading more horror.
I have no notes on this one. It gives the opportunity for readers to learn and discover different subgenres of horror and it also puts on the spotlight many interesting authors on the rise.
I loved that the book did not focus on the classics because yes, most of us are very well acquainted with those and there is a new modern wave of horror authors out there that we can all discover and get so many new fresh and different stories and takes on classic horror tropes.
What a treat of a book. Also a great present for your bookish besties that want to start reading more horror.
December 28, 2023
Am I the last person on earth to read this? Possibly but I blame later publication dates in the UK for ALL of my problems, this book for me was the equivalent of sitting down with a best friend and talking about your favourite books and sharing recommendations (albeit my recommendations weren't heard by anyone, only in my head, along with the other voices..) this is an awesome resource for any horror fans or anyone looking to get into the genre, a welcoming and comprehensive guide that has significantly increased my poor TBR, this was honestly like reading the diary of a really cool badass human!
November 20, 2023
“Horror is so alive at this moment. And five minutes from now, it will be stronger than it is right now. Stand in one place and you can hear it evolving, transforming, shedding its skin over and over and over again. It emerges from its scaled casing a newer creation than it was before with a fire burning in its belly for more growth, more boundaries to cross, more wrongs to right [...] What an exciting time to be a fan.”
I refuse to let Non-Fiction November go by without acknowledging this wonderful roadmap into the world of horror fiction crafted by Sadie Hartmann (aka Mother Horror on Instagram)!
As a horror fanatic, I consider Hartmann’s book to be an excellent reference guide into my favorite genre, one that will most certainly double as a frightful yearbook I hope to have featured authors sign as so many others have already done. But as someone who works in the book industry, I consider this a useful and creatively curated textbook of the literary macabre.
What’s particularly special about this book is that the list compiled is made up of modern horror only, from 2000-2023, a celebration of the horror fiction that is emerging right now. And I personally find this to be so fitting as the genre is experiencing a renaissance that should be given a spotlight. We already consider authors like Shirley Jackson, Richard Matheson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Stephen King to be literary giants of the scary story, trailblazers that laid the groundwork for others to follow. But have you considered reading Paul Tremblay, Ania Ahlborn, Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones, and Victor LaValle? No? Stop what you’re doing and pick up Sadie’s book right now.
Whether you're new to horror or a seasoned horror veteran, this is certainly for you.
I refuse to let Non-Fiction November go by without acknowledging this wonderful roadmap into the world of horror fiction crafted by Sadie Hartmann (aka Mother Horror on Instagram)!
As a horror fanatic, I consider Hartmann’s book to be an excellent reference guide into my favorite genre, one that will most certainly double as a frightful yearbook I hope to have featured authors sign as so many others have already done. But as someone who works in the book industry, I consider this a useful and creatively curated textbook of the literary macabre.
What’s particularly special about this book is that the list compiled is made up of modern horror only, from 2000-2023, a celebration of the horror fiction that is emerging right now. And I personally find this to be so fitting as the genre is experiencing a renaissance that should be given a spotlight. We already consider authors like Shirley Jackson, Richard Matheson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Stephen King to be literary giants of the scary story, trailblazers that laid the groundwork for others to follow. But have you considered reading Paul Tremblay, Ania Ahlborn, Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones, and Victor LaValle? No? Stop what you’re doing and pick up Sadie’s book right now.
Whether you're new to horror or a seasoned horror veteran, this is certainly for you.
May 24, 2024
Sadie Hartmann’s 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered was a blast!! What a fun way of learning about the literary horror genre of today and going back about 20 years! I have always loved reading horror. It’s one of my go tos. But I’ve never really branched out much past the highly advertised, highly talked about horror novels out there. Sadie introduced me to so many new authors and their horror offerings. And she met me right where I am at…encouraging even this relatively novice horror book reader to branch out, dip my foot in the pool, and try new authors and new themes in horror. This book makes it abundantly clear that Sadie Hartmann LOVES HORROR! And it was also apparent that she has a heart for the authors who write it and a desire to have their works experienced by readers…like me!
Thank you SH for the education, my ever growing horror book TBR stack, my filled up Libby “holds” shelf, my over flowing Amazon shopping cart, and my ever increasing kindle library!! I’m already reading one of your 101 suggested books and am looking forward to reading many, many more!!
Thank you SH for the education, my ever growing horror book TBR stack, my filled up Libby “holds” shelf, my over flowing Amazon shopping cart, and my ever increasing kindle library!! I’m already reading one of your 101 suggested books and am looking forward to reading many, many more!!
August 20, 2023
Insert SNL's Stefon Meyers every time I go to talk about this book! THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING!
Sadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror has curated an exquisite list of horror books spanning numerous subgenres. And it's more than just a list. It's an invitation. Each book recommendation feels like a piece of her mind, body, and soul printed in front of you. This is a love letter to horror, its past, present, and future, and to all the writers and readers embracing these macabre moments and dark slices of life.
Reading through this book feels like spending time with your best friend, endlessly and enthusiastically talking about the very best part of your day.
And the design, structure, and formatting of this book?! Pure perfection. It's as if each page, section, introduction, and spotlight are their own piece of art. From author spotlights to "side menu" breakdowns, themes, and other information, I remained completely impressed, gooped, and gagged every time I turned the page. And the illustrations and color scheme?! Do not even get me started!
Truly, 101 HORROR BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU'RE MURDERED is a stunning accomplishment and I am confident seasoned horror readers, new horror readers, and anyone and everyone in between on their spooky book loving journey will love this book. I expect to hear of its praises and triumphs for years to come. I am so excited for the growth in horror appreciation and additions to TBR piles that this reader's guide will contribute to everyone that Sadie Hartmann has so meticulously and passionately crafted for us. Thankee-sai.
August 9, 2023
Brilliant! An absolute must for any horror fan!!
Read
December 31, 2023A very strange book.
On the one hand, I appreciated hearing about some books I'd never heard of. On the other, these blurbs are so often written in a way that obscures a lot of what might entice me about the books that I was rarely compelled to make a point of checking them out. Also, as someone who's written a lot of reviews -- and gone back to read old ones -- reviewers so often end up relying on a handful of writerly tricks. If you only read one or two reviews at a time, you won't notice. But in a full book of them, they're everywhere. That made the book awfully repetitive.
Also, like, I get the rationale of only recommending more recent titles because people don't need to be told to read Dracula, but the second one of these books doesn't feint toward some sort of "these are the best of all time" objectivity, you end up with what amounts to a really long Substack entry. In other words, you just have to take the author's word for it, and if you don't know the author's taste (as I don't know Hartmann's), you kind of have no idea whether to trust her.
Anyway, a very weird book with which to achieve my 2023 goal.
On the one hand, I appreciated hearing about some books I'd never heard of. On the other, these blurbs are so often written in a way that obscures a lot of what might entice me about the books that I was rarely compelled to make a point of checking them out. Also, as someone who's written a lot of reviews -- and gone back to read old ones -- reviewers so often end up relying on a handful of writerly tricks. If you only read one or two reviews at a time, you won't notice. But in a full book of them, they're everywhere. That made the book awfully repetitive.
Also, like, I get the rationale of only recommending more recent titles because people don't need to be told to read Dracula, but the second one of these books doesn't feint toward some sort of "these are the best of all time" objectivity, you end up with what amounts to a really long Substack entry. In other words, you just have to take the author's word for it, and if you don't know the author's taste (as I don't know Hartmann's), you kind of have no idea whether to trust her.
Anyway, a very weird book with which to achieve my 2023 goal.
October 17, 2023
i picked this book up last night just to smile at it, but it quickly sucked me in between my love for sadie and all the horror fun! the dedication reason was my favorite ever (iykyk) and for 2 hours i had a blast devouring each page, getting warm fuzzies when i got to books i’ve read and loved whilst tabbing all the ones i want to read soon! thank you sadie for all the love you put in this. it oozed out all over me. 💚
October 1, 2023
Yay for horror reference books, give us more horror reference books!
September 26, 2023
As a horror fan, how do you NOT give this book 5 stars? From the gorgeous design and layout, to the thoughtfully curated list of featured books, to the excellent author spotlights, this ghoulish guide is a horror reader’s dream. It’s flat out awesome and I want more.
August 23, 2023
"Horror is cathartic and healing in ways that other genes can't even come close to being."
This is a carefully curated horror guide crafted with love, and even as a horror fan myself, having read this makes me feel like I've barely touched the surface of the genre from the past two decades.
Sadie does a great job at highlighting unique voices of all kinds of backgrounds and subgenres, while giving a nod to older horror that influenced newer works as well — this is more than just a listicle and the essays included from different authors all the more make me appreciate horror as the wonderful, eccentric genre it prevails as.
Whether you consider yourself a horror connoisseur or never picked up a horror book, this guide is perfect for anyone looking for fresh ways of unleashing terror (from a distance, of course).
This is a carefully curated horror guide crafted with love, and even as a horror fan myself, having read this makes me feel like I've barely touched the surface of the genre from the past two decades.
Sadie does a great job at highlighting unique voices of all kinds of backgrounds and subgenres, while giving a nod to older horror that influenced newer works as well — this is more than just a listicle and the essays included from different authors all the more make me appreciate horror as the wonderful, eccentric genre it prevails as.
Whether you consider yourself a horror connoisseur or never picked up a horror book, this guide is perfect for anyone looking for fresh ways of unleashing terror (from a distance, of course).
Read
August 8, 2023101 HORROR BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU'RE MURDERED is a joyous celebration of every kind of Scare curated with expertise, enthusiasm, and love. A diverse delight for both life-long horror fans and newbies, Sadie Hartmann has ensured that your TBR will be chock-full of frights, terrors, and things that go bump in the night.
August 26, 2023
I have been a horror fan since I was a small child sneaking into the living room at night to peek over the couch and watch scary movies with my father. I grew up on old school slashers, then discovered authors like Christopher Pike, John Saul, and of course, Stephen King. But I had no idea what to read beyond that. I have been wanting to discover new writers and stories, but was struggling to figure out the best way to do it. I discovered the Nightworms horror novel subscription a year ago, and stumbled into the world of modern horror.
So when I saw Sadie Hartman, co-owner of Nightworms was writing a book of horror recommendations, I was very excited. Finally, someone would sit me down and tell me the best books to pick up! She did not disappoint. This is the perfect place to start for any horror beginner, or even someone who has been reading horror for a while. She focuses on books written in the last 23 years, so you won't find recommendations for the classics here.
The book is divided into sub-genres like haunted houses, cults, and creepy kids, and the way she writes about these books makes me want to try and read all 101 of them (well, 96, since I'd already read a few of them). Also, this book is stunning. The layout and colors make it really inviting, and I found that I just could not put it down. I feel like I'll be picking this book up frequently just to browse, even though I've already read it cover-to-cover.
Sadie Hartman is the horror expert. If she says I should read it, then it's going on my tbr!
So when I saw Sadie Hartman, co-owner of Nightworms was writing a book of horror recommendations, I was very excited. Finally, someone would sit me down and tell me the best books to pick up! She did not disappoint. This is the perfect place to start for any horror beginner, or even someone who has been reading horror for a while. She focuses on books written in the last 23 years, so you won't find recommendations for the classics here.
The book is divided into sub-genres like haunted houses, cults, and creepy kids, and the way she writes about these books makes me want to try and read all 101 of them (well, 96, since I'd already read a few of them). Also, this book is stunning. The layout and colors make it really inviting, and I found that I just could not put it down. I feel like I'll be picking this book up frequently just to browse, even though I've already read it cover-to-cover.
Sadie Hartman is the horror expert. If she says I should read it, then it's going on my tbr!
August 22, 2023
"Horror readers are given a special gift by authors: teaching us how to briaden our capacity for empathy in the real world by braving other people's harsh realities through their fictional accounts. We live all these different lives when we slip inside a character so unlike us."
What a badass collection of horror that has made my never-ending TBR grow even larger! I genuinely loved getting Sadie's inside scoop on why these books she's chosen are worth choosing for ourselves! Sooo many spooky, creepy good ones 🖤
What a badass collection of horror that has made my never-ending TBR grow even larger! I genuinely loved getting Sadie's inside scoop on why these books she's chosen are worth choosing for ourselves! Sooo many spooky, creepy good ones 🖤
December 9, 2023
*In January Sadie is returning to my podcast*
Her first appearance was on this panel about favorite horror novels...
https://youtu.be/5CiU7wOLoKk
Sadie Hartmann was first on my radar as the trusted source of book recs on Twitter and Instagram for probably a decade now. While we don't always agree on books I always respect Sadie's opinion. Even if I think being a horror fiction expert and not liking horror movies is a little strange. This review will be shorter than my fiction reviews but I want to tell you how it can be helpful, and why if not on your shelf at least get it from the library.
One thing that was helpful for me about following Sadie online is that she gave me a window into some of the modern, and indie books that are hard to follow. I mean there are as many new indie horror authors as there are local bands out there. How do you find the gems? Sure I don't need this book to tell who Alma Katsu and Paul Tremblay is, but I know I am also not the target audience. At the same time, it is fun to read the commentary.
Part of the fun is seeing the commentary that you agree with and disagree with. I think the dark bizarro arm of horror is largely missed. Important voices to me like Gina Ranali and Cody Goodfellow for two examples that I personally think should be on everyone's list. No project like this will have everything you are personally looking for. I mean I can't understand this book not having one Sarah Pinborough title, but considering how many new to me authors I found I can only split so many hairs.
Sadie did an amazing job and the best part she is working on something new. Author spotlights, essays, book reviews based on subgenres. This is a must-have for horror readers, make a list and make requests at your library or take it to the horror section at Barnes and Noble. It will help you find what you are looking for.
August 9, 2023
Well thank you, Mother Horror. I could already drown a city in my TBR. Now it's so vast that it seems likely to collapse into a black hole of literary potential.
This is going to sit next to Grady Hendrix's Paperbacks from Hell, because I'm going to need to come back to this book often for my next read.
The work and the love you put into this endeavor permeates the entire book. Thank you, from the bottom of my coal-black heart!
This is going to sit next to Grady Hendrix's Paperbacks from Hell, because I'm going to need to come back to this book often for my next read.
The work and the love you put into this endeavor permeates the entire book. Thank you, from the bottom of my coal-black heart!
August 16, 2023
I fell for Sadie Hartmann at her brief mention of Miriam Black. Don't know who that is? Do a little search. You will be glad you did.
Great book. Great recommendations. Nicely done with reviews that never spoil only entice. I have read many of these, probably 75%, and we don't agree on many, but I will be purchasing many of the ones that I discovered in these pages.
And Sadie, I have a list for you.
Great book. Great recommendations. Nicely done with reviews that never spoil only entice. I have read many of these, probably 75%, and we don't agree on many, but I will be purchasing many of the ones that I discovered in these pages.
And Sadie, I have a list for you.
August 25, 2023
Sadie Hartmann has given us a real horror-loving gift here. A great compilation of recommendations from a fellow horror fiction fan, this book is super fun, easy going and packed with modern horror titles to add to your TBR. Fantastic. Cheers, Mother Horror!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews