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Welcome back to Bookstore Pix, where we showcase and celebrate independent bookstores from around the world, sharing their booksellers’ best picks, and reminding you to shop independent.
Today, we’re visiting New York City’s first home for horror and dark literature. You may not be a horror reader (yet!), but you’ll be surprised by how varied and diverse dark literature can be. The last time I visited The Twisted Spine, I picked up Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen, which is one of the strangest, funniest books I’ve ever read. I loved it enormously, and it didn’t even give me nightmares.
Francesca McDonnell Capossela
The Shelf Talker
Current 📚: The Keeper by Tana French
Inside NYC’s Home for Horror Lit
Photo provided by The Twisted Spine
The Twisted Spine is more than just a bookstore—it's a portal into the macabre, a haven for horror enthusiasts, and a tribute to the chilling art of storytelling. Having launched in Fall 2024 as NYC’s first bookstore dedicated exclusively to horror and dark literature, The Twisted Spine prides itself on curating a diverse selection of books that span the spectrum of fear and fascination.
Located on Grand Street in Williamsburg, around the corner from some of Brooklyn’s most beloved restaurants, The Twisted Spine is owned by Lauren and Jason, a couple of horror lovers who met each other through mutual friends while living in the Big Apple.
Lauren and Jason believe that everyone deserves a place where they can exist amongst the horrors of the world in a safe, respectful way. The horror of everyday life may not disappear soon, but they want to be here to help you confront it.
Follow the Twisted Spine on Instagram here.
Twisted Spine Bookseller Picks
For those who love the classics…
The Exorcist
by William Peter Blatty
“I often refer to Blatty's classic as my comfort book, and people react as though I'm trying to sound intentionally eccentric. The reality is we live in a world that is often unkind, and this story gives me hope. It raises questions concerning the existence of God, the Devil, Good, and Evil—and really does not answer them. The Exorcist always reassures me: in a world where God may not exist, perhaps goodness does. Perhaps all we have is each other, and perhaps that is enough.”
—Lucia, Twisted Spine
For the haunted house fans….
Model Home
by Rivers Solomon
“Model Home is a Southern gothic haunted house story about a Black family that grew up in an all-white suburb. The three adult children return to the house when their parents die suddenly, and find that things are both worse than they remember and exactly the same. This book is demonic, queer, and tender at the right times.”
—Grace, Twisted Spine
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Faena New York
The Vibe: Immersive Art-Driven Luxury
The Location: New York, NY
Instaworthy Activities:
A world unto itself in West Chelsea, Faena New York blends visionary architecture, theatrical design, and high-touch service into a fully immersive Manhattan escape. The hotel’s richly layered rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, sweeping city and river views, and interiors with a serene and vibrant aesthetic. Beyond the rooms, guests are in the midst of a cultural hotspot—home to acclaimed dining by Francis Mallmann, unique art experiences, hidden speakeasies, and so much more. The result is an intoxicating blend of art, entertainment, and nightlife that feels unmistakably New York.
For the fantasy readers who miss Game of Thrones….
Black Leopard Red Wolf
by Marlon James
“Black Leopard, Red Wolf is Marlon James's high fantasy epic rooted in African mythology, a queer protagonist, brutality that rivals George R.R. Martin, and world building that echoes Tolkien or Le Guin and is by far my favorite fantasy I've read in recent years. Plus it's a trilogy with the final installment coming later this year. Seriously, I need someone else to read this so we can talk about it. Seriously, I'm begging you.”
—Lachlan, Twisted Spine
For those searching for an existential punch…
A Short Stay in Hell
by Steven L. Peck
“A Mormon dies and goes to a Hell for a religion he’s never heard of. Crazy existential dread!”
—Kyrie, Twisted Spine
Until next time!
If you pick up one of these books, please let me know by responding to this email! I’m hoping to get to Model Home soon.
We’ll see you in two weeks to step inside another indie bookstore. Until then, thank you for supporting indie bookstores!
See you then,
Francesca
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