Books in the Freezer - A Horror Fiction Podcast

Full episode available on Patreon.    Author Jessica McHugh is the perfect guest to help me talk through the shenanigans of Halloween Party, the 8th entry in this series. If Justine taught a class on party planning, I'm just saying, I'd be there, front row taking notes. This was so fun! Go check out the rest of the episode. 

Today I was joined by Matt Serafini to talk about his latest novel, Feeders and the horrors of social media. We talked about our relationship to social media and the horrors therein.   Books Mentioned: Feeders by Matt Serafini We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets with Emma Rault (Translator) #murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil Come Knocking by Mike Bockoven Influencer by Adam Cesare Monsters We Have Made by Lindsay Starck Mewing by Chloe Spencer Check out the final girl songs here!

Full episode is available on Patreon This is a tidbit from the latest episdoe of the House at the End of Fear Street, a patreon series going over the books in the Fear Street franchise.  Author and bookseller Stephanie Rose joins me to talk about another wacky (but romantic??) entry into the Fear Street franchise. This one is for the Casper girlies because what do you do when there's a ghost in your bedroom? Find out when we break down what happens in Haunted.   

It's Summer Scares time and this year author and Summer Scares spokesperson Kendare Blake and Jocelyn are here to go through this years book selections and resources! Summer Scares Resources, including the wonderful programming guide! Books Mentioned: Reprieve by James Han Mattson The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes by Eric LaRocca Devils Unto Dust by Emma Berquist The Getaway by Lamar Giles Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annable Ravenous Things by Derrick Chow Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon

Anette joins me once again to talk about horror stories featuring a protagonist with powers. Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com Books Mentioned:  Carrie by Stephen King The Gravekeeper series by Darcy Coates Allison by Jeff Strand Border by John Ajvde Lindqvist The Power by Naomi Alderman The Passage by Justin Cronin If It Bleeds by Stephen King  The Devil and Mrs. Davenport by Paulette Kennedy When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T Wurth The Miriam Black series by Chuck Wendig The Shining by Stephen King Doctor Sleep by Stephen King Firestarter by Stephen King The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes 

Adam from Thehauntedbookstagram is here to help me unpack the wildest Fear Street entry to date, Missing.  When Mark and Cara's parents don't come home for a few days they begin to wonder if their parents (just a pair of normal traveling computer mainframe specialists) could be in danger. https://patreon.com/booksinthefreezer 

I was joined by author Nat Cassidy to talk about dads in horror, daddy issues, just "the dad of it all" and of course, When the Wolf Comes Home.  Books Mentioned: When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy Scream All Night by Derek Milman Whalefall by Daniel Kraus Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig Hamlet by Shakespeare Just Like Home by Sarah Gailley The Shining by Stephen King Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Allison Bechdel

Anna from AnnaRose Reads is here to talk about the third Fear Street book, The Overnight. What happens when a bunch of teens spend the night on Fear Island by themselves? Listen and find out.  Listen the rest of the episode here: https://patreon.com 

Are you seeing double? Jocelyn is on the pod to talk about a topic that sent me into an existential spiral. We're talking doppelgängers and doubles today.  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com   Books Mentioned: 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin Such Lovely Skin by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne The Changeling by Victor LaValle The Watchers by A.M. Shine Stranger with My Face by Lois Duncan The Jolly Corner by Henry James The Dark Half by Stephen King The Outsider by Stephen King For She is Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Tim Waggoner short story The Double by Dostoevsky The Need by Helen Phillips Last to Leave the Room by Caitlin Starling

Here is a little bit of my conversation with Brian McAuley about the second book in the Fear Street series, The Surprise Party. How many parties are these people going to? Will these boys get therapy? Find out on this episode of The House at the End of Fear Street  Full episode available at: https://patreon.com/booksinthefreezer 

