For most of my life, I was a scaredy cat. I remember dressing up as Snow White at 8 and crying down the street as my dad forced me to go Trick or Treating or being when I was a teen, my BFF and I vowing to each other after watching IT for the first time to never say Pennywise's name on the off chance it might make him appear. I've always been an anxious person, and being scared felt like the extreme verison of it. It wasn't until after my oldest child was born when, just like Tremblay, that I really got into horror. It was a way to soothe my anxieties in a safe, predictable way.

Horror, in my opinion, is such a misunderstood genre. I think a lot of people still associate it with that of 80's horror movies, lots of gore, sex, and dumb characters, but that couldn't be further from the case, especially now a days. Horror is a genre that works so well with exploring the pitfalls of society, including racism, classism, misogyny, homophoia, and many more. I've read a lot of genres, but none have made me laugh, cry, and gasp in shock they way that horror has.

This book is a collection of essays from some of the best modern horror writers (I would have loved if Nat Cassidy had been involved, but alas, we can't have it all). Becky introduces each essay with a write-up about the author, a brief summary of what their essays speak of, and she also includes a similar author to check out if you like their work.

Each essay is a personal reflection from each horror author on what they love about the genre and why they chose to write it. Its very hard to pick a favorite as I was enthralled with all of them. Each have such different reasons for why they love horror that I feel keeps the book interesting. It's a collection that really encapsulates how there are so many reasons why horror becomes the preferred genre for so many people.

I think this books is great for a wide array of individuals, from those who are avid horror readers to those who are maybe perplexed by the genre and interested in why anyone would spend their time reading horrifying things.
There has never been a better time to step your toe into horror, and there is something for everyone, from cozy horror for the newbies to the more extreme horror books.

Thank you to Saga press for the arc.

it’s like my Avengers. Getting all of the best horror fiction authors and having them write about why they love the genre. Horror is in a gold mine right now and this collection of essays, all wonderfully written and put together, proves that this is the case.

WHY I LOVE HORROR is a must-own for all horror fans. I freaking loved it. Becky Spratford has curated a staggering collection of icons to talk about their love for the genre in one fascinating banger essay after another! I love hearing horror writers talk about horror so this entire collection is *chef’s kiss* just perfect! They’re all wonderful - some that I can’t stop thinking about were @gabino_iglesias @tananarivedue @joshmalerman @haileypiperfights, PERMISSION TO SCREAM by @rachelharrisonsghost, and the epically titled WHY I AM HORROR by @claymcleod. @stephengrahamjones steps up to drop the mic with his antho closer WHY HORROR. There’s also a really great intro by @mother.horror herself, the incredibly Sadie Hartmann! This comes out in September, get this classic on your shelf!!!

Why I Love Horror, a question I get far more often than I'd like. It's not like my wife gets ask why she loves romance novels, or quizzes me about my taste for crime thrillers. But horror? People can't seem to help themselves. I wear my passion for the genre on my sleeve, sometimes literally with my collection of horror t-shirts. In Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature, edited by Becky Siegel Spratford, 18 authors share what horror means to them and why it's remained an enduring part of their lives.

For twenty-five years, Becky Siegel Spratford has worked as a librarian in Reader Advisory, training library workers all over the world on how to engage their patrons and readers, and to use her place as a horror expert and critic to get the word out to others; to bring even more readers into the horror fold. Why I Love Horror is a captivating anthology and heartfelt tribute to the horror genre featuring essays from several of the most celebrated contemporary horror writers.

Like with other anthologies, I was drawn to Why I Love Horror as soon as the list of contributing authors was announced. The chance to read personal stories from Clay McLeod Chapman, Grady Hendrix, Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Tananarive Due, and Rachel Harrison was a huge draw for me. However, by then end of this outstanding book, I had also discovered several horror authors I knew little about before and now I can't wait to dive into their work.

