While on a camping trip, five high-schoolers discover a mysterious staircase to nowhere in the middle of the woods. One of them climbs up only to never come down, and then the staircase disappears. Twenty years later it appears again, and the friends return to find the lost boy and figure out just where the staircase leads.
This episode we’re finishing The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig! And we’re finishing it with a super long episode (so sorry (or not sorry???)). Genuinely we’re in the trenches over this book :p
Happy spooky month everyone!!
TWs/CWs for this book seem to be:
Suicide, suicidal ideation, self-harm, drug use, overdose, child abuse, child sexual abuse, cancer, parent death, child death, racism, homophobia, use of a slur, neglect, trauma, gore, murder, and violence
And our Socials are:
While on a camping trip, five high-schoolers discover a mysterious staircase to nowhere in the middle of the woods. One of them climbs up only to never come down, and then the staircase disappears. Twenty years later it appears again, and the friends return to find the lost boy and figure out just where the staircase leads.
This episode we’re reading The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig, up to (but not including) Chapter 41 New Room, Who This.
TWs/CWs for this book seem to be:
Suicide, suicidal ideation, self-harm, drug use, overdose, child abuse, child sexual abuse, cancer, parent death, child death, racism, homophobia, use of a slur, neglect, trauma, gore, murder, and violence
And our Socials are:
Widow Mimi gets invited to a charity auction held by socialite Jane Ireland, and while normally Mimi would have no interest in attending, this invite comes with blackmail. Rather than go alone, Mimi brings her granddaughter, Addie, along, but the party goes from bad to worse when Jane’s body is found. Trapped inside due to a storm, Addie and Mimi must rely on their skills (crosswords and video game design) to narrow down their suspects; a deductive game that only gets more dangerous as another body is found, all while Mimi holds back her secret.
This episode we’re finishing up This is Not A Game by Kelly Mullen!
TWs/CWs for this book seem to be:
Blackmail, murder, gun violence, blood, drugging, attempted poisoning
And our Socials are:
Widow Mimi gets invited to a charity auction held by socialite Jane Ireland, and while normally Mimi would have no interest in attending, this invite comes with blackmail. Rather than go alone, Mimi brings her granddaughter, Addie, along, but the party goes from bad to worse when Jane’s body is found. Trapped inside due to a storm, Addie and Mimi must rely on their skills (crosswords and video game design) to narrow down their suspects; a deductive game that only gets more dangerous as another body is found, all while Mimi holds back her secret.
This episode we’re reading This is Not A Game by Kelly Mullen up to but not including Chapter 22: Reading People.
TWs/CWs for this book seem to be:
Blackmail, murder, gun violence, blood
And our Socials are:
Maya Hoshimoto, once the best art thief in the galaxy, was forced into hiding by a disastrous job. She's moved on to a more quiet life, but visions of the future haunt her still. Then an old friend comes with a job she can't refuse, but they aren't the only ones racing through the universe to find it, as it's an object with the power to save an alien species from extinction.
This episode we’re finishing The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei!
CWs for this book seem to be:
Violence and gore, xenophobia, xenocide, colonization, vomit, torture, war, infertility, chronic illness, confinement, suicidal thoughts, pandemic, migraines
And our Socials are:
Maya Hoshimoto, once the best art thief in the galaxy, was forced into hiding by a disastrous job. She's moved on to a more quiet life, but visions of the future haunt her still. Then an old friend comes with a job she can't refuse, but they aren't the only ones racing through the universe to find it, as it's an object with the power to save an alien species from extinction.
This episode we’re reading The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei, stopping before Part 3: The Visitor!
CWs for this book seem to be:
Violence and gore, xenophobia, xenocide, colonization, vomit, torture, war, infertility, chronic illness, confinement, suicidal thoughts, pandemic, migraines
And our Socials are:
There's something strange going on at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Each morning, things are shattered and destroyed, but it's a mystery as to what might be happening in the night. To work it out, three employees volunteer to work the night shift, but in their investigation they encounter unexpected horrors.
This episode we’re finishing up Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Claustrophobia, Drowning, Emesis, Gore, Groping (minimal, non-sexual), Rats, Torture
https://booktriggerwarnings.com/Horrorst%C3%B6r_by_Grady_Hendrix
And our Socials are:
There's something strange going on at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Each morning, things are shattered and destroyed, but it's a mystery as to what might be happening in the night. To work it out, three employees volunteer to work the night shift, but in their investigation they encounter unexpected horrors.
This episode we’re reading Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix, up to but not including Chapter 09 - Mesonxic.
