Happy Monday, horror fans! I’m so excited for this week’s new releases because two of my most anticipated books of the year are hitting shelves. I can’t wait to tell you about them. But before that, I must tell you…I got attacked by not one. Not two. But THREE crows last weekend. I know you all say it’s not personal, but it’s starting to feel personal. Will update you next week if I encounter any more crows. But for now…horror things.
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Bookish Goods
Felt Ghost Reading Grady Hendrix’s How to Sell a Haunted House by NeedleGhosts
I love these little felt ghosts so much. NeedleGhosts makes tiny little books for the ghosts to hold and read, so you can pick your favorites. My choice would be Grady Hendrix’s How to Sell a Haunted House or Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. There are plenty of other scary books to choose from, though. Or, you could get a bunch and have a full ghost book club. These are $33. Adorbs.
New Releases
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
Best book of the year so far, friends. Hands down. I’m so excited that this one is finally out so you can all get it in your hands and start talking to me about it. This book follows a group of young filmmakers setting out to film an indie, experimental horror movie. But after many troubles on set, it’s a horror movie that will never see the light of day. In the present timeline, buzz about the never-released film is building, and some scenes have been released on YouTube. Demand for the film is high, so it’s no surprise that a major budget reboot is in the works. But some movies are just cursed, no matter how many times you try to film them or how much money you put into them.
One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon
This is another top read of the year for me, and I am so excited to see Nicola Yoon excel in adult fiction as well as young adult fiction. Not that I’m surprised. Jasmyn and King Williams move their family to Liberty, California in the hopes of becoming part of a supportive, thriving Black community. But Liberty is not the Black utopia Jasmyn dreamed it would be. Something strange is going on in this place, and the truth might destroy everything Jasmyn and King have built for their family.
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Riot Recommendations
We Don’t Swim Here by Vincent Tirado
It’s still pride month, so I will be featuring queer horror books all month. Here are two more I love! Bronwyn is stuck in rural Hillwoods for a whole year while her grandmother is in hospice. And, as much as she knows she should get in some final moments of quality time with her grandmother, Bronwyn is freaking miserable. If only she could go for a swim in the lake or the pool to distract herself from how depressing her life is at the moment, but everyone keeps warning her not to go swimming. What is really going on in Hillwoods, and what will happen when Bronwyn digs up secrets that would be better left hidden?
Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen
How fortunate for me that I found this book right when I moved up to the PNW! It’s got all the woodsy, big foot-y, lesbiany vibes a girl could ask for. In Patricia Wants to Cuddle, the final four contestants of a reality TV dating show are taken to a mysterious island in the Pacific Northwest. They anticipated competing for love. But they were not prepared for Patricia, a temperamental local who lives alone in the woods and is desperate to make a connection of her own.
What a week, right? I’ll be back next week with more horror things for you, and yes, I’ll let you know about the crows, as promised. Until then, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!