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The Goth's Guide to Summer: A Seasonal Survival Manual for Creatures of the Night
Do you dread the arrival of summer? Do neon swimwear, beach parties, and forced cheerfulness make you long for your crypt? You’re not alone, and this book is your lifeline.
The Goth’s Guide to Summer is a delightfully defiant handbook for those who prefer shadows to sunshine and moonlight to mid-day heat. Whether you suffer from reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (yes, that’s real), or just feel personally attacked by tank tops and BBQ invitations, this gothic survival guide offers practical strategies, fashion fixes, and deeply relatable wisdom for making it through the brightest season without sacrificing your soul—or your style.
Inside you’ll
Wardrobe alchemy: How to wear black without melting
Skincare & SPF tips for pale immortals (not that all goths are pale. We're not saying that! Don't say we said that!)
SAD support: Tools to navigate summer-pattern depression
Home transformation: Turn your space into a cool, moody sanctuary
Accessories of resistance: Parasols, lace fans, and more
Goth joy hacks: Cemetery strolls, horror reads, and nocturnal rituals
This isn’t a guide to learning to love summer. It’s a guide to surviving—and maybe even enjoying it—on your own gloriously dark terms.
If the sun feels like your enemy, consider this book your trusty familiar.
The Goth’s Guide to Summer is a delightfully defiant handbook for those who prefer shadows to sunshine and moonlight to mid-day heat. Whether you suffer from reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (yes, that’s real), or just feel personally attacked by tank tops and BBQ invitations, this gothic survival guide offers practical strategies, fashion fixes, and deeply relatable wisdom for making it through the brightest season without sacrificing your soul—or your style.
Inside you’ll
Wardrobe alchemy: How to wear black without melting
Skincare & SPF tips for pale immortals (not that all goths are pale. We're not saying that! Don't say we said that!)
SAD support: Tools to navigate summer-pattern depression
Home transformation: Turn your space into a cool, moody sanctuary
Accessories of resistance: Parasols, lace fans, and more
Goth joy hacks: Cemetery strolls, horror reads, and nocturnal rituals
This isn’t a guide to learning to love summer. It’s a guide to surviving—and maybe even enjoying it—on your own gloriously dark terms.
If the sun feels like your enemy, consider this book your trusty familiar.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2025
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Cole
11 books9 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 12, 2025
So helpful for when the summer is here and you just don't want to be a part of it. It's literally a guide of what to wear (makeup and clothes etc), decor, music, shows, movies, etc. to stay cool and still your life. Just because it's hotter than a witch's t!t doesn't mean you can't enjoy the things you love. Yes seasonal depression is a thing and this guide helps so much knowing that we're not alone. And who doesn't love humor?
August 31, 2025
Finally! Someone who gets us!
The thing about summer is that EVERYBODY thinks that everybody else loves summer. Not me. Nope. I love the coast and I love the beach, yes, but only to visit and explore, not to swim at or go surfing or all of the other water activities people like to participate in when it’s insanely hot outside. I am not a water activities or water sports person. I went rafting once and that was good enough for me!
But I’m just not into summer and all the summer-related activities that goes with it. I once had to make a video where I talked about what I liked best about summer, and in that video, I said, “The thing I like best about summer is when it ends.” I like autumn and winter. Those are my seasons. Even though I am a morning person, the sun is not my friend. And Lauren Cole seems to totally understand this in her book, The Goth's Guide to Summer: A Seasonal Survival Manual for Creatures of the Night.
Before I read this book, I didn’t know that the same Seasonal Affective Disorder that people get in the winter has a summer counterpart. I don’t get sad during the summer; I just prefer NOT to be out in it. At least, not until the sun has gone down. Maybe I am this way because of the burn scars I have on my face and arm; they can’t be exposed to too much sun.
I’m glad there’s a chapter on how to keep the beloved goth clothing in play during the summer. I am not goth, but I often wear all-black. It’s just what I prefer, and that can be a problem in the summer. “The eternal struggle of gothic fashion in summer is very real: black clothes vs. blazing sun.” Ain’t this the truth! There was a day this summer I had to accompany my son to a school supply event. It was 98 degrees and what was I wearing? Black sweats and a black T-shirt! And I lived to tell the tale. But it’s not easy wearing our beloved all-black wardrobe during the scorching summer months. Ask my sister-in-law! When she was friends with the person who later became her wife, she wore all-black no matter what the temperature was. And in the desert, that temperature gets high! There was a day I was running late to pick her and my sister up from school and they were both out there, sweltering in the heat. They were NOT happy! But this chapter gives some good tips on how to wear black in the summer. I was especially interested in the section of the chapter titled “How to Wear Black Without Dying of Heatstroke.” Good stuff here, although I don’t like wearing dresses or skirts. At least it includes alternative choices of clothing. They are helpful choices too. As it says, “Dress like a haunted wind chime, not a sweaty coffin.”
I also loved how the author shared links on where to buy gothic paraphernalia.
The chapters on goth music and movies were good, but my favorite was the chapter on recommended books. Why, yes, I would rather read all summer. (And I have! LOL) I found many books on this list of 100 books to add to my TBR! I echo the recommendation of My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones. It’s a good book!
I also liked the part of a chapter that suggested some night-time activities when it’s not so hot. I would also suggest night fishing. I know some people who do this and I’m interested in trying it sometime!
I also recommend reading this book — but definitely before summer. Don’t make my mistake and read it during the last month of the summer, or else you’ll miss out on some great tips to beat the heat!
