It’s officially fall, y’all! Are you looking for something spooky? Cozy? Fantastical? We’re covering all the bases in this list of three recs for October.
Want even more recs? Check out our What We’re Reading page, or complete a short form and we’ll email you a list of personalized recommendations.
Mark says:
“The Spear Cuts Through Water is a dreamlike, genre-defying love letter to oral storytelling, epic tales, and family history. I love a good fantasy/romance novel, but this is just so much more than that. This tale is told to the narrator by his grandmother from the Old Country, but he also watches it play out on a theater stage. With first, second, and third person narratives all woven together in a fantastical setting reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli film, we are told the story of two warriors who escort a dying goddess on her journey to escape a corrupt empire. I loved all the wuxia-vibes in this realm inspired by Filipino mythology. We also get good representation of queer characters and characters with disabilities. Overall this was such a unique reading experience that totally altered my brain chemistry!”
Lydia says,
“Think you know the library? Think again. What You Are Looking For Is In The Library is a collection of heartfelt stories about people who’ve lost their way and who find all they need in the library with the help of an eccentric librarian, even if it’s not what they came in for. Aoyama really knows how to create likable characters and seamless connections between them, drawing readers into mundane situations that become life-changing adventures. Fans of cozy books or the library will love this read. I couldn’t put it down!”
Sondra says,
“The Unmothers is my absolute favorite kind of scare: Just beyond the normal drama of everyday life there is something sinister happening, and the more we understand, the spookier it becomes. Themes such as the community rot brought about by opioid addiction and the daily, unending struggles caused by gender inequality root the story in reality; strange noises in the forest, a superstitious priest, and a rolling fog that locals drive out of their way to avoid keep it creepy. Plus, there’s a sweet little baby boy who was supposedly born of a horse, and the rather unique community helping his unwed father to raise him. If you like your supernatural mixed with social commentary, try this quick and chilling read.”