Hi all!
For the longest time, I have dreamed of hosting my own book club. Today I am thrilled to announce my wishes have come true. Welcome to The You’ll Read Too Bookclub: an entirely horror themed space, where we will read one spooky novel per month and discuss it to our heart’s content. This has been a while in the making. I can’t tell you how many times I have changed the details, theme, title name, books etc. Thankfully, I’ve finally settled on how I want this to work. Without further ado, let’s get into the details!
THE ORIGIN STORY
How magnificent is this logo? My awesome brother-in-law brought my vision to life, with this talented design. If you’re an IT fan, you’ll be able to recognise my play on words with the name. Pennywise’s signature catch-phrase is You’ll Float Too, so I just replaced ‘float’ with ‘read.’ The image of the balloon also hearkens to our twisted clown friend. I couldn’t create a horror book club, without a nod to my favourite scary story of all time. Some other names I considered were: ‘Welcome to Derry, Maine’, ‘The Loser’s Club Bookclub’ and ‘We All Read Down Here.’
HOW IT’S GOING TO WORK
In October (spooky season) we will begin reading our very first book. After that, at the beginning of each month, I will publish a post on here, with my review, plus some discussion topics that you’re welcome to engage with in the comments. I really want this to be as interactive as possible.
WHO IS THIS BOOK CLUB FOR?
Everyone! I understand that horror is not everybody’s cup of tea, but if you’re curious, please join me and see what you think. You may have been wanting to dip into the spooky pool for a while, but weren’t sure where to begin. This is a great place to start. We will be reading a mixture of old and new releases, as well as diving into different genres of horror, such as: paranormal, slasher, thriller, gore, suspense, gothic, occult, survival and more. I really want this to be as diverse as possible, featuring works written by a variety of authors from different backgrounds, cultures and groups. I absolutely welcome any and all input/feedback.
WHY HORROR?
Firstly, because I die-hard love it. I want this book club to be a true reflection of who I am and what I’m passionate about. I feel this is the most authentic route I can take, plus it’s the one that makes me the most excited. Secondly, (no shade) I see way too many YA contemporary/fantasy book clubs on social media. I wanted to do something a bit different, by branching out into a genre that is more niche. Horror is generally a big step outside a reader’s comfort zone and that’s precisely why we should go there. In October, I am going to be posting about why I adore horror so much, as well as all of my favourite creepy books, shows, movies and games. I hope this book club help remove some of the stigma that tends to follow horror around.
WHAT IS THE FIRST BOOK GOING TO BE?
Next month, I will be revealing what I picked for October in a special post, featuring my brand new, spooky TBR (To Be Read) cart. After MUCH deliberation, I’m very satisfied with my choice.
HOW WILL THIS BE DIFFERENT TO OTHER BOOK CLUBS?
I want the horror love to extend to film and music too. It’s all about the creepy vibes. When I reveal the book of the month, I will also recommend a horror movie and song that relates to our choice. No pressure to watch or listen – these are just added extras. I will also feature three trivia questions (easy, medium and hard) about the book, that you can answer either via the comment section or privately. If you take a picture of your book, don’t forget to tag the Instagram me. Keep me updated with your reading progress. Also, don’t worry if you’re not enjoying it. Feel free to DNF (Did Not Finish). We all vibe with different books. You’re still welcome to join the discussion and voice why it didn’t work for you.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR WHEN I’M READING A HORROR NOVEL?
Try to take notice of how the author builds up to a terrifying moment. How do they create an unsettling, eerie atmosphere. Is it the dialogue that raises the hairs on the back of your neck or the vivid descriptions? How does it make you feel? The best type of scary story will make you hesitate, before turning out the lights. At the end of my reviews, I will rate the overall book and how scary it was, out of 5. Please share your ratings with me!
WHEN WILL YOU DISCUSS/ANNOUNCE THE BOOKS EACH MONTH?
I will discuss the books at the beginning of the following month. For example, the October book will be reviewed early November.
As to when I will announce the book of the month, the first one will be revealed most likely the second week of September. This should give readers enough time to get a hold of the book. I encourage you to use your local library, Audible, Kindle, Kobo etc. Note: you do not have to buy a full-priced, physical book every month. I don’t want anybody to feel financial pressure. In early October, I will post a poll with three options, to decide November’s choice. Whichever one gets the most votes, wins! I can’t give you an exact date every single month but it will be early enough to get organised. Just make sure you keep your eyes peeled on this blog for any updates/information.
DO I HAVE TO GET INVOLVED?
Absolutely not! As somebody with social anxiety, I understand how difficult it can be to discuss a book with strangers. There is zero pressure. Read at your own pace. Your opinions are deeply valued and nothing you voice/write is silly.
HOW LONG WILL THE BOOKCLUB RUN?
I would love to run it for an entire year. That is my goal. If, by October 2021, I can see people are still interested and enjoying it, I’ll continue. If I don’t see much engagement, I’ll bring it to a close. I really hope not though. Horror books are constantly being released, so there will always be something new and spooky to discuss.
I think that’s it for now! If you have any suggestions or questions, please leave them below. I hope you join me. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Stay tuned for next month, when I announce the very first book of The You’ll Read Too Bookclub!
Thanks for reading! Peace & Love xoxo
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