Can’t take the time for a road trip or a trip to an exotic local? Sure you can. Don’t get into your car. Get into a book. Yeah, that was a poorly written cliche but it works. The rest of this post won’t win awards for writing but the recommendations here are ALL AMAZING. I’m in a hurry and have to work on a presentation I’m giving on the San Francisco Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915 so I just have a few minutes to get this down. Thank you for your patience.
The Summer Reading Season of 2023 is finally here. Hose off your favorite deck chair, put up the yellow jacket trap, give the dog a treat, and escape with a good story.
Brand New for 2023 Summer Reading
A Knife In the Dark a serial novel by Kevin A. Ranson
This is a new serial novel from horror writer Kevin A. Ranson.
As of today I’m on Chapter 8. This is absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait until the next chapter comes out. There is no way of guessing what comes next. Read it. You’ll thank me for it later.
This is the description from the web site:
A man awakens in a hospital bed with no memory of how he came to be there. Every face is new — including his own — but he is consumed with knowledge of a bygone era and a sense of being displaced. Intrigued by the marvels of a modern age, he seeks his place and status in a new world… beginning with a renewed sense of self.
A Knife In the Dark is a thought experiment written in the form of a serialized novel only available (for the moment) at ThinkingSkull.com, but you never know how far one can go until they venture past their previous destination.
Old Favorites to Read Again – or For the First Time
If you say you don’t like John Steinbeck because you were forced to read East of Eden or The Grapes of Wrath in 11th grade English, I’m sorry. You were too young and had too much teenage angst and too little life experience to appreciate them. The following books are brilliant, fun, and will make you feel all warm and fuzzy. Read them. I’m going to read them again for the millionth time.
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Yes, you will thank me for this later. You can even thank me now if you want to.
The next book has a title that sounds like a few other books and a few movies. It is none of those things. It is better. Much better.
Boy’s Life by Robert R. McCammon
Robert R. McCammon wrote two of my top ten favorite books of all time and this is one of them. It is a coming of age story about a kid who lives in a small Southern Town. One summer he witnesses a murder, hangs out with his best friends, and interacts with the most insane crazy cast of characters you’ve ever met in a book, and a monster. I love this book so much. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll thank me for this later.
Stay safe. Have fun. Pet your dogs and cats and other critters. Wear sunscreen. Talk with your kids. Check in on those who might be alone or need extra help. Read something good. And kiss a Vampire – you’ll thank me for it later.
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
Vampire Maman 