I already shared one of my favorite scary reads - PET SEMATARY - another super scary read I loved is the true crime book I'LL BE GONE IN THE DARK by Michelle McNamara - I STILL check the window locks at night and won't go to the mailbox in the dark after reading this. And this is why I need your help, I haven't read many other truly scary books. I would love some recommendations that aren't supernatural:)
I just finished listening to HOW TO READ A BOOK by Monica Wood and I LOVED it so much!! Katie from Basic B's Guide (here on Substack and Instagram) told me awhile ago that she thought I'd like it and then lately several of you here in this group said you read it and thought I'd like it and you all were right! This is a book lover's book, that is it's a book about books but also about what it means to be a reader and who "deserves" access to books, reading, and literary discussion. It's also a story about forgiveness, grief, moving on, love and finding oneself whether you're in your 20's or in your 60s and beyond. The audio was excellent.
I, too, have a visceral memory form reading a popular Stephen King book. I was sitting on my couch late at night-it was windy. Things were rattling. I was sure that Pennywise the clown was on my backporch trying to get into the house. I was really scaredand just started bellowing for room mate to help me. She came running out of her bedroom-it was late, she'd been sound asleep. She was not vibing with my freak-out! I can still remember how scared I felt...I can literally still feel that massive anxiety-rapid heart rate, etc. Great book but I will not ever reread it plus I have never seen and will not see any of the adaptions. Pennywise scares the 'crap' ouutt' me!
IT was a scary book. I don’t blame you for being scared of PENNYWISE. He was very creepy. When I was reading PET SEMATARY, I had just woken up in the morning and my cat was standing in the hallway and her eyes were glowing. Totally freaked me out. Another time while I was still reading the book, I was in the living room and I heard a very strange noise coming from the front door. I couldn’t figure out what the noise was and I was freaked out. I opened the door scared to death, and it was my same cat climbing on the screen, which was something she never did! I swear she knew what I was reading and was trying to scare me.
Cat's are so intuitive I'm with you, she was trying to scare you on purpose haha. I love cats and have only ever had black cats so the cat is such a distinct memory for me from Pet Sematary
Ok I LOVE that we both have such a vivid memory of a Stephen King book scaring the crap out of us! You described your experience so well I could feel your anxiety and imagine your setting and the wind outside. Love it. I have never read IT and now I’m wondering if I should give that a try this season even though I know it’s a long one. Our experiences with King’s writing is to me why he is one of the best storytellers ever. I have such nostalgia for those days when a book or movie truly scared me
Frankenstein is a classic, it’s a little spooky but really more introspective. I don’t read a lot of spooky books but I try to read a horror classic every year - I spent a a few seasons on Dracula because I thought it dragged, and I also read Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde which was short but great! Rebecca, of course, is a favorite. This year, my goal is to read The Island of Dr Moreau and follow it up with Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
I feel like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is right up my dark alley! Dracula as well but I think it might be a bit too slow for my mood. Frankenstein isn’t one I considered but I do love the sound of spooky combined with introspective
There is a new book called Hyde that is a retelling of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It was on Currently Reading’s Indie Press List this month. The premise and the beautiful cover sold it for me lol
Since we are all mentioning PET SEMETARY I need to state that I have not read it or seen the movie. Sooooo… I’m going to take the plunge. Thanks for bringing that to us Renee and friends. I started Reading BABEL in September and I am still in a state of awe. Now I’m reading THE PLOT in preparation for THE SEQUEL and I am really enjoying Korelitz’s writing and story telling style.
Please report back on your reading of Pet Sematary!! I remember my daughter reading it while home alone at her boyfriend’s house and texting me to ask if she could come and sleep at my house because she was freaked out. I thought she was joking until she showed up at 1 AM in her pajamas.
I started THE BROKEN GIRLS by Simone St James and it is pulling me in. I hope to be a completist of hers. I have to read a rom-com at night though. I’m a scary cat.
My favorite so far is THE SUN DOWN MOTEL. I read it in 2021. It was the first of hers I read and it was the perfect mix of twisty and scary. The characters were written so well. And the motel was a character, a great scary location. So good!
