If you look at the sidebar to the right, you'll see that I put a little countdown to Halloween there. That way, we can count the days until Halloween together ^^ Since it'll be my first time celebrating Halloween on this blog with you guys, I thought I would do a few special Halloween posts for you.
I don't normally do TBRs because I'm usually terrible when it comes to anything resembling required reading! However, since October is basically Halloween month, I thought it would be fun to select a few books to match the theme.
So today I'm going to show you all the books I plan to read in the month of October. Since for me Halloween is more about spooky fun, whimsy and magic than actual gore and horror, I tried to come up with a book selection that more or less reflect that. If there's anything here you'd like me to review in particular, do let me know and I'll happily review it for you ^^
The Graphic Novels
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
This graphic novel offers a collection of chilling tales spun from darkest and imagination, accompanied by equally dark and beautiful artwork. From what I saw when flipping through this, it seems to be very much on the spooky side and could easily be the scariest book in this TBR. Also, one person who’s read this novel said it was good but that you probably wouldn’t want to read it at night. Needless to say, that got me really interested in the book!
The October Faction by Steve Niles and Damien Worm
I'll just share the blurb the way it's written on Goodreads 'cause it's so well put: The October Faction details the adventures of retired monster-hunter Frederick Allan and his family... which include a thrill-killer, a witch, and a warlock. Because sometimes crazy is the glue that binds a family together. The artwork looks so cool and gritty and the story sounds exactly like the kind of thing you want to be reading in October. Can't wait to delve into this one!
The Short Story Collections
Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue
Taking her inspiration from fairy tales, the author presents 13 short stories full of fantasy and whimsy, all of which are narrated by women. This collection sounds very fairy tale-esque and promises the same magical atmosphere I like to associate with Halloween time.
Taking her inspiration from fairy tales, the author presents 13 short stories full of fantasy and whimsy, all of which are narrated by women. This collection sounds very fairy tale-esque and promises the same magical atmosphere I like to associate with Halloween time.
Nocturnes: Volume 1 by John Connolly
This collection, presented as a dark, daring, utterly haunting anthology of lost lovers and missing children, predatory demons, and vengeful ghosts, is among the books I’m most excited to read this month. I’ve read one other book by this author before, The Book of Lost Things, which ended up becoming one of my favorite books of all time and I had just been waiting for the perfect occasion to grab another of his books. Also, Nocturnes Vol. 2, a second collection of short stories similar to this one, will soon be released and I really want to pick up that one too. If things go well reading-wise, I might even give it a go in October itself.
Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman
This one was actually recommended by Olivia from Olivia's Catastrophe and since I trust her choice in books, I thought I would read it this month. Trigger Warning includes both previously published and newly written short fiction, as well as an original American Gods story and a new Doctor Who story written specifically for this volume to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the series. With its mix of horror, fairy tales, fantasy and science fiction, this collection sounds like the perfect read for October.
Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman
This one was actually recommended by Olivia from Olivia's Catastrophe and since I trust her choice in books, I thought I would read it this month. Trigger Warning includes both previously published and newly written short fiction, as well as an original American Gods story and a new Doctor Who story written specifically for this volume to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the series. With its mix of horror, fairy tales, fantasy and science fiction, this collection sounds like the perfect read for October.
The Novels
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Many of you have
probably already heard of Wicked, the famous musical about the green-skinned witch
taken straight out of the pages of The Wizard of Oz and given a voice and story
of her own. This is the book which inspired the musical and tells the story of
how a little green-skinned girl named Elphaba grew up to become the Wicked Witch of
the West. I’m really excited to be reading this one, especially since only last
month I read and fell in love with another of this author’s books, Confessions
of an Ugly Step-Sister. Also, with both the book and the musical being so famous, not to mention a movie also being in the works, I figured it was about time I read this one!
The Thirteenth Tale by Diana Setterfied
I don't know much about this book except that it's supposedly really creepy and equally good. I think they even made a BBC adaptation of it. Margaret is a
biographer. One day, she’s contacted with a request to record the life story of
a prolific but gravely ill novelist, Vida Winter. While still wondering whether
or not to accept the job, Margaret starts to read her father’s copy of one of
Miss Winter’s novel, Thirteen Tales of Change and
Desperation. Initially mesmerized by the book, she becomes confused
when she realizes the book only has twelve of the promised thirteen tales.
Intrigued by this, she agrees to write Miss Winter’s biography, hoping to uncover
along the way the mystery of the missing thirteenth tale.
The Classics
If I still have some spare reading time I will try to read at least one horror classic. I'm not sure which one I'll be actually reading but here are the few that I'm considering as my classic pick. If you've read any of them, let me know which one you think I should read first.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by R.L. Stevenson
Dr Jekyll has
discovered a chemical that gives him the ability to change into something else,
allowing him to unleash his deepest cruelties in the form of his monstrous alter-ego. Transforming himself at will, he roams the streets London as the
dreaded Mr Hyde.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Victor Frankenstein,
a scientist obsessed with the discovery and artificial creation of life, one
day accomplishes the impossible. In his laboratory, he assembles a human being
from stolen body parts and manages to give him life. Shocked at his creature’s
horrific appearance though, he turns his back on it. The once-innocent creature
then turns evil, embarking on a journey of revenge against his creator.
The Zombie Stories of H.P. Lovecraft
Lovecraft was the pioneer of the horror genre, coming up with unique monsters and stories which would later become the legends and tropes of horror. This newly published collection offers some of his zombie stories to a modern audience. Having read neither a Lovecraft nor a zombie story before, I thought it would be a nice little addition to my Halloween TBR.
So that's it for my October/Halloween TBR. What book will you be reading this Halloween? Let me know in the comments ^^
Pumpkin Pie anyone?
I'll be reading Through The Woods as well this month!! I hear it's creepy and that's right up my ally ;) Awesome TBR!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it! I'm keeping for a bit closer to Halloween. I'm curious to see what you think of it :)
DeleteI definitely want to read Through The Woods. Great selection doll xo
ReplyDeleteI might review it when I'm done. Thanks :)
DeleteDefinitely need to check these out to get into the spirit. great choices. xx Lita
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myfancynotebook.wordpress.com
These books are definitely getting me into the Halloween mood :)
DeleteI don't think I could read any of those books with the exception of one. Anything even remotely scary gives me nightmares, haha. The Thirteenth Tale however is a really good book. I'd say it is more haunting (in parts) than scary. I hope you enjoy it. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about it afterward. Hope you have a great October.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale cause it's the one I know least about. I have just started reading it and I think I'll maybe write a Goodreads review for it. Have a great October too <3
DeleteThe October Faction, yay! :D But your entire list is so good, my toes are curling!!! I need to red Trigger Warning too - I love Neil Gaiman's writing. And, mmm, pumpkin pie *smacks lips*
ReplyDeleteI totally stole the October Faction from your recommendations XD I'm looking forward to reading Trigger Warnings. I do love Neil Gaiman's writing although I haven't quite enjoyed some of his books. I hope I like this one though :)
DeleteThrough the Woods and Trigger Warnings are both on my TBR. I've heard such wonderful things about the former and the latter is always coming up with different ways to impress me. I like the look of the Lovecraft zombie stories as well. Hope you get to everything on your list!
ReplyDeleteI've made my way through a few of those already and have enjoyed everything I read so far :)
DeleteOooh this is fun! I need to put a Halloween post together too- before I blink and it's over ;) The October Faction looks fun! The cover looks like a creepy version of The Sims, I am going to have to check that one out! And I have heard good things about Trigger Warning too- maybe even from Olivia! :D I hope you enjoy these, and I love the Halloween countdown- only 21 days?! I am wholly unprepared.
ReplyDeleteShannon @ It Starts At Midnight
A creepy version of The Sims? Well now that you've mentioned it, I have to agree XD
DeleteAww <3 When someone takes my book recommendation it makes me so happy! I really do hope you will be able to enjoy Trigger Warning as much as I did. Like you, I don't really do TBR posts because I never really stick to them in the end xD But you sound like you have some great books here! I have seen Through the Woods around and am eager to know what that will be like. Oh, and I own the book The Strange Case of Dr Jerkyll... etc, as well as Frakenstein! Actually, if you want to buddy read either of those, or both, just send me an email :) It's on my blog sidebar ^.^
ReplyDeleteI think I'll enjoy Trigger Warning. It does seem to be quite loved by most people who read it. I've already read Dr Jekyll but I won't pick up Frankenstein until at least one week, so yeah, we can buddy read that :)
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