Halloween Horror: Library Staff Picks!

With Halloween right around the corner, we asked FSU library staff members for their horror recommendations! Here are their responses:

Saw, 2004, dir. James Wan (from Zane Boyle, Communications Specialist)

Though the Saw movies have garnered something of an infamous reputation, they hold a special place in my heart. There is a temptation to write them off as gory, pulpy, or ridiculous. And while I might have a hard time defending these films on any of those fronts, I do think that even in the face of numerous, sometimes even glaring faults, Saw remains an entirely original and thoroughly enjoyable experience. 

As is the case with many films in this franchise, the first film, simply titled “Saw,” features two main storylines running parallel to each other. These storylines are colloquially known as the “Trap Plot” wherein the film follows the victim(s) of Jigsaw’s traps and the “Cop Plot” wherein the film follows the investigators trying to save the victims and bring Jigsaw to justice. In this first film, the two storylines play off each other perfectly, being simple to understand and having an organic relationship with one another. 

The franchise has been likened to a TV show, specifically a soap opera, as characters’ stories start to intersect, details from previous films becoming relevant, and the stakes (and gore) keep rising. The A (Trap) and B (Cop) plots continue to build and play off each other across all the films, weaving a grand narrative that is as fun to untangle as it is to get lost in. 

Despite any slander you or I can levy against Saw, the fact is that these movies are unique, they’re something that couldn’t exist at any other point in time, both for better and for worse. These films remind me of the value and diversity human beings bring to creative projects, which in this day and age, is something I’m careful not to take for granted.  

Between Two Fires, 2012, by Christopher Buehlman (from Devin Benatuil, Dirac Collections Access Supervisor and FSU Libraries Bookmender)

Between Two Fires is a historical fiction horror novel set in 1348 France during the Black Death. It follows a disgraced knight, Thomas, and a mysterious girl named Delphine as they journey across France. As Lucifer and other fallen angels start another war with Heaven, Thomas and Delphine’s quest becomes a desperate battle against supernatural forces, the corruption of mankind, and their own inner demons, in a struggle for redemption and the soul of humanity.

The cover art is honestly the first thing that caught my eye about this book. I first saw it in a Barnes and Nobles when I was 14 and almost picked it up, but I’m very glad I didn’t. I definitely lacked the emotional maturity and appreciation for historical fiction at that age, and wouldn’t have been “ready” for this novel at the time. I picked it up again two years ago, fell madly in love with everything about it, and have reread it four times since. 

This is my favorite book of all time. It is equal parts incredibly morbid and ridiculously beautiful. The writing is clever beyond belief with spectacular characters and a deeply immersive (and super well studied and accurate) historical setting. The author studied both French and history at FSU, and it TRULY shows in his writing. He also has a side gig with a travelling Renfair as essentially a professional insultor, going by the name of “Christophe the Insultor”; a weird fact that definitely explains how he is able to write such clever and hilarious dialogue. Also, the characters in Between Two Fires, despite their faults and oddities, are incredibly lovable. You’ll be rooting for them as well as laughing and crying alongside them the whole way through. 

I’d recommend this book to history buffs, grotesque horror lovers, fans of the Black Death and other plague settings, lovers of the “reluctant father figure” trope, and those that enjoy witty dialogue from beautifully fleshed out characters. While I would maybe not recommend this novel to those that can’t handle body horror, death, frequent cursing, or blasphemous topics. This is definitely a rated R level read! 

Black Swan, 2010, dir. Darren Aronofsky (from Claire King, Student Engagement Intern)

The main character, Nina, is a ballerina dancing in Swan Lake. The story follows her psychological development as she works as a ballerina at a very toxic ballet academy in NYC.  It’s pretty rough for her, but I won’t spoil it.

It turns out I actually know one of the ballet instructors in the movie! She taught me at a dance camp at Julliard. She is shown within the first few minutes of the movie. I was a ballerina for 10 years at a very toxic Russian dance studio. Our dance instructor, Artem Yachmenikov, was a very harsh man who would tell the higher-level girls how to eat and live. He was a famous ballerina from Russia whose wife was a descendant of the Vaganova family, a family that started a whole branch/style of ballet in Russia. I know this sounds insane and probably very concerning, but I feel a personal connection to this movie. I have always been fascinated with ballet. It’s very commonplace to have a toxic environment surrounding ballet, yet I STILL find it so beautiful and captivating. When I watch a ballet, I can feel the pain and strength of the ballerinas, and it makes it even more beautiful to me.

I also met the director, Darren Aronofsky, in NYC in a doctor’s office with my dad. We chatted with him for more than an hour, waiting for my dad to be called for his appointment. Long story short, he is my favorite director and a very interesting guy. I need to stop myself from writing more, but I have so many opinions.  Anyways, I have a LOT of connections to this movie.

It is such a unique movie with such an interesting concept and it is done SO well. It is also an essential “feminine rage” movie. I would recommend it to people who love films and who are open to different directorial styles! I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who is very picky about their movies or has very restricted taste/viewing preferences. I don’t want to scare them. 

The Spirit Bares its Teeth, 2023, by Andrew Joseph White (from Niall Williams, Arts & Humanities Specialist)

The Spirit Bares its Teeth is a paranormal horror story set in a version of Victorian England where communication with the dead is not only possible, but often unescapable. We follow our protagonist Silas, an aspiring doctor forced to attend a brutal finishing school, as he fights to uncover the truth about his coveted abilities and the secret society trying to control them.

This is one of my favorite horror novels. It combines the psychological horror of being trans and neurodivergent in an unforgiving society with the body horror of 19th century medical experiments. The result is a gut-wrenching story steeped in the Victorian gothic while remaining hauntingly relevant.

Don’t let the YA label fool you! The Spirit Bares its Teeth is an intense read. It contains plenty of gore, and covers topics related to abuse and mental illness. Be sure to look at the content warnings beforehand, if you need to!

The gorgeous cover art and unique concept drew me to this book immediately, and it did not disappoint. It explores so many classic gothic horror conventions, with its Victorian setting, prevalence of death and decay, and themes of social conformity. At the same time, it brings a new perspective to these elements in ways I have seldom seen in similar novels. Andrew Joseph White has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I definitely recommend checking out his other books as well!