My TBR Pile is Ready for Spooky Season: What's on My TBR Pile Part 3

Hello, Book Nerds! Welcome back to Reading Has Ruined My Life or welcome if you are new. As always, my name is Hannah and I am your captain on this journey into my bookcases.

Hey, how's it going?

It is that time of year. It is super fucking hot out and I’m sick of it. I’m anxiously awaiting chilly autumn nights where I can curl up in my bed under a fluffy blanket with a cup of hot apple cider. I want to watch Spooky Season movies. I want to traverse through a pumpkin patch while gorgeous red and orange leaves fall to the ground around me. Alas it is not that time. The scorching heat has gotten to me and my dogs. All I want to do is lay in front of a fan and cry. I have no motivation. No want to read. No want to do anything!

This is all I want! Is that too much to ask?!

So let’s dive into my TBR Pile. The stack is growing. It has taken up the entirety of a shelf on my desk. It’s big and unruly. Technically it’s two stacks at this point. It taunts me day in and day out because I never make progress on decreasing its size. I’m only good at increasing the pile. I’m in my Villain Era. I’m buying books and not caring how large the stack gets. Time for me to share with you what I plan on reading sometime soon. Let’s crack into it!

5. I must kick off this list with some glorious gothic literature. Meet The Girl From Rawblood by Catriona Ward. Everyone knows I love gothic literature more than life itself. The Girl From Rawblood boasts all the hallmarks of the genre. Curses, gloomy stately manors, a heroine hellbent on saving herself and solving the mystery behind her family’s curse, death, and did I mention that glorious, haunting setting. I can’t wait to sink my claws into this one but I’m waiting for Spooky Season so I can enjoy it on a dark, gloomy night with that aforementioned cup of hot apple cider.

4. Next up is The Secret in the Wall by Ann Parker. You know I love a good mystery. This one has it all when it comes to my favorite type of mysteries. We’ve got a murder mystery, a strong female lead, a historical setting, skeletons in the wall; it’s got it all. The Secret in the Wall promises twists and turns and I look forward to digging into it.

3. Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned how I think forest and camp settings are perfect for the horror genre? Well that’s where our next read is set. Meet The Troop by Nick Cutter. A scout leader takes his troop to the woods. There they meet a strange person who turns out to be the carrier of a bioengineered weapon. Who knows if anyone will be able to survive this sweet, little camping trip. The vibes sound immaculate if you ask me. Also, the horror genre is why you’ll never catch me camping or going out into the wilderness.

2. FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven comes in at number two. My bestie’s mom recommended this read to me one or two years ago at this point, and I plan on getting to it this year! I think it’s another read I’m waiting to enjoy during Spooky Season. This list is lowkey turning into “BOOOooooks I Plan To Read During Spooky Season.” Damn, that’s a good post title. Anyway, back to FantasticLand. Described as Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale, FantasticLand is told through first-person interviews and fact-finding investigations. The plot is piecing together what occurred during the five weeks employees of the titular amusement park were cut off from the rest of humanity due to a hurricane and how groups of teenagers pretty much committed war crimes against each other. Sounds like a fun time.

1. Finally, at number one, we have Blood Countess by Lana Popvic. I forgot I had this one. I genuinely forgot I bought this book. It was a very pleasant surprise when I saw it on my TBR pile. Blood Countess is about no other than Elizabeth Bathory. This story actually follows Bathory’s maid Anna as she’s thrust into Bathory’s high class and bloody world. Who knows if she’ll make it out alive. Elizabeth Bathory is such an interesting topic to me. Mainly because she lived so long ago and who knows the actual story of her life and crimes. So yeah, I kinda gobble up books, even fictional ones, when it comes to this woman.

Thus endeth our list. Thank you for joining me today. I hope you’ve found some good reads. I’ve given you many reads to enjoy during Spooky Season. This list really put me in the Halloween spirit. I think I’m going to go watch Halloweentown or The Corpse Bride now. We’re almost at Spooky Season, it’s about six weeks out at this point. “Not that I’m counting down or anything,” I say as I’m already buying Halloween décor and checking to see if my local Spirit Halloween has opened.

I demand Spooky Season vibes from now until the end of time.

With that, I shall bid you adieu. I shall see you next week with a new review. Make sure to tune in cause there’s gonna be a new Books&Lewks! I’m so excited for this look so make sure to tune in next week

Until then, stay safe, wash your hands, and read some good books for me.

See y'all then, bye!