The Readers' Advisory Guide to Horror

by Becky Siegel Spratford

Overview

Vampires, zombies, ghosts, and ghoulies: there are more things going bump in the night than ever. So how do you wend your way through all of them to find the ones that interest a particular reader? RA expert Spratford updates her advisory to include the latest in monsters and the macabre, including

Lists of recommended titles, authors, and sub-genres, all cross-referenced for quick reference
Tips for effectively practicing horror RA, with interview questions for gauging a reader’s interests
An expanded resources section, with an overview addressing the current state of horror lit, and suggestions of how to dig deeper

As both an introductory guide for librarians just dipping their toes into the brackish water of scary fiction, as well as a fount of new ideas for horror-aware reference staff, Spratford’s book is infernally appropriate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838994504
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	04/09/2012
Series:	ALA Readers' Advisory Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	976,448
File size:	792 KB

About the Author

Becky Siegel Spratford is a Readers' Advisory Specialist 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 and its evil twin RA for All Horror. She is under contract to provide content for EBSCO’s NoveList database and writes reviews for Booklist and a horror review column for Library Journal. She is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association and currently serves as the Association’s Secretary and organizer of their annual Librarians’ Day. You can follow her on Twitter at @RAforAll. She received the prestigious Richard Laymon President's Award from the Horror Writers Association (HWA) in 2021.

Table of Contents

Series Introduction vii

Preface ix

Why We Need Horror and Why You Need This Book Acknowledgments xiii

Part I

1 The Lure of the Dark Side: Horror's Enduring Appeal 3

2 Horror 101: The State of Terror Today 15

3 Helping Your Scariest Readers: The Horror RA Conversation 39

Part II

4 Ghosts and Haunted Houses: Home Scream Home 49

5 Vampire Menace: Sparkly Vampires Need Not Apply 55

6 Zombies: Follow the Walking Dead 61

7 Witches, Curses, and the Occult: Black Magic Comes for You 67

8 Monsters and Ancient Evil: Creature Features 73

9 Nature Gone Wild: Plants and Animals Attack 81

10 Satan and Demonic Possession: The Devil Inside 89

11 Psychological Horror: It's All in Your Head … Or Is It? 97

12 Lovecraftian and Cosmic Horror: Cthulhu Is Calling 105

13 Body Horror: Our Bodies Betray Us 113

14 Further Explorations of the Dark Side: Whole Collection Options for Horror Readers 119

Part III

15 Staying in Horrific Shape: Horror Collection Development and Resources 133

16 Sowing the Seeds of Fear: Horror Promotion and Programming 143

Appendix: More Battle-Tested Titles to Suggest to Readers by Subgenre 153

Bibliography 157

Index 161

Editorial Reviews

"In the decade since the second edition, Spratford (who blogs at RAforAll) has completely rewritten and updated this guide, with particular attention to diverse voices writing about fear, dread, and terror ... Also important to this new edition is its organization, which is structured around the reader’s level of comfort with the genre. VERDICT Librarians will appreciate the updated recommendations and accessible organization. Those interested in a more complete history of horror fiction will find within a thoughtful exploration of previously excluded authors and emerging talent."
— Library Journal

"While the audience would be mostly public librarians, academic librarians may find this useful for several reasons. For instance, horror has academic value, and librarians who have a basis for recommending titles or horror subgenres such as gothic horror will help enhance student and faculty experience in their university libraries ... I highly recommend this book for those who need an introduction to horror as well as those who are familiar with the genre and strive to advise on the growing number of diverse authors. Academic librarians who need genre related works for their students and faculty, selectors for fiction and popular reading collections, and crave a way to highlight unique collections in a university or college library would benefit greatly from [this guide]."
— College & Research Libraries

"Whether you are a fan of horror or are not interested in being scared, this book will have you recommending books that give your patrons a fright in no time ... I would recommend this guide to all library staff and anyone interested in horror. It has definitely helped me to have more knowledge about this genre in general and the specific sub genres. I feel more confident in helping horror readers find their next scary read with the resources mentioned in this book. I have even reserved some horror books to dip my toes into this genre as a reader - only to be read in daylight of course!"
— Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association

From the Publisher

11/01/2021

From the terrifying radioactive MacGuffin in the movie Kiss Me Deadly and the iterations of George Romero's Living Dead films, to the current cultural terror of mass contagion, the fears and anxieties experienced by society are writ large in its creative works—many of which are covered in this updated guide to horror for reader's advisory librarians. In the decade since the second edition, Spratford (who blogs at RAforAll.blogspot.com) has completely rewritten and updated this guide, with particular attention to diverse voices writing about fear, dread, and terror. Horror novelists are still overwhelmingly white and male, and "the lack of diversity here should make you uncomfortable and want to strive to promote works by all people," Spratford writes. The first part of the guide offers a horror overview, which newcomers to the genre will find especially helpful; the second contains annotated bibliographies and title and author recommendations; and the third covers collection development and programming ideas. Also important to this new edition is its organization, which is structured around the reader's level of comfort with the genre. VERDICT Librarians will appreciate the updated recommendations and accessible organization. Those interested in a more complete history of horror fiction will find within a thoughtful exploration of previously excluded authors and emerging talent.—Jennifer Townes, Ina Dillard Russell Lib., Milledgeville, GA

Library Journal