Horror’s place in bookstores has always been up in the air, so to speak. When it isn’t all mixed in with general fiction, it’s roped in with Fantasy/Sci-fi. Those stores who dared venture into the differences between those two sections would put haunted house and possession novels (and most of Stephen King’s books) in general fiction while monster novels and historical horror would land a spot in Fantasy. As of late, more stores are opting for dedicated horror sections, but there are still a few strays that land somewhere else like problem children that don’t really fit in anywhere.
This all changes with Brooklyn’s new horror bookstore The Twisted Spine, where the question isn’t whether certain books fit within the overall genre, but rather which subgenres best fit their own particular strands of terror.
Located at 306 Grand Street, Brooklyn, New York, and running on a Tuesday-Sunday schedule, The Twisted Spine is a horror lover’s paradise, a bookstore dedicated entirely to the genre in all its shapes and forms. To account for this, book sections are divided by subgenre. Splatterpunk has its own dedicated shelf space, for instance, while historical horror lies elsewhere with the spotlight all to itself.
It’s a smart layout that communicates a desire for inclusivity and recognition. Not all horror is built the same. The subgenre approach makes sure that readers of all kinds feel welcome, from the more extreme-minded to the more literary kind. It comes across as a celebration of the genre’s versatility, commenting on its scope and its reach. There’s even a non-fiction section that includes cultural horror history books and true crime.
The locale is spacious and cozy, featuring leather chairs and a fireplace to set the mood. Walking the shop feels like moving through a gothic writer’s study, a raven shy of being haunted. Large tables are reserved for new books and overlooked authors, highlighting thematic anthologies and small press books.
Should customers feel the need for more light, they can buy a coffee from the pastries counter and head out back to sit down in the open air. This sitting area seems like the perfect place for author talks and workshops, so expect more to come on that end. An eerie mural featuring a manor and a small cemetery rounds out this space.
The Twisted Spine is a few seconds walk away from a relatively new video store called The Night Owl, which specializes in both new and used Blu-rays with a notable emphasis on horror and out-of-circulation films. Right next to it, people will find Twenty Sided, a tabletop and trading card game store that hosts special events and tournaments. They boast a dedicated Magic: The Gathering customer base but also cater to audiences eager to playtest new role-playing games.
Clearly, the area around 306 Grand Street has become a haven for fans with like-minded interests, a place with the potential to grow into a nerd hub of considerable presence. The Twisted Spine fits right in, a dark sibling ready to do their part.
The Twisted Spine is not the first bookstore of its kind. Toronto has one called Little Ghosts Bookstore and Chicago has Bucket O’ Blood and Records. One of the most popular closed its doors just recently, Dark Delicacies in Burbank, California (citing the co-owners’ health issues as the main reason behind the decision). While not in large numbers, these stores become homes for the ones who find kinship and community in stories about ancient monsters and angry phantoms. The Twisted Spine just gave this group another home. Here’s to a very long life.
