Botanical horror is a subgenre of horror that incorporates plants, fungi, or other elements of nature as key sources of fear, danger, or supernatural occurrences. These stories often explore themes of nature reclaiming its power, human hubris in manipulating ecosystems, and the eerie intelligence of plant life. Dare to explore the dark side of nature? Check out a book from this list—if you can escape its grasp!

Whether you regard yourself as a scientist or not, we all have an inherent interest in the world around us. These riveting reads will bring out your inner scientist and inspire you to delve deeper into some fascinating scientific topics.