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Carol wrote: "Are you still haven't issues?.."

Kind of..... when I just look at the widget it now says that I have read 0 books but if I click on the link to the books "not" read, the books are there. It is very strange.

And kind of demoralising too. Nothing worse that seeing that you are no where near your goal to make you feel as if you are wasting your time.

Liesl wrote: "Carol wrote: "Are you still haven't issues?.."

Kind of..... when I just look at the widget it now says that I have read 0 books but if I click on the link to the books "not" read, the books are th..."

I’m so sorry, Liesl. Definitely understand the bummer aspect.

Question of the week
What author have you loved since your teens to whatever age you are now, and you're still reading their books (from to time to time, more than never)?

*donning my flak jacket*: John Irving.

Jane Austen (me and millions of other people ;)

I haven't re-read much from my teenaged years. I tried a few authors recently, but found that whatever made me read books a dozen times back then, eludes me now as an adult. In fact, I've put off re-reading Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles for fear I'll ruin those for myself as well.

Anita wrote: "I haven't re-read much from my teenaged years. I tried a few authors recently, but found that whatever made me read books a dozen times back then, eludes me now as an adult. In fact, I've put off r..."

I don’t reread, but I also just read different authors. Robert Ludlum, Mary Higgins Clark, Colleen McCullough, Erle Stanley Gardner, James Lee Burke, Anne Rivers Siddons, Pat Conroy, Susan Isaacs. I left them behind. But I still like and read Irving, which is somewhat inexplicable.

@nadine, you’re such a grown-up 💕💕. I read and loved Emma in tenth grade or so, but didn’t feel any compelling need to pursue her other works until later. You would have been a good influence on me if we’d gone to high school together. I was such an omnivorous reader, and then college crushed all reading for enjoyment out of me. �

The authors I discovered in my teens that I still read are a mix of classic and/or children's authors: P.G. Wodehouse, Conan Doyle, Virginia Woolf, Antonia White, Antonia Forest, Raymond Chandler, James Baldwin, M. R. James, Henry James, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Alan Garner are probably the main ones.

Question of the Week

If you're a reader who likes to read horror or gothic or other Halloween-ish, seasonly-oriented novels this month, what books do you plan to read this October? Do you have favorite sources of reading ideas on point?

Carol wrote: "Question of the Week

If you're a reader who likes to read horror or gothic or other Halloween-ish, seasonly-oriented novels this month, what books do you plan to read this October? Do you have fav..."

Great question Carol, I'm trying to decide at the moment so will definitely come back to this, look forward to hearing about people's choices.

So far I'm contemplating re-reading Frankenstein, also have Edith Wharton's ghost stories to read but not sure what else I might try.

From 2008 to 2019 I used to join in blogger Carl's "Readers Imbibing Peril" challenge (R.I.P. for short), which ran during September/October and meant reading books categorized as Mystery/Suspense/Thriller/Dark Fantasy/Gothic/Horror/Supernatural.

From 2020 the event has moved on to Twitter and Instagram and since I don't use those platforms I don't participate anymore, but I still like to read seasonal books at this time of year.

I have been intrigued by Beyond Black ever since it was published (I was especially attracted to the cover, since I collect playing cards and tarot cards), but because of the dark and disturbing themes I kept chickening out. Now with Hilary Mantel's passing I finally decided it was time. I found a second-hand copy with the cover I coveted and started it yesterday.



I also have a children's book lined up, The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs.

Since there are also other books I want to get to soon I doubt I'll have time for more R.I.P.-related books* this month, but we'll see.

*ETA Such as Don't Look Now by Daphne du Maurier and Women's Weird: Strange Stories by Women, 1890-1940 edited by Melissa Edmundson.

Carol wrote: "Question of the Week

If you're a reader who likes to read horror or gothic or other Halloween-ish, seasonly-oriented novels this month, what books do you plan to read this October? Do you have fav..."

I'm not much of a horror fan. But I often go for I would call "rainy books" in autumn, which... now that I think about it actually covers a lot of gothic books 😂 (I'm thinking Wuthering Heights or Frankenstein...)
This fall however, I joined a group (Worlds Beyond the Margins) that does "scary book of the month" reads, so I'll try to join that.
In October we actually have some more scary books on top of that, we will read: Goddess of Filth, Your Body is Not Your Body and Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Arctic Horror Stories.
I also plan to read Matilda by Mary Shelley, which is a gothic novella I wanted to read for ages and now I feel it's finally the right weather for it 😂

Jassmine wrote: "But I often go for I would call "rainy books" in autumn"

I know what you mean! I love an autumnal feel in books (and films).

lethe wrote: "I have been intrigued by Beyond Black ever since it was published (I was especially attracted to the cover, since I collect playing cards and tarot cards), but because of the dark and disturbing themes I kept chickening out. "

That is a really nice cover!

Alwynne wrote: "So far I'm contemplating re-reading Frankenstein, also have Edith Wharton's ghost stories to read but not sure what else I might try."

I contemplate re-reading Frankenstein about every other day 😂

Carol wrote: "Question of the Week

If you're a reader who likes to read horror or gothic or other Halloween-ish, seasonly-oriented novels this month, what books do you plan to read this October? Do you have fav..."

I adore gothic and horror. I'm on the lookout for some recs, and have been perusing Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ 60 most popular horror reads from the past 5 years list. I've read nearly half already.

I'm hoping to read some classic horror by Joyce Carol Oates and Shirley Jackson.

Alwynne wrote: "Carol wrote: "Question of the Week

If you're a reader who likes to read horror or gothic or other Halloween-ish, seasonly-oriented novels this month, what books do you plan to read this October? D..."

Edith Wharton's Ghost stories sounds like a great idea. I might have to try them.

lethe wrote: "From 2008 to 2019 I used to join in blogger Carl's "Readers Imbibing Peril" challenge (R.I.P. for short), which ran during September/October and meant reading books categorized as Mystery/Suspense/..."

At the rate I am reading lately, it might take me until Halloween 2023 to finish Beyond Black but I like the sound of the DuMaurier collection.

Jassmine wrote: "Carol wrote: "Question of the Week

If you're a reader who likes to read horror or gothic or other Halloween-ish, seasonly-oriented novels this month, what books do you plan to read this October? D..."

The Arctic Horror stories look amazing. Thanks for the recommendation.

Carol wrote: "Question of the Week

If you're a reader who likes to read horror or gothic or other Halloween-ish, seasonly-oriented novels this month, what books do you plan to read this October? Do you have fav..."

For some reason this year I didn't include anything in my plans for an October gothic/horror read but after reading everyone's response I now have some wonderful suggestions to add to my list.

Liesl wrote: "The Arctic Horror stories look amazing. Thanks for the recommendation."

I already finished it and it was quite good! (Or at least I think so... I don't have a lot of experience with horror.)
If you are interested in some more info, I wrote a review for it.
/review/show...

I love Shirley Jackson in autumn especially. Right now I'm reading The Birds and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier.

Has anyone read or tried to read Zofloya: Or the Moor by Charlotte Dacre? I'm not naturally attracted to this genre, but have enjoyed classics and short story collections sometimes, and I probably just need to be smarter about the books I choose, and figure out common factors of the ones I've enjoyed. For example, I love all of the Japanese horror/ghost story collections I've read. Probably, more ghost-y and less horror/supernatural, where the enormous endless possibilities of demons and monsters causing terrible things to happen gives me bad dreams. I welcome any suggestions for readers leaning up against the wall at the Autumn Dance :)

Carol wrote: "Has anyone read or tried to read Zofloya: Or the Moor by Charlotte Dacre? I'm not naturally attracted to this genre, but have enjoyed classics and short story collecti..."

No but I've contemplated it, I love sensation novels though and gothic horror from that era.

Alwynne wrote: "Carol wrote: "Has anyone read or tried to read Zofloya: Or the Moor by Charlotte Dacre? I'm not naturally attracted to this genre, but have enjoyed classics and short ..."

I must say that I'm attracted to books that gave everyone the vapors back in the day : )

Carol wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Carol wrote: "Has anyone read or tried to read Zofloya: Or the Moor by Charlotte Dacre? I'm not naturally attracted to this genre, but have enjoyed cla..."

Definitely, novels like The Monk which is daft but very entertaining. It sounds scary from the description but very tame by contemporary standards.

Alwynne wrote: "Definitely, novels like The Monk which is daft but very entertaining. It sounds scary from the description but very tame by contemporary standards."

Seconding your Monk recommendation!

I'm reading an advance copy of a novel by a new author Our Hideous Progeny and it's perfect seasonal reading. It's Sarah Waters meets Sarah Perry meets Sarah Moss - but much better writing than either Perry or Moss. A spin-off from Frankenstein but really well done, narrated by Victor Frankenstein's great-niece a would-be palaeontologist, queer, feminist, well-researched literary fiction. I usually find contemporary historical novels set in the Victorian era a bit meh, but this is completely absorbing. And I'm looking forward to the heroine ditching her husband for the woman she's clearly keener on, and the misogynist villain getting his just deserts.

Alwynne wrote: "I'm reading an advance copy of a novel by a new author Our Hideous Progeny and it's perfect seasonal reading. It's Sarah Waters meets Sarah Perry meets Sarah Moss - but much better ..."

Thank you for the recommendation! I might be a little bit obsessed with Frankenstein and this sounds really good 😄

Question of the Week
Are you more drawn to debuts and authors who are new to you or to reading books written by authors you've read before? (Not re-reads, but newly published or backlist titles)

I find that while I'm no doubt swayed to add many debuts and debut authors to my TBR, and may put holds on at the library for their works, my most satisfying reading experiences are often with established writers new to me, or second or third books (to me) of writers I've experienced before. I'm very often disappointed by the lack of polish in debut works, and rarely feel a need to be in the first pack of readers to read anything.

What brings you joy or more joy?

lethe wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Definitely, novels like The Monk which is daft but very entertaining. It sounds scary from the description but very tame by contemporary standards."

Seconding your Monk recommendat..."

I'm highly motivated by a rec and second from you all! thank you.

Carol wrote: "Question of the Week
Are you more drawn to debuts and authors who are new to you or to reading books written by authors you've read before? (Not re-reads, but newly published or backlist titles)"

I think I am quite faithful reader, when I enjoy an author it makes me want to make way through their whole body of work. I love it when author makes me feel this way (it's kind of happening now to me with C.L. Polk and Alix E. Harrow).
Otherwise, whether a book is a debut isn't really important for my choice to read it, so I can't really look back at it, because I simply don't know which ones of the books I read are debuts and which aren't...

Carol wrote: "Question of the Week
Are you more drawn to debuts and authors who are new to you or to reading books written by authors you've read before? (Not re-reads, but newly published or backlist titles)..."

Of the 81 books I've read so far this year, 47 of them were new-to-me authors, 37 of those are women. I've found a few duds, a few who were good but not good enough to push an old standby off my list, and more than a few who I am so glad I finally "found". I find joy in those.

Now ask me about a "comfort" read - I go with my favorites: Jacqueline Winspear, Louise Penny, the Isabel Dalhousie series.

I don't tend to pursue debut books by authors, but I do like to keep my eye out for new publications. I definitely suffer from author stalking where if I read some thing I love, I will often read as much of the author's other work as I can until I run out or become disenchanted.

Since joining this group and participating in the Quarterly Challenges, I have been reading alot more new-to-me authors than I previously did. I usually tried out new authors when they were recommended to me by someone in a really great independent bookstore, or through reading a great review in a good publication. I have some go-to favourites that I know will always deliver a great reading experience but it has been wonderful discovering new voices as well. I do like to mix it up.

Question of the Week

What book you read in 2022 surprised you the most and why? You loved it far more than you anticipated, you were disappointed in a read you anticipated adoring, a debut author knocked your socks off, or something else.

I was totally blown away by Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa

I happened upon a copy in Goodwill and was surprised to see it was published in 2006 yet I'd never heard of it. When I googled it (standing in Goodwill), I saw it was compared to The Kite Runner, and it's a great comparison.

The way the author manages to both educate readers on the Israeli / Palestinian conflict, while also drawing out empathy for both sides/all parties involved is pretty remarkable. It was the most emotional book I've read in a very long time.

I'll bite because I'm trying to keep my mind off of the election. So much more complex question than it sounds.

Book that suprised me the most in the best possible way was Borne by Jeff VanderMeer so odd and engaging and weird and human and humane and bizarre

Books that I read this year by women that were so much better than I expected:

The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Qu� Mai so filled with rich history and fostered an emotional connection in a culture I knew little about.
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri something about this book spoke to me. Intangible but I loved it!
Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston I absolutely did not expect to be so captivated by this autobiography. It was amazing!

Monica wrote: "I'll bite because I'm trying to keep my mind off of the election. So much more complex question than it sounds.

Book that suprised me the most in the best possible way was Borne by..."

Great question Carol, will look through my lists and come back to you on it. And Monica following mid-terms here and really, really hoping that things are not as bleak as they appear for the Democrats.

Monica wrote: "I'll bite because I'm trying to keep my mind off of the election. So much more complex question than it sounds.

Book that suprised me the most in the best possible way was Borne by..."

I loved The Mountains Sing so much! I read it last year and was blown away also.

Just added the other two you listed to my ever-growing TBR :)

Alwynne wrote: "Monica wrote: "I'll bite because I'm trying to keep my mind off of the election. So much more complex question than it sounds.

Book that suprised me the most in the best possible way was [book:Bor..."

It's looking rough here in Atlanta.

Alwynne wrote: "Monica wrote: "I'll bite because I'm trying to keep my mind off of the election. So much more complex question than it sounds.

Book that suprised me the most in the best possible way was [book:Bor..."

They’re not! At least, not yet. I’m so happy about Wes Moore. So happy. Imma try to stay focused on the good news stories. Shapiro in Pa, Spanberger in Va.

Disappointment: I finally read Emma and didn't understand why many Janeites consider this Austen's best book. I found it quite boring, with mostly annoying characters.

A debut novel that knocked my socks off: Mermaid Fillet by Cape Town author Mia Arderne. A wild ride, very original.

Most pleasant surprise: by Hilary Mantel. I collect playing cards and tarot cards and coveted this Tarot de Marseille-inspired cover ever since it came out, but I held off from buying the book (and reading it from the library) because I heard that it was so gruesome and dark. When Mantel died, I finally decided to look for a second-hand copy and the very first one I found had the cover I wanted. I read it in October and yes, it was gruesome (child abuse, among other things), but also light thanks to the humour, and it was not nearly as scary as I had feared. It was my first Mantel and while I am not interested in her Cromwell trilogy, I will definitely read other titles by her.

lethe wrote: "Disappointment: I finally read Emma and didn't understand why many Janeites consider this Austen's best book. I found it quite boring, with mostly annoying characters."

No! Emma is the best! 😂 I get it though, most people seem either love it or hate it, there isn't much of a middle ground with Emma...

I think the most pleasant surprise for me this year was The Once and Future Witches, I didn't really know much about the book going into it and... it was one of the best books I read, I want to re-read it from the moment I finished it.
(If you are interested in some excessive gushing about it, you can read my review: /review/show...
Yes, I loved it so much that I now feel the need to bully everyone into reading it...)

The unpleasant surprise would be my pursuit of more Diana Wynne Jones's books. Howl’s Moving Castle is one of my most favourites books ever, so when I finally got to continue with the series I was expecting a lot. I didn't really like Castle in the Air though and I thought that House of Many Ways was fine but kind of uninteresting. I gave her another chance with Earwig and the Witch, but that book was simply... weird and not in a good way. I really like the way she writes magical houses though, so I probably give her another chance with Charmed Life.
If any of you have some experience with her books, I would love to hear them 😄

Jassmine wrote: "No! Emma is the best! 😂 I get it though, most people seem either love it or hate it, there isn't much of a middle ground with Emma..."

Haha! I didn't know Emma was a love or hate thing. Glad you enjoyed it 😄

lethe wrote: "Haha! I didn't know Emma was a love or hate thing. Glad you enjoyed it 😄"

I think it's because of Emma - the main character, some people really can't stand her, she is quite flawed, which I like, but... and the romance isn't as exciting (according to some).
I need to re-read it soon. I only read it once, but it was love at first sight 😂

A debut that blew me away: Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. Absolutely fantastic, so complex and layered yet completely readable.
Biggest disappointment: Hunting by Stars aka marrow thieves 2. Really enjoyed the first in the series and was looking forward to the second but I just can't seem to get through it....maybe I'm just not in the mood for YA right now.
An interesting surprise: Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata. Normally I really don't take to short story collections but I found this one to be fantastic. I love this author so I'm glad I gave it a chance. I was really in the mood for something dark and twisted! 😂

Hannah wrote: "A debut that blew me away: Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. Absolutely fantastic, so complex and layered yet completely readable."

Just minutes ago I read another endorsement of this book on a friend's blog :)

lethe wrote: "Hannah wrote: "A debut that blew me away: Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. Absolutely fantastic, so complex and layered yet completely readable."

Just minutes ..."

Sounds like it's meant to be!

I thought others might be interested in this article on body horror and women's health by Julia Armfield author of queer horror Our Wives Under the Sea

Alwynne wrote: "I thought others might be interested in this article on body horror and women's health by Julia Armfield author of queer horror Our Wives Under the Sea

..."

Thank you for sharing this! We just BRed Our Wives Under the Sea over at another group, so this is perfect timing 😄