Author: Emily Martin

Early Reactions to IT ENDS WITH US Movie and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 19, 2024

Sponsored by

Dearest Gentle Reader,

I finished Bridgerton last night. Should this author start writing like Lady Whistledown? What did you think about this recent season? I won’t give away my thoughts in case anyone is avoiding spoilers. But feel free to shoot me a message and let me know. Meanwhile, let’s talk about the news around the Book Ton.

Book Deals and Reveals

Check out the cover of Brewed with Love by Shelley Page. It was designed by Casey Moses with artwork by Betsy Cola. It’s out on January 14, 2025!

And here’s the cover of At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce. It’s out from Del Ray Books on January 28, 2025.

Here’s an excerpt of the upcoming novel The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore. It’s out on July 2 from Avon Books.

There was a surprise screening of It Ends With Us at Book Bonanza in Grapevine, Texas this past Saturday. Early reactions praise the film for being a “emotional, faithful adaptation of the hit novel.” It Ends With Us is in theaters everywhere on August 9.

Goldie Hawn is writing a series of middle grade novels with bestselling author Lin Oliver. The first book in the Kindness Club series will be out in 2026.

Denver, Colorado’s independent bookstore Tattered Cover was recently purchased by Barnes & Noble for $1.83 million. The sale will be finalized by July 31.

Here are the spiciest books on BookTok in 2024, according to readers.

Book Riot Recommends

Hi, welcome to everyone’s favorite segment of Book Radar called Book Riot Recommends. This is where I’ll talk to you about all the books I’m reading, the books I’m loving, and the books I can’t wait to read and love in the near future. I think you’re going to love them too!

Can’t Wait for This One!

The Queen by Nick Cutter (Gallery Books, October 29)

I’m behind the times, but I just recently read Nick Cutter’s The Troop, and I was mesmerized. I know the rest of the book world has been on the Nick Cutter train for some time, but hello, welcome me on. I am finally aboard. And just in time too, because we’re getting a new Nick Cutter novel later this year. I can’t wait for this one, and considering how much horror fans love this author’s work, I know I’m not at all alone.

When Margaret Carpenter wakes up to find a brand new iPhone on her doorstep, she is surprised. But she’s even more surprised when she turns the phone on and sees a text from her friend Charity Atwater. After all, Charity has been dead for over a month. At least, that’s what most people assume.

There have been so many assumptions about Charity, and now she’s finally ready to tell her story and set the record straight. Here’s the thing. Charity’s secrets run deep. Unbeknownst to even her, Charity is secretly Subject Six, an integral part of the Project Athena gene manipulation experiment. But when Charity’s gene sequencing actualizes at a high school party, everything goes terribly, terribly wrong.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“When people thought of mothers, they smelled cookies baking and chocolate melting. But actual mothers got shit for giving their kids too much sugar. When people thought of mothers, they thought soft and warm and cuddly. But actual mothers went to great lengths to eradicate their soft warm cuddly bits. When people thought of mothers, they thought of mama bears and cheerleaders–fierce love and unconditional support–but actual mothers were accused of coddling and helicoptering.”

— Family Family by Laurie Frankel

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Cersei was my sweet little companion while watching Bridgerton, and now we’re moving on to House of the Dragon. What an exciting month for TV adaptations of literature. Doesn’t Cersei look excited?

Amazing. Welp. That’s all I have for you this Thursday! See you Monday for all the book things.

Emily

The Fright Stuff

More Queer Horror Recs for Pride!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 14, 2024

Sponsored by

Hi, Horror Fans! It’s Monday, which means it’s time to talk all things horror again. Surprisingly, nothing truly scary happened to me this week. No more crow attacks. But I did read some scary books. And, I have some exciting new releases and recs to share with you this week. So let’s chat about that.

Learn something new, sharpen your skills, and expand your horizons with our Better Living Through Books newsletter. Better Living Through Books is your resource for reading material that helps you live the life you want. From self-help to cookbooks to parenting to personal finance, relationships, and more, Better Living Through Books has got you covered. If it’s part of life, it can be part of your reading life. Sign up for your free subscription to Better Living Through Books today, or become an All Access member starting at $6 per month or $60 per year and get unlimited access to members-only content in 20+ newsletters, community features, and the warm fuzzies knowing you are supporting independent media.

