Freezer Burn – Joe R. Lansdale

Synopsis: Bill’s got his problems. He’s not overly bright, has no visible means of support, and lives with his dead mom whose social security checks might stop coming if anyone else finds out. What’s a good son to do in a situation like this? Stick up the firecracker stand across the street with two buddies, naturally. But only Bill makes it out of the bungled holdup alive, beaten down by exhaustion, exposure, and thousands of mosquito bites from the neck up. Rescued from certain doom by a cut-rate traveling freak show, Bill exploits his hideous new looks to evade police and blend in with his new comrades. And he probably won’t stand out too much among the dogmen, bearded women, hermaphrodites, and the mysterious frozen man whose mute, sinister aura seems to tie them all together.

Elevation – Stephen King

Synopsis: Although Scott Carey doesn’t look any different, he’s been steadily losing weight. There are a couple of other odd things, too. He weighs the same in his clothes and out of them, no matter how heavy they are. Scott doesn’t want to be poked and prodded. He mostly just wants someone else to know, and he trusts Doctor Bob Ellis.

In the small town of Castle Rock, the setting of many of King’s most iconic stories, Scott is engaged in a low grade—but escalating—battle with the lesbians next door whose dog regularly drops his business on Scott’s lawn. One of the women is friendly; the other, cold as ice. Both are trying to launch a new restaurant, but the people of Castle Rock want no part of a gay married couple, and the place is in trouble. When Scott finally understands the prejudices they face–including his own—he tries to help. Unlikely alliances, the annual foot race, and the mystery of Scott’s affliction bring out the best in people who have indulged the worst in themselves and others.