Send us a text Are you a Weenie? Don’t be offended. I am. Weenies are the curious-but-nervous. Those of us who love horror, but who never feel safe from its power to ruin our sleep (and a week of our life). If that’s you, or if you know someone who suffers from Weenie-ism, then Emily Hughes is here! Emily’s new book, Horror For Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You’re Too Scared to Watch is a public service for the scared. It will save relationships, help ease you into horror and hopefully teach you a thing or two about fear along the way. In this conversation, we talk about how Emily came to write this most particular of books, and how she chose which films made the grade. We also hear about her own relationship with horror, from the film that haunted her as a child all the way to her grown-up reintroduction to scary movies. And I finally try to back up my dislike for Hereditary. Enjoy. Other books mentioned: Birdbox (2014), by Josh Malerman Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films (2022), by Nina Nesseth Tampa (2013), by Alissa Nutting Come Closer (2003), by Sara Gran The Family Plot (2016) by Cherie Priest Camp Damascus (2023), by Chuck Tingle Cuckoo (2024), by Gretchen Felker-Martin Manhunt (2022), by Gretchen Felker-Martin Support Talking Scared on Patreon Come talk books on Twitter @talkscaredpod, on Instagram, or email direct to [email protected] Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.