1. Dracula by Bram Stoker: Yup, a classic. Every Goth must read this one. This is a story that's been greatly influenced by film and other media-- surprisingly few people have read the actual book. For those who don't know, Dracula is an epistolary novel about a group of people who try to stop a Romanian vampire who is ravaging Victorian England. I remember being surprised that the book was actually much more about Dracula's effect on Victorian society than the vampire himself. Some of the horror has worn off now because the book is so famous, and because it plays to contemporary fears that are no longer relevant, but it had a gigantic influence on modern vampire novels and just about everything that came after it. I'm really disappointed that I haven't found a film adaptation that is true to the book. Most adaptations twist the plot into knots, or at least ruin Mina's character. Mina is fairly badass for a Victorian gothic heroine! Seriously, read the book. You may be surprised that, although Dracula had such an influence on vampire lore, some traditional aspects of vampire lore didn't apply to him-- sure, he was a night creature, but he actually could go out in sunlight without being harmed at all. He would just be significantly weaker and unable to use his powers.
2. Interview with the Vampire (and sequels) by Anne Rice: A more modern classic. Almost all of Anne Rice's novels could be on this list, but the only one I've actually finished is Interview, and even if you don't read all the Vampire Chronicles, you should at least read this one. Even Voltaire's read this one, and he hates reading (sure, he found it as boring as any other book he's bothered to pick up and forgot most of it, but it's one of only three books he's ever read in his life, so if he read it, you have to). It's about a depressed vampire named Louis who agrees to tell his life story to a young interviewer. Louis was once a young plantation owner in New Orleans before he was turned into a vampire by the nefarious Lestat de Lioncourt. This book was intense, emotional, and sensual, as is the rest of the series. I still haven't finished The Vampire Lestat, even though it's been a year (as difficult as it is for me to get through, I like it better than Interview, because Lestat is basically Astor). Every Goth should read Interview at least once, even Voltaire.
3. The Sandman by Neil Gaiman: This is a popular must-read in the Goth community. It is a series of graphic novels, technically part of the DC universe, though somewhat separate (apart from character cameos). I've only read the first book, Preludes and Nocturnes, which follows the adventures of Morpheus (or simply Dream), a god/anthropormorphic personification/immortal entity that seeks to regain his magical items after breaking free of a magical prison. Beautifully contemplative at some times and downright horrific at others, it explores themes such as dreams, life and death, heaven and hell, and madness/insanity. Dream also has a sister, a perky Goth girl called Death. She's a lot more fun than you'd think. (Preludes and Nocturnes is stand-alone, so you don't have to read the whole series if you don't want to.)
4. Coraline by Neil Gaiman: I'm a huge Neil Gaiman fan, so quite a few of his books will appear on this list. Coraline is technically a kids' book, about a girl (Coraline, not Caroline-- actually the result of a typo that Neil decided to keep!) with a boring life and annoying parents who finds a magical otherworld where everything is better. She has an Other Mother and an Other Father too, and she wants to stay forever, until she realizes that it is a lot more sinister than it seems. It plays to children's wishes for a better version of life where everything is fun and parents will let you do what you want, and makes that dream a nightmare. Even before it's revealed what the Other Mother wants, there's still something "off" about the Other World that makes it unsettling. Overall a very creepy story, and much darker than the film at some points. You will never look at buttons in the same way ever again. There's also a sassy black cat!
5. Tales from the Dark Tower (and sequels) by Joseph Vargo (and other writers)*: This is a series of books based on Joseph Vargo's dark fantasy artwork (with an accompanying Nox Arcana album) about a vampire called Lord Brom who guards an ancient evil trapped within the Dark Tower, a sinister structure in the fictional town of Vasaria, Romania. The first book is a collection of short stories written by Vargo and a selection of other authors. The stories tell the history and lore of the Dark Tower, tied together by the larger plot arc, which acts as a framing device. The later two books are mostly written by Vargo and focus more on the main plot. Unfortunately, there is a biblical element and a Light = Good/ Dark = Evil dichotomy present in this book, which I wouldn't expect from someone like Vargo, though given the context it's less Light vs. Dark and more Dark vs. Darker. The stories are romantic, horrific, and gruesome, with plenty of Vargo's signature description that's so dark and morbid it's almost sappy. So, it's not the best writing on this list, but it's definitely entertaining. If you like horror stories, I definitely recommend reading it in a dark room at midnight with the album playing.
6. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: I just finished this book, and it is a work of art! Breathtaking, magical, perfect. Where to begin? The novel centers around a circus, Le Cirque des Rêves, which is entirely black and white and only open at night. I call this the Hunger Games for Romantigoths. Celia and Marco are two young magicians who have been trained since childhood to compete with each other, in a game that neither knows the rules to, and only one can be left standing. Naturally, they fall in love. The book has three different timelines-- Celia and Marco's timeline, which describes the formation of the titular circus and their relationship with each other-- Bailey's timeline, which is about a boy who is infatuated with the circus-- and a second person timeline, which describes your own journey through the circus. I love that, although the competition drives and affects everything, it's more of a subplot. Most of the novel is about the circus itself. One of the things I really love about this book is, although Le Cirque des Rêves is nocturnal and ethereal, it is not sinister. Reading about Le Cirque des Rêves is like reading about Hogwarts. My heart aches to go there. It just seems so magical and ethereal and I would be elated to go there. The magicians can do actual magic, which they disguise as stage magic. The magic system in this book is very realistic and interesting. The love scenes are beautiful, passionate, and sensual, with none of the angstiness of YA fiction. I love the writing style. Also, somersaulting kittens. Read it, and be a rêveur!
