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Use this space to discuss books you’re reading or that might fit the 19th Read Harder task. Sign up for our new Read Harder newsletter to get recommendations for each task delivered straight to your inbox! 

I was thinking a Stephen Graham Jones book for this one. I haven't picked one yet, but maybe Mongrels or Night of the Mannequins.

Trees by Percival Everett or My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due

Can someone recommend something that’s not scary? Maybe a not-scary horror comedy? Or something not-scary that leans more fantasy?

I'm planning to read Ring Shout.

Either

Reprieve
My Heart Is a Chainsaw
The Devil in Silver

rae wrote: "Can someone recommend something that’s not scary? Maybe a not-scary horror comedy? Or something not-scary that leans more fantasy?"

The Girl from the Well is YA horror and might be what you are looking for

Maybe Confessions.

Rebecca wrote: "Maybe Confessions."

I read this for a 2021 prompt. For me, it's was definitely a thriller and not horror at all.

Holly wrote: "I'm planning to read Ring Shout."

This is my #1 recommendation for this prompt. I read for 2021's challenge and it's phenomenal.

rae wrote: "Can someone recommend something that’s not scary?"

Me too! I've read plenty of this genre. This wouldn't be stretching myself; it would just be torture. I don't want to leave the prompt undone, but i'm also not reading something graphic or gross.

Mandie wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Maybe Confessions."

I read this for a 2021 prompt. For me, it's was definitely a thriller and not horror at all."

Horror is definitely not my genre. Thanks for suggesting Ring Shout. I have other books by that author on my TBR list. I'll give it a go.

rae wrote: "Can someone recommend something that’s not scary? Maybe a not-scary horror comedy? Or something not-scary that leans more fantasy?"

Not scary, gross, or graphic, and is scifi/fantasy - The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

I highly recommend any Stephen Graham Jones for this. The sequel to My Heart Is a Chainsaw is coming out later next year (Don't Fear the Reaper), but I love his novellas like Night of the Mannequins or Mapping the Interior.

I'm probably going with My Soul to Keep since I have a copy.

I’m into horror as a genre and I like Stephen Graham Jones, but for people who aren’t into horror I would caution that his descriptions of violence are extremely graphic and he doesn’t shy away from harm to animals in his work

I do have Stephen Graham Jones but I'm also considering White Smoke. A YA horror might be more my speed.

I'm actually finishing The Only Good Indians before the year is out, so I probably won't read Stephen Graham Jones for this task. I'm thinking I'm either going to read When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen or Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark, but I haven't decided for sure.

Hopefully will finally be reading The Only Good Indians!

I have enjoyed Victor LaValle's work; he is very good. Tananarive Due also is very inventive and a well more than competent crafter.

Can anyone recommend a novella (200p or fewer?) in this category? I realllly can't do horror!!

Amy Alice wrote: "Can anyone recommend a novella (200p or fewer?) in this category? I realllly can't do horror!!"

I have a bunch on my TBR!
Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones
Goddess of Filth by V Castro
Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn

I'd also recommend for anyone:

The Good House by Tananarive Due
The Deep by Alma Katsu
The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi (less traditionally scary, more literary)

(And people have already mentioned Victor LaValle and Stephen Graham Jones!)

Amy Alice wrote: "Can anyone recommend a novella (200p or fewer?) in this category? I realllly can't do horror!!"

Ring Shout is only 176 pages.

Pedro Paramo byJuan Rulfo is excellent and not the least bit gory. It's a beautiful story and is considered a classic.

Earlier this year, I discovered Junji Ito, so may try one of his graphic novels, like Tomie or Uzumaki.

rae wrote: "Can someone recommend something that’s not scary? Maybe a not-scary horror comedy? Or something not-scary that leans more fantasy?"

Maybe a middle grade horror like Skeleton Man?

What do you guys think about Nothing but Blackened Teeth? Would that count as a POC?

Amy wrote: "What do you guys think about Nothing but Blackened Teeth? Would that count as a POC?"

Haven't read it, but yes - the author is Malaysian.