Thanks for your mention about the ongoing situation in hurricane ravaged areas. I found during the pandemic I could buy online gift cards to local indies that were struggling. The cash flow helped them enormously- I plan on distributing these purchases to indies affected by this terrible storm.
I don’t read super spooky books and can pinpoint this to an episode of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone in the 1960s - I was forever changed by a 5 sec clip.
I am listening to The Indian Card: Who Gets to Be Native in American. It’s a fascinating investigation of Native American identity. Perfect for an 10/15 release 💗
Online gift cards are a great way to help! The Twilight Zone was so creepy- I feel like I need to hear more about that 5 sec clip that turned you off scary for all these years:)
I don't do really scary but unsettling-- yes! So in that vein, my top choices are REBECCA and I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS (which verges on pretty scary for me). And for fall vibes, THE SECRET HISTORY but I think that didn't work for you, Renee, which only kind of breaks my heart 😂
I just started FREEDOMLAND by Richard Price, who is a new to me author. I found it through Ann Parchett's New to You series.
I do love an unsettling story as well- I still haven't read REBECCA and dnfing THE SECRET HISTORY kind of breaks my heart too! I waited forever to read it and now since loving THE GOLDFINCH, I “may” go back to it because if I don’t do it now I’ll make myself wait until next fall since it is such a fall vibes book. Stay tuned:) I also added Richard Price to my tbr after seeing Ann recommended his books -
Renee have you read HEART SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King’s son)? Very creepy and scary and I loved it! I also that NIGHTWATCHING by Tracy Sierra that released this year was really good.
Something I would like to change in October would be balancing book club reads with books that are not in a sense assigned to me. I read 3 books a month for various book clubs and it is starting to feel like homework so I’m trying to figure out that balance if you or anyone in the chat has any suggestions.
I am currently reading MOTHER IN THE DARK that you recommended in a previous post and am not very far but am really enjoying it so far.
I loved the fact that you mentioned Annie in your post as she is one of my favorite people. I have met her several times and have attended one of her reader retreats. We were actually supposed to be there last weekend for her fall retreat and it was obviously canceled so we are going in March. She is just the kindest most lovely person and if you ever get a chance to go to her bookstore or attend a retreat you will not be disappointed. She also has a book coming out in April that you can preorder right now to help support her writing endeavor. I am grateful for you sending out the areas to support the hurricane relief effort as I was trying to figure out the best way to do it! Sassafras is a great idea. Thank you Renee for another wonderful post. I look forward to reading it every Friday! Have a great weekend everyone! 📚🍁🤗
I'm so glad you like these Friday posts Ashley, I love writing them and getting to see what everyone is reading and has to share for the week:) No I haven't read Heart Shaped Box and Joe Hill wasn't even on my creepy radar so I'll see if I can download that asap. And Nightwatching - haven't read it but I've been saving it for cold fall weather. I'm so glad you're liking Mother in the Dark. I would love to go to one of Annie's reader retreats- in fact I'd really like to plan on traveling to some book events in 2025 so I might look into that
I don't like scary so I'm no help to you, but Meredith from Currently Reading just raved about HYDE by Craig Russell. It sounded so good but I don't like scary books. This weekend I'm hoping to finish THE PAIRING by Casey McQuiston and ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear. I have a short fall physical TBR to tackle, which includes REBECCA, IRON FLAME, and THE GOD OF THE WOODS. I'm hoping to start one of those next.
I've heard of Hyde and if Meredith liked it I'm sure I would too, I'll check that out. Rebecca is one of my fall possibilities too, I haven't read it and I've always wondered what I'd think of it. Are you liking Atomic Habits? I listened to most of it and found he had some great points and advice
My favourite spooky read would have to be CACKLE by Rachel Harrison - it's not very scary but it's spooky, cosy and has a lovely Feminist undercurrent that I appreciate!
In October I do want more horror books but my partners away for a month so I might be too much of a scaredy cat and will have to wait until he's home! And I want to continue to have less getting sucked into new releases and instead sticking to what I've already got lined up.
Although I am currently reading PRIVATE RITES by Julia Armfield from the library (at least ordered new releases from there feels less pressure than buying!) which is a new horror book and it's really wonderful, I bought her other books straight away within the first 20 pages!
I'm with you on. to wanting to get swayed by new releases right now, I'm actually planning on decreasing my new release reading as the year continues on because there's so many backlist I want to get to and those have been the most successful for me in terms of 5 star reading this year. I have a copy of Private Rites on my shelf! I bought it from Blackwell's months ago, I actually forgot what it's about so I'm glad you mentioned it's horror, I'm going to go pull it off my shelf now
Yep I'm exactly the same - there are so many great books already bought and waiting for me (on my shelf and my kindle and my audible) it's time to dive right in. And since I have been doing this I've felt more calm and invested in my reading life! x
I also read PET SEMATARY, which was creepy. I read about half of THE SHINING, both by Stephen King. THE SHINING scared me so much that I couldn’t continue to read it. I have seen parts of the movie but I can’t do the book, maybe someday.
I love spooky, creepy, and creepy Gothic stories in spooky season. I am currently reading THE ONLY ONE LEFT by Riley Sager from last year that I didn’t get to. It’s a Gothic fiction book where the house is creepy and definitely a character. I am really enjoying it and trying to figure things out. I am halfway through and it’s one of my favorite books of his. He is an auto-buy author for me. After this one I only have his first one to read.
The other books I hope to get to this month are STARLING HOUSE by Alix E. Harrow and The REFORMATORY by Tananarive Due. All three of these books, ONLY ONE LEFT included, I wanted to read last year but I couldn’t get to them so I am making them a priority now. I own all of them in Hardcover so it will take me longer to read, but I hope to get to them this month. STARLING HOUSE is next after I finish my current book. I am a mood reader though so hopefully I can stick to these.
I watched The Shining movie and was so creeped out by Jack Nickolson and those creepy girls. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Sager, he’d definitely got fall vibes in all of his books
I would recommend You Like it Darker by Stephen King. All of the stories aren’t scary but the one called Rattlesnakes definitely was. It had some characters from Cujo in it
I’m currently reading “Lost Man’s Lane” by Scott Carson and it’s hinting at some spooky things to come. I’m really enjoying it so far. The writing is very reminiscent of Stephen King.
I just finished the Secret History and it was 5 stars for me. Please do give it another chance!
I really enjoyed Lost Man's Lane and that's so funny you mentioned it giving you vibes of Stephen King's writing, I thought that too. Scott Carson is actually Michael Koryta who's one of my very favorite crime writers and I saw an interview with him and he said when he writes as Scott Carson it's because he writes a bit differently with possible supernatural/otherworldly elements
I don’t think I have read that many spooky books, THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A J Flynn was a great book! I believe it was an Alfred Hitchcock movie in the sixties. The book was a page turner and I could read it again.
I just finished ALL THE UGLY AND WONDERFUL THINGS by Bryn Greenwood, it was a book club selection with my neighborhood book club. I really enjoyed the book, the characters drew me in and kept me captivated. Thanks for all the spooky recs!
My book club read All The Ugly and Wonderful Things years ago, I loved it! It's a great discussion book, and those characters have stayed with me, especially Wavy
I already shared one of my favorite scary reads - PET SEMATARY - another super scary read I loved is the true crime book I'LL BE GONE IN THE DARK by Michelle McNamara - I STILL check the window locks at night and won't go to the mailbox in the dark after reading this. And this is why I need your help, I haven't read many other truly scary books. I would love some recommendations that aren't supernatural:)
I just finished listening to HOW TO READ A BOOK by Monica Wood and I LOVED it so much!! Katie from Basic B's Guide (here on Substack and Instagram) told me awhile ago that she thought I'd like it and then lately several of you here in this group said you read it and thought I'd like it and you all were right! This is a book lover's book, that is it's a book about books but also about what it means to be a reader and who "deserves" access to books, reading, and literary discussion. It's also a story about forgiveness, grief, moving on, love and finding oneself whether you're in your 20's or in your 60s and beyond. The audio was excellent.
I, too, have a visceral memory form reading a popular Stephen King book. I was sitting on my couch late at night-it was windy. Things were rattling. I was sure that Pennywise the clown was on my backporch trying to get into the house. I was really scaredand just started bellowing for room mate to help me. She came running out of her bedroom-it was late, she'd been sound asleep. She was not vibing with my freak-out! I can still remember how scared I felt...I can literally still feel that massive anxiety-rapid heart rate, etc. Great book but I will not ever reread it plus I have never seen and will not see any of the adaptions. Pennywise scares the 'crap' ouutt' me!
Yup. I felt exactly the same about that horrific clown. 🤡
IT was a scary book. I don’t blame you for being scared of PENNYWISE. He was very creepy. When I was reading PET SEMATARY, I had just woken up in the morning and my cat was standing in the hallway and her eyes were glowing. Totally freaked me out. Another time while I was still reading the book, I was in the living room and I heard a very strange noise coming from the front door. I couldn’t figure out what the noise was and I was freaked out. I opened the door scared to death, and it was my same cat climbing on the screen, which was something she never did! I swear she knew what I was reading and was trying to scare me.
Cat's are so intuitive I'm with you, she was trying to scare you on purpose haha. I love cats and have only ever had black cats so the cat is such a distinct memory for me from Pet Sematary
Ok I LOVE that we both have such a vivid memory of a Stephen King book scaring the crap out of us! You described your experience so well I could feel your anxiety and imagine your setting and the wind outside. Love it. I have never read IT and now I’m wondering if I should give that a try this season even though I know it’s a long one. Our experiences with King’s writing is to me why he is one of the best storytellers ever. I have such nostalgia for those days when a book or movie truly scared me
Frankenstein is a classic, it’s a little spooky but really more introspective. I don’t read a lot of spooky books but I try to read a horror classic every year - I spent a a few seasons on Dracula because I thought it dragged, and I also read Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde which was short but great! Rebecca, of course, is a favorite. This year, my goal is to read The Island of Dr Moreau and follow it up with Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
I feel like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is right up my dark alley! Dracula as well but I think it might be a bit too slow for my mood. Frankenstein isn’t one I considered but I do love the sound of spooky combined with introspective
There is a new book called Hyde that is a retelling of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It was on Currently Reading’s Indie Press List this month. The premise and the beautiful cover sold it for me lol
I’m currently reading The SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME by Garcia and it is great on audio.
That was on my readar! Is that the old Hollywood one? Oooh thanks for the heads up on the audio, I love full cast audiobooks ☺️
Yes. Old Hollywood. Very well done.
Since we are all mentioning PET SEMETARY I need to state that I have not read it or seen the movie. Sooooo… I’m going to take the plunge. Thanks for bringing that to us Renee and friends. I started Reading BABEL in September and I am still in a state of awe. Now I’m reading THE PLOT in preparation for THE SEQUEL and I am really enjoying Korelitz’s writing and story telling style.
I would love to know what you think of Pet Sematary!
😬
Please report back on your reading of Pet Sematary!! I remember my daughter reading it while home alone at her boyfriend’s house and texting me to ask if she could come and sleep at my house because she was freaked out. I thought she was joking until she showed up at 1 AM in her pajamas.
I started THE BROKEN GIRLS by Simone St James and it is pulling me in. I hope to be a completist of hers. I have to read a rom-com at night though. I’m a scary cat.
This is my only read of hers and I remember it was super atmospheric
I think her writing in general is atmospheric (great word). For me she develops the place of her story with a lot of mysterious undertones.
That was the first book I read by her. I loved it and it set the tone for the rest of my October reads.
I've been craving another Simone St James - I've only read Murder Road - do you have a favourite so far and why?
My favorite so far is THE SUN DOWN MOTEL. I read it in 2021. It was the first of hers I read and it was the perfect mix of twisty and scary. The characters were written so well. And the motel was a character, a great scary location. So good!
Love it thank-you I’ll shuffle it to the top of my list of hers!
Thanks for your mention about the ongoing situation in hurricane ravaged areas. I found during the pandemic I could buy online gift cards to local indies that were struggling. The cash flow helped them enormously- I plan on distributing these purchases to indies affected by this terrible storm.
I don’t read super spooky books and can pinpoint this to an episode of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone in the 1960s - I was forever changed by a 5 sec clip.
I am listening to The Indian Card: Who Gets to Be Native in American. It’s a fascinating investigation of Native American identity. Perfect for an 10/15 release 💗
Online gift cards are a great way to help! The Twilight Zone was so creepy- I feel like I need to hear more about that 5 sec clip that turned you off scary for all these years:)
I don't do really scary but unsettling-- yes! So in that vein, my top choices are REBECCA and I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS (which verges on pretty scary for me). And for fall vibes, THE SECRET HISTORY but I think that didn't work for you, Renee, which only kind of breaks my heart 😂
I just started FREEDOMLAND by Richard Price, who is a new to me author. I found it through Ann Parchett's New to You series.
I do love an unsettling story as well- I still haven't read REBECCA and dnfing THE SECRET HISTORY kind of breaks my heart too! I waited forever to read it and now since loving THE GOLDFINCH, I “may” go back to it because if I don’t do it now I’ll make myself wait until next fall since it is such a fall vibes book. Stay tuned:) I also added Richard Price to my tbr after seeing Ann recommended his books -
I'm so glad you loved THE GOLDFINCH! That's a win at least 😉
Renee have you read HEART SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King’s son)? Very creepy and scary and I loved it! I also that NIGHTWATCHING by Tracy Sierra that released this year was really good.
Something I would like to change in October would be balancing book club reads with books that are not in a sense assigned to me. I read 3 books a month for various book clubs and it is starting to feel like homework so I’m trying to figure out that balance if you or anyone in the chat has any suggestions.
I am currently reading MOTHER IN THE DARK that you recommended in a previous post and am not very far but am really enjoying it so far.
I loved the fact that you mentioned Annie in your post as she is one of my favorite people. I have met her several times and have attended one of her reader retreats. We were actually supposed to be there last weekend for her fall retreat and it was obviously canceled so we are going in March. She is just the kindest most lovely person and if you ever get a chance to go to her bookstore or attend a retreat you will not be disappointed. She also has a book coming out in April that you can preorder right now to help support her writing endeavor. I am grateful for you sending out the areas to support the hurricane relief effort as I was trying to figure out the best way to do it! Sassafras is a great idea. Thank you Renee for another wonderful post. I look forward to reading it every Friday! Have a great weekend everyone! 📚🍁🤗
I'm so glad you like these Friday posts Ashley, I love writing them and getting to see what everyone is reading and has to share for the week:) No I haven't read Heart Shaped Box and Joe Hill wasn't even on my creepy radar so I'll see if I can download that asap. And Nightwatching - haven't read it but I've been saving it for cold fall weather. I'm so glad you're liking Mother in the Dark. I would love to go to one of Annie's reader retreats- in fact I'd really like to plan on traveling to some book events in 2025 so I might look into that
I don't like scary so I'm no help to you, but Meredith from Currently Reading just raved about HYDE by Craig Russell. It sounded so good but I don't like scary books. This weekend I'm hoping to finish THE PAIRING by Casey McQuiston and ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear. I have a short fall physical TBR to tackle, which includes REBECCA, IRON FLAME, and THE GOD OF THE WOODS. I'm hoping to start one of those next.
Oh, and I totally forgot that I have the new M.L. Rio novella called GRAVEYARD SHIFT from Libby, so I will be reading that very soon. Can't wait!
I've heard of Hyde and if Meredith liked it I'm sure I would too, I'll check that out. Rebecca is one of my fall possibilities too, I haven't read it and I've always wondered what I'd think of it. Are you liking Atomic Habits? I listened to most of it and found he had some great points and advice
My favourite spooky read would have to be CACKLE by Rachel Harrison - it's not very scary but it's spooky, cosy and has a lovely Feminist undercurrent that I appreciate!
In October I do want more horror books but my partners away for a month so I might be too much of a scaredy cat and will have to wait until he's home! And I want to continue to have less getting sucked into new releases and instead sticking to what I've already got lined up.
