Hi all!

Welcome back to the bookclub! In November we read Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman for The You’ll Read Too Bookclub! Spoilers ahead!

Quick Reminder: This month we are reading ‘Pet Sematary’ by Stephen King! 

Today I’m going give a quick plot summary, plus my overall star/scare-factor ratings. Then I will share the discussion topics and trivia questions. Please include all of your answers and opinions down below. I want to know exactly what you thought. I’ll also leave the answers to the trivia questions at the very bottom of the post. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

GHOST EATERS BY CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN – NOVEMBER 2022

PLOT SUMMARY

Erin hasn’t been able to set a single boundary with her charismatic, yet reckless college ex-boyfriend, Silas. When he asks her to bail him out of rehab – again – she knows she needs to cut him off. But days after he gets out, Silas turns up dead of an overdose in their hometown of Richmond, Virginia, and Erin’s world falls apart. Then a friend tells her about Ghost, a new drug allowing users to see the dead. Grieving and desperate for closure with Silas, Erin agrees to a pill-popping “séance.” But the drug has unfathomable side effects – and once you take it, you can never go back.

OVERALL STAR RATING

I gave this book 4/5 stars. It was a wild rollercoaster of a ride I thoroughly enjoyed! I could easily see this story being adapted to screen. I’m a massive fan of psychological horror, which I think Ghost Eaters does really well. It was also refreshing to see a male author write a female character in such a respectful, relatable way. The book is full of metaphors (more on that below), that I think were perfectly executed. My only criticism is the middle part dragged a little. I was also quite nauseated from all the vomiting. It’s probably the grossest novel I’ve ever read. Having said that, it was very close to being a 5 star read from me.

OVERALL SCARE-FACTOR RATING

I gave this book a scare-factor rating of 4/5 stars. It was a horrifying story for multiple reasons. It honestly gave me The Sixth Sense meets Thirteen Ghosts vibes. I was genuinely freaked out by the apparitions Erin was seeing, under the influence of Ghost. What deepened the unease were the missing pieces of time. I’ve never been interested in taking drugs, but after reading this book, I couldn’t more turned off them. Erin didn’t know what day it was, what was real, what was just in her head etc. It really got under my skin. Furthermore, being addicted to a substance and your dead ex at the same time? Nightmare! I truly applaud the author for invoking multiple layers of fear in this novel.

DISCUSSION TOPICS 

1.) Discuss the metaphors about being addicted to drugs and a toxic ex.

An addiction to drugs can be just as strong as an addiction to a toxic relationship. Both are incredibly difficult and challenging to break free of. Erin is such a relatable protagonist. We’ve all been her at some point in our lives; finding it hard to let go of somebody that isn’t good for us. The way the author turned this into a horror, really impressed me.

2.) If given the opportunity to see a lost loved one, would you take Ghost? 

As mentioned above, this story put me off taking drugs even more. The answer is a hard NO. Plus, I have emetophobia. A massive side effect of taking Ghost was vomiting. Pass! We also know from reading the story, the hallucinations are only temporary. It would never be enough time to receive closure. You would just be left with a substance addiction to claw your way out of. However, I do understand the temptation, in relation to grief and desperation.

3.) What does the ending signify? Is Erin actually free? 

The fact that Erin takes the mushroom home, signifies she will never truly be able to let go of Silas. She wants that security blanket available to her at all times. I do wish she had been more liberated by the end. 

TRIVIA QUESTIONS

Easy: What does the main character write on the walls?

Medium: What does Erin name the drug-induced baby? 

Hard: What does Silas call Erin? 

I hope you enjoyed the book club discussion. As mentioned above, share all of your thoughts in the comments below! If you have any feedback/suggestions to improve the bookclub, please let me know. I look forward to talking to you all next month! Thanks for reading!

Peace & Love xoxo

TRIVIA ANSWERS: Easy: ‘Erin Is Here.’ Medium: Lonnie. Hard: Lil’ Deb.