october tbr – scaring myself silly

Hello everyone!

October is almost upon us, which means one important thing – it’s almost Halloween. I’m not one for dressing up, but I do love some good scary movies and books, so I’m planning to read quite a few thrillers in October to hopefully get a good scare.

Considering how bad I am at sticking to to-read lists, this one is a bit short, especially because I have some rereads planned for October too.

★ True Crime Story ★

Author: Joseph Nox
Genre: Thriller
Release date: 6 June 2021

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Brief synopsis: In December 2011, Zoe Nolan, a 19-year-old Manchester University student, walked out of a party and was never seen again. Seven years after her disappearance, struggling writer Evelyn Mitchell finds herself drawn into the mystery. Through interviews with Zoe’s closest friends and family, she begins piecing together what really happened in 2011, but when things don’t add up, she begins to wonder if there’s something, or someone, much larger at hand.

My lovely friend Quinn recommended this because she read and loved it (from what I recall, she said it kept her up at night) and of course I have to check it out.

From what I’m aware, the novel also is told in interview excerpts and emails, and I always love mixed media books! I also bought the audiobook for this so I’m ready for some scary ambience.

★ Down Comes The Night ★

Author: Allison Saft
Genre: Gothic Fantasy, Thriller
Release date: March 2nd 2021

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Brief synopsis: When Wren reckless use of magic has her dismissed from the Queen’s Guard and separated from the girl she loves, she seizes her next chance to redeem herself – by accepting the invitation to Colwick Hall where she has been asked to help cure a lord’s servant from a mysterious illness.

Unfortunately for Wren, the servant is really Hal Cavendish, her kingdom’s sworn enemy. Hal also came to Colwick Hall for redemption, but the secrets in the estate may lead to both of their deaths. But, when they both realise that there are sinister forces at work, Wren and Hal realize they’ll have to join together if they have any hope of saving their kingdoms.

This book has been on my tbr since…. well, since even before it’s official release, because my friends received advanced copies for this and absolutely adored it.

I dnf’ed this a few months ago because I just wasn’t in the mood for a fantasy, but now I really want to give it a go again. Reading the summary again, I can’t believe I put a book like that on pause? It sounds right up my alley – gothic and magic and reluctant allies to lovers!

★ The Taking Of Jake Livingston ★ 

Author: Ryan Douglass
Genre: Thriller, Dark Academia, LGBT+
Release date: July 13 2021

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Brief synopsis: Jake Livingston is one of the only Black kids at St. Clair Prep. It’s hard enough fitting in but to make matters more complicated, Jake can see the dead. Most are harmless – until he meets Sawyer, a troubled teen who shot and killed six kids at a local high school last year before taking his own life. Now a powerful, vengeful ghost, he has plans for his afterlife–plans that include Jake. Suddenly, everything Jake knows about ghosts and the rules to life itself go out the window as Sawyer begins haunting him and bodies turn up in his neighborhood. High school soon becomes a survival game–one Jake is not sure he’s going to win. 

I preordered this and read the first chapter and then just never continued for some reason? It sounds so interesting, and that cover is just SO gorgeous, that I have to read it.

Not to mention, I literally had a dream about this book despite only having read a few pages, and if that’s not a sign I should pick up the book again then I don’t know what is.

★ A Lesson in Vengeance ★ 

Author: Victoria Lee
Genre: Mystery, Dark Academia, LGBT+
Release date: August 3 2021

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Brief synopsis: Felicity Morrow is back at Dalloway School, a year after the tragic death of her girlfriend. She’s moved back into Godwin House, the dormitory rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of five Dalloway students—girls rumoured to be witches, who all died mysterious. While other students secretly convene, Felicity is determined to keep her head down and graduate – but it’s hard when new girl Ellis Haley asks Felicity for help researching the Dalloway Five. And when history begins to repeat itself, Felicity will have to face the darkness in Dalloway–and in herself.

This was one of my anticipated releases of 2021, and I still have not gotten around to reading it yet.

It has so many elements that I adore in books – mystery, dark academia, possible magic, and it’s sapphic !!! so I have super high hopes for it and I really hope it doesn’t disappoint. I’ve had a couple of people recommend this to me as well, so I have a feeling I will enjoy it.

★ Out ★ 

Author: Natsuo Kirino
Genre: Horror, Crime thriller
Release date: July 1997

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Brief synopsis: In the Tokyo suburbs, four women work the graveyard shift, and secretly dream of a way out of their dead-end lives. A young mother among them finally cracks and strangles her deadbeat husband then confesses her crime to her colleague Masako. Masako and their other co-workers work to dismember and dispose of the body. The body parts are discovered, the police start asking questions, but the women have far more dangerous enemies -a yakuza connected loan shark who discovers their secret and has a business proposition, and a ruthless nightclub owner the police are convinced is guilty of the murder. He has lost everything as a result of their crime and he is out for revenge.

This is another one I was recommended by a friend, and I almost immediately went out and bought it.

I don’t typically read Adult thrillers, but this one sounds so interesting, and I’ve head Natsuo Kirino is a fantastic author. Plus, I can’t remember the last time I read a translated work (this is originally in Japanese) so it’s a good time as any to start.

It’s a hefty book, with a lot of heavy trigger warnings, so I don’t expect myself to get through it this in this month alone. I am however excited to jump into it, I feel like it would be great to read late at night (though I guess I may regret it, but that is a problem for future me!).

★ Re-reads – The Raven Cycle ★ 

I’ll also be rereading some of The Raven Cycle books with my friends! We’re currently rereading The Raven Boys right now, so in October we’ll be rereading The Dream Thieves, Blue Lily Lily Blue, and The Raven King. I’ll also be reading the short stories/novellas for the first time – which includes 300 fox way holiday piece, A Minor Raven Boys Holiday Drabble, and Opal. 

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As you can see, this is somewhat of a hefty tbr for October (at least for me!), and I doubt I’ll be able to get through all of these. I do hope I’m able to get through my reread at the very least, and also to check off at least one of the thrillers I mentioned above.

And of course, if I don’t manage to finish these books in October doesn’t mean that’s going to stop me from reading thrillers all around the clock.

Thank you all for reading! What books are you planning to read in October?