Today I am ecstatic to bring you a review of The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson, publishing tomorrow, July 9, 2019, via Penguin Books! Please make sure to check out my Instagram giveaway!
My Thoughts:
The Saturday Night Ghost Club is a slim novel filled to brim with the most nostalgic, relatable story of coming-of-age. Set during the 80s, this made the story an even better match for me.
Niagara Falls is magical, slightly dark, and a bit haunted; this is where Jake Baker grows up, mostly with his uncle Calvin. His eccentric uncle is a conspiracy theorist.
Jake is turning twelve during this particular summer, and he decides to initiate himself and two friends into the “Saturday Night Ghost Club.”
I don’t want to give away any of the charm of this most memorable book. You will love Jake and his friends. You will love the story of their summer spent finding themselves. The messages are poignant, and the writing silky smooth.
It’s been compared to Stand By Me, and I completely get it. It reminds me a touch of that, but in an even more relatable way. I strongly recommend this solid, heart-rending novel for anyone who yearns for perfect storytelling.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Book:
A short, irresistible, and bittersweet coming-of-age story in the vein of “Stranger Things” and “Stand by Me” about a group of misfit kids who spend an unforgettable summer investigating local ghost stories and urban legends.
Growing up in 1980s Niagara Falls–a seedy but magical, slightly haunted place–Jake Baker spends most of his time with his uncle Calvin, a kind but eccentric enthusiast of occult artifacts and conspiracy theories. The summer Jake turns twelve, he befriends a pair of siblings new to town, and so Calvin decides to initiate them all into the “Saturday Night Ghost Club.” But as the summer goes on, what begins as a seemingly lighthearted project may ultimately uncover more than any of its members had imagined. With the alternating warmth and sadness of the best coming-of-age stories, The Saturday Night Ghost Club examines the haunting mutability of memory and storytelling, as well as the experiences that form the people we become.
Have you read The Saturday Night Ghost Club, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Jennifer ~ Tar Heel Reader 
Lovely picture and great review, Jennifer! I added this 80’s historical fiction to my tbr list. Happy Monday! 💐❤️📚😊😘💐
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Thanks so much, Virginia! I definitely think you’ll love this one! It’s such a nostalgic story! ♥️
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Wonderful review Jen! Sad that 80s fiction is called historical! I feel so old!😂💗 Have a great Monday, if there is such a thing!😵💜
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Thanks, Sus! I know! 80s stuff is also now vintage. I think even 90s stuff is! I hope you’ve had a good day, too! 💕
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I have yet to read a review by you that isn’t favorable. Perfect storytelling with relatable characters – sounds like it’ll be a best seller.
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Thanks, Jina! I only read books I’m enjoying. I put aside those I’m not clicking with, so my blog is basically all my recommendations. ♥️
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This looks like so much fun! Wonderful review, Jennifer 💜
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Thanks so much, Jonetta! You were in my spam box again! I am so sorry about that, but I caught it sooner this time! ♥️
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Lovely review, Jennifer. This sounds like such a beautiful story. Glad you liked it so much. Embarrassed to say that I have never watched Stand by Me (film) though I have heard so much about it.
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Thanks so much, Diana! It really was beautiful and nostalgic! You’ll have to see Stand by Me some time. I was a child when I first saw it. I wonder if I’d enjoy it as much as an adult? ♥️
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I loved this too, Jennifer! Such a nostalgic, feel good story but emotional and sad as well😊
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I’m so happy you enjoyed it, too, Tammy. I’m just about to head over to read your review! I agree about the emotions, but overall a feel-good story. The nostalgia gave me so many warm fuzzies.
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I’ve heard quite a bit about this lately and now I’m intrigued. It sounds like a great story. Wonderful review, Jennifer! I hope you have had a great day! ❤
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Thanks, Steph! I think you’d love this. It’s full of so much heart and 80s nostalgia. I will never forget my experience with it and I hope you get a chance to check it out. I hope you’ve had a good day too. ♥️
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You’re welcome, Jennifer! I love books like that. It sounds unforgettable. I’ll definitely add it and hope to get to it soon. Thank you-you too! ♥
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I always enjoy books with a poignant message! 🙂 Excellent review.
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Thanks so much, Chrissi! Me, too! Powerful reads are the best!
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This sounds good! 👍😍
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It’s such a great read, Carol! ♥️
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This sounds lovely. I actually thought it was a cozy mystery when I first saw the cover, lol.
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I can definitely see that, Suzanne! I think you’d love this one. It has a tiny touch of YA feel just due to the ages of the characters probably. It’s so smart and such a powerful story.
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Ah I love coming-of-age stories like this – especially when they’re set in older time periods. Also, I appreciate that this is a shorter story, but still appears to be full of heart. Adding to my list.
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