A long, unfortunately hot and sunny summer stretches ahead. I can’t imagine I’m the only one here eager to socially isolate at home alone with a fan (I don’t have air conditioning, sadly) in a dark room with a reading lamp and a stack of summer reads! Here’s some new dark, Gothic and Victorian style reads I’m looking forward to reading this summer.
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Goth Summer Reading New Release Books
The Folcraft Ghosts, by Darcy Coates – I’m always up for a good creepy house book. Bonus – this one throws in some weird grandparents. Surprisingly, since the protagonists are kids, this isn’t a YA book.
The House of Whispers, by Laura Purcell – A big creepy house by the sea, with a superstitious staff (this immediately put me in mind of “The Others,” that great Nicole Kidman ghost movie). And apparently bad fairies make an appearance.
Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – I listen to quite a few podcasts on upcoming books, and “Mexican Gothic” has been mentioned so many times lately! I absolutely must read this. It’s yet another creepy gothic house book, set in the Mexican countryside this time.
Shadowplay, by Joseph O’Connor – Set in Victorian London during the time of Jack the Ripper – featuring theatre drama, and the young author Bram Stoker. Clever – I like this unusual take on the genre.
The Shadows: A Novel, by Alex North. I’m not usually into crime/detective novels, but this one is more of a serial killer thriller style book. I’m up for a good page turner, so I’ll give it a try.
Stake, by Kevin J. Anderson – A vampire vs. detective book, featuring a character with the last name Helsing…
Survivor Song: A Novel, by Paul Tremblay – I’m not sure that right now is a great time to be publishing or reading a book about an insidious rabies-like virus that incubates in less than an hour. For those of you who enjoy reading terrifying novels about diseases, now’s your chance. At least it’s a nice break from zombie lit.
The Year of the Witching, by Alexis Henderson – A dark fantasy set in a Puritanical society where witches exist and are feared and reviled. (No, it’s not set in modern day America, ha, ha).
Wonderland, by Zoje Stage – The publisher’s wishful-thinking description says “Shirley Jackson meets The Shining.” A family moves to a haunted or cursed farmhouse and mayhem ensues.
Summer Goth Reads For YA:
The Companion, by Katie Alender – An abused orphan takes a job as a companion to a silent girl in a – you guessed it – isolated, remote country estate.
The Dark Tide, by Alicia Jasinska – An LGBT dark fantasy, with a witch queen and a sinking island city.
The Haunted Mansion: Flights of Fancy, by Sina Grace – A Disney’s Haunted Mansion paperback book for kids aged 9-12 years (or for adult Disney collectors).
Midnight Sun, by Stephenie Meyer – This wouldn’t be my first pick to read, but I know several of my readers here are eagerly anticipating the Twilight story told from vampire Edward’s viewpoint.
Prelude for Lost Souls, by Helene Dunbar – A town of clairvoyants is controlled by a sinister Guild. A teen tries to escape.
A Wicked Magic, by Sasha Laurens – Witches in modern times face a demon while struggling to learn to use their powers. (Think Charmed, Sabrina and The Craft.)
Summer Reads for Goth Children
Cat’s Fur, by Bonnie Stanard – For ages 4-8. Witches become allergic and sneeze around cats – will Halloween be ruined?
The Little Kitten, by Nicola Killen – For babybats age 4-8 years. A kitten named Pumpkin is lost, and found, near Halloween.
She Wanted to Be Haunted, by Marcus Ewert. For spooky little kids aged 3-6. This looks so cute! A pink house named Clairissa dreams of darker things.
-Happy reading!
-Carrie