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Julia and the Bazooka by Anna Kavan
Just as if you’re sad, you should listen to melancholy music, so in lockdown it can be a good idea to read stories of isolation and unhappiness. Autobiographical tales tell of Kavan’s poor relationship with her parents and husband, and her attraction to death-defying racing drivers.
New Terrors II, edited by Ramsey Campbell
One of my favourite horror anthologies because it contains great stories by some of my favourite writers including Christopher Priest, Giles Gordon and M John Harrison as well as – bonus ball – my favourite Stephen King story.
Pharos by Alice Thompson
King was a fan of this brilliant historical ghost story that feels timeless, like it could be happening today. It probably is.
The Leaping by Tom Fletcher
Fletcher has a new novel out – Witch Bottle – which I haven’t read yet, but if it’s even half as good as his debut, this terrifying werewolf novel set in the Lake District, it will be essential reading.
The Architecture of David Lynch by Richard Martin
Normally, when examining one, I find the abstract prose of a PhD thesis a gothic nightmare in itself, but the subject here could not be closer to the damp chambers of my heart. Reading this is like rewatching Lynch’s films with someone who loves them as much as I do and keeps whispering fascinating observations about his sets and spaces in my ear.
