Take a tour through the horror paperback novels of the 1970s and ’80s . . . if you dare. Page through dozens and dozens of amazing book covers featuring well-dressed skeletons, evil dolls, and knife-wielding killer crabs! Read shocking plot summaries that invoke devil worship, satanic children, and haunted real estate! Horror author and vintage paperback book collector Grady Hendrix offers killer commentary and witty insight on these trashy thrillers that tried so hard to be the next Exorcist or Rosemary’s Baby. It’s an affectionate, nostalgic, and unflinchingly funny celebration of the horror fiction boom of two iconic decades, complete with story summaries and artist and author profiles. You’ll find familiar authors, like V. C. Andrews and R. L. Stine, and many more who’ve faded into obscurity. Plus recommendations for which of these forgotten treasures are well worth your reading time and which should stay buried.
A must for horror fans. This book traces the history of all sorts of insane horror trends from the 70s and 80s, and makes some fascinating connections between the crises of the times (inflation, environmental issues, HIV/AIDS) and the rise and fall of horror publishing themes and crazes. The author’s commentary is often snarky and truly funny — but the real highlight of Paperbacks from Hell is the amazing assortment of cheesy, disgusting, disturbing book covers. Some are iconic (Jaws, The Omen, Flowers in the Attic), and some just head-shakingly awful — but put them all together, and it’s a truly entertaining look back at horror’s not-so-distant past.
Take a look at just a small sampling of the amazing books featured in Paperbacks from Hell:
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The details:
Title: Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of ’70s and ’80s Horror Fiction
Author: Grady Hendrix
Publisher: Quirk
Publication date: September 19, 2017
Length: 256 pages
Genre: Horror/non-fiction
Source: Review copy courtesy of Quirk Books
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I remember the ‘Coma’, ‘Jaws’, and ‘Amityville Horror’ covers. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane!
That’s exactly what I felt reading this book — so many blasts from the past!
I’ve seen this book in the bookstore and was tempted to get it, but I’m not a horror fan and some covers scare the shit outta me.
Yeah, if you don’t like looking at this stuff, it’s probably not the book for you! That said, the commentary is really interesting and can be pretty funny.
This reminded me of Goosebumps for some reason. I think a lot of horror lovers got their start there as children.
Definitely! The Goosebumps covers were so amazing.