The Summer I Turned Gritty

10 Scorching Must Reads For Your TBR This Summer

Us horror fans call ourselves “The Halloween people,” but, to the best of my knowledge, we exist all year round: and so does great horror. For too many years, whilst by the poolside, I begrudgingly downgraded from what I actually wanted to read, forcing myself through fluffy rom-coms, and breezy, feel-good novels.  What I really needed was for someone to tell me that not all horror happens in the dark, and indeed there can be trouble in paradise…

In this rather impromptu blog post (I thought of a dad joke title, and ran with it) I plan to talk you through 10 scorching horror reads for your Summer TBR. Grab your sunglasses, bring a lot (a LOT) of insect repellent, and join me as I dive into The Summer I Turned Gritty.  

The Ruins- Scott Smith

The Ruins by Scott Smith is possibly the vacation horror of all vacation horrors, it’s many terrors unfurling in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. A slow-burn survival horror, that eventually implodes in an inevitable but utterly vile blood-bath, it, of course, makes for perfect Summer reading. A rite of passage in the genre, “The Ruins,” is certainly one to consider picking up this year (provided you’re not vacationing in a jungle).

Monster Beach- Ritchie Valentine Smith

Monster. Beach. Need I say more? A bite-sized fantasy horror, “Monster Beach,” can be devoured within one tanning session. We follow a group of travellers who land on “Monster Beach,” a dangerous place which they must cross in order to complete their quest. It’s bizarre, and amusing, and rather light-hearted. You can nab it (and the other 50 in this series) for free on Kindle Unlimited.

All Who Wander Are Lost- Gemma Amor

This is probably cheating. In this epic travel anthology, Amor haunts us in a variety of destinations, admittedly some more suitable than others. In “The Reunion,” we visit France, where a wedding takes a very sharp turn for the worst. In “Let Sleeping Gods Lie,” we’re taken back in time to Egypt! Whilst there’s the odd frosty setting, overall, “All Who Wander Are Lost,” is the perfect short story collection to accompany you on your travels. Here are mine and CJ’s reviews.

Burnt Offerings- Robert Marasco

Between you and me, this one may be my favourite of the bunch, and a book I did actually read on the beach in Croatia last year. A haunted house story said to have inspired “The Shining,” in Marasco’s “Burnt Offerings,” we follow a family of three (fed up of city life) relocate to a beautiful Summer chateaux that’s suspiciously affordable. One scene in particular still haunts me, and I hope that this summer, it haunts you too! (P.S Stephen Graham Jones’ introduction in this edition is TOP tier).

Black Tide- K.C Jones

Set in Oregon, in K.C Jones’ “Black Tide,” we follow a somewhat thirsty house-sitter (Beth) and Mike, who happened to be drinking alone in his backyard. Talking leads to touching, touching leads to sex, and naturally, a meteor shower follows… meteors that house invisible aliens. The pair end up trapped in a car parked up on the beach- I probably don’t need to tell you this claustrophobic, cosmic horror is practically begging to be taken on vacation with you.

Looking Glass Sound- Catriona Ward

To me, nothing says Summer like coming of age, and “Looking Glass Sound,” is not the only nostalgic read that made it onto this list. In the first third of the book, we follow Wilder’s recount of the two Summer’s he spent alongside Nat and Harper at Whistler Bay. If you want to spend Summer recovering from this meta-mind-fuck of a book… yes. We love this one! Here are mine, Anna’s, Charlie’s and Josh’s reviews.

Joyland- Stephen King

Whilst we’re talking coming of age, let’s talk Joyland. The year is 1973, and we follow Devin Jones, a college student who finds work as a summer temp at the eponymous theme park “Joyland.” Whilst it is still horror, it’s the more lighthearted, slower-paced crime side of horror, and is a book that readers can genuinely bask in. I’m a firm believer that it is impossible for King to be underrated, but Joyland is a blast from the past that is definitely in need of a little more loving! You can read my full run-down here.

Survivor- J.F Gonzalez

In complete and utter contrast, “Survivor,” by J.F Gonzalez is a nasty book, that I believe defines the splatterpunk genre. A romantic getaway goes very wrong for Brad and Lisa when Lisa is abducted from their hotel room. Her captors inform her that she will be making her debut as a movie star… appearing in a snuff film. What follows is a race against the clock, can Brad recover Lisa (and her unborn baby) before it’s too late? FYI this bad boy also features an old lady assassin… what more could you want?

Jackal- Erin E Adams

If you don’t feel like reading extreme this Summer, perhaps Jackal by Erin E Adams is the book for you? A horror adjacent commentary on racism, we follow Elizabeth and her hesitant return to her home-town. Hostility and prejudice radiates from Johnstown like heat from a summer sidewalk, and when her best friend’s daughter disappears, Liz decides it’s time to address the town’s history of unexplored black disappearances. A rallying cry for empathy, you can read mine and Anna’s reviews here.

The Elementals- Michael McDowell

We started with a classic, so it’s only fair we finish with one too. “The Elementals,” by Michael McDowell is the Southern Gothic- and one that I will be re-reading this Summer. It follows two families, the Savages and the McCray’s vacation at Beldame, in Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Here, there are three houses- and much to the new inhabitant’s dismay, the third is not empty. This slow-burn, whiskey-soaked Summer read is essential reading now that Valancourt Books have ensured it’s affordable and one click away.

Whether you spend your Summer lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun at the beach, or simply relaxing at home, I hope these books will ensure you have an awful time! From haunted houses, to home towns, to gone-wrong get-aways, each of these books illustrate that horror is not seasonal. Happy Reading!