Recs if you like Lakewood...

horror fiction from Black authors featuring Black characters

the gurls NEED to read horror books 💋 i wouldn’t say these are all horror but that’s left to the reader to make that assumption

When the pursuit of knowledge crosses the line into moral depravity.

Horror books written by women where a female MC is "going through something" and it's (mostly) society's fault. Others might think she's going crazy, or seeing things that aren't really there... But is she, really?

These books explore the real horrors women have to face in society through the storytelling conventions of the horror genre.

Tight spaces. Heavy air. The creeping realization that escape may not be possible. These are stories designed to make you feel trapped.

Recs welcome!

my favorite genre. elvia wilk’s essay is the best on what this genre is, but here’s an excerpt: “Weird knowledge does not deny the capacity of the human mind and body to produce knowledge, but it does not reduce the world to human subject experience either. Unlike science fiction—in which there is a rational explanation for everything—and fantasy—where magic explains it all—weirdness hovers between poles of explainability.”

Books about people (particularly women) with a unique job situation. The definition of "unique job situation" is basically vibes. It could be fantastical or surreal, or just a normal job in an unusual situation. Or maybe a job so mundane and specific that the focus on it feels weird. Also books about real people with unique and interesting jobs. (Also I have not read all of these so I'm just going off descriptions for some of them.)

being beautiful isn't what it seems: or, the horrors of the beauty and wellness industry [fiction list]

are you kind of annoyed that all sci fi books seem to be set in space and then don't engage with science fiction at all beyond spacefaring? do you want more science fiction that challenges how far science can go without leaving the stratosphere? this list is for you!

Stephen King is overrated, read these horror books instead.

💬OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS. Just comment and I will add.

A place to find books about experiments, lab testing, or other strange controlled environments that take a turn. Please make recommendations if you have them. This is one of my favorite concepts.

Created from the list on Goodreads by Cybil and Sadie Hartmann (September 29, 2025)

This selection of books examines the field of medicine, exposing its history of exploitation, bias, and failure, often reinforcing social inequalities.

Fresh coast, best coast 🌊 For anyone who is also obsessed with the upper Great Lakes: Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario, etc. Suggestions are welcome!

Medical horror and thriller novels to make your skin crawl🫣

Fiction books that deal with human experimentation, its ethics, and its consequences.

Research trigger warnings before reading.

List is always under construction. Suggestions and discussions welcome.

basically just a collection of thriller, mystery and horror novels involving characters and/or authors of colour 🤍 suggestions are always welcome!