The Top 3 books I read in June

June was my slowest reading month of the year so far, but the books themselves were some of the best! I didn’t read a single book I rated under 3.75 stars and I recommend all of them. Honestly, picking a top 3 was harder than I thought it would be.

Want to know everything I read in June? I posted the list at the end. You’re welcome!

But let’s talk about my three favorites. I also want to know, what was your favorite read from June? Reply to this email and let me know! I read every single response, because we’re friends and I genuinely want to know what you’re loving.

Before we get into that, I had Brian McAuley on the podcast this week and it is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Brian is a USA Today bestselling author whose books include Curse of the Reaper, Candy Kane Kills, and Breathe In, Bleed Out. His work combines cinematic tension with deep emotional trauma while somehow staying funny and reflective of the human experience the whole time. Whether he's writing about grief, Hollywood obsession, toxic wellness culture, or the monsters we outrun in our own minds, Brian pairs gruesome slasher energy with genuine heart, and it's the reason his books feel so immersive, nostalgic, and completely addicting.

We talked about how Scream at age ten (and a very poorly timed backyard campout right after) set the whole thing in motion, why he thinks the slasher might be the purest form of horror there is, and how he builds that claustrophobic psychological dread on the page even when almost nothing is happening. He also got into his own spin on the final girl trope in Breathe In, Bleed Out, which I have a lot of feelings about, and teased what's coming next: Fairly Bad Ways to Die, a slasher murder mystery set at a Renaissance fair, out April 6, 2027. Yes, a Renaissance fair. I don't know why nobody thought of that sooner.

Go listen wherever you get your podcasts, and grab Breathe In, Bleed Out if you haven't yet. (And if you read Candy Kane Kills, do yourself a favor and get the audiobook. Those Christmas carols are going to ruin your holidays in the best way.)

Watch the full episode here →

Listen on Spotify →

Listen on Apple Podcasts →

And now for my three favorite reads in the month of June

CJ Leede is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in modern horror. The way she writes is pure poetry. Her creative choices are unique, terrifying, and beautiful all at once. This newest book builds on her talent for deep, moving storytelling that sticks to your bones and leaves you staring at a wall.

When I talk about my undying love for modern horror, THIS is exactly what I mean. Five stars. FIVE STARS! Now I’ll just be sitting here, waiting for whatever this goddess of horror writes next.

If you enjoy psychological horror and want to book based on a movie slasher character, look no further then Curse of the Reaper by Brian McAuley. This book is a hidden gem, and the fact that it was his debut is insane. You’ll hear us talk about it on the podcast, but I LOVED the relationship he crafted between the two main characters. I loved how he used their differences to engage with the themes and kept me turning pages.

If you haven’t read a book by Brian McAuley WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Let this be your sign.

Another hidden gem. Another excellent writer. If you are a fan of haunted house novels, you have to add this book to your TBR. Better yet, grab it right now and start it today. The terror, the building tension, the character development, the END!

This was as surprising as it was creative. I can’t recommend this book enough; it may be my first book from Johnny Compton, but it certainly will not be my last. Plus, the audiobook was a total 10/10. Highly recommend.

Your turn! I want to know what your favorite read of June was, so make sure to reply so I can add even MORE books to my TBR.

As promised the full list is below. Have you read any of these?

Host of Talking Horror Podcast