I can't do full on adult horror but I looked up some kids books and I'm going to try one of these

Hoodoo
Gloom Town
Spirit Hunters

I'm not sure I could even handle teen horror.

Jessica wrote: "I'd also recommend for anyone:

The Good House by Tananarive Due
The Deep by Alma Katsu
The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi (less traditionally scary, more ..."

I've read The Deep, so maybe it's time for The Hunger.

Considering Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler.

Vampires are technically horror, right? Right?

rae wrote: "Can someone recommend something that’s not scary? Maybe a not-scary horror comedy? Or something not-scary that leans more fantasy?"

I didn't find No Gods, No Monsters very scary at all, it's more thinky than spooky, and overall has more to do with philosophy than horror I think. Also most of the real horrors in it are systematic.

I'm thinking about Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia.

I found this list useful:

I'm a bit thrown by this one because I am not usually one to read horror. How about The Vegetarian? Is it horror?

rae wrote: "Can someone recommend something that’s not scary? Maybe a not-scary horror comedy? Or something not-scary that leans more fantasy?"

I wouldn't call myself a horror fan and I LOVED Out by Natsuo Kirino. It is a bit gruesome and graphic at times, but its more thriller than horror - but I do still think it counts. I wouldn't call it scary either.

Jessica wrote: "Amy Alice wrote: "Can anyone recommend a novella (200p or fewer?) in this category? I realllly can't do horror!!"

I have a bunch on my TBR!
Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graha..."

Nothing But Blackened Teeth was my top horror read of the year. It's pretty spooky.

Sheri wrote: "I'm a bit thrown by this one because I am not usually one to read horror. How about The Vegetarian? Is it horror?"

I've read The Vegetarian. It's a fantastic book, but I don't think Han Kang could be considered a person of color since she is a person of Korean descent living in Korea.
I also personally wouldn't classify The Vegetarian as horror. At least it's not written like your typical horror story. I would say, that it is a surreal contemporary novel. Actually for me Han Kang's writing resembles Kakfa's novels. Than again some people might consider Kafka a horror author, too.

I'm going to read Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline for this one.

Very grateful for these recommendations - I wasn't going to do the challenge at all because of this one genre selection. But I'm going with Ring Shout.

Audra (Unabridged Chick) wrote: "The Changeling is amazing but hardcore trigger warnings for [spoilers removed]."

It was so good! I just picked up The Devil in Silver. I really enjoy his work

Amy Alice wrote: "Can anyone recommend a novella (200p or fewer?) in this category? I realllly can't do horror!!"

Maybe something by Sergio Gomez? I recently read The Visitor which was around 75 pages

Read anything by Tananarive Due if you really enjoy horror books. She is great! I started with The Good House. Can’t recommend enough.

I highly recommend Lakewood by Megan Giddings

Margaret wrote: "Considering Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler.

Vampires are technically horror, right? Right?"

Seems like it counts, to me. Thanks for this suggestion- I have only read Kindred and wouldn't mind trying another book by her sometime.

A Spectral Hue by Craig Laurance Gidney is "as much about art as it is about horror and the unwashable legacy of racism in America" -Silvia Moreno-Garcia in The Week

Hi All!
I’ve had Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas on my TBR for some time now. Had anyone read it? If so, does it fit this challenge? I know the author is a POC, and it’s classified as suspense/thriller, but those lines can be so blurry.
Thanks!

Does Tender Is The Flesh work for this? It’s dystopian but is it also horror�?

Natasha wrote: "Does Tender Is The Flesh work for this? It’s dystopian but is it also horror�?"

Tender Is the Flesh was written by Agustina Bazterrica. To my knowledge she is an Argentinian author living in Argentina. I therefore don't think the concept of a POC applies to her. I would however consider the book a horror novel.

Argentina is in Latin America. They are Latinx and, therefore, POC.

I'm planning to read Aura by Carlos Fuentes, but I'm not familiar with the story, so I don't know for sure if it qualifies as horror.

I recommend the following:

Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo

The Decapitated Chicken and Other Stories by Horacio Quiroga