It’s those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer again. The sun is shining and what better way to summer self-isolate than chilling on your porch, lawn chair, pool deck or beach (six feet away, of course) with a good chilling horror or out of this world sci-fi book?
Below is the Kali Krew’s list of breezy summer reads and one doorstopper of a book that is guaranteed to block the sun and give you weird tan lines (because Cory and Gracie are weird and they need words like ‘light’ and ‘fun’ described to them).
Lilyn’s Languid Reads
The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky
“Sometimes middle grade books are perfect for a hot summer day” – Lilyn
Check out Lilyn’s interview with author Katie Slivensky
Mandibles by Jeff Strand
“B movie books are perfect for the summer heat” – Lilyn
Check out Lilyn’s review of Mandibles
Gracie’s Groovy Picks
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Nightmare Seasons by Charles L. Grant
Tracy’s Tropic Reads
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Ellison
“Because who doesn’t want to read about the world ending while basking in the sunlight? And it’s freaking amazing.” – Tracy
Check out Olly’s review of The Book of the Unnamed Midwife
Camp Slaughter by Sergio Gomez
“I haven’t read it yet, but nothing like a good slasher to relax with at the beach!” – Tracy
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
“Not light and fluffy but encapsulates summer vibes.” – Tracy
Olly’s Oscitant Reads
Devolution: A First-hand Account of the Mount Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks
Check out Olly’s review of Devolution
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers
Check out Lilyn’s review of The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet
Sam’s Sultry Reads
Cirque Berserk by Jessica Guess
Check out Eliza’s review of Cirque Berzerk
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Eliza’s Empyreal Reads
The Last Detective by Brian Cohn
Literature by Guillermo Stitch
Shawn’s Summery Reads
Kill River by Cameron Robique
Cory’s Chillin’ Reads
Vampire Earth series by E.E. Knight
“Decent sci-fi but not the kind that you need a degree to understand” – Cory
Bill’s Bloomin’ Books
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Every Heart a Doorway (Wayward Children #1) by Seanan Maguire
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
“Sexy and scary and thrilling” – Bill
Second Ship (The Rho Agenda #1) by Richard Phillips
Also, as a bonus – Cory and I have decided that this book makes the perfect summer reading. It’s so long summer will probably be over. It’s so thick that it will block the sun completely (beware of weird tan lines, Gracie speaks from experience) and it will make everything feel like sunshine and roses afterward.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
“I wouldn’t bother with The Whalestoe Letters additional book, though. I had to go letter by letter to figure out which one was new” – Gracie
Let us know your summertime reading or if you agree with our choices!!
GracieKat was the first co-host of Sci-Fi & Scary, Lilyn’s partner-in-crime, and sub-head of the Kali Krew. She reviews horror books, movies, and games for the site. She also does a weekly Focus on the Frightful feature, and is the site list-maker. She is also in control of the Sci-Fi & Scary podcast which will relaunch soon.
A preponderance of horror! I tend to read more horror in the fall than in the summer. I’ve got to make a note of the Grady Hendrix book. I keep forgetting about it! I’m three books into that Seanan McGuire series, and need to get the next one from the library.
Probably no secret that I have a soft spot for Dandelion Wine. 😃