Summer can be spooky, too! And this summer horror is burning up. It was so difficult to narrow these choices down. I almost separated out September to be its own list. Of all the problems to have, too many exciting books is a good one. Maybe not for our TBRs, though. Oh well, that’s what summer is for right? Reading? Let’s get to it!
June 25 – The Eyes Are The Best Part by Monika Kim from Erewohn Books
This follows Ji-Won, a young woman trying to start her own life while her family is falling apart. For luck, her mother leans into the superstition of eating fish eyes. It quickly becomes more than superstition for Ji-Won. I’ve already read this one, and I can confidently say I am not alone in loving it. I know of at least two horror book boxes that have chosen this title. Maybe even three, actually? This debut is making waves! You can see all my thoughts here.
June 25 – Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman from Del Rey
Young Bela has a monster in her closet. Other Mommy has been her friend for so long though, right? Surely she doesn’t want to hurt Bela. Even though things are changing, even though she has left the closet. This haunting novel genuinely creeped me out. Another one I’ve had a chance to read that you can hear about here. I think this one is going to be one of the biggest summer horror releases.
July 16 – I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones from Saga Press
Speaking of big releases, Stephen Graham Jones does it again. I promise I haven’t read all the books on this list, but I have read this one, too. My review is coming next month, closer to release, but here’s a sneak peek: I loved it. This book flips the slasher genre on its head by following the slasher. It plays with tropes in unexpected ways, is darkly funny, and packs an emotional punch. I’m not sure what else there is to want.
July 30 – Stay On The Line by Clay McLeod Chapman from Shortwave Publishing
Here’s a novelette, for you! See, I’ll respect your TBR a little. This sounds like quintessential summer grief horror. It centers on a town decimated by a hurricane and the nonfunctional phone booth answering the call of the desperate. Clay Mcleod Chapman’s reputation is proceeding him here: I’ve wanted to read him forever and I’ve heard he really excels at grief. This may end up being my first read of his!
August 6 – House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias from Mulholland Books
Another author I keep meaning to read is Gabino Iglesias. His most recent release, The Devil Takes You Home won both the Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker awards. That will make any author one to watch. This new release sounds like an epic with vengeance, spirits, and growing up. I’m ready for these kids to break my heart.
August 27 – The Queen by Nick Cutter from Gallery Books
I’m in the middle of my second Nick Cutter read now, and he’s an auto buy author for me. His books are gnarly. The Troop was absolutely brutal and The Deep is proving to have some similar writing choices. So when I saw this book was going to be about a girl looking for her missing best friend? I was extra excited. When Cutter promises a mystery, he delivers. I already feel bad for these girls.
September 3 – Pay the Piper by George A. Romero and Daniel Kraus from Union Square & Co.
I feel like I shouldn’t have to say more than, “George A. Romero and Daniel Kraus.” If their reputation doesn’t proceed them, how about a haunted swamp in Louisiana? This small town’s local legend doesn’t seem so mythical anymore. Kids are going missing, being slaughtered. Is this payment to “the Piper?” With their history steeped in such darkness, can the ledger ever be wiped clean?
September 10 – So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison from Berkley
Last but certainly not least, Rachel Harrison is back. With vampires! I’ll be honest, Fandomentals. I just knew that for this list, I wouldn’t even need to read the synopsis of this book to add it. I love her work so much I didn’t need to know the details to know it was going to make the cut. But seeing that this is a story of friendship and finding meaning in life? That the main character is older, dealing with hardships, and things not working out how she thought? I’d read that without the vampires… but let’s face it that vampires are going to make this awesome.
Well, that’s the summer horror I have for you. I really could keep going, there’s so much to look forward to. So what did I miss? Which of these top your list?
Images courtesy of publishers.
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