An October Staff Recommendation - The Horror Readers Advisory

To see all October 2007 Staff Recommendations, visit the Staff Recommendations page on BookGuide.

The Horror Readers' Advisory: The Librarian's Guide to Vampires, Killer Tomatoes, and Haunted Houses
by Becky Siegel Spratford and Tammy Hennigh Clausen [809.386 Spr]

Though primarily intended as a training tool for librarians, this can also serve as a handy little guide for horror fans as well. It breaks the broad horror genre down into 11 digestible chunks, in chapters such as: "The Classics", "Mummies, Zombies and Golems: The Walking Dead Under Wraps", "Werewolves and Animals of Terror: The Best Walks Among Us", "Black Magic, Witches, Warlocks and the Occult: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble"; "Scientific and Biomedical Horror: The Doctor Will See You Now"; and "Splatterpunk or Extreme Horror: Horror's Cutting Edge" (and more!). Each section provides a background blurb identifying characteristics that are common to that type of horror-writing, then lists 20 to 30 noteworthy titles that really stand out in that category. Non-librarians may wish to skip the sections on collection development and marketing, but may enjoy the background provided about the major horror-related literary awards. This one is a quick read, but especially useful for the casual horror reader looking for top-flight recommends of what to read next!

Have you read this one? What did you think?