Summer Reading List Recommendations

What’s on your summer reading list? Here at Glass House, we like to spend the long days being transported to a faraway time and place. I mean, anything to take us away from the responsibilities of the real world, right?!

Not only do our authors write, they love to READ as well! We asked them to share with us what they’ve got on their summer reading list this year, and why it should be on yours, and we’ll be featuring recommendations from all of our authors over the next few weeks for your summer reading (and perhaps even stretching into fall…).

So kick back, grab a cold drink and a good book, and enjoy the recommendations from our first three authors!

Nikki Vogel

To begin my summer reading, I blazed through Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone series. She writes for a similar audience as me, and I not only enjoyed the story, but also liked paying attention to how she handled certain things. As a learning opportunity and stuff.

I also recently read Leigh Bardugo's Grisha series. This chick can WRITE. I love her stories and am filled with envy when I read her books.

I read Borne by Jeff VanderMeer because I totally loved his Annihilation series. Borne was entertaining, though I didn’t love it as much as the Annihilation series.

Coming up … well, I have a list of steampunk books I’m going to read because it’s a genre I’m not that familiar with, and my WIP is going to have elements of steampunk in it. The list includes Ticker by Lisa Matechev, Incarceron by Catherine Fisher, Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittridge, and Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve.

I also have a couple of research books on my list: Early Irish Myths and Sagas by Jeffry Gantz and Celtic Myths and Legends by Peter Berresford Ellis.

I also have the second book of V.E. Schwab’s Monsters of Verity series to read, as well as 4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster and Caraval by Stephanie Garber.

That should keep me busy for awhile. :)

PT McHugh

Bernard Cornwell (my favorite historical fiction writer) has written yet another novel regarding his second-best character, Lord Uhtred, my favorite Dane who wreaked havoc over a thousand years ago (Netflix has done a great job adapting his books into the series Kingdom, which I highly recommend). And of course you can never go wrong with Lee Child's novels when you’re hitting the beach.

George Ebey

Broadcast Hysteria by A. Brad Schwartz (non-fic), Perchance to Dream by Charles Beaumont (classic sci fi/horror short story collection), and then I need to get going on Freedom of the Mask by Robert McCammon (historical fiction). Because who can go wrong combining history and fiction?

That’s it for the moment! What’s on your summer reading list? Are there books you think we’d love? Books we ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO READ? Send us recommendations on Twitter or FB, and we’ll let you know the moment we get around to them!

Love,

The Glass House Gang

GHP Counts Down to Summer! - featuring PT McHugh

Just like everyone else (except publisher and GH owner Carrie White-Parrish), the blog took last Monday off to enjoy the unofficial/official start of summer with Memorial Day, and to remember those who have lost their lives in service to our country. But now we’re back and happy to say … IT’S SUMMER!!! OFFICIALLY AND FINALLY! I mean not that we actually get to take the entire summer off like some people (ahem, Linda Foster), though we DO intend to enjoy every bit of sunshine and warm weather over the next three months. So it’s time to kick back, have a frozen drink, and enjoy a good book while we forget about our pesky, never-ending TO DO list.

One of our last authors in our summer countdown series is PT McHugh. Patrick is ready to get his second book, Rebel, out the door and kick off summer, margarita in hand. Read on to learn what he’s looking forward to this summer!

What is the THE event that you’re most looking forward to this summer?

Vacationing in Hawaii. Ever since I was young and saw reruns of the Brady Bunch, I’ve wanted to go there. And now my dream will be completed (not sure why I waited this long to go).

Where do you live? Describe this winter in your area in three words.

Moved back to Northern California a couple of years ago, from North Carolina. Not sure why I ever left. Winter in three words or less; wet, cool, perfect.

What do you hope to accomplish in your writing over the long summer days?

Honestly the second book has taken longer than the first. I’m ready to get this book out the door! We’re also working on a novella that we started, stopped, started again, and then put down about three years ago. It’s time for that little story (about Reis and how it all began!) to see the light!

What trend or catch-phrase are you going to start this summer?

Rebel is about to be released! Does that count? Maybe not, but it’s still true!

What is the BEST summer story from when you were a kid?

Going to A&W to eat in the car with my parents and then going to the drive-in movie theatre. Best time ever. Too bad most drive-ins have gone away. It’s one of my favorite memories from when I was young, and honestly it feels like a shame that kids these days don’t get to experience it.

What is the WORST summer story from when you were a kid?

Back to school clothes shopping.

Summer blockbuster you are most looking forward to watching and why:

Dunkirk looks amazing. I’m a history buff at heart, and I cannot wait for this movie to come out.

Rapid Fire Questions:

The All-Time Best Song of Summer is: Summer Nights by Van Halen. (Not their best song, but for me that song reminds me of summer.)

Your Summer Guilty Pleasure: Margaritas.

Daylight Savings Time for Summer: yes or no? Yes.

Beach or Mountains? Beach (only because I hate bugs).

Swimsuits: yes or no? Of course.

Sandals or Bare Feet? Sandals (sensitive feet).

Ice Cream or Popsicles? Ice Cream.

Memorial Day or Independence Day? The 4th of course.

