Celebrate women in horror films and literature throughout the 10th annual Women in Horror Month. Stock up on spine-chillling books and movies created by women, care of the Iowa City Public Library (or through our digital services)!
The babadook
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Babadook
Horror
Amelia is a single mother plagued by the violent death of her husband. When a disturbing storybook called Mister Babadook turns up at her house, she is forced to battle with her son's deep seated fear of a monster. Soon she discovers a sinister presence all around her.
This 2014 Australian Horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent blends psychological and supernatural horror. The end result is an unnerving a creepy film that will linger in your thoughts.
- Shawna
The love witch
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Love
Horror
Elaine, a beautiful young witch, is determined to find a man to love her. In her gothic Victorian apartment she makes spells and potions, and then picks up men and seduces them. However her spells work too well, and she ends up with a string of hapless victims. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, her desperation to be loved will drive her to the brink of insanity and murder.
The style and color of this film pays tribute to 1960s horror films, while offering a modern look at gender roles and relationships. Find this in our DVD collection at the Library building or online for streaming (must be an Iowa City/University Heights/Hills/Lone Tree/Rural Johnson County Resident) through Kanopy.
- Shawna
The haunting of Hill House
Shirley Jackson
FICTION Jackson, Shirley
Fiction
With the new Netflix rendition of this chilling classic, now is the perfect time to pick up this quick read.
- Shawna
Stephen King's Pet sematary
DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Pet
Horror
After moving to an idyllic home in the countryside, life seems perfect for the Creed family-- but not for long. Louis and Rachel Creed and their two young children settle into a house that sits next door to a pet cemetery--built on an ancient Indian burial ground. Their mysterious new neighbor, Jud Crandall, hides the cemetery's darkest secret-- until a family tragedy brings the secret to life. Now, an unthinkable evil is about to be resurrected.
The original film adaptation of Stephen King's best selling Pet Sematary was directed by Mary Lambert. With a 2019 adaptation slated for release in the coming months, now is the time to revisit Lambert's 1989 Pet Sematary.
- Shawna
Rebecca
Daphne Du Maurier
FICTION DuMaurier, Daphne
Fiction
A young girl becomes the second Mrs. Max de Winter, only to find that she is not the mistress of Manderley. Instead the house and its occupants are dominated by the memory of Rebecca, her predecessor.
With several of Author Daphne du Maurier's books and short stories turned into films, it is likely that you are already familiar with some of her work. Alfred Hitchcock in particular loved her work, creating three films based on her ideas, including The Birds in 1960.
- Shawna
Black dahlia & white rose
Joyce Carol Oates
FICTION Oates Joyce
Short Story
Joyce Carol Oates, winner and nominee of several awards, including the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and National Humanities Medal has quite a prolific collection of work. This 2012 collection of stories received the Bram Stoker Award (BSA) for superior achievement in Horror. BSA winners and finalists make great reading options for horror fans as the award winners are chosen by Horror Writer's Association members and lovers of Horror writing.
- Shawna
Romantic outlaws : the extraordinary lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughter Mary Shelley
Charlotte Gordon
BIOGRAPHY Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
Biographies
Mary Shelley's 1818 publication of Frankenstein brought life to one of the most recognizable horror creatures. Learn more about her and her mother, philosopher and feminist, Mary Wollstonecraft in this 2015 Biography.
- Shawna
Beukes offers a creepy story filled with gruesome imagery in this 2014 book set in Detroit. Mystery and Horror fans will both find appeal in this novel in which detective Gabi Versado is hunting down a murderer/grotesque artist.
- Shawna