Summer of Horror 2026 kicks off on June 1st, and I’d love you to join me in celebrating all things horror! Last year I was thrilled that so many bloggers join in, so this year I’m hoping to expand things a bit with a sign up sheet to keep the event more organized. This is a fairly long event that stretches throughout the summer months of June, July and August, so it gives us plenty of time to share reviews, lists, and more. This year I’m keeping things simple and low stress without specific challenges or prompts, so be as creative as you like! Feel free to grab this year’s banner and use it on your posts:-) (Also, let me know if you have any trouble with the sign up spreadsheet)
Click here to sign up!
Books on my Summer of Horror TBR:
This year I’m attempting to read some recent purchases, which is always hard for me because my review commitments to publishers are a little out of control, lol. I’ll share my reading plans below, which includes both review books coming out this summer and a few of these “must read” purchases. And of course, this list is subject to change!
The Children by Melissa Albert (currently reading!). June 2nd. “An intoxicating, haunting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Albert, in which the estranged adult children of a legendary author, written into their dead mother’s beloved fantasy series, contend with the vine-like creep of legacy, memory, and magic.”
Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer. June 9th. “From the Hugo award-winning author Naomi Kritzer comes a tense portrait of a future we desperately hope to escape.”
It Came From Neverland by Cynthia Pelayo. June 9th. “Peter Pan meets Stephen King’s It in this twisted horror retelling of a classic childhood fairytale set during WWI.”
Headlights by C.J. Leede. June 9th. “Perfect for fans of The Shining and Longlegs, bestselling author CJ Leede’s Headlights is a pulse-pounding hunt across the frozen wilderness of Colorado.
The Summer Fun Massacre by Craig DiLouie. June 16th. “Surviving the massacre is just the beginning in this razor-sharp take on the summer camp slasher from horror master Craig DiLouie.”
Home Sick by Rhiannon Grist. July 14th. “After a violent incident at work, Tamsin goes looking for a fresh start in a remote cottage far away from her old life. Here she could make real friends, find a job she loves, become a whole new person, even.”
Carry Me To My Grave by Christopher Golden. July 21st. “From New York Times bestselling author Christopher Golden comes a high concept horror novel about a man trying to protect his dead mother’s body from the evil that is hunting them.”
Devil Inside by Clay McLeod Chapman. August 11th. “A man who’s back from the dead meets a woman who’s from somewhere even worse in Clay McLeod Chapman’s new horrormance about love, possession, and just a little murder.”
The Night Pool by Lauren Lee Smith. August 25th. “The Night Pool is a blood-soaked, page-turning horror set in the Gold Rush West, where three women must battle monsters both human and inhuman to survive—perfect for fans of Alma Katsu’s The Hunger and Victor LaValle’s Lone Women.”
The Hive by Ronald Malfi. Out now. “An epic, Lovecraftian horror novel in the vein of Black River Orchard and American Elsewhere about a small town that becomes obsessed with a series of random objects left strewn across their town in the aftermath of a storm. From the Bram Stoker award-nominated and bestselling author of Come with Me.”
Daytide by Chris Panatier. Out now. “The Longing is here: a ruthless psychological pandemic that only ever ends one way. Most find relief in a bullet or a blade. Kaya Sinh chose fire.”
The Calamities by Chuck Wendig. August 18th. “The heir to one of the world’s most influential families reckons with the demonic secret to their power, in this contemporary dark fantasy that melds occult magic with shocking family drama from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.”
Bonus – Three September ARCs I can’t wait to read:
Worry Box by Chris Panatier. September 22nd. “An unsettling horror story with a mysterious twist from a celebrated voice in horror. Perfect for fans of Paul Tremblay’s A Head Full of Ghosts.”
Newbourne Park by Jennifer Thorne. September 29th. “From the USA Today bestselling author of Diavola comes a darkly funny, blood-soaked horror novel about the terrifying seduction of unlimited power.”
Trad Wife by Sarah Langan. September 29th. “From the three-time Bram Stoker Award–winning author of Good Neighbors comes a chilling tale of a journalist’s descent into horror as she uncovers the dark secrets behind a trad wife influencer, blending suspense with a critique of modern femininity and the manipulative forces of social media.
What kinds of posts fit the event?
Well, anything you can think of that has a horror theme to it! Book reviews and lists of course, but do you love to watch horror movies or TV shows? Join in with a movie post. Are you a gamer? Feel free to talk about games in the horror genre. I love lists and I’ll be sharing them throughout the summer. Do you love to talk about horror subgenres? Feel free to come up with a list that fits one, like:
- Gothic horror
- Slasher horror
- Supernatural horror
- Psychological horror
- Cosmic horror
- Body horror
- Haunted houses
Or you can focus on different creatures, like:
- Witches
- Vampires
- Zombies
- Demons
- Ghosts
I have some ideas I’m working on, so check back to see what I’ll be focusing on this summer!
I have trouble with committing to any event at this point, even the low-pressure ones, but I’ll be watching this space…;D
I can’t wait! You know I’m in☺️
Super excited to be able to join this year!
Oh I can’t wait to add more horror to my TBR, especially your recs Tammy!
Did we ever figure out if Daytide was going to be easier to get a hold of?? I would love to join this but if I read too much horror I start getting terrified outside at night
I think it’s going to be a good summer! I think I’ll be going in for the fun too.
Fun! I do love supernatural horror and really love a good haunted house story. I look forward to checking out everyone’s posts. 😀