One of the downsides of working in the book industry, is how much it begins to control your reading. Most of my reading is either split between book club books, books for author events, and reading for the Indie Next List–a nomination-based monthly list of bookseller recommendations for soon-to-be-published titles which requires me to read about 3 months ahead of publishing schedule.

Between trying to keep up with book club reading (∼3 books/month), reading adult titles for indie next (∼2 books/month), and reading for the kids indie-next list (∼1 book/month), I hardly have any time to read backlist books. Combine all of that with the fact that I'm a heavy mood reader and my TBR is basically ever-changing.

I often joke with folks that if I don't read it before it's published, it will likely be about 2 years before I get to it. Unfortunately, it's not even much of a joke. So, while I shouldn't really be trusted to stick to this, here's a list of books that I hope to read this month!

Indie Next Reads:

Hum by Helen Phillips (Out 8.6)

Helen Phillips is one of my all-time favorite authors. If you've never read any of her books I would recommend two things: a) go read The Need first and b) go listen to her interview on So Many Damn Books. Needless to say, her newest book is on the top of my must-read list for the month. I have a signed ARC sitting on my bedside table just begging to be picked up.

The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson (Out 8.6)

Leslie is a debut horror author through Quirk books. I had the fabulous opportunity to go to dinner with her and she is just the sweetest. I've actually read about half of this, but paused so that our bookstore manager could read it first, as he's coordinating an author event with her for later this fall. This is #horsegirlhorror and I cannot express how delightfully weird it is so far. Omg.

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher (Out 8.6)

I mean... it's new T. Kingfisher...

Glass Houses by Madeline Ashby (Out 8.13)

I'm loving the flood of sci-fi/speculative thrillers we've got coming. As someone who does not like true crime, it's refreshing to see some thrillers in the Black Mirror/Bodies vein.

Sacrificial Animals by Kailee Pedersen (Out 8.20)

Why are there so many good books coming out in August!? There's no way I can get this and all of my other obligated reading done on time. This one is supernatural horror inspired by Chinese Mythology and also about queer awakening???? I want to read it now.

Book Club Reads:

All the Fiends of Hell by Adam Nevill (Event 6/2)

Invasion horror by the one and only, Adam Nevill! We're doing an event with him on 6/2, so I need to get this one read by then. I am very excited to see how this compares to his typical folk horror.

The Last Rhee Witch by Jenna Lee-Yun (Out 5/14)

This is our Family Book Club pick for the next month. We don't have meetings for this book club, so not as much pressure to read this one, but it sounds really good and so I want to read it myself.

Backlist Wishlist:

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

I have been seeing this book all over and finally picked it up at our newest bookstore (shoutout to Fox & Fable, welcome to the crew!) and am so excited to jump in. It's been a while since I read a true fantasy romance (a la Jennifer L Armentrout or SJM) and have been itching for a new one.

Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew

Honestly, bought this one because of the title alone, but also it's a dark teen fantasy featuring a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. I'm on a dark fantasy kick right now, so why not keep the ball rolling with this one?

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons

My love for game-based plots knows no end. This one has been compared to a Japanese-folklore inspired Jumanji, which sounds incredible. It also feels very Alice in Borderland (a favorite show) with the whole death games thing, so, honestly, I'm all in.

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

I've had this one on audio for months now, but just haven't had a chance to listen to it. Now that I own the gorgeous Illumicrate Edition, I'm feeling like the time has finally come. I've also been reading a lot of eastern fantasy recently and loving the break from the Euro-centric perspective, so this one will continue that trend.

Murder Road by Simone St. James

I've never read much Simone St. James, purely because I don't like thrillers, but Mother Horror has been giving her some rav reviews recently, which has drawn my interest. This one feels very Jeepers Creepers mixed in with a little bit of Wrong Turn, so I think it will straddle the supernatural slasher line quite well.