The Librarian's Husband's Book Club discussion

September is rapidly drawing to a close so it's time to start thinking about our reading journey for October! I hope you are enjoying The Giver and/or 1984 – both have struck me as powerful and timely.

For October, we have two exciting categories to explore:

1) Gothic and Supernatural (legacy): Get into the Halloween spirit with eerie tales of Gothic fiction and supernatural horror. From haunted mansions to chilling mysteries, these stories delve into dark secrets, ghostly presences, and the unsettling unknown. Remember, for this category, it should be a book that's been out for at least a year.

2) Celebrating Ability (new): In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this category highlights books by authors with disabilities or those featuring characters with disabilities. These stories focus on ability, diversity, and empowerment, celebrating the strength in every individual. Fiction and nonfiction are appropriate here. For this one, there are no limits on publication dates.

Now it's over to you! What books do you think would make October unforgettable? Share your suggestions and be sure to mention which category they belong to. I'll gather all recommendations and create polls this week for us to make our final picks. Please submit your ideas by the end of the day, Monday, September 23rd.

Looking forward to your amazing (and spooky) recommendations!

Happy reading, friends!

I generally don't make recommendations as I want the group to drive choices - but this one has been on my TBR for a few months and it fits with this month's Celebrating Ability theme:

Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever

BTW--some of you may know that I'm responsible for Legislative Affairs and Strategic Outreach for a nationwide (USA) nonprofit whose mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through meaningful employment. As such, this theme and National Disability Employment Awareness Month are important in my world. :)

Hoping for some good suggestions and discussion.

The first book that came to mind for Ability is The Music of Bees

For Supernatural maybe, The Haunting of Maddy Clare or The Sun Down Motel. This is an author i've had on my tbr for a while but have still yet to try out.

For gothic and supernatural I've been reccomended Starling HouseStarling House by Alix E. Harrow

How About Henry Fraser's The Little Big Things?The Little Big Things: A Young Man's Belief That Every Day Can Be a Good Day

For the supernatural theme, I recommend “The Haunted Forest Tour” by James A. Moore. I just started reading it, and so far it's keeping me hooked!

For Gothic and Supernatural I nominate A Discovery of Witches

Deborah Harkness

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...

Dawn wrote: "For Gothic and Supernatural I nominate A Discovery of Witches

Deborah Harkness

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8..."

Ive watched an episode or two of this on Netflix.

The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey

Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver

John wrote: "Dawn wrote: "For Gothic and Supernatural I nominate A Discovery of Witches

Deborah Harkness

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8..."

Ive watched an episode or two of this on Netflix." Thank you John I did not know there was a series. I will watch it after I finish the book.

John wrote: "September is rapidly drawing to a close so it's time to start thinking about our reading journey for October! I hope you are enjoying The Giver and/or 1984 – both have struck me as powerful and tim..."

Gothic and Supernatural recommendations
1. "The Haunting of Ashburn House" by Darcy Coates (2016)
This novel is a supernatural horror story centered on a woman who inherits a strange, old house with a dark past. Soon after moving in, she encounters bizarre phenomena, suggesting the house may be haunted by more than just memories. It’s full of atmospheric tension and spine-chilling moments.

2. "The Sundial" by Shirley Jackson (1958)
A lesser-known but powerful Gothic novel by the renowned author of "The Haunting of Hill House." In this tale, an eccentric family gathers at an eerie mansion, convinced that the world is ending. Strange occurrences and psychological terror build into an unsettling mystery.

3. "The Death of Jane Lawrence" by Caitlin Starling (2021)
This Gothic tale blends horror with romance, following Jane Lawrence, who enters into a marriage of convenience with a reclusive doctor. When she arrives at his crumbling mansion, she discovers unsettling secrets and faces supernatural threats that challenge her perception of reality.

Celebrating Ability recommendations
1. "Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century" edited by Alice Wong (2020)
A powerful nonfiction anthology featuring essays by disabled writers, activists, and advocates. The book covers a wide range of topics, from accessibility and representation to personal experiences of living with disabilities, and offers empowering perspectives from people with diverse disabilities.

2. "The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me" by Keah Brown (2019)
In this collection of essays, Keah Brown, a journalist and disability advocate born with cerebral palsy, explores topics such as pop culture, self-love, and growing up with a disability. Her voice is funny, relatable, and inspiring as she reframes how society views disability.

3. "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio (2012)
This bestselling middle-grade novel tells the story of August Pullman, a young boy born with facial differences, as he attends mainstream school for the first time. Through multiple perspectives, the book explores themes of kindness, empathy, and acceptance, highlighting the strength of individuals in the face of adversity.

4. "Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body" by Rebekah Taussig (2020)
In this memoir, Rebekah Taussig reflects on her experiences growing up paralyzed from the waist down and living as a disabled woman in a world designed for the able-bodied. Her essays offer insights on disability, accessibility, and body image, celebrating resilience and the beauty of different abilities.

Suggestion for the Gothic and supernatural: Marina by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Gothic and Supernatural:
A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll
and
A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G Summers

For Gothic and Supernatural: The Other Side of Midnight by Simone St. James

For Celebrating Ability: Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life by Nick Vujicic

Both are on my TBR