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Claustrophobia, Drowning, Emesis, Gore, Groping (minimal, non-sexual), Rats, Torture
https://booktriggerwarnings.com/Horrorst%C3%B6r_by_Grady_Hendrix
And our Socials are:
Six years ago, 3 Long Island teenagers were murdered, their drowned bodies discovered with sand dollars over their eyes. The mystery was never truly solved, and Evelyn Mackenzie's father was only cleared of charges when Evelyn summoned a spirit to clear his name, after which she swore to never summon again. Mina Zanetti comes from a family of mediums, using the ocean's power to guide the dead. However, with rising sea levels, the ghosts are becoming more dangerous, and Mina and Evelyn must work together to solve who truly was behind the drowning summer.
Happy Pride Month everyone!! This episode we’re finishing The Drowning Summer by C.L. Herman!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Abandonment, Biphobia, Blood, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Mention of kidnapping, Murder, Attempted suicide
And our Socials are:
Six years ago, 3 Long Island teenagers were murdered, their drowned bodies discovered with sand dollars over their eyes. The mystery was never truly solved, and Evelyn Mackenzie's father was only cleared of charges when Evelyn summoned a spirit to clear his name, after which she swore to never summon again. Mina Zanetti comes from a family of mediums, using the ocean's power to guide the dead. However, with rising sea levels, the ghosts are becoming more dangerous, and Mina and Evelyn must work together to solve who truly was behind the drowning summer.
For this wonderful Pride Month, we’re reading The Drowning Summer by C.L. Herman, up to (but not including) Chapter 18!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Abandonment, Biphobia, Blood, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Mention of kidnapping, Murder, Attempted suicide
And our Socials are:
Sophie, eldest of three daughters, has never thought much of going off to seek her fate, as she’s destined to fail should she ever. However, a meeting with the Witch of the Waste leaves Sophie under a spell that transforms her into an old lady, and so Sophie’s only chance at breaking it seems to lie in the moving castle in the hills, belonging to the supposed wicked Wizard Howl. In this pursuit, Sophie will strike a bargain with a fire demon, deal with this heartless Howl, and face the Witch of the Waste head on. Of course, along the way, she discovers there is more to Howl, and even herself, that meets the eye.
This episode we’re finishing Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones!!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Nothing that we can think of, let us know if there is though!
And our Socials are:
Sophie, eldest of three daughters, has never thought much of going off to seek her fate, as she’s destined to fail should she ever. However, a meeting with the Witch of the Waste leaves Sophie under a spell that transforms her into an old lady, and so Sophie’s only chance at breaking it seems to lie in the moving castle in the hills, belonging to the supposed wicked Wizard Howl. In this pursuit, Sophie will strike a bargain with a fire demon, deal with this heartless Howl, and face the Witch of the Waste head on. Of course, along the way, she discovers there is more to Howl, and even herself, that meets the eye.
This episode we’re reading Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones! Stopping just before Chapter 12: In which Sophie becomes Howl’s old mother.
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Nothing that we can think of, let us know if there is though!
And our Socials are:
Cora, new to the small town of Hickory Falls, ends up purchasing a jar of buttons, baubles, and, surprisingly, two rings. Wanting to do her due diligence, she seeks out the original owner of the rings, but she instead stumbles upon a decades-old mystery. A mystery pertaining to Clarity Grey, a young woman who involves herself with a married man. It all seems to work out at first, with him divorcing his wife for her and the two raising a family of their own. However, that all comes to an abrupt end when she suddenly vanishes, and with her supposed reputation, the town isn’t much interested in taking the disappearance seriously, until Cora.
This episode we’re finishing Pretty Dead Things by Lilian West!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Infidelity, use of a slur, murder, death of parents
And our Socials are:
Cora, new to the small town of Hickory Falls, ends up purchasing a jar of buttons, baubles, and, surprisingly, two rings. Wanting to do her due diligence, she seeks out the original owner of the rings, but she instead stumbles upon a decades-old mystery. A mystery pertaining to Clarity Grey, a young woman who involves herself with a married man. It all seems to work out at first, with him divorcing his wife for her and the two raising a family of their own. However, that all comes to an abrupt end when she suddenly vanishes, and with her supposed reputation, the town isn’t much interested in taking the disappearance seriously, until Cora.
This episode we’re reading Pretty Dead Things by Lilian West! Up to, but not including, Chapter 14!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Infidelity, use of a slur, murder, death of parents
And our Socials are:
Zachary Ezra Rawlins, a grad student in Vermont, stumbles upon a mysterious book hidden in the library stacks, which contains a story from his own childhood. He follows the symbol inside of the book, a bee, key, and sword, to a party, to a club, and then further through a doorway leading to a magical place akin to a labyrinthine library. Through this journey comes Mirabel, a fierce protector of this magical place, and Dorian, a handsome man with shifting alliances. Amidst this magic is also a battle over such a place, those intent on keeping it safe and those wishing it be destroyed, whilst Zachary just seems intent on discovering what purpose he might have in all of it.