Bookish Goods

Ghost Mug by TheScaryGood

The best companion to a good scary book is a nice cup of tea or a cup of coffee in a cute lil scary mug. I love this one. It’s pink. It’s got ghosts all over it. It says “Boo!” on the inside, so as you drink your coffee down, you’ll get a little scare. And it’s only $9 until July 1.

New Releases

Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil book cover

Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil by Ananda Lima

This first book I’ve got for you this week is a collection of horror stories that are all connected by one interesting premise. It all starts in 1999 at a Halloween party, where a writer ends up going to bed with the devil. From then on, the devil returns to her throughout her life. As the title suggests, this writer keeps creating stories for the devil, stories that are chilling and strange while also delving into the very real fears and hopes of the Brazilian American immigrant experience.

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

This one is such a creepy, mind-bendy experience that’s truly hard to describe, but let me try! Charlie and Eve have just gotten a great deal on an old house and are working on renovating it. Then, one day when Eve is at the house by herself, she hears a knock at the door. It’s a family, and the father, Thomas, claims to have lived in the house three years ago. They say they want to have a look around and will only stay for 15 minutes, tops. But as soon as they enter the house, strange things start happening. And, well, needless to say, they stay for longer than 15 minutes.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

plain bad heroines by emily a danforth cover

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

I’ve got more queer horror recommendations for you this week, and this one is one of my all-time faves! Picture it: 1902. Brookhants School for Girls. Two impressionable young students, Flo and Clara, establish their own private club called The Plain Bad Heroines Society, created in honor of the writer Mary MacLane. The club meets in secret in an apple orchard, and this is where their dead bodies are later found with Mary MacLane’s controversial memoir splayed out next to them. Now, over a century later, a controversial horror film is being made about the incident. But the terrors are not over.

She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran

I do love a good ghost story, especially when it’s gothic and queer. Jade Nguyen’s father has one goal: to restore a French colonial house in Vietnam to its former glory. But the house has goals all its own. At night, Jade wakes up feeling entirely paralyzed, and she hears the voice of a woman telling her not to eat. Neither her father nor her sister believe Jade when she tells them there’s something strange about the house. But Jade knows the house will not rest until it destroys them all.

And with that, another week of horror talk is in the books. Thanks for joining me, and I’ll see you here next week for another round of thrills and chills. Until then, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!

Book Radar

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Renewed for Season 3 and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 14, 2024

Sponsored by

Dear Book Friends,

Hello, and HAPPY MONDAY! It’s the best day of the week, as I always say. You know why? I’ve been socializing all weekend, and as an introvert, I am sleepy. I am ready to crawl back into my cave and type type type on my computer to all of you. Not to say I didn’t have fun, but I need a few quiet days, you know? Anyway, let’s talk books. Have I got some news for you.

Book Deals and Reveals

wake up and open your eyes book cover reveal

I am obsessed (OBSESSED!) with the cover of Clay McLeod Chapman’s upcoming novel Wake Up and Open Your Eyes. The cover is designed by Andie Reid. It’s out on January 7, 2025.

Ahead of the premiere of season 2, House of the Dragon was renewed for a third season. Season 2 premiered this past Sunday, June 16.

Sophie Kinsella shared a cover reveal and a special note for readers on her Instagram last week. She writes, “To all my readers and friends around the world, I am so grateful for your incredible love and support following my [cancer] diagnosis. I want to share with you the UK and US/Canada covers for my new short novel, which will be published in October. What Does It Feel Like? is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date. It tells the story of Eve, a successful novelist who is struck down by brain cancer, and who begins to put her life back together. Eve’s story is my story — and through her tough times, she laughs and cries and is upbeat, as am I. I hope you will enjoy it.”

Paddington Bear is back in the new Paddington 3 movie. Here’s the trailer for Paddington in Peru, which is out on January 17, 2025.

Here’s the cover reveal of Karmen Lee’s The Relationship Mechanic, designed by Bo Feng Lin. This one’s out on January 21, 2025 from Afterglow Books.

More queer romance in 2025! Here’s the cover of Sonora Reyes’ The Broposal. This one is designed by Charlotte Gomez, and it’s out on January 21, 2025.

Ben Barnes and Mary Louise-Park are set to star in The Institute, an upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. The series will stream on MGM+.

Jennifer Anniston has written a children’s book! Clydeo Takes a Bite Out of Life, featuring illustrations by Bruno Jacob, will be published by HarperCollins Children’s Books this fall.

Coraline director Henry Selick has his eyes on another Neil Gaiman novel. Selick hopes to adapt The Ocean at the End of the Lane as a stop-motion movie.

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema shared a first look at their upcoming The War of the Rohirrim anime movie adaptation. This story is set more than 150 years before the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Here are Audible’s 24 best audiobooks of 2024 so far, with something for every kind of listener.

The 36th annual Lambda Literary Awards in 26 different categories of LGBTQ+ books were announced. Here are the winners.

Book Riot Recommends

Prepare Your Shelves!

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman (Del Ray, June 25)

When Josh Malerman has a new novel coming out, horror fans everywhere stop and take notice. And Incidents Around the House, coming out in just a week, is going to be a good one. Do you like scary haunted house stories? Do you think kids (and their imaginary friends) can be super creepy? Do you like when horror novels give you literal nightmares? Then prepare your shelves with this one.

I will say Incidents Around the House does tap in to a lot of things I find scary. And I know “scary” can be a personal thing, but haunted houses? Isn’t that just a terrifying idea? Add a child into the mix who is talking to some sort of supernatural, evil entity…welp. I am terrified. How could you not be?

Incidents Around the House is told from the perspective of eight-year-old Bela, who loves her family very much. But then there’s “Other Mommy,” who asks Bela every day if she can go inside her heart. And the more Bela says no, the angrier Other Mommy starts to get. As strange things start happening around the house, Bela wonders if she’ll finally have to give in if she wants to protect her family.

What I’m Reading This Week

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon

Here for the Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulson and Lydia Wang

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

Family Family by Laurie Frankel

The Astrology House by Carinn Jade

Monday Memes

Are you a mood reader? Do you agree that sometimes it’s hard to even know what mood you’re in?

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

The weather has been so lovely, and all the cats have been enjoying their time in the window watching all the tennis players. Just look at how calm and pleased little Cersei is! We love to see it!

Fingers crossed the weather stays like this for many, many more weeks. I’ll check back in with you all on Thursday. Have a wonderful week!

Emily

Read This Book

Read This Book…

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 13, 2024

Sponsored by

Welcome to Read This Book, your go-to newsletter if you’re looking to expand your TBR pile. Each week, I’ll recommend a book I think is an absolute must-read. Some will be new releases, some will be old favorites, and the books will vary in genre and subject matter every time. I hope you’re ready to get reading!

I read this book over a month ago, and I’ve been chomping at the bit to finally recommend it to all of you. Now that it’s finally out this week (with its beautiful red sprayed edges and everything), I’m excited to say this is the best horror novel of 2024. So if horror is your thing, make sure you don’t miss out on this one!

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

This super creepy book takes readers through two timelines. Back in 1993, a group of young filmmakers spent four weeks making an art-house horror film that would become a cult classic. Not because everyone watched it and loved it—in fact, the movie was never released to the public. But the weird events that occurred during the filming of the movie became infamous. And years later, a few scenes from the movie were released on YouTube, only fueling the public’s obsession with the film that never was.

Now, three decades later, a major Hollywood reboot is in the works, and one person from the original film is back to help recreate the “magic” of the original. The man who once starred in the film as “The Thin Kid” has vivid memories of just how strange the filming process was. And just how dangerous. As he attempts to help the big-budget remake get underway, memories of the original filming and all of its mysteries and secrets come flooding back. What was real? What was the stuff of urban legends? And does he even remember the difference?

If you’ve read Paul Tremblay before, then you might have noticed that the author is not afraid of experimenting with form. For example, just look at The Pallbearer’s Club, which was fully annotated. In Horror Movie, we get to read about the filming of both horror movies (the original and the flashy remake). But we also get what appears to be the FULL SCRIPT of the original horror movie. Does the script read the way an actual screenplay would? Absolutely not, and that’s kind of the point. Instead, reading the script made me feel like I was actually watching the notorious horror movie that has everyone talking. And I really got it. There are images from that movie that truly terrified and disturbed me. By the time I got to the end of it, I felt like just maybe I’d actually watched the movie. And maybe it was one of the top five horror movies of all time.

This book was one of my most anticipated books of 2024, and it did not disappoint. This horror novel gave me nightmares. I don’t think I’ll be able to stop thinking about it for quite some time. As of right now, it’s my favorite book of the year, and I’m so excited it’s out now so that all of you can experience it for yourself!

Happy weekend reading, bibliophiles! Feel free to follow me on Instagram @emandhercat, and check out my other newsletters, The Fright Stuff and Book Radar!

Book Radar

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman to Return for PRACTICAL MAGIC Sequel and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 12, 2024

Sponsored by

Hi, Book Friends!

Welcome to another great Thursday Book Radar day. Last night, I hit up a Silent Reading Party, and today, I have a book club meeting, so it’s been a really book-y week for me so far. Let’s keep this party going with more book talk, shall we?

Book Deals and Reveals

Here’s the cover of Elle Gonzalez Rose’s sapphic YA dark academia thriller The Girl You Know! It’s out from Bloomsbury on February 18, 2025.

And here’s the cover of Olufunke Grace Bankole’s debut novel The Edge of Water. The cover was designed by Beth Steidle. It’s out on February 2, 2025.

A Practical Magic sequel is in the works, with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in talks to return for the project. Akiva Goldsman, one of the writers behind the original, will write the screenplay.

Five Broken Blades author Mai Corland is publishing a sequel to the bestselling romantasy novel. What can we expect from Four Ruined Realms? The author says, “Our killers continue on their quests for freedom and revenge but the lies have only just begun.” It’s out in January.

Adding to their Anne Rice Immortal Universe series, AMC has just ordered The Talamasca to series. According to Variety, “the series follows a secretive society called the Talamasca that’s responsible for tracking and containing witches, vampires, werewolves and other creatures.” Characters from The Talamasca have already been introduced in AMC’s Interview with the Vampire and Mayfair Witches.

Oprah’s 106th book club pick is Familiaris by David Wroblewski! “I’m delighted for us to dive into an epic novel from the tremendously talented bestselling author,” Oprah said. “David takes us on an extraordinary journey that brilliantly interweaves history, philosophy, adventure and mysticism to explore the meaning of love, friendship and living your life’s true purpose.”

Here are some of the other big book club picks of the month, from GMA Book Club to Reese’s Book Club.

Here are the most popular books of the year so far, according to Goodreads. What are the best books you’ve read this year so far?

Book Riot Recommends

Can’t Wait for This One!

Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll (Wednesday Books, October 1)

I have said it a million times, but it still remains true. I love a good wintery romance novel, and Some Like It Cold is one I’m really looking forward to this year. This YA novel is the perfect book to kick off your holiday season, with excellent autistic rep. I know it’s summer and the next snow might seem like ages from now. But it’ll be here before you know it, and I for one can’t wait to read books like this one.

Arthur Lancaster has dreams of becoming a filmmaker and using his hometown of Lake Pristine as his backdrop for his big vision. But his plans are disrupted when he sees Jasper again. He never thought she’d be back, but he’s never been able to get her out of his mind.

Eighteen-year-old Jasper is finally returning home for the holidays after being away for quite some time. This is meant to be Jasper’s one final goodbye, and then she’ll be gone for good. She had it all planned out, but her plans did not take into account outside factors. Like her sister’s engagement. Or the unfortunate run-in with her former school adversary, Arthur Lancaster. Jasper thought she would be done with Lake Pristine for good after this one last quick visit, but Arthur has her rethinking everything.

Words of Literary Wisdom

“You can’t stay married to someone forever just because they climb out of your attic one afternoon.”

— The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

I leave you with a very good boy who loves getting pets. I know I’ve mentioned this a million times, but I just want you to picture it. Whenever I’m writing these newsletters, you can assume Remy is sitting in my lap, being supportive and offering his two cents. So this is his newsletter, too. He hopes you enjoyed it and hopes you have a great weekend. See you soon!

Emily

Book Radar

A New HUNGER GAMES Book and Movie Are Coming and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 7, 2024

Sponsored by

Hi, Book Friends!

Today is going to be a really good week. I can feel it in my bones. I can also see it on my weather app. This week we’re getting long walks with audiobooks weather. I hope you have similar weather where you are. And I hope you get out there and enjoy it if you do. For now, let’s talk books.

Book Deals and Reveals

Suzanne Collins has a new Hunger Games book coming out in 2025! Sunrise on the Reaping, which will tell the story of the Second Quarter Quell, will also be adapted into a movie in 2026.

Here’s the cover of Marguerite Sheffer’s short story collection The Man in the Banana Trees. It’s out on November 5th from the University of Iowa Press.

Anjelica Huston is set to star in the upcoming three-part adaptation of Agatha Christie‘s classic mystery novel Towards Zero.

In other casting news, trans actor and YouTuber Abigail Thorn has confirmed that she has joined the cast of HBO’s House of the Dragon. Check out her character Sharako Lohar in season 2, which premieres later this month.

Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie, and Jessica Gunning have joined the cast of the upcoming adaptation of Enid Blyton‘s The Magic Faraway Tree. The film is adapted by Simon Farnaby and will be directed by Ben Gregor.

Ainslie Hogarth, author of Motherthing, took to Instagram to share the cover of the upcoming horror anthology Of the Flesh, featuring her story “Waffle Thomas.” Other authors in the anthology include Mariana Enriquez, Lionel Shriver, Susan Barker, and more!

Here are Barnes & Noble’s picks for the best books of 2024 so far! Yes, it’s that time of the year.

And here are the winners of the 2024 International Thriller Awards. Additionally, this year’s Thriller Master Award was presented to Tess Gerritsen and Dennis Lehane; the Thriller Legend Award was given to Audible.com; and the Silver Bullet Award was presented to Louise Penny.

Book Riot Recommends

Prepare Your Shelves!

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer (Atria, June 18)

I’m currently reading this book, and weird things just started happening from the jump. Although I’m admittedly not done with it yet, I’m enjoying it so much. I missed out on this story when it was on Reddit’s NoSleep forum. But now, it’s been expanded into a full novel. It’s also going to be adapted into a film starring Blake Lively. So the hype is real, it’s building, and you should prepare your shelves, because this one is out next week.

Eve has just moved into a new place with her partner, Charlie. Their plans are to renovate the house (and/or knock it down…time will tell). But the couple has barely moved in when Eve, at the house all by herself, hears a knock on the door. It’s a family whose patriarch claims to have lived in the house three years ago, and they’re hoping to have a look around. But as soon as the family enters the house, strange things start happening.

This book ramps up quickly and knocked me off my feet almost immediately. I’m so excited to see where it goes from here. So far, it’s sort of giving me House of Leaves vibes, but, like, if House of Leaves were a million times more straightforward. You’ll have to read it for yourself and let me know if you see the connection!

What I’m Reading This Week

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

Here for the Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulson and Lydia Wang

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

Monday Memes

Okay, it had to be done. Here are some Pride book memes for Pride Month. Enjoy!

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

My husband is still recovering from surgery, but thankfully, he has this sweet orange angel cuddling him and taking care of him. Murray, you are perfect in every way. Thanks for offering your healing presence!

And…that’s it, friends. I’ll be here again on Thursday to update you on all the new book things. And in the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful week! Farewell!

Emily

The Fright Stuff

This Year’s Best Horror Novel is Out This Week

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 7, 2024

Sponsored by

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.

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.

Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!

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!

Read This Book

Read This Book…

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 6, 2024

Sponsored by

Y’all…I don’t get it. People are really divided on this one. Sure, some people love it, but some people aren’t getting it. Me? I’m all in. This book is just 100% good. I’m straight-up obsessed. No holds barred. Let’s talk about it.

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

Come and Get It is a novel with a fascinating ensemble cast of characters. It’s told against the backdrop of the University of Arkansas in 2017. First, we meet 37-year-old Agatha Paul, a visiting professor and writer who is working on her next project, a nonfiction book about weddings and wedding traditions. But when she starts interviewing college students about weddings and their thoughts on marriage, Agatha becomes more interested in the students, the ways they live their lives, the ways they spend their money, and their thoughts about the world.

Many of the students at the university also become major players in the novel’s story. There’s Tyler, a wealthy college student who uses her “fun money” to get expensive balayage for her hair (but who also is saving up money to buy a dog). There’s Kennedy, Tyler’s roommate who transferred to the University of Arkansas in her junior year to escape a recent traumatizing experience. Kennedy, unlike Tyler, struggles to make friends at her new school and instead finds camaraderie in things; her dorm room is overstuffed with all of her Target purchases.

Then there’s Millie, a senior resident assistant who helps with Agatha’s research through access to the students in her residence hall. The more Millie spends time with Agatha, the more she becomes wrapped up in Agatha’s process and who Agatha is as a person. In fact, Millie starts fantasizing about Agatha when she’s not there and gets obsessed with the older woman.

All of the women in this story come from different backgrounds and have different expectations of each other, and that’s when things start getting a little uncomfortable. The more you read about each character’s hopes, dreams, and fears, the more you understand that these stories are not aligning in a way that’s going to work out for everyone. From the beginning, Come and Get It is setting up all of these characters for imminent disaster. You will not be able to predict where the story will go, but the journey to get there was completely riveting.

Just like with Kiley Reid’s first novel Such A Fun Age, I could not put this book down. I cringed on behalf of these characters the whole time, but I could not look away. The more mistakes everyone makes, and the more mortifying the situations became, the more invested I became in the build-up to the ultimate disaster at the end of the book. Are you dying to know what happens? I was too. Which is so odd, because it’s not like this is a plot-driven story. It’s an exploration of characters and situations, and it’s hard to say what the plot of the book really is. And yet, I really needed to know what was going to happen next at every turn.

There is so much to love about this story, and so far author Kiley Reid is 2 for 2 as far as I’m concerned. So read this book, and then go back and read Such a Fun Age. You won’t regret it.

Happy weekend reading, bibliophiles! Feel free to follow me on Instagram @EmAndHerCat, and check out my other newsletters, The Fright Stuff and Book Radar!

Book Radar

Abbi Jacobson to Adapt Isle McElroy’s PEOPLE COLLIDE and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date June 5, 2024

Sponsored by

Happy Thursday, everyone!

I know I don’t talk about my ~other job~ that often, but I am a Pure Barre teacher (any barre baddies in the house?), and phew, I taught five classes today. Ya girl is sleepy. And so ready to just chill on the couch with you and chat books. Maybe a cat will join us. Who can say? Let’s just start this newsletter and see what happens.

Book Deals and Reveals

Mare of Easttown meets The Outsider in Allison Gunn’s new novel Nowhere, and here’s the cover reveal! The book is available for preorder now. It’s out in March 2025.

Abbi Jacobson, co-creator and star of Broad City and A League of Their Own, has signed on to adapt Isle McElroy’s novel People Collide. Jacobson will serve as writer and showrunner on the project through her Tender Pictures banner.

Clay McLeod Chapman recently announced his first short story collection, Acquired Taste. The horror collection will be out from Titan Books in September 2025.

More new book announcements! Megan Abbott’s El Dorado Drive is expected to hit shelves in summer 2025.

Reese’s Book Club has partnered up with Apple Books to make the platform the book club’s “official audiobook home.” According to a press release, Apple Books will now feature a dedicated page showcasing the book club’s latest monthly picks, previous selections, and “editorial collections curated exclusively by Apple and Reese’s Book Club editors.”

We’re almost halfway through 2024, and here are the most-read books of the year so far, according to Goodreads.

Looking for new queer reads to explore this Pride Month? Here are 43 LGBTQ books coming out the first week of Pride!

Book Riot Recommends

Can’t Wait for This One!

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy (Tor Nightfire, April 22, 2025)

Nat Cassidy is an author I am very curious about. I have heard Mary is amazing, but is it weird to say that I, an avid horror fan, have been too scared to pick it up? Please message me and tell me how good this book is and tell me to get over it. Meanwhile, I read Nestlings earlier this year, and I flipping loved it. It was giving me super depressing, extra bone-chilling, unsettling Rosemary’s Baby vibes. Like, okay yeah, I was really scared. But I was ready for morrrre!

Enter When the Wolf Comes Home, the next book from Nat Cassidy. I’m fully in for another round of scaries. Here’s the deal. Jess is a struggling actress who finds a five-year-old hiding outside of her house one day. The boy, tucked away in the bushes, is clearly upset. And then Jess has a horrifying encounter with the boy’s father, which sends both Jess and the boy on the run. As the boy’s father ruthlessly pursues them, it becomes more and more clear to Jess that this man is more dangerous than anything she’s ever encountered before. Strange, gruesome things keep happening around them, and Jess fears they’re up against much more than an angry, violent man.

I can’t wait for this one to come out. Will I finally bite the bullet and dive into Mary to tide me over while I wait for this one? Only time will tell! But I am ready to hear your thoughts. And I can’t wait to read this one along with everyone else (because, duh, this book is going to be popular) next spring!

Words of Literary Wisdom

“One of the more frequent arguments that Agatha and Robin partook in, especially near the end, was what Agatha considered an unfair assertion: that Agatha didn’t like anything. And sure, there were many things that she did not enjoy. Like zoos. And musicals. And photo booths at weddings. Burlesque was another one. Any type of parade. She hated Little Free Libraries in wealthy neighborhoods. (Just use your public library? Which is also free because that’s the point?) She hated when restaurants and stores offered human food to dogs.”

— Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Well, would you look at that! We did end up getting a cat visit. Murray has been feeling a little under the weather, so keep him in your thoughts. He’s clearly a perfect angel who deserves all the happiness in the world!

And that’s where I leave you today, friends. I’m so happy that we got to spend this time together, and I look forward to checking in with you again on Monday! Peace!

Emily

Book Radar

Ta-Nehisi Coates Returns to Nonfiction and More Book Radar!

Post author By Emily Martin
Post date May 31, 2024

Sponsored by

Hello, Book Friends!

Welcome to another Monday edition of Book Radar. It feels like it was a long weekend. We’re in a whole new month now, and so much is going on in the book world. Let me tell you all about it.

Book Deals and Reveals

Ta-Nehisi Coates returns to nonfiction for his latest book, The Message. Here, Coates explores the power of storytelling and how it creates our reality. It’s out from One World on October 1.

Amazon Prime Video has ordered a series based on Andy Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes novels. Hero Fiennes Tiffin has signed on to star, and Guy Ritchie will direct.

Here’s the cover reveal of Ai Jiang’s sci-fi fantasy novella A Palace Near the Wind. It’s out from Titan Books on April 8, 2025.

Wizards of the Coast has revealed the cover art for the newest edition of Dungeons & Dragons’ Dungeon Master’s Guide. The new cover is illustrated by Tyler Jacobson. It will be out on November 12.

And here’s the cover of Dream Hunters by Nazima Pathan. It’s out on August 1!

Netflix has announced the cast for BET, a live-action high school thriller based on the manga Kakegurui. The cast includes Miku Martineau, Ayo Solanke, Eve Edwards, Clara Alexandrova, Hunter Cardinal, Anwen O’Driscoll, Aviva Mongillo, and Ryan Sutherland.

Bestselling author Lisa Scottoline has sold the rights to four new books to Grand Central. The first book in the deal, The Unraveling of Julia, will be published in July 2025.

Gary Krist, author of the bestsellers Empire of Sin and The Mirage Factory, will be publishing his latest, Trespassers at the Golden Gate: A True Account of Love, Murder, and Madness in Gilded-Age San Francisco, with Crown in March 2025.

Get ready for a new nonfiction anthology all about horror. Why I Love Horror, and You Should Too is a collection of essays all celebrating a love of horror. Contributors include horror authors Stephen Graham Jones, Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul Tremblay, Grady Hendrix, Tananarive Due, Victor LaValle, Rachel Harrison, and many more!

Book Riot Recommends

Prepare Your Shelves!

Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous by Mae Marvel (St. Martin’s Griffin, June 11)

Is June a little too early for a holiday romance? Absolutely not, especially when it’s this cute. Katie Price comes from a small town in Wisconsin, but now she’s a big-name celebrity who is well-known across the country—heck, across the world. But with the holidays coming up, Katie is heading home. It’s been a while since she’s made it back to Wisconsin, and there is someone back home she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about.

That someone would be Wil Greene. Back in high school, Wil and Katie were close, but a whole decade has passed since senior year. Wil’s life has changed significantly as well, and not in the way she thought it would. Wil hoped to have a law career by this point, but nothing is really happening with that. On top of that, her father recently died. Now, Wil is best known for her TikTok account, where she posts about her personal intimacy challenge: kissing a new person twice a week every week.

Wil and Katie’s lives have gone in very different directions, but they’ve never stopped thinking of each other. As soon as they’re reunited, all of those feelings and emotions from ten years ago come flooding right back. They’re from different worlds, but maybe undeniable chemistry is enough to make this connection last this time.

What I’m Reading This Week

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead by Jenny Hollander

Monday Memes

This is for all of you who are patiently waiting for Bridgerton season 2, part 2. You’re almost there.

And Here’s A Cat Picture!

Two cats for the price of one today! Here’s Remy and Murray, being good brothers. I 100% guarantee Murray was there first and Remy showed up to hang out and be cool. Serious little brother energy.

That’s all for Monday’s Book Radar. Have a beautiful week. See you Thursday!

Emily