I knew half-way through Why I Love Horror that I wouldn't write a typical review for the book. Instead, I wanted to write a response. Why do I love horror? I'm not sure if what I have to say is original or any different from what the writers in this book of essays had to say. I feel the need to express what horror means to me though. Why do I love reading it? That said, I will say that I absolutely loved this book of essays by some of the best writers in horror. I met new writers and I got to understand favorite writers more than ever. Why I Love Horror is an absolute treat for fans of the genre and people who don't like horror should read it too. Maybe then you'll understand why we love horror.

When I was kid, I read Bruce Coville's Book Of books. Book of Aliens, Book of Monsters, Book of Ghosts, Book of Nightmares. I loved those anthologies. I ate that stuff up. Then I discovered Goosebumps by R.L. Stine and then eventually, I discovered Stephen King.

I've always loved to read. From a young age, I loved to read and I loved to write. I devoured books. I've read so many books, some I remember, some I've forgotten. I couldn't tell you what my first Stephen King book was. I just know that I loved his books. And of course later I found his son, Joe Hill and over the years, I've discovered more and more horror writers: Stephen Graham Jones, Hailey Piper, Clay McCleod Chapman, Paul Tremblay, and many more. Reviewing has definitely opened up my love to horror more. I read more horror than ever.

Why horror though? Why do I love ghosts and vampires and demons and thinks that stalk in the night? Why horror? I mean, I love fantasy and sci-fi. I love drama and comedy and heck even the occasional romance. But horror? I keep coming back to it. I like to be scared. I like the feeling of being nervous and of that hand reaching out of the alley or that think right behind my neck...

We can escape the horrors in books too. After we finish reading the book, the horror is over. We close the book, put it away and move onto another book. Horror, like every genre, offers an escape and I think, most important of all, it makes you FEEL. You always have some emotion, usually being freaking terrified and temporary traumatized. Go read Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay Mcleod Chapman right now. I'll wait.

You back yet? Wait you didn't come back!? Well, I don't blame you. That book really put me through the ringer. And I still can't get that baby ghost song out of my head. Thanks Clay.

I love horror and I think after reading this book, I've come to a decision. I want to write horror too. I miss writing stories and honestly, as much as I tried, I could never get sci-fi or fantasy to work with my writing. But horror? I think I can make horror work. I think its time to go back to writing fiction too and to see if my love of reading horror, also translates into a love of writing horror. Let's see if I can scare myself silly. Wish me luck. I'll need it.

Why I Love Horror will release on September 23rd, 2025. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an early digital copy of this book.

These are chillingly beautiful essays that truly capture the heart of horror and why the genre will never die. This is a collection of horror authors that will now give you a bigger to read list then you already had. Finally, a collection about horror that does not reduce the genre to psychos or ill-informed fanatics that love and appreciate the genre. This project starting in a library is very telling how essential the library is in promoting literature. People stray from horror because they do not understand it and this collection will show you why it matters.
If you are reading this your already have some interest in horror – so keep reading! I cannot pick a favorite in this collection but Alma Katsu’s essay really resonated with me. She really nails the difference between the appreciation for conjured monsters and disconnecting us temporarily from the true monsters of society that plague our environments. I had to read this over twice too truly soak in what she was discussing!
Frankenstein? If you ever get the chance to know me or stick around my blog for a bit – you will understand my enormous love and appreciation for Frankenstein’s creature. Shelly’s novel and the film have really paved the way for horror as a genre in literature and film. This central monstrous idea is mentioned by several authors throughout the collection and that recognition is well deserved.
This is really a collection about how the stories we conjure within the spectrum of the horror genre and curate ourselves are truly a joy that keeps on terrifying us. This is a unique genre that really gives the liberty of creativity a medium to discuss assorted topics from racial injustice to queer theory. If you love non-fiction you MUST pick up this collection. I felt at home reading this. Where was my love for horror? It began with watching Halloween when I was 6 or 7 and it began when I read Pet Semeteary.
The roots of horror and our love for it are well expressed and curated here. I almost want a part two! Thank you Net Galley and Saga Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to add a hardcover copy to my shelves when this hits the market. ALSO – Thank you Becky Siegel Spratford for compiling this eerie collection of essays to sink my teeth into!