This episode we’re finishing The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Alcohol, attempted murder, blood, branding, removal of body parts, death, depression (mentioned), suicidal ideation (mentioned), fire, hallucinations, kidnapping, drugging/poisoning, stalking, drowning, animal death (mentioned)
https://booktriggerwarnings.com/The_Starless_Sea_by_Erin_Morgenstern
And our Socials are:
Zachary Ezra Rawlins, a grad student in Vermont, stumbles upon a mysterious book hidden in the library stacks, which contains a story from his own childhood. He follows the symbol inside of the book, a bee, key, and sword, to a party, to a club, and then further through a doorway leading to a magical place akin to a labyrinthine library. Through this journey comes Mirabel, a fierce protector of this magical place, and Dorian, a handsome man with shifting alliances. Amidst this magic is also a battle over such a place, those intent on keeping it safe and those wishing it be destroyed, whilst Zachary just seems intent on discovering what purpose he might have in all of it.
This episode we’re reading The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, stopping before Book IV Written in the Stars!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Alcohol, attempted murder, blood, branding, removal of body parts, death, depression (mentioned), suicidal ideation (mentioned), fire, hallucinations, kidnapping, drugging/poisoning, stalking, drowning, animal death (mentioned)
https://booktriggerwarnings.com/The_Starless_Sea_by_Erin_Morgenstern
And our Socials are:
A reimagining of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, using its structure within this science fiction setting of a near-future London. Moremi is willing to connect herself to the Panopticon, said by the government to be the end of human suffering once everyone is connected. Orpheus was raised to question everything, including this overreaching government. There are plans to make this connection compulsory in the supposed name of perfection, but there is a divide between those that believe the Panopticon will save humanity and those that will do anything to destroy it.
This episode we’re finishing up “More Perfect” by Temi Oh! I’m sure nothing will go wrong /s
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Drug use/abuse; Sexual content/themes; Child abuse; Death; Violence; Terrorism; Mass death; Self-Harm; Suicidal thoughts/discussions
And our Socials are:
A reimagining of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, using its structure within this science fiction setting of a near-future London. Moremi is willing to connect herself to the Panopticon, said by the government to be the end of human suffering once everyone is connected. Orpheus was raised to question everything, including this overreaching government. There are plans to make this connection compulsory in the supposed name of perfection, but there is a divide between those that believe the Panopticon will save humanity and those that will do anything to destroy it.
That’s right, this episode we’re reading “More Perfect” by Temi Oh, stopping before Part 2! Expecting a tragedy but I suppose it might just turn out this time.
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Drug use/abuse; Sexual content/themes; Child abuse; Death; Violence; Terrorism; Mass death; Self-Harm; Suicidal thoughts/discussions
And our Socials are:
Eden, Kentucky, another bad-luck, dying town, is known for the legend of E. Starling, reclusive author and illustrator of The Underland who disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared, but that house and its last heir, Arthur Starling, are believed best left to rot. Opal knows better than to involve herself in such things, but an unexpected job offer changes things. As sinister forces converge on Starling House, secrets must come unburied and fears must be confronted before Eden is overtaken by nightmares.
For this episode we’re finishing Starling House by Alix E. Harrow!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Classism, Homomisia, Racism, Slavery mentioned, Attempted incest mentioned (secondary characters), Depressive episode, Alcohol abuse, Drugging, Blood & Injury depiction, Death of a parent, Murder, Car accident
https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/2023/10/12/starling-house-by-alix-e-harrow/
And our Socials are:
Eden, Kentucky, another bad-luck, dying town, is known for the legend of E. Starling, reclusive author and illustrator of The Underland who disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared, but that house and its last heir, Arthur Starling, are believed best left to rot. Opal knows better than to involve herself in such things, but an unexpected job offer changes things. As sinister forces converge on Starling House, secrets must come unburied and fears must be confronted before Eden is overtaken by nightmares.
For this start to the new year we’re reading Starling House by Alix E. Harrow, up to (but not including) Chapter 17!
TW/CWs for this book seem to be:
Classism, Homomisia, Racism, Slavery mentioned, Attempted incest mentioned (secondary characters), Depressive episode, Alcohol abuse, Drugging, Blood & Injury depiction, Death of a parent, Murder, Car accident
https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/2023/10/12/starling-house-by-alix-e-harrow/
And our Socials are:
