Categories
The Fright Stuff

’90s Horror is All That and a Bag of Chips

Horror fans, it’s me, Emily, here to lead you through another week of all things scary! I’ve been watching a lot of Friends over this holiday week, and I went to a ’90s trivia night last night, so I’m feeling inspired to talk about all things ’90s. So with that in mind, I’m going to share some ’90s and ’90s-inspired horror recs this week. I hope you enjoy.

Power up your reading life with thoughtful writing on books and publishing, courtesy of The Deep Dive. Over at our Substack publication, you’ll find timely stories, informed takes, and useful advice from our in-house experts. We’re here to share our expertise and perspective, drawing from our backgrounds as booksellers, librarians, educators, authors, editors, and publishing professionals. Find out why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and then get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox. You can also upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.

Bookish Goods

louis and lestat earrings

Lestat and Louis Pendant Earrings by Chaos Theory Designs

Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire was originally published in the ’70s. But the iconic film adaptation starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, and Antonio Banderas was released in 1994. Celebrate this horror story that definitely left its mark on the 1990s with these earrings, featuring pages from the novel. $18.

New Releases

the fiction writer book cover

The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor

Let’s take a pause on looking back and look ahead to new releases. We have a couple of exciting ones out this week. After writer Olivia Fitzgerald’s retelling of Rebecca is a major flop, she finds herself battling a horrible case of writer’s block. So when she’s offered a high-paying ghostwriter job, Olivia is more than happy for the opportunity. All she has to do is interview mega-billionaire Henry “Ash” Asherwood, who is eager to spill all of the secrets about his late grandmother. Ash claims the story of Rebecca is actually his grandmother’s life story and Daphne du Maurier stole it from her. But the more Olivia digs into Ash’s family’s past, the more horrifying the truth turns out to be.

godly heathens book cover

Godly Heathens by H. E. Edgmon

Godly Heathens is the first book in a brand-new dark fantasy series with many horror elements. Gem is a nonbinary teen living in the small town of Gracie, Georgia. No one knows the real Gem, not even their trans friend Enzo, who lives far away in Brooklyn. Gem keeps having these haunting visions of dark magic and violence that they feel like no one else would ever understand. But then, new girl Willa May Hardy moves into town. She claims that she and Enzo have known and loved each other for many lifetimes. Gem isn’t sure she can be trusted, but when the Goddess of Death comes searching for them, she might have to be.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

book cover of southern book club's guide to slaying vampires by grady hendrix

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

This first book probably seems like an obvious pick for ’90s-inspired horror. But if you have somehow not read this book from Grady Hendrix, maybe you didn’t know it takes place in the ’90s! The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires pits a true crime-loving book club against an actual vampire. Get ready for one of the scariest vampire stories you’ve ever read.

ahh that's what i call horror book cover

Ahh! That’s What I Call Horror, ed. by Chelsea Pumpkins

I love that the title of this horror anthology is a cross between two ’90s staples: Ahh! Real Monsters and Now That’s What I Call Music. If you don’t know these references, then congrats. You’re young, and I’m old. If you do get them, then you’ll probably love this anthology of 14 short stories set in the ’90s.

ring book cover

Ring by Koji Suzuki, translated by Glynne Walley

Here’s another book you’ve likely heard of before, but as one of the most terrifying horror novels released in the 1990s, it has to be mentioned. In this story, teens watch a videotape and then mysteriously die. But what’s on the viral videotape that everyone is watching? If you’ve only seen the movie, the real answer might surprise you.

That’s it, friends! Until next time, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!