Summer of Horror Virtual Book Club: Japanese Gothic
Ready for a gothic horror story filled with family secrets, vengeance, and ghosts that refuse to stay buried? Join us this July as we read Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker, a haunting novel steeped in atmosphere, grief, and creeping terror. Blending psychological horror with gothic tradition, Japanese Gothic explores generational trauma, isolation, and the horrors that linger in both memory and place. Dark, unsettling, and impossible to shake, this is a story that will follow you long after the final page.
Here’s how it works:
Hop into our Summer of Horror Book Club Discord to discuss the book throughout the month, connect with fellow horror readers, and share theories as the mysteries unfold. Then join us on Wednesday, July 29 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm EST for a live virtual discussion where we’ll dive into the novel’s themes, imagery, and most chilling moments together.
Whether you’re drawn to gothic horror, ghost stories, or slow-building psychological dread, Japanese Gothic is the perfect midsummer nightmare.
Registration required. All are welcome.
- Date:
- Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- Time:
- 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Online:
- This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
- Audience:
- Open Public / Open to all
- Categories:
- Programs
About the Book: "October, 2026: Lee Turner doesn’t remember how or why he killed his college roommate. The details are blurred and bloody. All he knows is he has to flee New York and go to the one place that might offer refuge—his father’s new home in Japan, a house hidden by sword ferns and wild ginger. But something is terribly wrong with the house: no animals will come near it, the bedroom window isn't always a window, and a woman with a sword appears in the yard when night falls. October, 1877: Sen is a young samurai in exile, hiding from the imperial soldiers in a house behind the sword ferns. A monster came home from war wearing her father’s face, but Sen would do anything to please him, even turn her sword on her own mother. She knows the soldiers will soon slaughter her whole family when she sees a terrible omen: a young foreign man who appears outside her window. One of these people is a ghost, and one of these stories is a lie. Something is hiding beneath the house of sword ferns, and Lee and Sen will soon wish they never unburied it." -Provided by Publisher
About the Author: Kylie Lee Baker is the author of young adult and adult novels. Her writing is informed by her heritage (Japanese, Chinese, and Irish) and her experiences living abroad. She has a B.A. in CreativeWriting and Spanish and an M.S. in Library and Information Science. Visit her online at www.kylieleebaker.com.
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.