7. Edgar Allen Poe: Every Goth has to have read something by Edgar Allen Poe. "The Cask of Amontillado" and "The Masque of the Read Death" are two of my favorite Poe stories, and I can recite "The Raven" from memory. Here's Red's take on Poe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KZqzk7p2uY
8. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: This is another book so influenced by film and media that no one knows anything about the original novel. I hope you know that "Frankenstein" is the scientist's name, not the monster's name. The monster's grand awakening happens at the beginning of chapter 4 and is fairly underwhelming. No dramatic exclamations of "IT'S ALIIIIIIIIIIVE!" or anything like that. Nope. Poor Victor Frankenstein spends takes one look and runs for his life after seeing how ugly it is, and it proceeds to kill everyone he ever loved. The moral of the story: Monsters are people too (but you already knew that). Unlike Dracula, this is a sad story. It does not end well. However, despite the lack of space travel, this could be considered the first science fiction novel. I'm putting it on this list because it's a classic gothic horror novel and one of the most famous, but personally, I found it so depressing I couldn't bring myself to finish it, at least for now.
9. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll: A graphic novel of five short horror stories. Chilling, with lovely artwork. Give it a read.
10. Gothic Charm School by Jillian Venters: Not a novel, but a great resource for people new to the Goth scene. The Lady of the Manners is such a fun person and she gives genuinely good advice. Friends don't let friends dress like the Crow.
11. Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron and Witches: Wicked, Wild, and Wonderful: Two (unrelated) anthologies of short stories about witches. In both these books, witches are generally portrayed in a positive light. The stories are creative, original, and fantastical, though one story (by Holly Black) in Under My Hat is about real witches at a Beltane festival. I really love both these anthologies and if you like witches (or are one), you should read them. Both books feature stories by Neil Gaiman, Tanith Lee, and Jane Yolen.
12. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: Would you sell your soul for eternal youth and beauty? Another classic gothic novel, and one I'd definitely recommend. It was the only novel Oscar Wilde ever wrote, and it contained so much homoerotic subtext that it was used as evidence against him when he was put on trial. It's a short but compelling, sensual, and gruesome story about the nature of hedonism, sin, corruption, and the darkness within our souls. Dorian Gray may have been an inspiration for Tom Riddle/Voldemort. So glad I read this one. I think it's a new favorite!
13. Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan: It's purple, called "Shadow Magic" and has a giant bat on the cover? Of course I was going to read it! This was a cute, entertaining children's novel about a street-smart, badass peasant boy called Thorn and Lady Lilith Shadow, the sole heir to her family who is being married off to her mortal enemy out of desperation. Lily lives in a dark castle filled with bats, and comes from a long line of necromancers, but is forbidden from using magic to save her kingdom. Sure, it was a bit cliche— House Shadow's mortal enemies are from "House Solar" and wear white— but it was a really engaging mystery story with likable characters. The only thing that really bothered me is that this shadow kingdom, where people love bats and darkness and have bigger cemeteries than towns— is called "Gehenna." I thought it sounded stupid and not at all ominous until I learned it was a word for Tartarus or Hell. Oh... okay then. I still prefer "Umbragard," though. The second book was even better. This may not be a particularly deep or mature series, but it's still a ton of fun.
14. The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellaires: A creepy kids' book about wizards with illustrations by Edward Gorey? YES! It's a story about a boy who moves into his uncle's house after his parents die, but the house is magic, his uncle is a wizard, and an evil wizard planted a mysterious clock somewhere in the house. I kind of wish I'd read this before seeing the film, as I had the film in my head the whole time and they are quite different. The film aims for a Potter-like whimsey, and though it definitely has some darker elements, its tone is altogether lighter than the book (i.e. it's not Coraline). The book is a slow-burn horror kind of story, which is another reason why I wish I didn't know what the ending was!
(The film is still fun and worth checking out, but I'm leaving it off my Spooky Films list because it's tone is a bit too light, and that does occasionally clash with the darker conflict. It takes place over a MUCH shorter time frame, so the ending feels a bit rushed, but it's still worth the watch. The thing I loved most about it were subtle, obscure references to the occult that I picked up on! I mean, how many other viewers would know what Enochian Glyphs are? I wish all the occult stuff was in the book, but alas.)
15. Shadowbook by Ny-- oh, come on, you knew it was coming! Shameless self-advertising! You can read it here: www.shadowbook.pub
*Not to be confused with the Stephen King series.
