The Munsters are not your typical suburban 1960s family. Picture a perfect blend of zombie, vampire, werewolf, and ghoul… and you’ve got the Munsters. From extraordinary endeavours to elegant Gothic tales, here’s what they’d keep on their bookshelves.
Trigger Warning: These novels explore themes of slavery, trauma, violence, mental health, discussions of gender identity, and death, which may be difficult for some readers; please exercise personal care while reading
Herman’s Favorite: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
With the face of Frankenstein’s monster, he looks a little terrifying on the outside. But Herman Munster is good-natured and unintentionally funny. He’s the Dad of the show, always putting his family first with a humorous flair. Naturally, he’d love something full of dad jokes, a lovable protagonist, and a sprinkle of chaos, so The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson is Herman’s perfect read.
Full of whimsical mayhem, the novel follows centenarian Allan as he escapes from his nursing home and ventures on an unforgettable adventure across Sweden. It’s full of unexpected characters, some rogue, some brilliant, but always entertaining. At its core, the novel shares Herman’s belief that life is better met with kindness and laughter. As Allan believes, “it was quite unnecessary to be grumpy if you had the chance not to.” Herman would surely love the novel’s spontaneity and humor.
Lily’s Guilty Pleasure: The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez
Enter Lily Munster: the morbid matriarch of the family. Effortlessly glamorous and equally ghoulish, she’d be drawn to something that’s both timeless and full of shadows. Jewelle Gomez’s The Gilda Stories would certainly be on her nightstand, a vampiric tale full of elegance, danger, and reinvention.
Gilda is an escaped slave newly turned into an immortal vampire, journeying across centuries, from the 1850s to the near future. Along the way, she grapples with survival, identity, and the meaning of family, against a backdrop of darkness and desire. Lily would be enchanted by the Gothic atmosphere and the novel’s rich depiction of history. Like Lily herself, The Gilda Stories radiates strength and a touch of the eternal.
Grandpa’s Novel of Choice: Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore
Grandpa Munster is a kind of spoof version of the real Dracula. With his flowing cape, explosive experiments, and pranks, he has a flair for the dramatic. He’d love the parodic elements in Christopher Moore’s Bloodsucking Fiends, especially its vampirism with a twist.
In Bloodsucking Fiends, Jody, a young woman recently turned into a vampire, navigates her new supernatural existence with the help of night-shift worker Tommy. Full of dark humor, eccentric characters, and campy horror, it’s exactly the kind of story that would have Grandpa laughing until daylight.
Eddie’s Bedtime Read: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Half werewolf, half vampire, Eddie is the epitome of an extraordinary kid. He’s friendly, though sometimes a little bad-tempered, so of course he’d pick an adventure story with an edge. Aiden Thomas’s Cemetery Boys is the perfect fit for his energetic spirit.
The novel centers on Yadriel, who is determined to prove himself. When he accidentally summons a ghost, Yadriel and his friends venture on a thrilling journey full of supernatural surprises and unexpected dangers. Eddie would love the combination of eerie happenings and the tight-knit friendships that drive the story. It’s a spooky, page-turning adventure just his style.
Marilyn’s Escapism: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
Sweet and outgoing Marilyn is the niece of Herman and Lily Munster. As the only human in the family, she’s something of a misfit, which is why she’d be drawn to a story that speaks to her sense of outsiderness. Nina LaCour’s We Are Okay has the makings of Marilyn’s favorite read: tender, relatable, and all about the importance of community.
The novel follows Marin, a young woman grieving the loss of her grandfather, and with him, a piece of herself. With the support of friends, she begins to face the emotions she’s long tried to escape and works toward rebuilding what was lost. Its themes of love, family, and resilience would appeal to Marilyn, who would surely see parts of herself reflected in Marin’s character.
From spooky to sweet, the Munsters’ bookshelves capture the full range of their quirky personalities. Even monster families have a soft spot for a good story. In the end, whether zombie, vampire, werewolf, or human, there’s a book out there for everyone.
Want to read more about what other TV characters would keep on their bookshelf? Click here.
Find these books and more on our Bookshop shelves.
