31 Days of Horror: Day 2-- Sadie Hartmann and 101 Horror Books To Read Before You're Murdered and a FREE Library Webinar With Her This Week

I am on the record, many times, saying that Sadie Hartman is the yin to my yang. While I am the library world's Horror go-to person, Sadie is the quintessential Horror reader. She represents the reader and their interest across a variety of platforms.

Sadie and I have known each other for a while, and we frequently lean on each other for advice since our worlds are so similar to each other, yet so different from others in our Horror networks. 

This year, Sadie joined me in the book writing world, releasing 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered. This is a much purchase book for all of your libraries. Honestly, there is nothing in print (except maybe my book) that will help you help Horror readers right this minute more than her book. 

I reviewed 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered in the June 2023 issue of Library Journal:

Draft Review: Horror’s most well known fan, Hartmann presents a volume for readers and library workers to rejoice over whether they are established fear fiends or terror newbies. An excellent introduction lays out Hartmann’s mission, to take you on a tour through Horror as a reader, while also explaining her organizational process and demonstrating how to use the icons that serve as guideposts throughout. Most of the book is focused on specific titles, organized into five overarching categories each capped off with an original essay by the genre’s hottest authors. Within each section, Hartmann presents her conversational review of the titles, each on a single page with a sidebar summarizing the book’s appeal. Fun quizzes, illustrations that enhance the book’s atmosphere and tone, and more lengthy author overviews are also sprinkled throughout. The result: a gorgeously creepy book, told with an engaging and authoritative voice, diverse in every possible way. This book can be enjoyed from cover to cover or as a choose your own spooky adventure, but either way, it will entice all who encounter it to seek out more Horror.

Verdict: Horror’s popularity is on the rise and this book provides the widest possible view of the genre as it stands today and there are no repeat authors. Libraries should consider buying two copies, one for reference and another to circulate, and make extra copies of the reading checklist in the back to hand out, especially during spooky season. 

Three Words That Describe This Book: Genre overview, participatory, conversational tone

Since I already featured her in 2019 with this Why I Love Horror essay, this year, I asked Sadie instead to share why she wrote this book. Here are Sadie's words:

Just in time for the spooky season, 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered is here to help! I wrote this book as a resource to help readers navigate the current horror genre landscape. It covers horror books, both traditionally published, well-known titles from familiar authors and indie published books from lesser-known authors in the last twenty years. I shared my unique reading experience for each book and sorted the books into general genre categories such as Supernatural or Paranormal and sub-genre categories such as haunted house or demon possession. In the hopes of putting the right book in the right reader’s hands, I have even created a system of icons representing more ways to identify themes and tropes in each book. Readers can see, at a glance, if the book takes place in a small town, has a mystery to solve, or features strong female protagonists. Horror enthusiasts will find ten author spotlights showcasing authors writing a wide variety of horror books and carving out a unique niche in the genre for themselves. Peppered throughout are five essays from five horror authors each expressing an important topic from their unique point of view. Perfect for seasoned horror readers looking for some deep cuts who want to challenge themselves to check every book off the list to readers looking for a welcoming introduction to horror, this book can be your guide!

Thank you Sadie, both for explaining to library workers why you wrote this book and for everything you do for readers.

But wait... there's more. Sadie is also offering a FREE webinar as part of Wake County Public Library's Nightmare Not Included series of programs this October for anyone, anywhere. Click here for details on all of the programs, but here is the info about Sadie's appearance, this week.

Horror Fiction "Starter Kit" 

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 6:00 PM Eastern via Zoom

Register HERE! 

Join Sadie Hartmann, "Mother Horror" and half of the Night Worms Subscription Company, as she shares the horror genre's timeless classics and new modern trendsetters. Determine what sub-genres are best to start with and how to be mindful of boundaries and potential triggers. Whether you're a seasoned horror fiction fan or just cutting your teeth, Sadie has the "starter kit" for you!

Sign up for Wednesday's program and buy the book, 2 copies as I recommend above. Both will help you be more confident as you assist your Horror readers.