If there’s anything I like more than disappearing into a good horror novel, it’s diving into the history of all things that go bump in the night. And sure, I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for research and history, but when that first chill of autumn air hits my face, I suddenly feel reinvigorated to learn about all things witchy, occult, and monstrous.
For those of you who share a similar delight in learning about the odd, the strange, and the macabre, I have a handful of books I’d like to recommend to satiate your darkest curiosities.
First up is Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin by Megan Rosenbloom. This is a scholarly study of the history and continued study of anthropodermic bibliopegy, the practice of binding books on human skin. Not only was this a book filled with anecdotes about old medical practices and oddities (which I’m always down for), but it’s perfect for those interested in weird, dark history. Plus, this pairs well with a screening of Hocus Pocus (Winifred Sanderson’s The Manual of Witchcraft and Alchemy) and The Evil Dead (The Necronomicon), so honestly, you can’t go wrong!
A few years ago, I was at an Irish pub telling ghost stories for this Halloween contest, and I struck up a conversation with sociologist Margee Keer, author of Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear. We bonded over our love of traveling to haunted places, so when she told me about her book, I knew I had no choice but to dive in. This is a fantastic read for those of you who, like me, are dying to get back out in the world and galivant to some of the scariest places on the planet. Not only will you add countless places to your bucket list of dark tourism, but you’ll also learn about the science behind fear and what it does to us and our psyche when that adrenaline starts pumping and we move into flight or fight. Not one to be missed!
Next is From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty. Now, I must admit that I am a huge fan of Doughty and won’t hesitate to say she’s my favorite funeral director working in the industry (we all have one of those, right?). I’ve read everything she’s penned from her book Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory to Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? Big Questions from Tiny Mortals. I also regularly listen to her podcast, Death in the Afternoon, and have spent hours listening to her YouTube channel, Ask a Mortician. And while you can’t go wrong with any of the above, From Here to Eternity was truly something special. It taught me about all the different types of death practices and rituals from cultures around the world, and it opened my eyes to how stiff and wizened our Western views about death can be (and often are). Not only is this a great way to challenge your bias and complicated outlook on death, but it’s also a great research tool for writers looking to be more diverse in their writing.
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach was probably the book that started my fascination with medical history and practice as an adolescent. I’ve always been deeply intrigued by funerary practices—I even mummified a cat for my high school graduation project, but that’s a story for another day—and so when I saw this book about the history and ethical practice and context regarding cadavers, I knew I had to check it out…and it did not disappoint. Roach has another book out there, Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife, that is also worth reading, and if you want to get down and dirty with some wild medical history, I also recommend The Butchering Art by Lindsey Fitzharris.
Last up is Medusa’s Gaze and Vampire’s Bite: The Science of Monsters by Matt Kaplan. Nothing makes me happier than snuggling up with some folklore and learning about the science behind the mythology of some of my favorite creatures. This book introduces all things winged, deadly, and/or covered in scales. From chimera to vampires to dragons and minotaur, Kaplan walks us through fact and fiction and shows us how there may be some truth to our favorite beasts. If this sounds like your cup of tea, I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend any and all of Aaron Mahnke's books in his The World of Lore series.
Note: An earlier version of this essay was published via LitReactor
Caitlin Doughty is my favorite funereal director as well! Of course we all have a favorite, at least in our circle.