Classic Gothic Literature:
* Mary Shelley's *Frankenstein*: A foundational text of the gothic genre, exploring themes of creation, monstrosity, and the dangers of scientific hubris.
* Bram Stoker's *Dracula*: A timeless vampire tale that influenced countless subsequent works and cemented the vampire as a symbol of gothic horror.
* Edgar Allan Poe's short stories and poems: Poe's works are known for their dark atmosphere, macabre themes, and psychological exploration of the human psyche.
* Emily Brontë's *Wuthering Heights*: A brooding and passionate novel exploring themes of love, revenge, and the destructive power of obsession.
* H.P. Lovecraft's *Cthulhu Mythos* stories: Lovecraft's cosmic horror explores themes of existential dread, madness, and the insignificance of humanity in the face of incomprehensible cosmic forces.
Fantasy and Horror:
* Stephen King's novels: King's works delve into the darkness and terrors that lie beneath the surface of everyday life, often exploring themes of trauma, loss, and the supernatural.
* Anne Rice's *Vampire Chronicles*: A series of novels that reimagine the vampire myth, focusing on their inner lives, struggles, and relationships.
* Neil Gaiman's *The Sandman* series: A graphic novel series that explores themes of dreams, mythology, and the nature of good and evil.
* Clive Barker's *Hellraiser* series: A disturbing and visceral exploration of the boundaries between pleasure and pain, exploring themes of sexual desire and the dark side of human nature.
* The works of authors like Poppy Z. Brite, Chelsea Cain, and Joyce Carol Oates: These authors often write contemporary gothic fiction, exploring themes of violence, sexuality, and social alienation.
Other Genres and Authors:
* Dark poetry: Works by poets like Sylvia Plath, Charles Baudelaire, and Edgar Allan Poe.
* Dark Academia: Works exploring the dark side of academia, often featuring themes of obsession, secrecy, and the pursuit of knowledge.
* Books on Occultism and the Supernatural: Goths may be interested in exploring mystical traditions, witchcraft, or the paranormal.
* Art, music, and philosophy: Books exploring the history, theory, and practice of gothic art, music, and philosophy.
Ultimately, the best way to find out what goths read is to ask them directly. Many goths are passionate about literature and enjoy sharing their favorite books with others.