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(generously donated by an anonymous Friend of the Library). Winners will be announced at the beginning of November. 

No need to wander into the woods for a fright—our library shelves are brimming with chills and thrills enough to make even the bravest reader look over their shoulder. This October, step into a world where every creak of the floorboards and rustle of pages hints at something lurking just out of sight and waiting for you to check it out.

This October, the Durham Tech Library invites you to brave The Scary 13—a carefully conjured collection of eerie delights spanning every format we offer. From dusty tomes, to whispering audiobooks, to graphic chills, and ghostly films, these stories are guaranteed to haunt your imagination long after the last page—or end credits—fade.

From ancient monsters to modern unease, The Scary 13 pulls its nightmares from every corner of the library. Each pick explores a different flavor of fear—folklore, cosmic dread, psychological chills, and even childhood spooks—because horror isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some stories whisper, some scream, and a few just quietly crawl under your skin. Together, they prove that the library’s stacks are as haunted as they are hallowed.

Physical Books

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

This powerhouse collection gathers Indigenous authors reclaiming horror through cultural storytelling. These tales draw on ancestral fears and modern wounds, turning colonization and survival into eerie metaphors that linger. It’s both haunting and deeply human—proof that the oldest stories can still bite.

Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror

Curated by Jordan Peele, this anthology amplifies Black voices redefining the horror genre. Each story examines the intersection of fear, identity, and survival in a world that’s already terrifyingly real. It’s smart, socially sharp, and full of the kind of dread that sticks with you long after lights-out.

Audiobooks

You Weren’t Meant to Be Human by Michele Kaplan

A surreal, unnerving listen that questions what it even means to belong in your own body. Kaplan’s lyrical horror blends existential angst with grotesque transformation, perfect for those who like their scares with a side of philosophy. The narrator’s delivery makes every whispered doubt feel like a secret you were never meant to hear.

The Library at Hellebore by Dan Coxon

A dark academia treat for bibliophiles with a morbid streak. Hidden knowledge, cursed books, and a library that seems to be alive—this one’s tailor-made for anyone who’s ever wondered what might lurk behind the archives’ locked door. A slow burn that rewards patient, attentive listeners with steadily building dread.

eBooks

Spread Me by Ian Rogers

Body horror meets viral terror in this disturbing story about the consequences of curiosity. It’s grotesque, satirical, and eerily plausible—the digital age turned literally infectious. If Cronenberg had Wi-Fi, he might’ve written this.

Where the Dead Brides Gather by Katya de Becerra

A gothic fever dream that blends supernatural lore with grief and obsession. Think decaying mansions, haunted vows, and ghostly sisterhoods. It’s a love letter to the atmospheric side of horror—the kind that feels like candlelight flickering on cold stone.

Graphic Novels

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Fazbear Frights Trilogy

Animatronic nightmares leap off the page in this comic adaptation of the viral game series. It’s jump-scare horror reimagined in illustrated form—colorful, creepy, and strangely nostalgic. A must for readers who like their terror with a dash of ‘80s arcade madness.

The Sandman, Book One by Neil Gaiman

Dreams, death, and destiny weave together in this lush, literary masterpiece. Gaiman’s world is mythic horror with existential stakes—terrifying, yes, but also heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s horror that makes you think while it unsettles you.

DVDs

Nosferatu (2024)

The granddaddy of cinematic horror still casts a long shadow. Its eerie silence, gothic framing, and unforgettable count prove that some nightmares never age. Watch it for the atmosphere, stay for the uncanny realization that we’ve been chasing this kind of fear for over a century.

Nope (2022)

Jordan Peele’s modern horror-sci-fi hybrid turns the spectacle of fear itself into the monster. It’s smart, subversive, and full of quiet cosmic terror lurking behind every “look.” A perfect pairing with Out There Screaming, showing Peele’s universe of unsettling wonder in motion.

Children’s Books

A Very Hairy Scary Story by Rick Walton

A playful scare that teaches kids the difference between imagination and reality—until maybe it doesn’t. Creepy fun for the littlest thrill-seekers, wrapped in humor and a cozy “boo.”

Amanda Pig and the Awful, Scary Monster by Jean Van Leeuwen

A gentle tale about facing nighttime fears and finding courage in the dark. Sweet, funny, and sneakily profound—a reminder that bravery starts small.

Streaming (Available through Kanopy)

The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch

UFOs, curses, and government conspiracies—this docuseries is paranormal popcorn. It’s part science, part folklore, and all mystery. Perfect for skeptics and believers alike, proving that sometimes, the scariest thing is not knowing what’s out there.

So there you have it—The Scary 13, straight from the shadowy corners of your community college library. Whether you’re in the mood to read, listen, or stream, there’s something here to keep your spine tingling and your imagination wide awake. Just remember: in our stacks, the lights are always on… but that doesn’t mean you’re alone.

After all, the best chills are borrowed—not bought.