The Readers' Advisory Guide to Horror

by Becky Siegel Spratford

Like the zombies, ghouls, and vampires which inhabit many of its books, the popularity of horror fiction is unstoppable. Even if you don’t happen to be a fan yourself, you won’t be “scared” to advise readers on finding their next great fright thanks to the astute guidance provided by horror expert Spratford in her updated guide. This definitive resource for library workers at any level of experience or familiarity with horror fiction


details the state of the genre right now, including its appeal factors and key authors, assisting readers in getting up to speed quickly;
presents ten annotated lists of suggested titles, all published since 2000, each with a short introduction providing historical context;
delves into horror movies, TV shows, podcasts, and other formats; and
offers abundant marketing advice, programming options, and pointers on additional resources.

Genres: Horror, Nonfiction, Books About Books

144 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2021

About the author

Becky Spratford [MLIS] is a Librarian in Illinois specializing in serving patrons ages 13 and up. She trains library staff all over the world on how to match books with readers through the local public library. She runs the critically acclaimed RA training blog RA for All. She writes reviews for Booklist and a Horror review column for Library Journal. Becky is a 24 year locally elected Library Trustee [still serving], a former Board member for the Reaching Across Illinois Library System, and currently on the Executive Board of the Illinois Library Association. Known for her work with Horror readers, Becky is the author of three text books for library workers, most recently, The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Horror, Third Edition [ALA Editions, 2021] and the forthcoming Why I Love Horror [Saga Press, September, 2025]. She is on the Shirley Jackson Award Advisory Board and is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association, currently serving as the Association’s Secretary and Co-Chair of their Library Committee. You can follow Becky on Bluesky @raforall.bsky.social

Reviews

[Becky Spratford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it so of course I will give it 5 stars. Bonus content available at https://raforallhorror.blogspot.com

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible resource! I pitched an article to tor nightfire so I can properly highlight this incredible guide written by horror fiction treasure: Becky Spratford. If you love horror or you are looking to learn more about the genre before you dip your toe into it, you must follow Becky on Twitter and visit her blog often:
http://raforall.blogspot.com

[Ita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror is not my genre as I don't like being scared but this book was such a joy to read. Full of humour and great information for librarians who have to recommend horror books and don't know much about this genre. To my surprise I've actually read some of the classics and am tempted by some of the other titles. Only to be read in daylight!

[Luke Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

One can whip through this book, especially because fear of the unknown in the different style of horror genres is such a universal feeling for people. But Siegel Spratford’s update to the 2012 version of this updates the title selection into a timely zeitgeist: further political malcontent, a lingering pandemic, and lack of respect for understanding an environmental catastrophe.

Perhaps my enthusiasm was pushed along by two of her “Becky’s picks” designated in the zombie chapter: the swashbuckling Dread Nation, a stellar entry into the historical fiction genre that I have recommended to dozens of students in the middle school library, and Colson Whitehead’s unexpected Zone One, a 9/11-decade-hence rainsoaked masterpiece of bleakness. Later, she also designated Scott Smith’s unsettling, careful eco horror The Ruins.

This kind of hairsplitting can bog you down— which is the better of King’s oeuvre? how come Aliens is included in the “Starter Pack” of horror films but not the seminal haunted house and far more terrofying Alien? etc. etc. everyone’s an expert these days, Spratford makes numerous references to IMDB, Goodreads, and cites Wikipedia. But it’s the necessary and careful distinction between pop culture and horror— the satanic panic of the 90s becoming hip on Netflix doesn’t mean people want to read horror (they wouldn’t be caught dead playing tabletop Magic: the Gathering either). Yet, it can’t be escaped: horror is everywhere.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a dream come true for a reader who prefers to stay drunk on new horror fiction and its creators. I thought I was pretty well read in the horror genre, knowing my Tremblay from my Malerman, and my Kingfisher from my Due. I have met my match in this collection - the ultimate in Love this? Try That! There’s a chapter for every sub genre, too. Whether you love ghosts and haunted places, or Lovecraftian elder ones, or zombies or witches or whatever- there is list after list. Designed for librarians to use to help educate horror loving patrons in new offerings, this book captures the thrilling essence of the best voices in horror. I know some of you are content to read King’s Dark Tower series for the 19th time, but there’s simply too many young authors with wildly original tales for me to join you in your re-reads of the classics. Stick a brave toe into the water of new horror, and let this fantastic guide be your companion!

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent (thought somewhat academic) read. While I'm a little hesitant to recommend to the general reader, I would wholeheartedly recommend to the librarians in the audience, especially those who either love horror or don't know what to do with it. Chock-full of great suggestions and providing a deep dive into the genre, this is an excellent resource for the readers' advisor on your team!

[Sarah Demma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horror is my favorite genre of literature and I was eager to learn more about its history, subgenres, and its relationship to librarians and library patrons. I found this book to be a fascinating and illuminating finding aid on these subjects.

Spratford dives into the psychological aspects of why horror fans enjoy frightening novels, TV shows and films - because they offer them stories of worlds that are worse than ours, which offers some readers reassurance, and they also give readers the chance to face their own fears. The author also illuminates the appeal factors of the genre: frightening tone and mood, characters we care about, a steady pace that grows to a climax, descriptive language, a dark and moody setting, and storylines fraught with conflict ranging from characters’ inner turmoil to the threat of supernatural monsters.

Spratford focuses much of her book on the voices of marginalized authors who have historically been excluded from the traditionally white, male genre of horror, and who now have claimed their own spaces in the horror canon. She offers lists of current popular and acclaimed novels within horror subgenres that she believes librarians must know in order to adequately book-talk horror. Each section features a dozen books written in the last decade, complete with synopses and related reading recommendations. As the guide’s most recent edition was written in 2021, many of the books Spratford references are newer releases that patrons may not yet have heard of, so there is ample opportunity for librarians to find the latest, “next-big-thing” horror novels for them to read.

I feel that Spratford’s clear, concise writing on readers’ advisory will be of great benefit for beginner and expert RA librarians alike.

[Lizzy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for College & Research Libraries forthcoming.