Recs if you like A Plagued Sea...

Following women on journeys to do weird and maybe violent things.

A genre-inclusive and diverse list of horror releases coming in 2026. If I missed any or you have suggestions, please let me know. I will update periodically as new books are announced and release dates are solidified.

Source for a lot of the data for this list came from readjumpscares.com, which is a website you should absolutely check out. I’m sure data will come from other places along the way, as well.

was curious, so did some research and found loads and loads!!! happy reading, folks!

Horror books with a page count of 200 pages or less.

Before we started defining novellas by word count, they were defined as being any book less than 200 pages. Source: my Analysis of Short Stories & Literature professor in community college. I loved that class. But he loved James Joyce. So, ymmv, I guess.

My favorite brand of Lovecraftian fiction is the kind that would have the man rolling in his grave.

All the towns or cities in these books deserve a detour. Some probably even a quarantine. From bizarre creatures to cosmic weirdness to simmering malevolence to just plain human absurdity, these stories have it all. If you can’t keep driving, just remember, don’t drink the water

Is it fantasy? Horror? Magical realism? Sci-fi? Litfic? It's best not to ask questions.

aka most of the horror I read. Titles on this list are low on gore, body horror, or anything else you'd consider "scary" in the traditional sense. Instead, they focus on atmosphere and eerie vibes to create a horror experience that doesn't need to be shocking to be effective.

deep dark old woods -- weird small towns -- ancient gods -- horrors beyond comprehension -- A Welcome to Elderfield inspired list

a collection of books im interested in which are releasing this year (2026). no particular order

...or the shallow. But either way, don't go near the water.

Aquatic horror

wet, coastal, slimy, foggy, oceanic, ghostly, watery

Horror recs about scientists or with good sciency vibes, that aren't all just space horror. Comment suggestions!

Don't mess with mama, she's pissed off!

Short and engaging Horror reads around 200 pages or less that you can finish in one sitting.

This section is dedicated to compiling my current book arc reads and the reviews I have conducted for NetGalley and various authors.