  What books are we recommending based on songs from Blondie, Arctic Monkeys and Death Cab for Cutie? Listen to find out.  The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias The Favorites by Layne Fargo House of Beth by Kerry Cullen Cackle by Rachel Harrison The Return by Rachel Harrison Chlorine by Jade Song The Villa by Rachel Hawkins Cursed Bunny: Stories by Bora Chung What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us: Stories by Laura Van Den Berg The Third Hotel by Laura Van Berg American Rapture by CJ Leede Play Nice by Rachel Harrison National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or use Duck, Duck, Go to visit: Https://thehotline.org 

PUNK Goes Horror is available now!  Books Mentioned: Punk Goes Horror edited by William Sterling Schrader's Chord by Scott Leeds Sleep Alone by J.A.W. McCarthy Polyphemus by Zachary Ashford A Gift of Death by Daniel Volpe Toured to Death by John Wayne Comunale

Full episode available to Malevolent Spirit members on Patreon.   Here is a peak at the first episode of The House at the End of Fear Street where I talk about the Fear Street books.  Cameron Chaney was here as the first guest to talk about The New Girl! What is her deal? What does Lisa see in Cory?  Will the gymnastics come into play at some point in this story?    What is your favorite Fear Street book? 

Author Erika T. Wurth joins the pod today to talk about the horrors of siblings and some of our favorite familial horror duos, and of course, The Haunting of Room 904. Books Mentioned:  The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix Diavola by Jennifer Throne Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson The Honeys by Ryan LaSala A Black and Endless Sky by Matthew Lyons Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia

Quincy is back and we are talking the horrors of teaching with the books we are talking about today.  Class is in session Books mentioned:  Apt Pupil by Stephen King Confessions by Kanae Minato Penance by Kanae Minato Tampa by Alyssa Nutting Pet by Catherine Chidgey My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing Violent Faculties by Charlene Elsby They Never Learn by Layne Fargo "Descent" by Carmen Maria Machado Battle Royale by Koushun Takami Orbital by Samantha Harvey Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com Patreon: https://Patreon.com/booksinthefreezer  

It's Yellowjackets season, baby! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! And to celebrate a new season, I thought I would repost this conversation I had with the wonderful Kristen Anderson from the Guide to the Unknown Podcast we recorded after season 1.  Books Mentioned:  We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven The Ruins by Scott Smith The Return by Rachel Harrison The Troop by Nick Cutter Beauty Queens by Libba Bray The Hunger by Alma Katsu The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Story of a Donner Party Bride by Daniel James Brown

We are talking transgressive horror on the pod today and author Emma E. Murray is here to help us wade into these bleak and uncomfortable waters. Let me know. Is Emma right? Should I watch Anti-Christ?  Movies Mentioned: Martyrs Excision Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer Videodrome Crash Anti-Christ Books Mentioned: Shoot Me in the Face on a Beautiful Day by Emma E. Murray The Drowning Machine and Other Obsessions by Emma E. Murray Geek Love by Katherine Dunn Tell Me I'm Worthless by Allison Rumfit Brainwyrms by Allison Rumfit At Dark I Become Loathsome by Eric LaRocca Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca Maeve Fly by CJ Leede Tampa by Alyssa Nutting Now You're One of Us by Asa Nonami My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell Boy Parts by Eliza Clark A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers Crash by J.G. Ballard The Devil Thinks I'm Pretty by Charlene Elsby Red Flags and Other Disturbances by Charlene Elsby Violent Faculties by Charlene Elsby Final Girl playlist Patreon

Grady Hendrix is back in the house and we are talking about all them witches. We also discuss: which beloved show could have been improved by making the main duo witches? Which Taylor Swift song is giving witchy energy?  Books Mentioned:  Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix How to Become a Sensuous Witch by Aragail, Valaria Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson (episode with BJ Colangelo) Witch by Christopher Pike Conjuring the Witch by Jessica Leonard Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin Conjure Wife by Fritz Lieber Cackle by Rachel Harrison We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry Lolly Willowes: Or the Loving Huntsman by Sylvia Townsend Warner Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com 

