Back at StokerCon in June, Konrad and I met Kate and Allison from the New York Public Library and began conversations about how the HWA Libraries Committee and NYPL could work together to promote horror.
Then a few months later, when I visited NYPL at Allison's branch as part of my book tour (photos here), they used the opportunity of having 150+ horror fans in one room to unveil their Best Horror of 2025 list.
As we are closing in on the end of 31 Days of Horror we are also entering "Best Books" season. I thought sharing their list here, in these waning days of October made a lot of sense. But I didn't just want to post a list. Yes, best lists are great and Horror Best Lists are even better but what I loved about the NYPL example is not only how they make this list but even, how the Horror Best Books committee broken through to even be a thing the NYPL did.
So today, welcome Kate and Allison as they give you all a peek behind the curtain of the Best Horror of 2025 committee and list from NYPL. I hope you use what they share to think about how you work together with your staff-- no matter how big or small, no matter where they fall on the org chart-- to include everyone who wants to help make best lists, for any genre, whether they are a fan or not.
Take it away Kate and Allison...
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It all started with a simple email. Dare to Join Our Horror Committee? We Need Brave Souls!
Kate joined the staff of The New York Public Library in July 2024. In her previous role as an Adult Librarian in Upstate New York, Kate maintained the horror section at her library. This led to the creation of a month-long annual horror reading challenge, to help show patrons that the genre has so much more to offer than one might realize. She wanted to bring her love of the genre to her new role at NYPL.
Having discovered that the Library already had staff dedicated to producing comprehensive surveys of new romance, comics, and poetry each year, Kate suggested that a committee focused on horror would be an excellent addition. And with that the wheels were set in motion.
After numerous emails back and forth, a call to staff participation was sent.
Are you a fan of spine-chilling tales, blood-curdling scares, and the occasional monster under the bed? Do you think your bookshelf could use a few more "creepy" additions? If so, we have an offer you can’t refuse!
Responses poured in from branches and library departments in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, representing the city’s wide array of communities and age groups. We had horror aficionados and those who were just dipping their toes in the vast horror ocean. Ultimately, we were brought together by a love of reading, a love of recommending books to readers, and a belief in the power of good books to fix a lot of what ails us all.
Allison joined The New York Public Library in spring of 2017, as an Adult Librarian in the St. George Library. There they maintained the branch’s local history and fiction collection, the latter where she enjoyed pulling out material related to the macabre history of the borough for researchers. Moving to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL) in fall of 2023 as a Supervising Librarian of Adult Programming, she wanted to find ways to stay connected to the collection aspect of librarianship. When Kate’s email came along asking for volunteers for a newly formed Horror Committee, Allison jumped at the chance to join and meet other horror fans on staff.
At our first monthly committee meeting in November 2024, we developed our mission, to curate a comprehensive list of horror books that will captivate, thrill, and inspire readers from all corners of the genre. Our aim was to create a diverse collection that spans all horror subgenres, from psychological terror to supernatural chills, body horror to gothic suspense, ensuring that all horror readers find something that will haunt them long after the last page is turned. Horror, like any genre, is deeply personal and the stories that make a reader’s heart race or give them chills can vary dramatically. Our goal was to honor these varied preferences, finding the common thread of excellence that makes these stories unforgettable.
Our criteria was simple. In order to be considered for nomination, all books must be specifically written and published for adults between Halloween in 2024 and 2025, and must be classified as horror. The titles were to be chosen for their exceptional storytelling, strong narrative drive, well-developed characters, immersive prose, and rich, atmospheric settings. Our hope was that the list would celebrate the genre’s ability to evoke a full spectrum of emotions—fear, fascination, sorrow, joy, and awe.
Committee members were expected to read and review upwards of two books a month. During our monthly meetings, we discussed what we read and why it should or should not be included on our final list. The earlier months of our committee were slower in terms of new horror releases, and we were giving titles a soft yes or maybe. As the months passed, our criteria for nominated titles became clearer and clearer. One of the titles that first caught our attention was the excellent Root Rot by Saskia Nislow. Each member who cracked the cover was immediately enveloped in the stories that ranged from folk horror to body horror and everything in between.
As the monthly meetings continued, nominated books began to pile up. Before we knew it, it was June and StokerCon was upon us. The committee had the privilege of organizing a group trip to majestic Connecticut to attend Librarian’s Day! Not only did this trip serve as an excellent opportunity to hear from our colleagues in other systems about how they incorporate the genre into their programming and to get a sneak peak at upcoming horror releases we had yet to read, but it was also an excellent bonding opportunity for the group, many of whom had not met in person until this adventure north.
With a new fire lit under us following StokerCon, everyone picked up their reading pace. In August, the group began meeting weekly, and the final list of nominated titles started to take shape. By September the group had a shortlist of 40 books from more than 150 considered for the list, which is where the most difficult part of our work began. Over the month of September, the list was narrowed down to our final 20, which we published in time for Halloween. The meeting before voting took place, members had one last chance to argue to keep any favorites on the list. For The New York Public Library’s blog (where you can also find some helpful read-alikes!) and our own curiosity, we have since narrowed down the list to our top five.
After multiple rounds of voting, our top five selected books became:
5. Root Rot by Saskia Nislow. Chosen for its haunting blend of beauty and unease, Root Rot is a surreal, fungi-soaked nightmare that lingers long after the final page. Its unsettling imagery, visceral atmosphere, and dreamlike storytelling pushed the boundaries of what horror can be.
4. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter was selected for its fresh and powerful take on vampire lore, blending supernatural horror with rich Blackfeet representation and a gripping historical setting. It’s Stephen Graham Jones at his best and impossible to put down.
3. Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen. This haunting blend of history and folklore weaves queer themes and the eerie mystery of bog bodies into a vividly atmospheric tale set in the Netherlands.
2. The Burial Tide by Neil Sharpson. The Burial Tide was chosen for its masterful mix of Irish folklore, psychological tension, and eerie island atmosphere. With its unpredictable twists, haunting body horror, and heartfelt core of friendship, it delivers a uniquely satisfying and unsettling read.
1. The Country Under Heaven by Fredric S. Durbin. The Country Under Heaven was selected for its masterful fusion of western, horror, and fantasy elements, creating a world both eerie and enchanting. With rich prose, a compelling main character, and an atmosphere that feels both vast and intimate, it’s a true genre standout.
Overall, we are incredibly proud of our list, as it not only represents a diverse group of authors , but also spans many subgenres. We guarantee there is something for everyone on this list, whether you like a haunted house, something gruesome and violent, or a classic monster. We invite seasoned readers and new genre explorers to dive in and experience the terror of The New York Public Library’s list of Best New Horror for Adults.
Get updates from The New York Public Library on book recommendations and a range of upcoming events including—coming soon!—a series of virtual author talks featuring a selection of the authors behind our Best New Horror list! We hope to see you there. To see the official list, please visit our website… if you dare!
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