Each author shares a deeply personal story about why horror matters to them, ranging from childhood monsters to real-life trauma to finding their own path in life. These heartfelt stories show how a community built around a single genre can have such a profound impact and I found them all to be extremely gripping from start to finish. While some stories have similar bones, each have them own distinct voice and touch.

You can feel the passion behind every essay along with the emotional attachment that comes along with telling their story. Just like in their horror fiction, each author brings distinct voice to their essays and hold nothing back. As someone who has read both this collection and much of their other work, I felt a personal connection, like they were speaking directly towards me.

Horror can be a powerful genre with a community like any other. It can tell terrifying horror tales and wrap them in a superhero story, a heist, a drama, or even a comedy story, creating unforgettable stories that have a chance to connect with people of all walks of life. The horror community is caring, supportive, and always eager for the next great story, no matter who is telling it. This passion is what makes horror special, and in this book, we get to hear this from some of the best in the business.

Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature wasn't just an outstanding read, it reinvigorated my love for the horror genre and the people who shape it. These authors share their personal journeys in both horror and life, telling their stories with genuine passion and love. This collection just adds to the reasons on why I will continue to read stories from these authors because you can feel their commitment to keeping the genre at its best. Why I Love Horror is a must-read for any fan of the genre, and I highly recommend it to anyone curious about why these writers chose to spend their careers telling terrifying tales.

I finished Why I Love Horror edited by Becky Siegel Spratford, which I received as an ARC from NetGalley, and LOVED it. A true love letter to the genre featuring a variety of today's top horror writers! I love that the editor (a librarian) took the tome to introduce each author and recommend a book of theirs and a similar author! I saw myself in so many of these essays, as I too was drawn to horror from a young age, whether using it to explore fears safely, or to escape the horrors of the real world.

Another great short story find! This is why I love horror books! If you love horror this is a must read!

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for the eGalley to review!

Honestly? Probably no better way to express why horror is a beloved genre than this sort of essay anthology, written by some of the most prolific horror writers today. The essays in this set are raw emotions and thoughts, certainly a collection of memories and compiled in one big love letter and an answer to the question why do we need horror. It's awesome! (Plus we get a bibliography of their works and similar authors (a mini readers' advisory session), so this is would be a great reference book!)

From the appropriately horrifying essay of Grady Hendrix to (my personal favorite) the inspirational essay of Tananarive Due, many of these essays build on the concepts explored in the previous ones (leading to a tiny bit of redundancy, but I like to see it as building a defense case) to create this perfectly brief summary of why horror is an excellent genre and why people shouldn't be turning their noses up from it. It's a genre that explores the very depths of humanity and it's a refuge as much as it is an analog for so many issues. If you're trying to convince someone that horror is worth it, hand them this book. These writers encapsulated my every thought about the genre and put all that into such impactful words. Even if you aren't particularly a horror fan and are looking for reasons as to why people love it so much, give it a read because you'll learn so much!

Major kudos to fellow librarian Becky Spratford for setting this up and getting it published. It teams up very well with her other book, "The Readers' Advisory Guide to Horror", and Emily C. Hughes's "Horror for Weenies"!

A collection of reasons someone loves different authors of horror. I’m not sure what I expected but it wasn’t this. That is my fault as I didn’t read the description. I did find some of these interesting.

Wow. As a horror and non-fiction junkie, I feel like this book was written specifically for me. Dare I mention how many times I've Googled the exact title to find some kind of commaraderie on such an obscure vocation? I'm humbled to share that my Reddit binges have at least come to a brief pause because "Why I Love Horror" brings in horror literary giants to create a vulnerable and insightful look into understanding the complex genre.

"I think I love it because horror doesn't flinch. It doesn't lie or sugarcoat or wrap the world in pretty packaging. It acknowledges the cracks in the veneer. It holds up a mirror to expose the messy, vulnerable parts we'd rather ignore."

