Horror fans, it’s me, Emily, your friend in all things frightful. The leaves are starting to turn, and it’s getting a little cooler outside; I’m starting to see the appeal of a cozier horror read. Especially with all the Practical Magic style witchy activities I got into over the weekend. What is cozy horror, you ask? I’ll have some examples for you down below.
Speaking of the cozy fall weather, now that autumn is here, it’s time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it’s romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes.
Bookish Goods
Go Away I’m Reading Blanket by EverythingAfterCo
Speaking of cozy, why not cozy up with a horror-themed blankie this fall and winter? This blanket features a skeleton and says “Go Away, I’m Reading,” because, sure, you want to be cozy, but that doesn’t mean you have to be nice about it. Available in three sizes starting at $40.
New Releases
The Girl Who Cried Diamonds & Other Stories by Rebecca Hirsch Garcia
Rebecca Hirsch Garcia’s debut short story collection explores the beautiful and grotesque aspects of living inside of a body, from a girl who is slowly losing her senses to another who produces valuable gems from her bodily fluids. This one is great for fans of Carmen Maria Machado, the perfect mix of fabulism and horror.
Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt
In this new queer horror novel, Frankie’s world is falling apart after her workplace was bombed by a transphobe. Now, Frankie deals with the trauma by partying, sleeping around, and hanging out with her new friend, Vanya. The two quickly fall into an intense friendship with one another, but the closer Vanya and Frankie get, the more Frankie grows suspicious that Vanya is hiding something from her. Something dark and impossibly evil.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
We all know about cozy mysteries, but is there such a thing as cozy horror? Yes. The focus is less on violence, gore, and dark imagery, and more on atmosphere and general eeriness. Even though you’re immersed in a horror story, you still get the sense that everything is okay. Or is it?
A classic example would be Shirley Jackson’s novels like We Have Always Lived in the Castle. This is the story of Katherine “Merricat” Blackwood, who lives with her sister and uncle. Six years ago, Merricat’s family were victims of a horrible tragedy that left the three remaining members of the Blackwood family living alone in their estate, isolated from the rest of the community.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Cozy horror can also go a little sweet and heartwarming. As long as it’s also a little (or a lot) witchy. This is the story of a young witch named Mika who has to keep her magic identity a secret. But then she finds the Nowhere House, where three young witches need help learning how to control their powers.
How to Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Grady Hendrix’s How to Sell A Haunted House strikes the cozy horror balance of eeriness, heartwarming family story, and humor (yes, cozy horror can be funny, too). Siblings Louise and Mark Joyner are totally different from each other and basically never speak. But when their parents die, Louise and Mark are forced back together to get their childhood home on the market. But something is strange in that house. Before their parents died, they taped newspaper over the mirrors and nailed the attic door shut. And that’s just the beginning.
Time to grab a cozy blanket and get to reading! I’ll see you next time, horror fans. In the meantime, you can follow me (and message me) on Instagram at emandhercat. Sweet dreams, horror fans!