It goes without saying that 2020 was one dumpster fire of a year, but the silver lining in that toxic black cloud is the quality titles that were released. Here are 10 of my favorite books from 2020 in no particular order (let’s just be happy I narrowed it down to 10, ok?). There is a brief spoiler-free emoji review for each book. They are all horror, but they are also very diverse. There is psychological horror, gothic horror, historical fiction, slasher, splatterpunk, demonic/occult, serial killer horror and cosmic horror. In other words, a little something for everyone! There are two collections and one anthology. For those, I just commented on my favorite or best remembered story.
“The Loop” by Jeremy Robert Johnson-
🧠Technology even cooler than those nano-bots in the covid vaccine!
“The Suicide Lake” by Michael Penning-
🪓I’m a lumberjack and I am definitely not ok.
“The Magpie Coffin” by Wile E. Young-
⚰️🤠Magic, the Old West and blood aplenty!
“The Occultists” by Polly Schattel-
Historical fiction + cults = YES PLEASE
“Go Down Hard” by Ali Seay-
️
When Harry stabbed Sally.
“Dead Awake: 12 Tales of Darkness from the New Generation of Horror” (Anthology)
🤰🤱Nothing says lovin’ like momma’s fresh...innards.
“A Haunt of Travels” by A.W. Mason-
Road trips are the worst.
“Awake: Tales of Terror” by Lou Rera-
🤡There is an epic clown story in this book.
“Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia-
Sometimes your in-laws are even weirder than you imagined.
“A Tortured Soul” by L.A. Detwiler-
🧼🧽Cleaning is therapeutic.
Beth Griffith lives in Maryland with her husband, three children and a pathetically small herd of cats. She enjoys reading smut and gardening. You can watch saucy smut reviews, read salty book reviews and keep tabs on her questionable life choices on Instagram @mrsbeverlygibbs