The first chapter is by Becky Siegel Spatford, "Why Ask Why." Given her precision on explaining the importance of asking "what did you love?" rather than "what happened?" I found deep appreciation for her quick synopse before each chapter begins. It was an evident way of her building trust with the reader, saying, "let's just focus on the exploration of enjoyment." It sets the stage for the reader to know what's going to happen and leaves more room for a journey.

I was especially excited for Gabino Iglesias, Tananarive Due, and Victor Lavelle's chapters. I didn't know what to expect from some unknown authors but within the first two chapters by Brian Keene and Haley Piper, I knew this book would encompass every faucet of the question, "Why I Love Horror," and answer it.

Thank you to all the authors who showed us strength in their vulnerability and honesty, and making this scary world a little more exciting/bearable/understandable through the odyssey of horror.

"Let's love the dark even more-not for its own sake, but for the way it requires us to turn on a light to help us see ourselves and each other."

Thank you @sagapress for the ARC

Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature, by Becky Siegel Spratford, is such a thoughtful collection of essays and reflections on horror, edited by one of the genre's true champions. You’ll find contributions by authors Grady Hendrix, Alma Katsu, John Langan, Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Rachel Harrison, and others.

The presentation of each author’s answer to the title question is preceded by Spratford’s editorial context, starting book recommendations, and the name of a similar author thrown in for good measure.

The reasons to read horror, love horror, and write horror are endless, but to hear each author’s take on what horror means to them gives readers an even clearer picture of the incredible current richness of the genre. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

What a lovely collection of essays!

Ever wondered why your favorite horror author loves what they do? This books gives a window into some of their thoughts and history.

There are some authors I love in here and some I’ve heard of but never read, well that’s changing. Becky Stratford gives an inviting intro to each essay and a recommendation of where to start with that authors books and some “if you like them, you’ll like..” recommendations as well.

Becky Siegel Spratford states in her introduction that the collection of essays in Why I Love Horror evolved from a guest blog feature she curated asking the question of some of today's top names in the genre "Why horror?" I know that is a question that fans have been able to relate to at one point or other in their lives, as horror is probably the one category of literature and film that's most likely to elicit such a reaction from people who don't partake.

I'm also sure that 99.9% of people who pick this book up are already going to be horror enthusiasts, so the stated purpose of explaining the authors’ love of horror by answering the question “why” is, of course, rather preaching to the choir. However, I think fans will appreciate reading the thoughts of their favorite authors, getting to learn a little more about them as individuals and artists, and finding common ground in their experiences and how they relate to horror. And as admirers of an oft-maligned genre, it's always fun to gush about our beloved niche with others who recognize its value.

There's not a lot that's going to shock or surprise: horror helps process trauma, it can help kids and teens from marginalized groups find a place to fit in, it can also help us navigate an often scary real-world, particularly as children, and offers an escape from those same horrors of reality to us as adults. But even those well-trod interpretations were interesting to read, and the approaches to the subject taken by the authors was often unique. I particularly loved Grady Hendrix's essay, which read like a short horror story on its own. Other standout essays for me were the ones by Cynthia Pelayo, Rachel Harrison and Stephen Graham Jones. There were only two essays I didn’t care for.

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for a digital advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature will be published on September 23, 2025.

A love letter to the horror genre, this book is chock full of essays from some of the most well known authors of horror today. This was an enjoyable and insightful read, being able to dive into the minds of these authors is something I believe a lot of us readers want to experience, and reading this book gave us that. Which each new chapter, we get a new essay written by a different horror author explaining why they love horror and how they were influenced growing up to get where they are now. I loved learning new details about these authors, and learning what scares them or what well known horror franchises may have enticed them into venturing farther into this world. If you enjoy horror, I highly recommend this book. Not only will you learn more about authors you already know and love, but you might even just find a new favorite author along the way!

