by @put_upon, curator of HOWLS Book Club nominees for February’s “A Spooky Syllabus” category
While fictional horror is all well and good (and the majority of what I read in any given year), there is something uniquely unsettling about non-fiction books that delve into the darker side of humanity and human beliefs. Non-fiction is also a great way to supplement and inform our group readings of horror fiction.
Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica by Zora Neal Hurston
(From Goodreads) Based on Zora Neale Hurston’s personal experience in Haiti and Jamaica, where she participated as an initiate rather than just an observer of voodoo practices during her visits in the 1930s, this travelogue into a dark world paints a vividly authentic picture of ceremonies and customs and superstitions of great cultural interest.
I am almost embarrassed to admit that I have never read anything by Zora Neal Hurston, and it wasn’t until the end of last year that I learned about her nonfiction work. I have always enjoyed reading travelogue style writing, and since voodoo frequently shows up in horror (both good and bad representations) I figured it would be fun and informative to dig into the reality.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear by Margee Kerr
(From Goodreads) Fear is a universal human experience, but do we really understand it? If we’re so terrified of monsters and serial killers, why do we flock to the theaters to see them? Why do people avoid thinking about death, but jump out of planes and swim with sharks? For Kerr, there was only one way to find out.
I love getting into the real “why” of different situations. I’m hoping this book delivers on its promise to examine the reasons we as a species seek out the most terrifying parts of life.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna by Mira Ptacin
(From Goodreads) Beginning her narrative in 1848 with two sisters who claimed they could speak to the dead, Ptacin reveals how Spiritualism first blossomed into a national practice during the Civil War, yet continues – even thrives – to this very day.
This is probably the most self-indulgent pick on this list. I have been obsessed with stories of spiritualism and proof of an afterlife for as long as I can remember. I’ve been wanting to read more about Camp Etna, the Spiritualist community in Maine that has existed since 1876, for ages now.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
The Lady and Her Monsters: A Tale of Dissections, Real-Life Dr. Frankensteins, and the Creation of Mary Shelley’s Masterpiece by Roseanne Montillo
(From Goodreads) The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo brings to life the fascinating times, startling science, and real-life horrors behind Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece, Frankenstein.
There’s no doubt that Frankenstein-esque monsters and body snatchers are a mainstay of the horror genre. I am really curious to read about the true stories that inspired it. Messing with graves and desecrating corpses is such a big taboo across cultures I just know this will get under my skin. I can’t wait.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime by Judith Flanders
(From Goodreads) In this fascinating exploration of murder in nineteenth century England, Judith Flanders examines some of the most gripping cases that captivated the Victorians and gave rise to the first detective fiction.
This is another very self-indulgent pick. I love reading old penny dreadful stories, Sherlock Holmes, Victorian Christmas ghost stories, etc. The more Victorian era pulpy fiction I read the more I want to learn about the crimes referenced so that fewer in-jokes go over my head.
Bookshop* | Goodreads | Amazon
And The Winner Is…
Out of these five books, HOWLers voted to read Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica by Zora Neal Hurston. Join HOWL Society on Monday, February 21, 2022 to begin discussion!
Amanda Bronson is a co-host of the podcast “Graveyard Coffee Talk”.
*The HOWLS Bookshop.org affiliate storefront pays a 10% commission to HOWL Society and gives a matching 10% to independent bookstores