Scaredy Cat Reads Scary Stories

I remember trying to read Gallant by V.E. Schwab right around when it came out in 2022. I luckily borrowed it from the library because I was no further in than the main character arriving at the spooky house, with its odd noises and locked doors, that I got too freaked out and returned it. Considering it’s a young adult novel, I felt quite foolish. This is generally how it happens when I come across something frightening, silly or not. I immediately get anxious, I spend a lot of time opening and closing the book, and I don’t dare read at night. I figured it was a lost cause and had accepted ignoring an entire genre.

Fast forward to 2024 in the midst of my MFA and I find myself drawn to gothic paperback novels. The classic slim volumes that cost $0.75 when they were printed and had the rip out coupon in the back so the reader could order more books from the publisher. I can’t recall what exactly sparked this new obsession but I scoured the used paperback rack at my local second hand bookstore and stumbled upon A Clearing in the Fog by Daria Macomber, first published in 1971. There’s only one review on Goodreads and that’s mine, so you can tell how well it stood up to the test of time. It was fantastic! I loved the flawed characters, the spooky elements, the southern setting, and the mystery of it all.

Suddenly, all I wanted to do was read and write in the classic gothic genre, but I still had a memoir thesis to finish so the want was shelved. Later that year I started a part-time job at a bookshop and as I began learning the shelves and all the books available I kept gravitating to the horror section and adding them to my TBR. Then it happened. I had an idea for a gothic novel and with creativity sparked started furiously writing. Except I had no idea what the typical tropes or elements of the genre were. I found lists online but had no idea how to implement them thoughtfully. I knew better, successful writers read, I had to dive in.

I am still afraid but there is something more interesting and compelling to be found in reading the genre that supersedes that fear. It might be my age or my experiences but if I had to provide an answer to why the change of heart, I think it’d be what the genre offers. The atmosphere and setting, flawed protagonist, sensory details, and even the romance element (mostly a gothic specific element). These are all things I like in other genres. Good memoir generally thrives on strong setting and sensory details (among other things). I love a classic paperback romance full of flawed characters and challenges to a happy ending. Suddenly I realized a genre combining those existed as long as I could make it through the violence, paranormal, macabre, and the like. Easy.

I wish. There are still some things I’m a big no on and don’t think I’ll ever get over. The first is anything animal-related and the second is body horror. Most likely if those are key elements to the book then I’ll pass on it. For example, I thought my first book might be Our Share of the Night by Mariana Enriquez. The synopsis didn’t seem to point to either of those elements but my gut told me to double check. I did a quick search for triggers and I only needed to see a review by Ladz Writing that stated “…there is a dog and terrible things happen to the dog” to know that this wasn’t the book for me. You might disagree and I’m sure it’s a fantastic book, but for now it won’t be considered for this series.

Now that you’ve got some backstory let’s get into details of how this will work:

I don’t have a TBR list already made, instead I’m going to go off vibes and what I’m drawn to. If I force it I don’t think I’ll enjoy it quite as much.

If there is enough compelling information to share, before I start the book I’ll make a post previewing the book and give my pre-read impressions: why was I drawn to it, what scares me about it, any worries I have for the content.

When I'm done I’ll wrap up with a post about my final thoughts and provide the following rating, on a scale of one to three ghosts:

One Ghost 👻 (Barely Scared) - this novel was good for my scared, anxious heart and honestly I feel a little more prepared for the next scary read. (This is where I’d place Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, for example)

Two Ghosts 👻 👻 (Mildly Haunted) - this novel got me at times but was still enjoyable. I wouldn’t read it at night and I might need to shift genres until my heart rate slows down.

Three Ghosts 👻 👻 👻 (Terrified) - I’m sleeping with the lights on and will steer clear of this author in the future. This is for the real horror fans and I relinquish it back to them. They can have it. shivers

I’m excited to get started! Look out for my first book choice in this series next week! If you’re new here, welcome! Check out my about page for more information on me and what to expect from Mildly Haunted.