Earlier this week I woke up, having slept with my window opened, and had to slip on a sweater before embarking on my morning lurch towards the coffee maker.
Later, in a virtual meeting, my boss commented on the sweater, said it made him sad because he felt like it signaled the end of summer. I laughed because, thank god.
I have been wearing my (second hand! @ the vegan police) leather jacket the last few days. The craft stores are in PEAK Halloween mode (this has an absolutely Pavlovian effect on my salivation and my wallet). I bought my first Pumpkin Spice drink of the season—and listen, I'm going to tell you right now that the whole narrative about Pumpkin Spice Lattes being "basic" is incredibly boring and frankly just another way that the patriarchy is trying to prevent women from enjoying their lives (IN MY HUMBLE OPINION). Men get to obsess about like, hot sauce and craft beer without anyone giving them a hard time about it, and both of those things are vastly inferior (men, also vastly inferior). Pumpkin spice is delicious, I will absolutely die on this hill (a hill made of nutmeg and cinnamon? When I die, bury me there, friends.)
This is all to say: Autumn is finally officially here.
And I'm excited! It's my favorite season! I frickin' love cool weather and crunchy leaves and cozy sweaters. I love candles and spooky things and trying new squash recipes (lol). I want to pick some apples, I want to bake a pie, I want to…not be sweaty and sticky and dealing with chafing thighs and a cranky disposition. (I guess that last one is probably not going to change very much but at least my crankiness will be for reasons other than heat rash and having to choose between an affordable electric bill vs using my AC to prevent myself from turning into a biohazard).
Relatedly, lately a few people have asked about what I'm planning to read for Halloween season, and/or for recommendations. I am charmed and flattered by this, and due to my pathological need for attention, I am here to oblige.
I present to you: my (tentative) ~spooky season~ TBR
Boys in the Valley, by Philip Fracassi - I added this to my TBR a while back when I saw Stephen King post about it on Twitter, followed by a bunch of other horror community folks saying it was really good as well. Described as "The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass," so I'm expecting to love it??
A House with Good Bones, by T. Kingfisher – I just got the audiobook of this one from the library, so this is kind of a serendipitous addition. Described as "A haunting Southern Gothic" that "explores the dark, twisted roots lurking just beneath the veneer of a perfect home and family." – gimme.
The September House, by Carissa Orlando – Just came out in September but I've been eyeing it for a minute. Apparently it's a haunted house book with a twist—need I say more?
Apparitions, by Adam Pottle - A new release by Dark Hart Books, Sadie Hartmann's (aka Mother Horror) new horror imprint. Sadie was kind enough to send me a Review Copy when I asked for one, and I'm excited to read this! The main character is Deaf, and so is the author. I cannot think of another horror book (or honestly a book of any genre) about a Deaf character. I'm super interested to see where the story goes.
Patricia Wants to Cuddle, by Samantha Allen – this is the pick for my horror book club, but it looks great. The internet describes it as a "fun quirky horror comedy" and it is apparently very queer, so all things right up my ally. Obviously my review of this one will be withheld until after my book club meets (I don't expect this to be a problem considering my tendency to forget about this newsletter for months at a time, ha ha ha).
It is perhaps ambitious of me to plan to finish this many books in October, buuuut…I’m gonna try, dang it. Disclaimer: I am extremely indecisive and also a slave to my library holds, and as such this list is subject to change, but this is what it’s looking like currently. I’m aiming to post reviews of these toward the end of October, and until then I cannot officially vouch for 'em. Until then, these are the books I have deemed worthy of my personal spooky agenda, for whatever that might be worth to those of you who value my taste in books.
As far as books I have already read and can recommend go, I'm rounding up a list of recs for y'all and will aim to share that very soon! (Please do not hesitate to harass me about this if I do not make good on this promise in the forthcoming days, I sometimes require accountability partners lol).
In other news…
Other content I've been consuming/recommend:
Idk what has gotten into me but I literally cannot stop listening to My Chemical Romance's 2004 album, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Listen, I know I an old and dusty crone who is nostalgic for a bygone era, but this album still absolutely slaps and you cannot convince me otherwise.
Have also been listening to a lot of Warpaint (after seeing them open for Death Cab/The Postal Service!)
I stumbled across a podcast that I cannot stop listening to: “Believable: The Coco Berthmann Story.” Basically this woman is a fraud and a con artist and I am addicted for unknowable reasons.
Binge-watched the new episodes of “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal” on Netflix (I am a little burned out on true crime these days, but this was a wild case!)
Also am presently binge-watching the new season of “Sex Education,” also on Netflix, mostly because Gillian Anderson could do literally anything and I’d watch it.
Miscellaneous happy things from recently:
The one guy at the bar who was on mushrooms and told me very enthusiastically that I look like Lisa Loeb (despite the facct that this comparison was literally just due to my glasses/bangs, it was still the most flattered I have been in a long time, dudes). Flea markets and thrift stores. Finding not one but two leather jackets at the aforementioned markets/thrift stores that fit like a glove and were extremely cheap. Vegan mac and cheese. Crochet projects. Friends in love :'). City chickens. Brunch dates at Ro’s Diner. Going to the Death Cab/Postal Service show. Candles that smell like coffee, or campfire, or coffee at a campfire. Volunteering. Halloween decor popping up in stores. Browsing the pet costume section on Chewy.com, holy shit. The anarchist book festival. Gel manicures. Audiobooks. Fresh flowers. Penny deciding that it is cuddling season once again. Journaling. Finding the motivation to write this dang thing.
xo,
Amy