Hauntology: Folk Horror and the Echoes of the Past
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.






books your pretentious friend has heard of






the monstrous-feminine
in the first edition of โthe monstrous-feminineโ, barbara creed challenges the dominant representation of women in horror films as victims, arguing that patriarchal ideology constructs women as monstrous because of their sexuality (or lack thereof).
later, creed reinterprets the monstrous-feminine as a being who embraces her body and reclaims her otherness. in line with this contemporary vision, these are books which use horror to redefine notions of โwomanhoodโ.
recommendations welcome!






mod-goth (modern gothic novels)
We all love gothic classics, but what is new when it comes to the gothic genre (from the last 20 years or so)?! For fans of Dracula, Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, etc. Please comment with suggestions to add!






NPRโs Books We Love 2025
Books We Love from NPR began in 2013, always boasting over 200 books (almost 400 in recent years) featuring genres from memoirs, to cookbooks, to graphic novels, to childrenโs literature, to nonfiction, to novels. Check out NPRโs website to filter this massive list.
The list is in reverse alphabetical order directly from NPR.






Cover Porn: The Horror Edition
Horror books to read just for the aesthetic






Itโs okay to judge a book by itโs cover!
Beautiful books for when your monthly reading roundup needs a little facelift ๐






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






โI am no manโ
Feminism and female empowerment in fantasy and speculative fiction, inspired by the always iconic รowyn. Only the first book in a series listed unless thereโs something specific about a later book, and suggestions welcome!






Donโt Drink the Water: Weird Towns
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 canโt keep driving, just remember, donโt drink the water






Bite Size Historical Fiction
Dive into these historical fiction books that are shorter than 300 pages! Selections here tried to stay away from historical fiction with fantasy or magical realism elements.
As always, open to any suggestions for additions to this list! ๐






Female Rage: The Library
Social commentary under patriarchy






weird and wonderful
weird. strange. off putting. confusing. despite this you cannot put these books down.






Weird and Unhinged Women
All sorts of stories about all sorts of women. Mostly litfic, some horror.
๐Continuation of this list which I am unable to delete.
๐ yarnandbooks






Books for girls who need a vet, not a doctor.
weird girl reads โ drop ur suggestions






books that share custody of one oil painting
have I read them all? there is literally no way to know. #whoworeitbetter






Weird and Unhinged Women
All sorts of stories about all sorts of women. Mostly litfic, some horror.