I'm a Gemini. Full stop. I wasn't born on the cusp of another sign, I don't borrow from any other astrological attributes. I fall squarely in the camp of Gemini. To provide a little context to my familiarity with astrology I'll have you know that I don't read my daily horoscope. I don't really ascribe to the idea that ruling planets have such and such effect on my life. Basically, when I was in high school, I had this "Big Book of Astrological Signs" that described all the attributes of each sign of the Zodiac, and I found it to be accurate about myself and some of my friends. That's about the extent of it.
If you are a Gemini like me, here's a brief description: "Smart, passionate, and dynamic, Gemini is characterized by the Twins, Castor and Pollux, and is known for having two different sides they can display to the world. Expert communicators, Gemini is the chameleon of the Zodiac, adept at blending into different groups based on the vibe and energy they perceive. While they're also amazing at showcasing surface traits, the Gemini well runs deep, which is why the Twins are one of the Zodiac's most emotionally intelligent signs."- Horoscope.com
Running with our strongest trait "having two different sides," which can be an asset and a challenge, it's my recommendation that most Geminis would love genre-blending as much as THIS Gemini. So here are my Horror Book Recommendations for Geminis
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1. "Shiloh" by Philip Fracassi
Part historical fiction, part horror, this story will satisfy Geminis who love both. Set during the American Civil War, two brothers fumble through the chaos during the Battle of Shiloh, the Civil War's bloodiest battle. Quite unexpectedly, Fracassi reveals the true, insidious power at work during one of mankind's ugliest moments.
Buy Shiloh from Bookshop or Amazon
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2. "The Magpie Coffin" by Wile E. Young
You might not have heard of the sub-genre Splatter Western, but if you're a Gemini, you need it in your life. The Magpie Coffin is book one of a series of Splatter Westerns being released by Death Head's Press. You're going to want to start reading and collecting them NOW. In this bleak Western landscape, Salem Covington is itching for a fight. Everywhere he goes, he leaves a trail of gore in his wake. He finds out that some gnarly men murdered his mentor, so "The Black Magpie" is on the hunt for revenge. This book is brutal and addicting. Come for the Western, stay for the "Splatter".
Buy The Magpie Coffin from Bookshop or Amazon
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3. "I Am Not Your Final Girl" by Claire C. Holland
If you love horror fiction and horror cinema, this is the perfect mash-up for you, Gemini! A collection of horror poetry where each poem is titled with the final girl's name from a popular horror movie. Clarice from The Silence of the Lambs, Rosemary from Rosemary's Baby, and more. Every, single poem gives the final girl a voice and the courage to fight against her inevitable victimhood. A powerful and engaging read.
Buy I Am Not Your Final Girl from Amazon
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4. "Foe" by Iain Reid
Reid masterfully develops a low-level tension, one that is common in horror books and rests just below the surface in science fiction thrillers. A couple lives in a remote farmhouse. A stranger arrives with some perplexing news. As the couple deals with the complexity of their situation, readers begin to formulate theories as to what is going on. This is the perfect book for Geminis who like an intellectual challenge and short, compelling chapters.
Buy Foe from Bookshop or Amazon
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5. "Spungunion" by John Boden
Sometimes a book defies all conventional genre labels. Like Spungunion. This is the story of a man, a trucker by trade, who is on a quest to find his wife's murderer. This will appeal to Geminis who enjoy murder mysteries with a touch of bizarro/magical realism. Also, I used the word "quest" intentionally. I could have used "mission," but when you read this, you'll understand why "quest" was the appropriate word choice.
Buy Spungunion from Bookshop or Amazon
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6. "The Saturday Night Ghost Club" by Craig Davidson
Take everything you love about coming-of-age tales and mix it with a small town murder mystery, an eccentric uncle, a lot of paranormal activity, and you'd get this nostalgic story from Craig Davidson. Geminis will appreciate the duality of heartwarming, fuzzy feelings paired with gut-wrenching moments of self discovery and heartache.
Buy The Saturday Night Ghost Club from Bookshop or Amazon
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7. "Pretty Little Dead Girls" by Mercedes M. Yardley
A true Gemini will not be able to resit a promising tagline such as, "A novel of murder and whimsy." Murder and Whimsy? Yes. Dark and Beautiful. A Fairytale Horror. This is the unique story of Bryony Adams, a girl marked for murder. There is so much fun to be had for the reader who enjoys a little bit of everything in one special book. Magical Realism and a serial killer. Doesn't that sound delicious? It does because it is.
Buy Pretty Little Dead Girls from Bookshop or Amazon
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8. "Providence" by Caroline Kepnes
Another genre-elusive book! The perfect blend of the supernatural with a hardboiled detective/murder-mystery, infused with romance. It takes no time at all for the pages to fly. Caroline Kepnes is the quintessential author for Gemini readers. Her books are everything at once: Edgy and raw. Sexy and brutal. Romantic and Sarcastic. Sophisticated and Accessible. There's a reason for her fame and success. Providence is certainly holds its own against the mega-watt, best seller, You.
Buy Providence from Bookshop or Amazon
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9. "Mapping the Interior' by Stephen Graham Jones
Pretty sure everything Stephen Graham Jones writes is a genre blend. Mapping the Interior is maybe my favorite today, but don't hold me to this tomorrow. I dare readers to try and prevent themselves from becoming dangerously, emotionally invested in this story. Spoiler alert: This is impossible. A coming-of-age story about a fifteen-year-old boy haunted by the ghost of his father who mysteriously died. Creepy and tender, Gemini readers will come away feeling like this one checked all the boxes. It's a must.
Buy Mapping the Interior from Bookshop or Amazon
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10. "The Loop" by Jeremy Robert Johnson
I'm sorry (not sorry) that I'm putting this on everyone's radar now when it actually doesn't come out until this Fall. I especially want fellow Geminis to grab this one because it hits on all the feels. Jeremy Robert Johnson has already proven to us that he has a natural knack for weird and emotional. Now, he's just showing off. The Loop is a coming-of-age horror with an apocalyptic backdrop and a conspiracy-thriller undercurrent. Definitely one of the best books I've read in 2020, and you don't want to miss it.
There you go, Geminis. Hope these hit the spot(s). What are some of your favorite Gemini reads?
About the author
Sadie Hartmann, “Mother Horror” reviews horror fiction for Cemetery Dance Online and Scream Magazine. She is a co-owner of a curated, horror fiction book subscription company called Night Worms. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, kids and Frenchie.
