I Should Read That

You would think that autumn or winter are the times to read horror. However, I’m here to tell you that Summerween is upon us and it’s the perfect time to pick up a summery horror book. From campfires and sleep away camps, to teen slashers and paranormal activity, here are five books I’d recommend you pick up this summer!

Most of these books are YA and all of them, coincidentally, are queer.

Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline’s radiance. But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who’d grown tragically distant.

Mars’s genderfluidity means he’s often excluded from the traditions — and expectations — of his politically-connected family. This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place.

What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him. Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor. Mars seeks out his sister’s old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin. They are beautiful and terrifying — and Mars is certain they’re connected to Caroline’s death.

But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay. Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind. If Mars can’t find it soon, it will eat him alive.

I absolutely love summer camp horror (yes, I did go to summer camp as a kid. Why do you ask?) and The Honeys is a perfect example of the genre. A YA horror book that packs a real punch, this book is all about secrets, toxic gender roles, and the unbreakable – but sometimes complicated – love between siblings. This sun-drenched horror tale is the perfect thing to consume while sitting outside in the sunshine.

Charity Curtis has the summer job of her dreams, playing the “final girl” at Camp Mirror Lake. Guests pay to be scared in this full-contact terror game, as Charity and her summer crew recreate scenes from a classic slasher film, Curse of Camp Mirror Lake. The more realistic the fear, the better for business.

But in the last weekend of the season, Charity’s co-workers begin disappearing. And when one ends up dead, Charity’s role as the final girl suddenly becomes all too real. If Charity and her girlfriend Bezi hope to survive the night, they’ll need to figure out what this killer is after. Is there more to the story of Mirror Lake and its dangerous past than Charity ever suspected?

Did I grow up avidly watching horror films? No, absolutely not – I was way too scared. I don’t have the nostalgia that some attach to teenage slasher flicks, but I do love them as a (much braver) adult, and I absolutely love books that pay tribute to these movies.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight is a perfect homage to the slasher movies that scared the crap out of so many of us, specifically Friday the Thirteenth. With lots of blood and a very clever Final Girl, this book is an absolute treat for fans of slasher movies. I hope Bayron, who is mostly known for her fantasy books, writes more horror in the future!

Willow is in need of an escape.

A former sitcom star, she’s been publicly shamed on the internet after posting something she really shouldn’t have.

She checks in to Camp Castaway, an adults-only retreat based at an old campground in the woods.

It’s the first night and the campers gather round the fire to tell some ghost stories. That’s when Willow hears the tale of Knock Knock Nancy. A local urban legend about a witch, brutally beheaded in this very woodland.

They say her restless spirit knocks on doors late at night. If you answer, she’ll take your head.

Willow doesn’t believe in ghost stories. But the next day, a camper has vanished under mysterious circumstances. And then that evening, in her cabin, Willow hears it . . . .

Knock, Knock, Knock.

Not so interested in YA books? That’s totally fair! Instead, I’d recommend Josh Winning’s Heads Will Roll. Take one cancelled Netflix actress, an off-the-grid camp for adults to detox from technology, and one spooky urban legend, and you have an incredibly fun take on summer camp horror. One of the things that I love about this book is that it gives all the chills and fun of a slasher plot, but it’s ultimately about learning to be kinder and more understanding toward one another. Bet you weren’t expecting that.

Welcome to Neverton, Montana: home to a God-fearing community with a heart of gold. Nestled high up in the mountains is Camp Damascus, the self-proclaimed “most effective” gay conversion camp in the country. Here, a life free from sin awaits. But the secret behind that success is anything but holy. They’ll scare you straight to hell.

Chuck Tingle is our king, and his first foray into mainstream horror fiction is absolutely fantastic. This one is technically listed as young adult (I think), but don’t for a second think that it wont deliver on the horror elements. If your main character is barfing flies by page 12, you’re in for a real rollercoaster of a book. Delivering proper scares, both paranormal and very real, Camp Damascus has a ton of heart. Love is, indeed, real.

The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.

With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.

Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?

Maybe this job isn’t such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that’s been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing.

All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down-if someone doesn’t bury Marlowe first.

If you’re not so into horror, Maureen Johnson’s Death at Morning House is a great summer thriller. I enjoyed her Truly Devious series, but I thought this was a big step up in terms of storytelling and character work. Witty, snarky, and tense, this book is a treat! I’m really looking forward to more standalone titles from Johnson.

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Got some summery horror books to recommend? Drop them in a comment!