The thing about summer is that EVERYBODY thinks that everybody else loves summer. Not me. Nope. I love the coast and I love the beach, yes, but only to visit and explore, not to swim at or go surfing or all of the other water activities people like to participate in when it’s insanely hot outside. I am not a water activities or water sports person. I went rafting once and that was good enough for me!
But I’m just not into summer and all the summer-related activities that goes with it. I once had to make a video where I talked about what I liked best about summer, and in that video, I said, “The thing I like best about summer is when it ends.” I like autumn and winter. Those are my seasons. Even though I am a morning person, the sun is not my friend. And Lauren Cole seems to totally understand this in her book, The Goth's Guide to Summer: A Seasonal Survival Manual for Creatures of the Night.
Before I read this book, I didn’t know that the same Seasonal Affective Disorder that people get in the winter has a summer counterpart. I don’t get sad during the summer; I just prefer NOT to be out in it. At least, not until the sun has gone down. Maybe I am this way because of the burn scars I have on my face and arm; they can’t be exposed to too much sun.
I’m glad there’s a chapter on how to keep the beloved goth clothing in play during the summer. I am not goth, but I often wear all-black. It’s just what I prefer, and that can be a problem in the summer. “The eternal struggle of gothic fashion in summer is very real: black clothes vs. blazing sun.” Ain’t this the truth! There was a day this summer I had to accompany my son to a school supply event. It was 98 degrees and what was I wearing? Black sweats and a black T-shirt! And I lived to tell the tale. But it’s not easy wearing our beloved all-black wardrobe during the scorching summer months. Ask my sister-in-law! When she was friends with the person who later became her wife, she wore all-black no matter what the temperature was. And in the desert, that temperature gets high! There was a day I was running late to pick her and my sister up from school and they were both out there, sweltering in the heat. They were NOT happy! But this chapter gives some good tips on how to wear black in the summer. I was especially interested in the section of the chapter titled “How to Wear Black Without Dying of Heatstroke.” Good stuff here, although I don’t like wearing dresses or skirts. At least it includes alternative choices of clothing. They are helpful choices too. As it says, “Dress like a haunted wind chime, not a sweaty coffin.”
I also loved how the author shared links on where to buy gothic paraphernalia.
The chapters on goth music and movies were good, but my favorite was the chapter on recommended books. Why, yes, I would rather read all summer. (And I have! LOL) I found many books on this list of 100 books to add to my TBR! I echo the recommendation of My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones. It’s a good book!
I also liked the part of a chapter that suggested some night-time activities when it’s not so hot. I would also suggest night fishing. I know some people who do this and I’m interested in trying it sometime!
I also recommend reading this book — but definitely before summer. Don’t make my mistake and read it during the last month of the summer, or else you’ll miss out on some great tips to beat the heat!
November 1, 2025
Okay, I totally thought this was going to be satire but it actually was super informative! I wouldn’t say I’m a goth girl 100%, but I definitely lean into the alternative (emo, scene, spooky, etc.) and so appreciate actual gothic style.
I loved that Lauren provided links to clothing sites — half of which I already visit — and a list of movies, books, and tv shows to watch and where to watch them. I fully appreciate the timelines of when Halloween merch drops and where to find it, as well as when they go on clearance.
If you’re a spooky girlie, definitely read this!
I loved that Lauren provided links to clothing sites — half of which I already visit — and a list of movies, books, and tv shows to watch and where to watch them. I fully appreciate the timelines of when Halloween merch drops and where to find it, as well as when they go on clearance.
If you’re a spooky girlie, definitely read this!
July 20, 2025
First of let me start by saying thank you to the author who let me read this book , I believe I received it as an arc for my honest review on the book.
It’s such a good light read and very informative book that could help goths get through summer among the so called “normal” people , absolutely devoured it. Can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for other books or if there would be a part two
It’s such a good light read and very informative book that could help goths get through summer among the so called “normal” people , absolutely devoured it. Can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for other books or if there would be a part two
August 4, 2025
This darkly delightful guide gives excellent tips for surviving the heat of summer. Includes chapters on mental and physical health, wardrobe ideas, and home decor (including plants!!). I greatly enjoyed the lists of music, books, movies, and television shows! As a special treat, it ends with an amazing schedule of Halloween merchandise release dates by many major retailers. Greatly enjoyed this book and I want a paperback or hardbound copy for my personal library!!🖤🖤🖤
August 6, 2025
A delightfully dark and witty twist on the typical summer story! This book balances humor, heart, and just the right amount of snark. The goth protagonist navigating sun-soaked adventures is both relatable and hilarious. It was a fun, fast read with great character voice and unexpected depth. Perfect for those who prefer black eyeliner with their beach reads.
July 7, 2025
I enjoyed this short funny read, after a few very emotional books, this was just the read I needed!! if your needing a short entertaining book this one is for you! It will definately get you laughing!
September 10, 2025
📱 An actual guide to help the summer-avoidant survive. ☀️ Information on how to protect your mind, body and soul during a stressful time for the gray-weather loving. ☁️ Read like my best witchy friend was giving me insider tips. I loved this! 🖤
June 26, 2025
its absolutely hilarious and its a quick short read to make you laugh! read it during the summer it will make you laugh even harder!
July 2, 2025
Loved the list complied together for easy access! I looked up quite a bit of the books to add to my never ending TBR!
July 11, 2025
this book was absolutely wonderful! Will definitely be reading this again soon. it's so funny and just an all around great read :)
August 8, 2025
Really informative about everything summer. To skin, clothes, and whatever else comes along with summer.
July 11, 2025
I read this book over the 4th of July weekend and it was perfection for the occasion! much rather stay inside where the AC and where my books are and not be judge for it! haha such a funny and accurate guide!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews