Horror fans, it’s me, Emily, your friend in all things frightful. Are you getting all geared up for Halloween? What’s your costume vibe this year? Scary? Cute? Sexy? All of the above? Are you dressing up your pets? If so, please send me any and all pet pics. And while we’re waiting for those pet pics to come in, let me tell you about all the horror things.
Real quick: here’s a reminder to check out our personalized TBR service, where you can get book recommendations tailored to you.
Bookish Goods
Dracula Pet Costume by AieMing
Speaking of pet costumes! My husband is firmly against putting cats in costumes, but hey! If your cat is into it, why not? And this Dracula cape works for little dogs as well. Yeah, it might be too late to order this one for this Halloween, but there’s always next year. And just like…any random day you feel like having Dracula as a pet. $31.
New Releases
Christmas and Other Horrors, edited by Ellen Datlow
So today, I went into Starbucks, and they were already playing Christmas music. I was so upset! Let us have Halloween first, right? Well…I hate to say it, but October means it’s time for Christmas book releases as well. That’s just the way it is, friends. Thankfully, we have Christmas horror to look forward to! This anthology is a collection of horror set during the winter solstice. It includes new works from some of the horror greats, including Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu, and Josh Malerman. It hits shelves tomorrow!
All These Sunken Souls, edited by Circe Moskowitz
Horror anthologies! They’re so good! They’re so exciting! And here’s another new one you won’t want to miss. All These Sunken Souls highlights Black voices in horror fiction, including some best-selling faves and some brand-new writers. Contributors include Kalynn Bayron, Ashia Monet, Liselle Sambury, Ryan Douglass, and more!
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates
So now that I have cats on the brain, I feel like I should tell you one of my horror pet peeves. I love animals. And I love horror novels. But I hate that feeling I get when a pet gets introduced in a horror story and I have to spend the whole book wondering if the cat (or dog) is going to be okay. You all know the feeling. So as a favor to you (and myself), here are a couple of horror books that prominently feature kitties who do not die. Honestly, the best character in Darcy Coates’ The Haunting of Ashburn House is Wolfgang the cat. Read this book, and you’ll know for sure Coates is a cat person. And if you weren’t sure, just check out this Twitter thread.
The Walking Cat by Tomo Kitaoka
Have you ever wondered if cats would be able to survive during a zombie apocalypse? Of course you haven’t, because of course they would. In Tomo Kitaoka’s The Walking Cat, we get to see the zombie apocalypse through the eyes of a cat. Yes, the cat is the main character.
And there you have it! Cat-friendly horror and cat costumes. What more could you want? Dog lovers, maybe next time I can find some more books for you. But! In the meantime, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!