New year, new books to add to your TBR! I'm talking about the horror books to look forward to from January to June.  Books Mentioned:  Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix Wake Up, Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman At Dark, I Become Loathsome by Eric LaRocca The Lamb by Lucy Rose Our Winter Monster by Dennis Mahoney The Poorly Made and Other Things by Sam Rebelein Hot Singles in Your Area by Jordan Shively Beta Vulgaris by Margie Sarsfield Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread by Leila Taylor Birthday Party Demon by Wendy Dalrymple Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones PUNK Goes Horror anthology edited by William Sterling The Thorns by Dawn Kurtagich The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica Blood On Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T Wurth Vanishing Daughters by Cynthia Pelayo Night of the Witch Hunter by Patrick Barb White Line Fever by KC Jones When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy What Remains of Teague House by Stacy Johns Freakslaw by Jane Flett Cold Eternity by SA Barnes Eat the Ones You Love by Sarah Maria Griffin The Sundowner's Dance by Todd Kiesling Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker Saint Catherine by Anna Meyer Below the Grand Hotel by Cat Scully Feeders by Matt Serafini The Butcher's Daughter: The Hitherto Untold Story of Mrs. Lovett by David Demchuk, Corinne Lee Clark Overgrowth by Mira Grant Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang Starving Saints by Caitling Starling I Can Fix Her by Rae Wilde Strange Houses by Uketsu Foreclosure Gothic by Harris Lathi Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com Patreon Reading Challenge

Let's say goodbye to the year by talking about our favorite books of 2024. Who else would be by my side than OG Co-Host Rachel? What were your favorite horror books of the year?    Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com/2024/12/31/episode-192-best-horror-books-of-2024-with-rachel/  Final Girl Playlist Patreon

I got to speak to the one and only Nick Cutter to talk about books we are putting right in the freezer and his new novel, The Queen.  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com Final Girl Playlist

CJ Leede is in the house! (it's a haunted house and the monster is religious trauma)  We are talking religious horror today, and some books that scared us more than our traumatic upbringings!  Final Girl Playlist Shownotes: Https://booksinthefreezer.com

Nobody's down here except the FBI's most unwanted. That's right, we are talking about one of the most beloved shows of the 90's The X-Files, and joining me today are my pals Jocelyn Codner and Anette, and we are ready to see if the truth is really out there. We're talking Home, Bad Blood, Sanguinarium, and more favorites this week.  E. Jean Carroll piece Final Girl Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1kxmKaNzPkZk97EoHQz9EH  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com 

Have a nice day... I was joined by ray of goth sunshine Angela Sylvaine as she talked to me about her latest book Chopping Spree and the horror (but mostly glory) of malls.  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Author Johnny Compton stopped by to talk about his latest novel, Devils Kill Devils and devilish characters in horror fiction.    Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

This was a Patreon episode from May 2022, where I talked about Under the Skin by Michel Faber with my friend Laura. We also talk about the movie and that episode is still available to access on Patreon. We are talking SPOILERS   Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Rachel Harrison is back in the house and we are talking So Thirsty! And with that: vampirism, aging anxiety, friendships that evolve, disasters, and more. Final Girl Playlist  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com 

Weenies Rejoice! Your girl, Emily Hughes and I are talking you through and giving you readalikes for five horror movies this episode. Not only that, we are talking Horror for Weenies the book, our horror origins/scarring moments, classic sitcoms, the importance of brat summer and more! Movies mentioned:  Cuckoo (2024) The First Omen (2024) When Evil Lurks (2023) 28 Days Later Talk to Me (2023) Check out the Final Girl Playlist   Shownotes: https:/http://booksinthefreezer.com/?p=5667

I am joined by author Katrina Monroe to talk about books that explore grief through the lens of horror Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Listen up, campers, Josh Winning is on the pod this week and we are heading to the mess hall because we have a lot of summer camp horror to discuss. You won't want to miss this one Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, I call this story, the tale of the Are You Afraid of the Dark readalikes. Let's talk dopplegangers, haunted cameras and turning into dolls in this nostalgic look at hit 90's show

