Summer of Horror Book Club: Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman
Ready for a horror story that gets under your skin and messes with your mind? Join us in July as we read Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman, a master of unsettling storytelling and psychological suspense. This gripping novel explores identity, memory, and the creeping fear that everything you thought you knew might be wrong. It’s a wild ride filled with dread and disorientation—in the best way. Whether you’re a long-time horror reader or new to the genre, this one is sure to leave a mark.
Here’s how it works:
Hop into our Summer Book Club Discord to chat about the book as you read, connect with other horror fans, and trade theories (with spoiler tags, of course). Then join us on Tuesday, July 29th at 5:30 pm EST for a Zoom discussion, where we’ll dig into the themes, characters, and creepiest moments. At 6:00 pm EST, we’ll be joined by author Clay McLeod Chapman for a live Q&A—your chance to hear directly from one of today’s most exciting voices in horror fiction.
Don’t sleep on this one. Wake Up and Open Your Eyes will make sure of that.
Registration required.
- Date:
- Tuesday, July 29, 2025
- Time:
- 5:30pm - 7:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Online:
- This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
- Audience:
- Faculty and Staff Open Public / Open to all Undergraduate and Graduate Students University Libraries Faculty & Staff
- Categories:
- Programs
About the Book: Noah has been losing his polite Southern parents to far-right cable news for years, so when his mother leaves him a voicemail warning him that the “Great Reawakening” is here, he assumes it’s related to one of her many conspiracy theories. But when his phone calls go unanswered, Noah makes the drive from Brooklyn to Richmond, Virginia. There, he discovers his childhood home in shambles and his parents locked in a terrifying trancelike state in front of the TV. Panicked, Noah attempts to snap them out of it. Then Noah’s mother brutally attacks him.But Noah isn’t the only person to be attacked by a loved one. Families across the country are tearing each other apart—literally—as people succumb to a form of possession that gets worse the more time they spend glued to a screen. In Noah’s Richmond-based family, only he and his young nephew Marcus are unaffected. Together, they must race back to the safe haven of Brooklyn—but can they make it before they fall prey to the violent hordes?
About the Summer of Horror Book Club
The Summer of Horror Book Club is your chance to stay connected, curious, and just a little creeped out—no matter where summer takes you.
Whether you're still in Albany, back home, or traveling, our virtual book club brings together students, faculty, staff, and library friends for shared reading, thoughtful discussion, and the joy of community. All you need is a good internet connection, a love of books, and maybe a nightlight.
Why horror? It’s the perfect genre for summer reading—thrilling, fast-paced, and packed with tension. Horror helps us explore fear, anxiety, and the unknown in a safe (and often wildly entertaining) way. Plus, there’s nothing like reading a chilling story with the lights off and the fan on during a hot summer night.
This isn’t just a reading group—it’s a place to connect across time zones, swap theories, and dive deep into stories that make your heart race. Each book is paired with virtual discussions, and we're even inviting the authors to join us live!
So grab your copy, join the Discord, and prepare to scream (and think) a little this summer.