Although I am currently reading PRIVATE RITES by Julia Armfield from the library (at least ordered new releases from there feels less pressure than buying!) which is a new horror book and it's really wonderful, I bought her other books straight away within the first 20 pages!
I'm with you on. to wanting to get swayed by new releases right now, I'm actually planning on decreasing my new release reading as the year continues on because there's so many backlist I want to get to and those have been the most successful for me in terms of 5 star reading this year. I have a copy of Private Rites on my shelf! I bought it from Blackwell's months ago, I actually forgot what it's about so I'm glad you mentioned it's horror, I'm going to go pull it off my shelf now
Yep I'm exactly the same - there are so many great books already bought and waiting for me (on my shelf and my kindle and my audible) it's time to dive right in. And since I have been doing this I've felt more calm and invested in my reading life! x
I absolutely cannot for PRIVATE RITES! OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA is one of my favorite books of all time. I'm excited to hear your reviews of both!
Ooh one of your favorites of all time….I will absolutely need to read it now!
I'm 3/4 through about loving it - everything about it!
I also read PET SEMATARY, which was creepy. I read about half of THE SHINING, both by Stephen King. THE SHINING scared me so much that I couldn’t continue to read it. I have seen parts of the movie but I can’t do the book, maybe someday.
I love spooky, creepy, and creepy Gothic stories in spooky season. I am currently reading THE ONLY ONE LEFT by Riley Sager from last year that I didn’t get to. It’s a Gothic fiction book where the house is creepy and definitely a character. I am really enjoying it and trying to figure things out. I am halfway through and it’s one of my favorite books of his. He is an auto-buy author for me. After this one I only have his first one to read.
The other books I hope to get to this month are STARLING HOUSE by Alix E. Harrow and The REFORMATORY by Tananarive Due. All three of these books, ONLY ONE LEFT included, I wanted to read last year but I couldn’t get to them so I am making them a priority now. I own all of them in Hardcover so it will take me longer to read, but I hope to get to them this month. STARLING HOUSE is next after I finish my current book. I am a mood reader though so hopefully I can stick to these.
I watched The Shining movie and was so creeped out by Jack Nickolson and those creepy girls. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Sager, he’d definitely got fall vibes in all of his books
Spooky read... probably Head full of ghosts 🙌🏻 And now Im reading the latest one by Michael Connelly and his detective Renee 😜
thanks for the spooky rec!
Head full of ghosts is on my list too!
Such a good book!!!
Duma Key by Stephen King stands out for me. It’s been a long time since I read. I might pull it out again!
I would recommend You Like it Darker by Stephen King. All of the stories aren’t scary but the one called Rattlesnakes definitely was. It had some characters from Cujo in it
I’m currently reading “Lost Man’s Lane” by Scott Carson and it’s hinting at some spooky things to come. I’m really enjoying it so far. The writing is very reminiscent of Stephen King.
I just finished the Secret History and it was 5 stars for me. Please do give it another chance!
I really enjoyed Lost Man's Lane and that's so funny you mentioned it giving you vibes of Stephen King's writing, I thought that too. Scott Carson is actually Michael Koryta who's one of my very favorite crime writers and I saw an interview with him and he said when he writes as Scott Carson it's because he writes a bit differently with possible supernatural/otherworldly elements
That’s interesting! I’m only half way through but I am loving it.
I have a couple of Michael Koryta on my TBR from your recommendations on the podcast. I will move them up now! Great writing
I think you’ll love his other books too!
I don’t think I have read that many spooky books, THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A J Flynn was a great book! I believe it was an Alfred Hitchcock movie in the sixties. The book was a page turner and I could read it again.
I just finished ALL THE UGLY AND WONDERFUL THINGS by Bryn Greenwood, it was a book club selection with my neighborhood book club. I really enjoyed the book, the characters drew me in and kept me captivated. Thanks for all the spooky recs!
My book club read All The Ugly and Wonderful Things years ago, I loved it! It's a great discussion book, and those characters have stayed with me, especially Wavy