I’ve spent a lot of time so far this month discussing movies and televisions shows. But what is you’re a reader? What if you haven’t destroyed your attention span through over consumption of Lifetime movies, Internet gifs, and caffeine? While you work harder on succumbing to the perils of the modern age, here are some suggestions for new and upcoming book releases keeping in the spirit of the season.
Dr. Mütter’s Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz
The Mütter Museum of Medical Oddities at the Physicians College of Philadelphia is one of my favorite places to send tourists when they come to my fine city. Our art museum is nice and tourists are going to get cheesesteaks without my needing to suggest it, but this little museum one of the most unique in the country. Its collection of anatomical specimens and historical equipment is a fascinating and humbling tour of the development of medicine in this country. Award winning author Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz focuses her biography on Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter, an innovative 19th century surgeon whose legacy lies not only in the museum, but in innovations in medicine, diagnoses, and treatment in the pre-Civil War error.
Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
A modern haunted house novel set in an Ikea-like box store, I was sold on buying this when I found out it’s presented as an Ikea-like catalog, complete with an order form and store map. Sometimes, I’m easy to please.
Prince Lestat: The Vampire by Anne Rice
The big news this month is the release of the latest Anne Rice novel. Sure, there’s a new Stephen King this month too, but that dude is always publishing stuff. When Rice went religious on us, fans assumed they had heard the last of her anti-hero Lestat, whose immoral joie di vive was at odds with books about Jesus and angels. It’s been ten years since the last installment of the Vampire Chronicles, so expect all your goth friends to get super excited about this one. To be released October 28, 2014.
Rooms by Lauren Oliver
YA Author made her adult debut with this well received ghost story. Following the death of the family patriarch, the remaining members of the Walker family descend upon his country house to deal with the estate and find they’re not the only ones residing inside its rooms.
Nyctophobia by Christopher Fowler
Another haunted house tale (it is the right time of the year, after all, but ghosts are obviously this season’s vampires), this one set in southern Spain. Architect Callie and her new husband move into a weird old house whose angles keep half its rooms always in darkness. Her childhood nyctophobia rears its head again as Callie becomes convinced there’s something in that darkness.
The Wilds by Julia Elliott
Julia Elliott’s debut is a collection of strange and unusual short stories in the Southern Gothic tradition. We meet a nursing home resident who undergoes a brain-restoration procedure, aging women beating back decay with self-help and bizarre therapies, and young girls seduced by fundamentalism. Highly recommended.
4 replies on “31 Days of Horror — Day 17, What’s New to Read?”
Lauren Oliver has gone into adult fiction? Hmn. May have to check this out.
Not like I need more books to read but yeeeees.
.. too many new books for my to read list!
And we shall see how Price Lestat comes out. I’m Skeptical.
It’s a really good couple of months for new books.