Hello, my fright-loving friends! It’s me, Emily, here to guide you through the world of horrors on this day, October 2, 2023, the second official day of Spooky Season. It’s also officially my birthday month! Because as we all know, October birthdays last all month long. October babies, you know how it is.
In honor of all my fellow Spooky Season babies out there, I got a few birthday-themed treats thrown in for you today.
But before we get into it… Autumn is here, which means it’s time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it’s romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes.
Bookish Goods
Pennywise Birthday Card by CastleMcQuade
So…idk if I mentioned this yet but like…my birthday is coming up. So if you want to send me a card, this would be a great one for me. Or really for any horror fan in your life who has a birthday this month.
I’ll never forget Stephen King’s IT was one of my first adult novels. I read it when I was ten years old, and I felt so cool and grown up. So, this book will always hold a special place in my heart. I also love that this is based on the 1990 adaptation because little kid Emily also loved this movie and Tim Curry (and she had a huge crush on Jonathan Brandis, OK?)
Well. Anyway. This card is $5.50.
New Releases
Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons
Think Jumanji, but make it horror and make it inspired by Japanese yōkai. Owen, Madeline, Emerson, and Dax have survived to their senior year of high school. Their friend Ian, however, was not so lucky. The five friends started playing a game four years ago—a deadly game that they never finished after Ian’s death. Now they have one night to finish the game once and for all. If they don’t, they’ll be stuck in the world forever. But not everyone will make it through alive.
The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey
Cosmic horror fans will want to nab this one when it hits shelves this Tuesday (October 3). Set in a world filled with magic and monsters, The Dead Take the A Train follows thirtysomething Julie Crews, who has been trying to make a name for herself in the New York City magic scene. But her hunger for fame, power, and money draws the attention of a vengeful eldritch god.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
This is one of my favorite horror books of all time, and FUN FACT: it all starts with a birthday party. That’s right. Gretchen and Abby become best friends after hanging out at Abby’s E.T.-themed roller rink birthday party, and the rest is history. But their friendship is truly put to the test when Gretchen becomes possessed by a demon. Yeah, evil demons are tough, but is the power of female friendship tougher? Spoiler: why yes, yes it is.
Scary Birthday to You! by R.L. Stine
Let’s keep the nostalgia train going with this birthday-themed Give Yourself Goosebumps book. You probably get the idea, but just in case, this series is a fun choose-your-own-path story where you get to decide what happens. If you’ve ever watched a horror movie and thought to yourself, “Hmm…I would make different decisions if I were in this situation,” well, this is the horror book for you. Of course, this book is appropriate for kids, but if you were a Goosebumps kid and are looking for a book that will remind you of your childhood while also reminding you of how old you’re getting, well, then Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy horror birthday month to us, October babes! And to everyone else, have a wonderful Spooky Szn! I can’t wait to spend this October with all of you every Monday. In the meantime, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!