I have not been able to find the words to do justice to how much I enjoyed this book. Some of my favorite authors and some authors that I have never read (that will be corrected) wrote 19(my favorite number) essays about why they love horror. Bonus that the introduction is written by Mother Horror, a.k.a. Sadie Hartman.
I loved how each author gave a peek inside who they are and how horror has influenced their lives and their writing. Whenever I read a collection, I pick my three favorites. In this case, it was extremely hard, but I finally chose: Rachel Harrison, Grady Hendrix, and Gabino Iglesias. Those three essays just stuck with me the longest. A terrific way to get an insight into some fantastic horror authors, whether you have read anything by them or you are going to discover them for the first time.

Everyone, horror fan or not, reader or not, can find bits of themselves in these essays. If you love horror, like me, or if you don’t understand at all why anyone would read it, or if you find yourself somewhere between those poles, this essay collection is for you. Personally, I found myself scattered across multiple essays, and it was really wonderful to see those parts of myself shared with some of the leading voices in contemporary horror fiction.

The authors are all really exciting voices, and to have them share these parts of themselves feels both intimate and refreshing. The essays themselves range in style from straightforward and precise to exaggerated and playful, showing off not just the range of answers to the question but different authors’ styles, as well. It isn’t necessarily the case that anything in this collection is going to be blow the mind of any horror fan who has spent any amount of time trying to answer this question for themselves, but to see the different answers and variations on themes just reminds the reader how immersive and inclusive the horror community is.

The curation is really well done, allowing the collection to have its own kind of arc. In addition, Becky Siegel Spratford’s introduction to each author was magnificent, not only introducing the author but somehow capturing the essence of the way they approach their craft and then giving a book recommendation as well as a comp recommendation for each author. It wasn’t necessary but it really elevated this collection, making it something special.

This collection is a lot of fun and a very quick read. It opens up the world of horror and is a chance for readers to get inside the artist’s heads a little, which for me makes their work even more powerful. While there is, obviously, some repetition in their answers each essay brings something new to the table, both in style and substance. None of the essays linger too long, and they flow together into a compelling and enjoyable whole. This is definitely a worthwhile collection, offering insight and opportunity for self-reflection, for any and all readers, regardless of your relationship with genre.

(Rounded from 4.5)

I want to thank the editor and contributors, the publisher Saga Press, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was really looking forward to reading this book, however it was a huge letdown. Not many of the writers were well known, uninteresting & redundant. Most of the writers were very complex but much of the reasons why “love horror “ stemmed from racism, homophobia just to name a few. Ridiculous book, more of a political commentary than horror. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Why I Love Horror is a compilation of essays from some of the most successful horror writers of our time. These essays address why the authors love and write horror; all biographical to some extent but each essay’s unique voice and structure gives deeper insight into the complexity of the genre and its sub-genres, what it means to consume horror, and why it is so important. Horror lovers, readers who are new to horror, or readers who are just interested in learning more about the genre could all gain something from reading this! I was glad that the selection of authors included BIPOC, native, and queer representation (and therefore dived into how being part of marginalized communities bleeds into their experience writing horror).

I love essay collections, and as a horror lover this one really hit home! A stand out essay for me was Hailey Piper’s contribution, but I loved the collective acknowledgement of horror as an integral and multifaceted vehicle for not only moving through life but processing and becoming our most true selves. So many all stars featured here, I’m sure this collection has something for everyone. I look forward to getting my own copy!

I mean, what can I really say about these essays? Unsurprisingly, SGJ's is my favorite, but there are several others in here that hit HARD, including Rachel Harrison and Victor LaValle, for me. Can't wait for this to be out in the world, spreading the love affair that is the horror genre!!

I was gifted a copy of this ebook from Net Galley and Saga Press in exchange for an honest review. This book is available September 23, 2025. This is a must read for any horror enthusiast. It was so interesting reading why these authors chose the horror genre and what it means to them. I loved the beginning of each essay where Becky Siegel Spratford introduced the author and gave us books of theirs to read as well as another author similar to them. Have a notebook and pen ready when reading to jot down all the books to add to your tbr list!