Recs if you like The Bayou...

Hauntology is the philosophical concept, as quoted by Mark Fisher from his article taking a deeper look into Derrida's philosophical work, that "the present is always haunted by the ghosts of the past and the unfulfilled promises of the future." From generational trauma to dark histories to dying Old World pagan traditions, these elements persist throughout the wide genre of folk horror. These books explore deeply into the hauntings of the past and the instability of the future.

A selection of contemporary Southern Gothic titles exploring the decay, despair, and trauma of the reconstructed American South. Come for the palpably atmospheric settings and descriptions, stay for the literary commentary on the legacy of the South's oft-romanticized past.

As a note: I did not include the most well known writers in the genre, e.g. Truman Capote, Harper Lee, William Faulkner, etc. as the list is more focused on the resurgence of Southern Gothic in contemporary literature.

Speculative (sci-fi, fantasy, horror etc.) novellas less than 200 pages long that are either standalone or read like a standalone story

It’s hot and humid, the cicadas are buzzing, and there’s violence in the air.

Horror books and short stories set in the Deep South.

Think: swamps, bayous, bullfrogs, Spanish moss, hauntings, haints, voodoo/hoodoo, monsters hidden in plain sight, structural violence, and the oppressive weight of history.

Comps: True Detective S1; Sinners; South of Midnight

❗️Some of the these books are classified as extreme horror/splatterpunk. PLEASE protect yourself, and check all trigger warnings.❗️

Horror books by trans, Two Spirit, nonbinary, et al authors (may or may not include trans* characters).

The real world horror is, of course, homophobia, but in these books we also have, you know, ghosts, monsters, eldritch beings perhaps 🤔 a slasher or two. Haunted houses. The usual suspects 😏

There are some absolutely fantastic sapphic horror lists, and some generally queer ones too, but I looked and I couldn’t find a specifically achillian one, so I figured I’d give it a go!

Creepy books made better because there are queer characters

This is an achillean horror books lists.. i make this because i want more gays. This list is inspired by the list made by @Thehobbit ( Yes. I definitely did not read like 99% of these books so. Y'all can like.. recs me some.. please ) + This is also a reminder i should read horror more, because why not, and they're fun and and — I hope yall have fun with this list, please educate me if i picked non achillean books as I've stated i have not read most of these, i will be updating over time.

Queer books that deal in one way or another with Christianity. Angels, demons, churches, religious trauma - it's all in here! Many stories lean horror and/or erotic 🔞

Recommendations welcome!

✦ I have not read all of these books - if you notice anything that seems to be mis-labeled/mis-placed on this list, please let me know! ✦

I can't be the only one who want to remember all the books without jumping around in a video, right?

I started this list based on feedback from the community, my sincere gratitude for all the feedback 🙂‍↕️ I got so many replies to a request, I thought they need to be documented for everyone. Will be adding books I read; more recs are always welcome as well. Trans, enby, anyone not cis writing horror stories about not-cis MCs may join these ranks.

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

Aquatic horror

This is one of my favourite movie genres so I thought I’d make a list for books!

Horror books that either primarily or exclusively take place in Louisiana. Tried to stick to horror and not venture out into thriller territory!

Books mentioned in ToastyGoobus/Gab Smolders book talk videos in 2026

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

I love queer literature, and I will not stand by horrible queer books being recc'ed anymore. So this is a compilation of books I've read that were good AND queer!

Scary shit that goes down in the sun