Recs if you like Headlights...

are you sick of being recommended stephen king when you ask for a horror novel? have you picked up a book expected to be scared, but the scariest thing about it was a woman being needlessly tormented and gaslit? have you read 4627473 books about a man in a haunted house and need something different?

if so, this list is for you :)

a masterlist of horror by anyone who isn't a straight cis white man, started in 2022 and brought to pb in 2026.

Ever dreamed of getting railed by Pyramid Head? What about falling in love with a murderous monster? Then, babes, you're in the right place. These romance and erotica reads are horrifying, frightening, and downright titillating. 😏

For interconnected series, only book 1 is listed. Open to recs!

Note: These are romance/erotica books with horror themes and horror books with romantic/erotic themes. Come get this hot and scary goodness!

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 to read just for the aesthetic

Every single Aardvark Book Club book pick since its inception. Updated monthly!

lit fic and horror, mainly, and mostly books by women, nonbinary & trans writers, basically mostly non-cis-men

If horror, why hot?

opened mouthed covers

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

fiction books centered around characters processing grief 🦋

Just some horror loved by a weird girl

eat them alive

A list of modern (1980-present) stories inspired by the Cosmic Horror genre.

Cosmic horror (also known as Lovecraftian or Eldritch horror) is a subgenre of horror fiction that focuses on existential dread, human insignificance, and the terror of the unknown.

Tags: Cosmic, Eldritch, Lovecraftian, Horror

All the 2026 Aardvark book club picks

Specific list of horror/Thriller/Weird lit that have dogs or dog/wolf like beasts on the cover.

Horror and some thrillers written by women.

These books feature main characters and authors who struggle with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and medical journeys

Not all of these books will have cannibalism... but there is a non-zero chance at least 1% will.