One of the challenges is to read a book where the star of the show is either identifies as an LGBTQ person or a person of color. We always try to recommend books on the podcast that showcase a variety of people with different backgrounds and experiences. You can of course check out the episode we’ve done on Queer Horror.
Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
Mentioned in our Readaike Episode for those who love Stranger Things. This Scooby-Doo esque story, follows a now-grown up group of teens who used to solve mysteries in the Pacifici Northwest in the 1970’s. They have disbanded and “moved on” with their lives, but they are haunted by their last case which did not end up being just a man in a mask. The Daphne and Velma character are combined and a lesbian Latina character is added as the second female in the group.
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Butler put a new spin on vampires in this story. A young girl wakes up with no memory of who she is. she discovers that she is a genetically modified 53-year-old vampire. Her dark skin allows her to walk in the light. Butler’s take on vampirism and vampiric colonies and coupling is fascinating!
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
Wen is spending time at a remote cabin with her two dads when a group of strange people with some interesting weapons push their way inside and try to get this family to comply with some of their strange beliefs. You can hear the author himself talk about this book in our Paul Tremblay interview episode.
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
Atticus Turner’s father goes missing. He embarks on a deadly journey through Jim Crow-era America with his Uncle and the aid of his Safe Negro Travel Guide. This short story collection highlights issues of racism throughout the collection while exploring different types of horror stories. This was mentioned on our If You Like That, Try This episode as a comparison to the movie Get Out. It’s also getting adaptation treatment by Jordan Peele.
The Good House by Tananarive Due
Angela’s son Corey died in what has been come to be called The Good House in Sacajawea, Washington. The Toussaint’s family home has a reputation. There’s a legend that her great grandmother, an African-American woman, battled an entity that may have resulted in a community being cursed. Angela is ready to go back to the Good House and find out what exactly killed her son.
The Changeling by Victor LaValle
This fantasy horror take on folklore has been nominated for Shirley Jackson Award for novel, and is currently in production to be adapted into a show for FX. This has been described as a dark fairy tale for grown-ups.
Dread Nation by Justine Ireland
Mentioned in our Post-Apocalyptic episode with PT Hylton. The Civil War is interrupted when zombies walk on the battlefield. Jane was born into this world. This new America has the Native and Negro Education Act which requires students to train in combat to put down the dead. Jane is a star student at the Miss Preston’s Baltimore School of Combat, and plans to go back home to Kentucky, but she finds herself learning about a dark conspiracy.
The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco
This was mentioned on our Young Adult episode, and was one of the books that opened Rachel’s eyes to the world of YA horror. A girl was thrown down a well, now she hunts murderers and child killers from the grave. A new tattooed boy moves into town and they are both drawn into a dark world or doll rituals and Shinto exorcisms that will take them to Japan.
Books in the Freezer 