6 Ways to Find Your Next Terrifying Read
1. Read an award winner.
Given out yearly since 1988, The Bram Stoker Awards® are the premiere awards for outstanding writing presented by the Horror Writers Association. To place convenient requests in our catalog, see all of the Bram Stoker Award winners in our collection.
2. Borrow e-books, downloadable audiobooks, or movies.
Here are some quick links to fiction & films you can borrow with your IndyPL library card.
If you have never borrowed from OverDrive before both OverDrive app directions and OverDrive browser directions are available. Additionally, you can watch an OverDrive video tutorial or consult with Overdrive Support. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before here are some Kanopy directions and a Kanopy video tutorial.
Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.
Click on our featured lists or browse through all of our horror staff lists.
IndyPL Staff Picks 2023- Best of Suspense, Mystery, and Horror
IndyPL Staff members have compiled their favorite suspense, mystery, and horror novels of 2023 for those who prefer a book that will unsettle them. These books feature cults, funeral home models, creepy puppets, true crime podcasts, mermaids, phone scam revenge, and more. Find new books from your favorite authors or add a new favorite author to your shelf.
4. Make a selection from this list of horror authors
Steve Alten
V.C. Andrews
Leigh Bardugo
Clive Barker
Lauren Beukes
Max Brooks
Christopher Buehlman
Rachel Caine
Isabel Canas
M.R. Carey
Clay McLeod Chapman
P. Djeli Clark
Darcy Coates
Blake Crouch
Mark Z. Danielewski
Tananarive Due
Gretchen Felker-Martin
Joseph Fink
Sarah Gailey
5. Subscribe to the horror newsletter from NextReads
Receive reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!
6. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.
On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. Once you login, choose the a category from the list on the left which includes choices like “Blood-drenched,” “Creature Feature,” “Creepy Clowns & Bad Seeds,” and more! Click on a book to read a brief description, see a star rating, and “Check Availability” to see if it the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.
Find a book discussion near you!
You are invited to join in one of our many in-person or online book discussions that take place several times each month. In our book discussion groups we read and talk about both fiction and non-fiction books. We express our opinions (both likes and dislikes!) with other avid readers in the city.
- Event: Virtual Author Talk: Native Rights and Culture in Fiction
- Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 7:00pm
- Location: Online
- Description: You’re invited to join us as Mona Susan Power chats about her newest novel A Council of Dolls. This conversation highlights how her work explores Native Rights and Native American culture, in particular using an important symbol that anchors comfort and companionship in Native life: dolls.
- Register Here
- Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
- Date & Time: Friday, November 22, 10:00am
- Location: Spades Park Branch
- Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
- No Registration Required.
Need more help?
Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.