Summer of Horror 2026 - Announcement & TBR

Happy Saturday everyone! Today, I'm sharing my plans with you for Summer of Horror 2026, a celebration of all things horror running from June through August and hosted by Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy.  In June, I usually set my own little Pride Month reading challenge, but I've decided to do something a bit different though I will definitely be reading some of LGBTQIAP+ books, especially for the June portion of this 3 month long horror celebration.  I also plan on watching horror movies and tv shows which will be a lot of fun.  Many of my regular posts throughout these upcoming months will have a horror flavor to them and I may have a few special features mixed in there as well.  Keep reading to see what I'm hoping to read this summer!

Books I Own:

The Agony House by Cherie Priest and illustrated by Tara O'Connor - It's been awhile since I've read anything from this author, but this YA graphic novel does sound tempting.

Angel Down by Daniel Kraus - I've heard only amazing things about this, not counting the fact that it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, so my hopes are high for this.

The Dead of Summer (The Dead of Summer #1) by Ryan La Sala - I've only read a short story from this author so far and I need to try more.  They all sound good.  I'm also reading this for Read Queerly 2026.

Desert Creatures by Kay Chronister - Sounds like a horrific and dystopian take on Las Vegas, or at least the journey to get there is!  I'll be reading this for my r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge.

Gwendy's Final Task (The Button Box #3) by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar - I've had this on my shelf for ages.  It's time to finish this trilogy!

Head Cleaner by David James Keaton - This sounds like it might be right up my alley.  I have seen mixed reviews for it so I guess I'll find out.  I do love that the book cover looks like a VHS tape.  I'll be reading this for my r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge.

House of Secrets (House of Shadows #2) by Darcy Coates - This author is a favorite so second half of a duology is going to be good.  I'll be reading this for my r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge.

House of Shadows (House of Shadows #1) by Darcy Coates - I love this author, so I can't wait to try this first half of a duology.  I'll be reading this for my r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge.

Koko (Blue Rose Trilogy #1) by Peter Straub - Okay, this has been sitting on my shelf for about a million years and I'm finally going to give it a try.

The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater - I was hoping to get to this last October for Halloween, but that didn't end up happening.  This looks like the perfect time to come back to it!

The No-End House by Jeremey Bates - Okay, so I love that horror anthology show Channel Zero and season 2's story, No-End House, was personally my favorite.  Obviously, this really reminds me of it so I hope it will be half as good as that tv show.  I'll be reading this for my r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge.

The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt - I've seen some mixed reviews of this one, but the premise sounds right up my alley.

The Resurrectionist by Kathleen S. Allen - This YA historical horror novel sounds like it will be taking its cues from Frankenstein and I'm here for it.  I'll be reading this for The 52 Book Club's 2026 Reading Challenge.

Secrets in the Dark (Black Winter #2) by Darcy Coates - I absolutely loved the first book in this series and I can't wait to dive into the sequel.

Smoke and Shadows (Smoke Trilogy #1) Tanya Huff - I've really enjoyed the what I've read of the Vicki Nelson series and this spinoff featuring Henry Fitzroy and Tony Foster sounds pretty cool.

Library Books:

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - This author has become a must-read for me.  I'll be reading this for The 52 Book Club's 2026 Reading Challenge.

Blood Bank (Vicki Nelson #6) by Tanya Huff - I'm looking forward to checking out this set of short stories and officially wrapping up this series before jumping into the Smoke Trilogy.

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White - This author has been brilliant and I can't wait to read this one.  I'll be reading this for my 2026 Popsugar Reading Challenge.

Into the Drowning Deep (Rolling in the Deep #1) by Mira Grant - Seanan McGuire is one of my favorites and I love her style as Mira Grant too.  I'm also reading this for Read Queerly 2026.

It Will Only Hurt for a Moment by Delilah S. Dawson - It's been awhile since I've read this author and I need to read more.  I'll be reading this for my 2026 Popsugar Reading Challenge.

The Last Astronaut by David Wellington - I really like the sound of this sci-fi horror.  I'll be reading this for my r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge.

The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas - I loved this author's other books and I can't wait to try this one too.  I'll be reading this for The 52 Book Club's 2026 Reading Challenge.

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane - I love the movie and I can't wait to try the source material.  I'll be reading this for my 2026 Popsugar Reading Challenge.

Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran - I've really been looking forward to this horror story.  I'll be reading this for my r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge.