We’re heading into the last quarter of the year, and it just feels strange. I bet we all though life would be back to normal by now, right? And yet it’s not. I really struggled last quarter to find that spark of happiness I always get from my blog, but it’s been elusive, I have to admit. But for some reason, October feels like a fresh start to me. Maybe it’s the change of weather here in California, or the fact that my neighbors are already decorating for Halloween. We’re also in the final slide towards the end of the year, and l know the next three months are going to fly by!
Meanwhile, I have quite a few books on my TBR, and a lot of them are horror, so perfect for October/Fall/Halloween! Not everything I hope to read is listed here, since I do have some September books I didn’t get to and would love to cross off my list as well. Here’s what I hope to read and review this month:
One of my most anticipated books this month is Far From the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson. However, it comes out at the end of the month, and I may push it to November so I can feature it during Si-Fi Month.
October seems to be the Month of the Novella, I have so many to read, lol. First up is Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente, which is getting some good reviews already.
I’ve really loved K. Eason’s sci-fi series The Thorne Chronicles, and Nightwatch on the Hinterlands is the beginning of a spin-off series, set in the same world but far in the future. I can’t wait!
The next three are all Tor.com novellas, and I may just feature a novella week and read them all at once! Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw, A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow, and Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn all sound amazing.
Sistersong by Lucy Holland looks very good, and I believe I’ve already seen a couple of blogger reviews and they really enjoyed it.
And for dystopian, I’m very excited to read Trashlands by Alison Stine. This is getting some awesome reviews so I’m very hopeful:-)
The Warrior Poet by Sharon Lynn Fisher is the third and final book in her Faery Rehistory series, and even though I don’t have a review copy yet, I believe I’ll be getting one soon.
Blood of the Chosen by Django Wexler is book two in the series, and I had a lot of fun with the first book. Not sure I’m ready to tackle another 500 page fantasy book, but hopefully I’ll be in the mood soon.
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant is a thriller that takes place in the Appalachian Mountains, and it sounds so good!
The Cabinet by Un-su Kim sounds a bit unusual and quirky, and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.
I remember requesting Pearl by Josh Malerman on NetGalley way back when, and it’s finally time to read it!
I have two horror-centric anthologies to tackle this month: Peel Back and See by Mike Thorn, and Body Shocks, edited by Ellen Datlow. I’m looking forward to both!
Finally, The Workshop of Filthy Creation by Richard Gadz should be perfect for Halloween since it’s got some Frankenstein vibes to it.
Great list! I’ve heard a lot of good things about Peel Back and See. Have fun!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…One-Sentence Reviews: My 3rd Quarter 2021 Reads
It does sound good, I’m looking forward to these stories:-)
Trashlands looks very intriguing – I will have to keep it on my radar 😉
I’ve heard really good things about it:-)
These Silent Woods sounds really good! Looking forward to your review. Happy reading! 🙂
Thanks Nadine!
There are so many here I’d like to try, and I love the idea of a novella week. Can’t wait to learn more about these and read your thoughts on them. I hadn’t even thought of horror reads given it’s already October… guess I’ve got some research to do. I’m leaning towards starting The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, or maybe a Stephen King novella. 🙂
The Southern Book Club was so good, at least I loved it. Whatever you end up reading, I hope you enjoy!
Looks like you have a lot of great reads coming up this month. My most anticipated October read is the new Alice Hoffman. 🙂
I wish I had time for the new Alice Hoffman, I look forward to your review!
Wow, you have a lot of excellent books to look forward to. I’m hoping to pick up Comfort Me with Apples very soon so it’s good to know the early signs look good.
Lynn 😀
There are a ton of good books this month, and it’s sad I can’t read fast enough to get to them all!
I’m reading Empire Of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff, it’s a behemoth of a book. It is very grim dark, you can feel the dreary, the scary, if that makes any sense. My reading has been terrible this year, haven’t read nowhere near what I had hoped. The world is a hot mess, us humans need to get our act together and begin to show kindness, dignity, integrity. Far too many are running around like damn fools with a touch of batshit crazy. Happy Reading!!
I couldn’t agree more, Lisa. The world is such a hot mess right now:-( I’m so excited to start Empire of the VAmpire, even if it is grimdark, I just love Jay Kristoff:-)
So, I have read quite a few of these already, and I have also really loved most of them! Trashlands was awesome- I liked her debut, but this blew it out of the water! I loved A Spindle Splintered, too! Comfort Me With Apples was weird (of course) but entertaining. I don’t think I quite understood Flowers for the Sea? But it’s very atmospheric and the writing is lovely! I am really looking forward to Far From the Light of Heaven and Nothing but Blackened Teeth, too! I hope you enjoy these!!
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…October 2021 Of Books Giveaway Hop
I want to read Trashlands very soon! I just finished A Spindle Splintered and really enjoyed it:-)
I have The Cabinet on my TBR! 🙂 As for “back to normal,” we’re currently in week 7 of lockdown 😉
Yeah, “back to normal” obviously hasn’t happened yet…
I’m hoping to read Nothing But Blackened Teeth and Peel Back and See as well!
I hope we both love them:-)
Help, save me from October! There are so many books on my plate for this month as well, and there is no way I’ll get to them all, but I hope I’ll get to most 🙂
I know! October is out of control this year:-/
So many interesting looking books, can’t waitto see what you think of them!
Hopefully I’ll be able to read them all:-)
I’ve never read any Tade Thompson, but I’m really interested in this one!