Flight or Fright | Musings of the Monster Librarian

Book List: Summer Reading Recommendations from the New York Times

“There’s nothing quite like summer to make me long for horror fiction” writes Danielle Trussoni, in introducing great reads in the horror genre for the New York Times for summer 2019. It’s an interesting list. Of the eight books, five have been published since April, three nominees on this year’s final ballot for the Stoker Award are included, two are reprints from Grady Hendrix’s Paperbacks in Hell imprint, which is a new imprint that reprints older, out-of-print titles, one is an anthology, and one is a translation from French to English. There are a couple by women, which is nice, since they have often been underrepresented. I’ve provided links to reviews for the books we have already reviewed. Take a look and see what appeals for your next vacation read!

The Hunger by Alma Katsu (2018, nominee for the 2019 Bram Stoker Award, reviewed here)

Little Darlings by Melanie Goldberg (April 2019)

Song for the Unraveling of the World by Brian Evenson (June 2019)

The Nest by Gregory A. Douglas (April 2019, reprint from the Paperbacks in Hell imprint) The original 1987 novel is reviewed here. Side note: unless you are a real thrill-seeker, this might not be the best choice for your island vacation. However, my husband saw Jaws just before a day of scuba diving, so I know it’ll be a perfect beach read for some of you…

When Darkness Loves Us by Elizabeth Engstrom ( May 2019, also a reprint from Paperbacks in Hell. We reviewed the 2009 book here)

The Laws of the Skies by Gregoire Courtois (May 2019)

Inspection by Josh Malerman (2018, nominee for the 2019 Bram Stoker Award, reviewed here)

Flight or Fright edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent (2018. Joe Hill’s story in this anthology was a nominee on the final ballot for the 2019 Bram Stoker Award) Side note: I don’t recommend reading this one on a plane.

Well, there you have it. All kinds of horror, with something for nearly everyone. This is a great list for starting your summer reading, and whatever you choose, whether it’s from this list or a different resource, I wish you a summer of enjoyable reading!

Long Fiction Review: “You Are Released” by Joe Hill (in Fright or Flight edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent)

“You Are Released” by Joe Hill (in Fright or Flight edited by Stephen King and Bev Vincent)

Cemetery Dance, 2018

ISBN-13: 978-1587676796

Available: Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, audio CD

Joe Hill has never shied away from uneasy stories or topics in his work. When Stephen King and Bev Vincent chose stories related to terror in the air for their book, they chose some obvious ones, but thankfully, Hill took a left turn and tried something different. Joe Hill’s piece details an ill-fated flight with a cast of characters that is representative of America, both good and bad. Readers might be hoping for something supernatural here, to feel comfortable about, but the claustrophobic setting he creates mirrors the fears most readers face, or refuse to admit, are part of the reality in society today. What occurs inside the plane is just as disturbing, if not more, than the disaster that upends the outside world. I had a quibble with the ending, but on repeated readings, it resonates in a way that should.

Reviewed by Dave Simms

Editor’s note: “You Are Released” is a nominee on the final ballot for the 2018 Bram Stoker Awards in the category of Superior Achievement in Long Fiction.