I had grandiose plans for giving you a list of fun, witchy books in time for Halloween, but I have been burned out beyond belief and wasn’t vibing with the first few books I wanted to read for the list. It was the perfect storm to get me to take a break for a minute.
Instead, I thought I’d try out something different: A discussion thread! Pop in the comments below—or respond to this email—with what you’re reading right now or what you’re excited about reading next.
I’ll go first.
I’m reading PMSL: Or How I Literally Pissed Myself Laughing and Survived the Last Taboo to Tell the Tale by Luce Brett, because ya girl cannot get enough of medical memoirs. In this, Luce tells the harrowing story of her traumatic birth and subsequent chronic leakiness. She’s pissed (ha) that it’s considered normal for women to be incontinent after a vaginal birth and brings snark and empathy to the discussion of medical bias against women.
And I picked up Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson a few nights ago to get some adventure in my brain. Stevie Bell is abroad to solve another murder. Say no more.
Just finished "A Matter of Death and Life" by Irvin Yalom and Marilyn Yalom. Marilyn passed away in 2019. Before that, they co-wrote this book -- the chapters alternate between both. A fascinating and humane portrayal of how these accomplished scholars (both of them dealt with complicated philosophical and psychological matters over the years) looked at end of life. Highly recommend this. A nice review here: https://enchantedprose.com/a-matter-of-death-and-life/
From this book, I learned that Irvin Yalom wrote several novels. Currently reading, "The Spinoza problem". A fictional historical novel (based on lots of real world events) about a Nazi officer's interest in Spinoza. The story goes back and forth between Spinoza's time and WWII.
I’m currently reading Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ in honor of spooky season. But it might be more funny than spooky?!
I’m excited about a couple of books on my TBR but unsure which direction to go in next. I might do ‘I’m Trying to Reach You’ by Barbara Browning or ‘The Ballad of the Sad Cafe’ by Carson McCullers or ‘The Cabinet’ by Un-Su Kim.
I hear you about the burnout. Been feeling the same. Hope you get some downtime soon!
Recently finished Kids in America: a Gen X Reckoning by Liz Prato. A hard look at hard experiences but an inviting read nonetheless. As Prato notes, a lot of things that get dealt with openly now weren't so much in the 80s & 90s, the formative years of Gen X. The book is memoir combined with stories of old high school classmates. The best essays in it will make you cry.
I have a stack of stuff that I started at the same time, and now working through as my interest changes.
First, I’m halfway into Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee. I started it immediately after finishing Jade War, even though I told myself I needed to space it out. I’m obsessed! Fantasy novels covering decades of time are a weakness of mine.
For spooky season, I’m rereading the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service. The omnibus volumes got reprinted, and I replaced my water damaged volume one. So good, so spooky, and it’s made me cry a couple of times. A joy to revisit.
After that, I gave Gotham Central, Queen and Country, A Gentleman’s Game, and Black Magick. I just got OBSESSED with Greg Rucka, it seems. Super pumped to get into those.
I finished reading Agatha Arch is Afraid Of Everything by Kristin Bair. It was a lighthearted fun read. Last night I started The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager and I am already impressed by her writing skills. I can’t vouch for it to be spooky yet but it is a thriller and I’m expecting it to get spooked haha.
I’m reading “The Witches of Moonshyne Manor” by Bianca Marais. It’s a perfect light Halloween read with a strong plot and strong, vulnerable, loving, multifaceted, imperfect characters. I’ve been reading A LOT of contemporary witch novels lately, and to me they all felt very YA, very written-for-Netflix.
This one is very different, has a lot more depth and subtler humor. I’ll probably read it every October!
I’m currently reading Elif Batuman’s “The Idiot” and loving it, and also recently read “Everyone Knows Your Mother Is A Witch” by Rivka Galchen which was a fabulous witchy book, based on true people and events! Both authors are incredible writers, and both narratives feature sly, clever humor.
Just finished "A Matter of Death and Life" by Irvin Yalom and Marilyn Yalom. Marilyn passed away in 2019. Before that, they co-wrote this book -- the chapters alternate between both. A fascinating and humane portrayal of how these accomplished scholars (both of them dealt with complicated philosophical and psychological matters over the years) looked at end of life. Highly recommend this. A nice review here: https://enchantedprose.com/a-matter-of-death-and-life/
From this book, I learned that Irvin Yalom wrote several novels. Currently reading, "The Spinoza problem". A fictional historical novel (based on lots of real world events) about a Nazi officer's interest in Spinoza. The story goes back and forth between Spinoza's time and WWII.
I’m currently reading Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ in honor of spooky season. But it might be more funny than spooky?!
I’m excited about a couple of books on my TBR but unsure which direction to go in next. I might do ‘I’m Trying to Reach You’ by Barbara Browning or ‘The Ballad of the Sad Cafe’ by Carson McCullers or ‘The Cabinet’ by Un-Su Kim.
I hear you about the burnout. Been feeling the same. Hope you get some downtime soon!
Recently finished Kids in America: a Gen X Reckoning by Liz Prato. A hard look at hard experiences but an inviting read nonetheless. As Prato notes, a lot of things that get dealt with openly now weren't so much in the 80s & 90s, the formative years of Gen X. The book is memoir combined with stories of old high school classmates. The best essays in it will make you cry.
I have a stack of stuff that I started at the same time, and now working through as my interest changes.
First, I’m halfway into Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee. I started it immediately after finishing Jade War, even though I told myself I needed to space it out. I’m obsessed! Fantasy novels covering decades of time are a weakness of mine.
For spooky season, I’m rereading the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service. The omnibus volumes got reprinted, and I replaced my water damaged volume one. So good, so spooky, and it’s made me cry a couple of times. A joy to revisit.
After that, I gave Gotham Central, Queen and Country, A Gentleman’s Game, and Black Magick. I just got OBSESSED with Greg Rucka, it seems. Super pumped to get into those.
I just finished Daisy Darker, an Agatha Christie inspired mystery. It is bonkers.
I finished reading Agatha Arch is Afraid Of Everything by Kristin Bair. It was a lighthearted fun read. Last night I started The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager and I am already impressed by her writing skills. I can’t vouch for it to be spooky yet but it is a thriller and I’m expecting it to get spooked haha.
I’m reading “The Witches of Moonshyne Manor” by Bianca Marais. It’s a perfect light Halloween read with a strong plot and strong, vulnerable, loving, multifaceted, imperfect characters. I’ve been reading A LOT of contemporary witch novels lately, and to me they all felt very YA, very written-for-Netflix.
This one is very different, has a lot more depth and subtler humor. I’ll probably read it every October!
I've just finished "Witches, witch-hunts and women" from Silvia Federici, but I prefer her original "The Caliban and the Witch"
Hi! I'm reading Maria, Maria: & Other Stories by Marytza K. Rubio and its the perfect creepy, unknown shit type of book for spooky season!
I’m currently reading Elif Batuman’s “The Idiot” and loving it, and also recently read “Everyone Knows Your Mother Is A Witch” by Rivka Galchen which was a fabulous witchy book, based on true people and events! Both authors are incredible writers, and both narratives feature sly, clever humor.