This was a nice little read! I know the reasons I love horror and it was so interesting to read the perspectives of other authors and appreciators of the genre. It gave me more insight to them as people. but also a different perspective to view things by. As someone who is an aspiring horror writer as well, I think this has helped me in certain ways with the craft. I also loved the "if you like this, read that" at the beginning of each essay as well, it was a great touch and I got some great recommendations!

What a wonderful book. All of my favorite horror writers corralled into one fabulous volume edited by a horror librarian? Do I need to say more? I will though.

This essay collection was a treat for the black t-shirt wearing, dark hearted, horror fans. Who wouldn't want to learn why their favorite author got into the genre, when their experience could be so close to our own as readers? Maybe not am arm in the freezer like some but for many of us who picked up our first Stephen King book (mine was Salem's Lot) at a way too young age and never looked back. I love that Becky Siegel Spratford also introduced each essay AND provided read-alike recommendations. I've already added a variety of new authors to my goodreads and tbr. The best? When Becky recommended ANOTHER favorite author for the favorite author whose essay you were just about to read. Such validation.

Highly recommend for horror fans or anyone wanting to wade into these dark deep waters for us. A lovely read cover to cover and a volume I would happily revisit to explore some of these new recommendations. Just lovely.

This anthology is a beautifully written collection of essays that demonstrate the power of what the horror genre can do. Long-time fans of all things horror will appreciate the thoughtful pieces by writers who have experienced the genre up close throughout their lives. The stories the authors share are emotionally resonant, and readers will likely relate to at least one of the emotions conveyed. Becky Siegel Spratford does a magnificent job introducing each author to readers by providing a brief introduction before each essay.

Becky organizes the collection through similar themes, allowing a smooth transition from one essay to the next. She includes voices that deeply resonate with readers in all aspects of their lives. Horror fans will feel a sense of pride after reading this collection. This anthology is a moving introduction to readers exploring the horror genre for the first time. This collection will undoubtedly become a classic favorite in the classroom. It will be used by horror fans everywhere when explaining why they love horror so much and why more people should give it a chance. This carefully curated collection of essays feels like a love letter from horror fans everywhere to the genre that has often been misunderstood and isolated. It is a collection that all readers should pick up, read, and share with others.

For readers who want to explore why the horror genre is loved and why they should give it a chance

***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is an advance reader copy (ARC) and may contain errors or changes before final publication. My review is voluntary and reflects my personal thoughts.***

This book got my attention with that title....because I too love horror and wanted to know why others love horror as well. I was not let down by this book, it was a great cast of authors who shed their souls onto their work and screamed from the roof tops of why it is they love to create horror stories. I learned about how these authors came to be and what got them into this very specific genre. I was able to pin point so much in the book and go "hey me too!" That is one of the things I especially loved about this book, was that I felt seen as a horror fanatic and not made felt like I was an outlier.

I really this. A love letter to the horror genre by horror fans. I enjoyed reading the essays and seeing why everyone loves horror.

Why I Love Horror: Essay on Horror Literature by Becky Siegel Spratford is a sharp, heartfelt little love letter to the genre, bringing together some of horror’s best voices to answer one deceptively simple question: why horror? Through anecdotes, reflections, and tributes, this anthology showcases the personal connections writers have with the genre—ranging from formative scares to the catharsis of confronting darkness head-on. I loved getting that behind-the-scenes peek into the minds of some of my favorite horror authors, while also discovering new names I can’t wait to dive into. As far as nonfiction anthologies go, this one really captures the breadth and passion of the horror community, and it’s well worth the read.

Horror is my favorite genre, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this eARC. Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press.

Horror is often misunderstood like horror fans themselves! This collection of essays by horror writers is an excellent introduction to the contemporary authors of the genre. Each essay is accompanied by recommendations to other authors with a similar style.

Edited by horror expert librarian Becky Siegel Spratford whose insight and ability to connect readers to the perfect book is like having your horror bestie join you on a spooky adventure.

Hailey Piper says horror can be healing. Many of us experience trauma in our lives and when we see characters in horror persevere through these experiences of the worst kind, we see that we too can find strength to be our final person in our own lives.

I really loved this book so much! It helped open my eyes and further my love of horror. Seeing how much it means to so many authors I look up to was truly a treat. I’m so glad this was put together!

first off, i’d like to thank netgalley, saga press, and becky siegel spratford for the opportunity to read this book prior to the pub date in exchange for an honest review!

i recently finished WHY I LOVE HORROR, a nonfiction anthology, or “love letter to the genre” that includes some of the biggest names in horror fiction.

you’ll find contributions from:
- sadie hartmann (intro)
- grady hendrix
- clay mcleod chapman
- paul tremblay
- tananarive due
- rachel harrison
- stephen graham jones
- josh malerman
- & more

there’s no shock that many of these writers, as well as horror readers, run to this genre in order to cope with life’s traumas. these essays provide a window into why these authors chose horror, or maybe why horror chose them.

in addition, becky siegel spratford introduces each author prior to their essay, and provides a book recommendation from said author. needless to say, i have added several books to my ever growing TBR!

i thoroughly enjoyed this anthology— not only did i see myself in some of these essays, but this book did a great job of getting me out of a reading slump.

i recommend this book to fellow horror lovers and those who want to dip their toes into the genre!

I generally treat horror like I would any other genre by reading whatever catches my attention. For example, some of my favorite novels I’ve read this year include Linwood Barclay’s Whistle and Steven King’s The Shining. So a book that is a collection of essays from some of the best horror writers in the industry, which asks them to address the titular topic of why they love the genre? Okay, sign me up.

Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature is a collection of eighteen, candid essays with an introduction by Sadie Hartman and remarks from Spratford (which gave a rundown on her career and explained the roots of the project). The essays (from authors like Victor LaValle, Rachel Harrison, Stephen Graham Jones, Cynthia Pelayo, and Tananarive Due among others) recounts inspirations, stories from their childhood, what the genre means to them/how it’s changed their lives, to even personal pieces that delved into some pretty dark corners. But, the essays always returned to the beating heart of the collection (why horror? why not another genre?).

The synopsis bills this as “a love letter to the horror genre,” and I agree with that statement wholeheartedly.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (S&S/Saga Press) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

Truly a love letter to the horror genre by some of today's greatest horror authors. I enjoyed this immensely. Such a solid book, and if you are a fan of the horror genre you do not want to miss this.

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