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Stephen King’s 2013 novel Joyland is the perfect summer read for mystery and horror lovers. The year is 1973 and our protagonist, university student Devin Jones, takes a seasonal job working at a seemingly average amusement park, as a means to escape a broken heart. Horror, mystery, and romance ensue as Devin uncovers the secrets of Joyland’s murderous past, while the summer accelerates towards the height of the carnival season.

As with all of Stephen King’s novels, the writing is superbly crafted, and we immediately find ourselves invested in Devin’s world, from the relatable experience of finding work and entertainment over a long university summer, to amusing tales of customer service horror stories, as well as the even scarier terrors of the ghouls which haunt the thrillingly atmospheric setting of Joyland. Whether you’re a fan of horror, romance, or coming of age stories Joyland has something for you.

Words by: Charlotte Harris

Erin Morgenstern- The Night Circus Carnival season is finally upon us – this means long summer afternoons spent on funfair rides with friends, consuming copious amounts of cotton candy and popcorn, mysterious circuses appearing in your town in the middle of the night…

Alright, that last one’s just in The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern’s latest book and a favourite of the online book community. The story delves into the appearance of a new, famous circus that is the battlefield for a duel between two young magicians. Trained to battle since a young age, the book follows the two characters’ lives in the circus, uncovering the secrets of its origins and the backstories of its eccentric cast of performers, as they come closer to their fated battle.

Though it wasn’t my favourite, the book has a distinctive aura, with rich and enticing writing that feels as entrancing as the mystical circus it explores. The perfect quick read for a summer afternoon at the cusp of carnival season.

Words by: Catarina Vicente

Design by: Eszter Gurbicz