Readerly Rambles: Readers Imbibing Peril Edition

It is autumn! I know this because the sunlight is a different shade of golden and the mornings and evenings are tinged with crisp air. The viscous air of summer is wavering and I'm all delight over here. I sat at my computer to write this and was distracted by a shock of red leaves at the tippy-top of a tree across from my window. So here I am, two weeks later, finishing the post in a spot where I cannot be distracted by autumn leaves. 

Autumn signals a time for creepy, atmospheric reads. I've signed up for the Readers Imbibing Peril Challenge (RIPxvi) and I am stupid excited about joining in the spooky reading and challenges. Heck, there's even a bingo card! I've completed TWO books already and joined the Discord group. 

What I read

Creepy Fungus: Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. I need to flesh out a more complete review of this phenomenal book. Sheldrake talks about the fascinating live of fungi from a scientific, philosophical, and cultural perspective. This is a definite five-star read and a book I will be giving as a gift for years to come. A more expansive review will be up in the near future. 

Witches: All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue. I LOVED this young adult book about a teenage girl in Ireland, Maeve, and her discovery of a mysterious pack of Tarot cards in her Catholic school's basement. This book is explains elements of witchcraft, magic, and tarot and contains queer representation. It is a quick and adventuresome read and I cannot wait for the sequel, The Gifts that Bind Us, to be published in 2022. 

What I'm reading

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: I've read this book a half dozen times at least and this re-read is in audiobook format. I had a long drive the through the mountains the other day and listened to Jane Eyre and it made the drive absolute autumn perfection. 

Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson: I started this book last night. Another re-read, but I've only read it once and that was fifteen years ago. This story begins with a young woman, Natalie, on the cusp of going to college and then details her first year of college, her mental illness, and her disappearance. Hangsaman is based on the case of Paula Jean Welden's disappearance. 

What's up next

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten: My hold finally came in from the public library this week! I've avoided reading too much about this novel from a fear of plot spoilers, but is has been described as The Blair Witch Project meets Midsommar. 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: This book has been on my TBR since it was published last year. I hear it has shades of Rebecca and also mushrooms are involved.

Wildwood Whispers by Willa Reece: Another title from my public library! I was pulled to this novel because it is set in Appalachia and has folk magic. HOWEVER, it has been described as "heartwarming" and I've never met a "heartwarming" novel I've enjoyed. 

Let me know what you're reading this autumn, friends! Soon I'll have some book reviews up. It is so exciting to be pumped about reading. I thought my mojo was gone for good!