Put these words in order: Swimming, Baseball, Hot Dogs, Ice Cream, Air Conditioning, Vacation

Air Conditioning, Vacation, Swimming, Baseball, Ice cream.

Sum up Summer 2017 in five words: Closer to football season.

Learn more about PT McHugh and his books by visiting his website and following him on social media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PTMcHughauthor

Twitter: PatrickMcHugh4

GoodReads

Website: http://ptmchugh.com/

GHP Recommends: Halloween Reads

With Halloween just around the corner, we asked Glass Housers to tell us about their favorite Halloween reads. Some are spooky, some are just witchy, but we are sure everyone will find something they like among our recommendations.

Mary Fan, author of The Firedragon, Firedragon Rising, Tell Me My Name, forthcoming Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil (Flynn Nightsider series) and Fated Stars series

Ever Near and Ever Lost (Secret Affinity Books 1 & 2) by Melissa MacVicar.
When 16-year-old Jade moves into a historical home on Nantucket Island with her mother and new stepfamily, she finds herself roommates with the disturbed ghost of a long ago resident. The fantastic storytelling, abundance of ghostly spooks, and Jade's relatable voice make this duology a highly entertaining read. Bonus points for featuring a biracial (half black half white) protagonist.

George Ebey, author of the forthcoming Legend of the Phoenix (Phoenix Saga series) and novella DEBBI (Rovers of Mars series)

The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon. 
His epic classic tells the story of Michael Gallatin, a Russian born werewolf working as a spy for the British Secret Service during World War II. I know what you’re thinking. A werewolf fighting Nazis during World War II? Isn’t that a little…campy? Well let me assure you, there is nothing goofy or comical about this book. Raw and visceral, McCammon handles the werewolf mythos in a way that is truly unique. The lore, the history, it’s all there in vivid detail that will leave you wanting more. For spooks and creep factor, and all out thrills, this one is not to be missed.

Abby Keeble, publishing assistant at Glass House Press

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.
Rebecca is the story of a young heroine who at the beginning of the novel is the companion to a stodgy old woman named Mrs. Van Hopper. Her prospects in life and daily activities are dismal at best, until she meets Maxim de Winter. After only knowing each other for a few weeks, de Winter, who is much older than the protagonist, proposes and takes her to his home at Manderley. Upon her arrival, the heroine struggles to fit into her role as head of the house, made much more difficult by the lingering presence of the former (and deceased) Mrs. De Winter, Rebecca. Rebecca was successful and beloved by all, and throughout the novel the truth of her disastrous fate is revealed as we watch the protagonist fail to live up to her in the eyes of all in the household, especially the housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. Rebecca captivated me initially with the intrigue of the heroine’s marriage to a mysterious older man. Du Maurier does an excellent job of portraying the banality of the protagonist’s life before meeting Maxim De Winter, thus making the reader rejoice at his odd proposal and offer to whisk her away from her dreary life. Upon the heroine’s arrival at Manderley, I was enthralled by the chilling mystery of Rebecca. I felt the heroine’s fear at the increasing hostility of Mrs. Danvers and her discomfort in her inability to fit into her new life. Rebecca remains one of my all time favorite novels because of Du Maurier’s entirely magnetizing storytelling.

Mimi Anna Renée, author of forthcoming Crimson series

Diary of a Fairy Godmother by Esmé Raji Codell.
Diary of a Fairy Godmother centers around young witch, Hunky Dory, who is at the top of her class in charm school. On the cusp of graduating, Hunky discovers that a different life is calling for her: one of granting wishes and happiness, rather than the mischievous, carefree ways of witchood she has always known. It’s a heart-warming story of growing up and defying expectations, while still emphasizing the importance of friendship and family love. With illustrations reminiscent of Tim Burton’s style and a fun spin on traditional witchy tropes, it is definitely a great read for this season of spooks.

Carrie White-Parish, CEO of Glass House Press, editor and publisher

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
I saw the movie first, and immediately went out to read the book. Don't read this if you don't want your heart literally ripped out of your chest, because it's absolutely the worst emotional terrorism. But it's also incredibly creepy. Watching the MC walk into the field, when you know what's going to happen. Then watching her 'watch' life as it goes on. The heart-rending scenes as her father fights to find her killer. Her little sister's equally dramatic arc. And most of all—the thing that gave me the biggest chills, and kept me up at night—the idea that her family could still feel her. Could still see her, even, as she fought with them to bring her killer to justice. I read this book years ago, and it still haunts me. As a believer in ghosts, this one spoke right to my soul.

Linda Foster, author of Fallen Souls (The Realm of the Claimed series)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

PT McHugh, author of Keeper of the Black Stones (Stone Ends series) and forthcoming novel A Rebel's Stone

The Stand by Stephen King.
I'm not a big horror fan but I did read The Stand by King and it was a great read. It's a story about a post apocalyptic world, thrown into chaos because of a computer error in a Defense Department laboratory. The aftermath is almost no cities, no safety, no order, and no people. Those who are left battle among one another, choosing sides, and are stretched between the good of an ancient woman and evil of a man named Randall Flagg, the dark man.

All images from Goodreads.