Hi, lovelies!
So… *sips cafecito* I have a long-awaited book haul to share with you all! 💞
I wanted to pick up some new reads now that the fall season is approaching. Therefore, I ended up choosing books that I thought were fitting for this time of year — mostly dark academia and something for the spooky season.
Additionally, there are some fantasy series I want to get to so I picked those up as well.
I hope you’ll join me as I share this book haul with you, along with what drew me to each of these books! 🥰
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
In search of a short read, I picked up Franny and Zooey. The story centers on Franny and Zooey, the two youngest members of the fictional Glass family. One thing you should know about me is that I’m a strong defender of Catcher in the Rye. Yet, I’ve never read anything else from Salinger. And, I’ve heard lots of good things about this one. So, I just had to pick it up. This is the book I’m currently reading and so far, so good!
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
The Idiot follows Selin, a college freshman attending Harvard. I kept going back and forth on this one, as the overall reaction to this book seems to be mixed. From what I’ve seen, you either love it or think it’s terribly boring. Nonetheless, I’m intrigued. And, did I mention it has a stamp of approval from the exceptional Roxane Gay? Looking forward to reading!
The White Album by Joan Didion
I’ve been meaning to get to Joan Didion for a minute now. I decided to start off with one of her essay collections, rather than Play It As It Lays, her fiction novel (I hear it’s awfully depressing ><). Plus, I really enjoy essay collections and The White Album appears to be a favorite among her readers. The essays focus on key events of the 1960s and 70s through the author’s eyes. I’ve seen many people obsess over Didion and her work because of this collection. I’m hoping the same happens to me!
Just Kids by Patti Smith
Just Kids is all about Patti Smith’s relationship with the photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe. The book is a portrait of two artists making their way through the late sixties and seventies. That’s pretty much all I know about this book but I feel like I’ve been seeing it everywhere for months now so I felt I had to get my hands on it. Fingers crossed!
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
This has been a looong time coming. I’ve heard many praises for this book, mostly comparing it to The Secret History, a big favorite of mine. In If We Were Villains, we meet Oliver Marks, a man who has just served ten years in prison for a murder he may or may have not committed. We are taken back in time to learn his story. Solely from reading the blurb, I can already see the similarities to TSH. I feel I can never get enough of dark academia so I can’t wait to start this one!
A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
A book I picked up specifically for the spooky season, A Certain Hunger follows a food critic with a taste for murdering and, later eating, men. I love, love reading about unhinged women (I’m not sorry!) so I’ve had my eye on this book for a while now. If I’m being honest, I’m going into this one with high expectations, and I really hope it meets them!
Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan le Fanu
Before Dracula, there was Carmilla. I read bits and pieces of Carmilla for a class in university focused on vampire fiction and remember it being a stand-out. And now, I’m finding out there’s a version edited by the queen herself, Carmen Maria Machado! The story centers around Laura, a lonely young woman, and her relationship with the mysterious Carmilla. Suffice it to say, this book is right up my alley.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein has been on my TBR for what feels like ages. I’ve attempted starting it a couple of times but have never gotten far, as a result of many reading slumps. Now, for this Halloween, I’ve made it my mission to finally read Mary Shelley’s masterpiece. I’m quite thrilled to finally be reading this one, as I already know that it’s going to be splendid.
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence by R.F. Kuang
AAAA! *happy dance* I can’t express how excited I am for this book! I’ve only read one book from R.F. Kuang so far, but I loved it so much that I honestly trust her with my life. Babel follows Robin Swift, a young man enrolling in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation. Kuang’s superb writing paired with dark academia? Say no more.
The Poppy War series by R.F. Kuang (Books 2 & 3)
A few months ago, I read The Poppy War and fell in love. It also left me totally crushed. But now that I feel ready to take them on, I’ve picked up the next two books. The Dragon Republic, the second in the series, picks up with Rin on the run following the events of the first book. Rin is one of the best protagonists I’ve ever encountered and I’m looking forward to being reunited with her. I have no idea where this series is going to take me and I live for it.
The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m finally going to read the Lord of the Rings series! I absolutely adored The Hobbit and Tolkien’s Middle-earth. I’m most eager to meet all the new characters and follow Frodo on his perilous adventure. I’m a big fan of Tolkien’s writing and the way he brings his stories to life, so I know this series will be an unforgettable read.
Ah, the joy of having a whole new list of reads to get to! 🥹 I plan to read all of these in the coming months and am hoping some of them make it to my all-time favorites.
Are there any books you’ve picked up recently that you’re excited to read?
I hope you enjoyed this post and wish you a lovely start to the fall season. Til the next one!
Mucho amor,
Alex 💗
Great! I’m excited! 👏🏼👏🏼