Hey! The previous upload had 30 seconds cut out, so this is the updated version with that back in.    I was joined by author LC Allingham to talk about Art Horror. So get your miniatures and paintbrushes out for this episode.  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

I was joined by author LC Allingham to talk about her novella Muse, and the exciting subgenre of Art Horror  Shownotes:

The year is half over, but that means we've got the second half of 2024 full of new releases to look forward to.  Get ready for viruses, slasher sequels, single-location terrors, vampires and more Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com 

Erin Adams and Rachel Harrison stopped by to chat about the adult picks in the summer scares program this year.  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

It's Summer Scares time! I was so excited to talk all things Summer Scares with Clay and Yaika. We talk about the list of banger books they decided on this year, and how to participate in Summer Scares Also, this is the FIRST time Clay is talking about his upcoming book Wake Up and Open Your Eyes on a podcast  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com 

Author Angela Sylvaine is on the pod this week talking about her upcoming collection The Dead Spot: Stories of Lost Girls the idea of "Lost Girls" in horror. Who qualifies as a horror "lost girl"? Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

It's the era of Poor Things and Lisa Frankenstein. Let's talk about why it looks like Frankenstein is having a bit of a *revival* (see what I did there?) and movies and books to pick up if you're feeling like you need more Frankenstein/ re-animation stories in your life.  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Jennifer Thorne stopped by to talk her vacation/dysfunctional family/ horror comedy novel Diavola and books about the horrors of vacation and traveling. We're going Hostel to the Ruins to Daphne DuMaurier to the Babysitter's Club  Shownotes: Https://booksinthefreezer.com

I was joined by the two editors of the fantastic young adult anthology, The Black Girl Survives in This One from Flatiron Books. We talk about inspirations and urging authors to not be scared to lean into the horror for a teen audience.  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Quincy stopped by to talk about one of his favorite subgenres Speculative Fiction? What is it? Why do we love it?    Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Stoker Award winning author Cynthia Pelayo dropped by to talk about her latest novel, Forgotten Sisters and the intersection of urban legeds, fairy tales and true crime    Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

I was joined by author Liz Kerin to talk about her duology, Night's Edge and First Light through music!   Night's Edge playlist First Light playlist

What horror book should you read based on your favorite Goosebumps book or episode? Not to worry, author Brian McAuley and I are here to tell you what you should check out.    Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Let's take a visit to some Nordic and Scandinavian countries through horror novels! I was joined by friend and listener Anette to talk about horror novels from the Nordic region Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

Rachel Harrison (author of the upcoming book So Thirsty) and Agatha, host of the She Wore Black Podcast join me to talk about horror book recommendations based on songs from our favorite artists including now GRAMMY AWARD WINNER Lucy Dacus and boygenius, Blind Melon and Japanese Breakfast. You don't want to miss this chat where we talk mob wife aesthetic, audio cover reveal reactions, intricate dollhouses and crowdsurfing and mosh pits of iconic shows.    Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com/2024/02/06/episode-168-song-read-alikes-with-rachel-harrison-and-agatha-from-she-wore-black/

I was thrilled to be joined by Neil from the Talking Scared podcast to dissect meta horror. What makes it work so well with horror? What are some of Neil's horror hot takes? Is it cake? Check it out here Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

It's that time of year where I talk about the horror books coming out in the first half of this year.  We have a lot to look forward to   Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

how is the end of the year already? Where did the time go? As tradition states, I was joined by old co-host Rachel to go over our favorite reads of the year.  Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com

TW: Religious and sexual abuse I was joined by Rachel Peach and April Avila who were recently featured in the Let Us Prey Investigation Discovery docuseries about how their abuse was covered by the church we attended. We talk about how they are doing now that the documentary series has been released, our upbringing and their hopes from this exposure Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com 

I was joined by author Adam Cesare to talk about his latest Audible original Influencer and media about the intersection of true crime and horror Shownotes: https://booksinthefreezer.com/2023/12/05/episode-164-true-crime-horror-with-adam-cesare/ Margot Harrison article