End of Summer, Beginning of Spooky Season: What We’re Reading
Alexis SheehanIt’s still summer, but I feel like my soul has fully vacated the premises and planted itself firmly in the heart of fall. A big reason for that, in addition to the natural shifting of the season, is that my family and I just returned from Norway. Needless to say, I’m not the same.
Seriously, with the majestic fjords that had me gaping at everything, the sheer magnitude of Norse mythology that seeped from every inch of the country, and the ancient history surrounding you, I feel like my head has been reset, all tuned in to gods, fate, and epics older than time itself. Please, let me know what to start with, because-surprise-my To Be Read list currently outshines the available time I actually have for life.
The Bulk of Those Two Weeks
My brother, sister-in-law, and their adorable clan live just outside downtown Oslo, and during those first two weeks we spent there, we spent most of our time exploring the city and its surroundings. It was glorious. I mean-we were lucky enough to have one of those PERFECT late-summer weather days where it was so golden and crispy and refreshing; not a speck of the Texas heat to be felt.
Beyond that, having my family and loved ones together made my heart so happy.
Saying goodbye to them was a punch to the gut-an actual, physical ache. My daughter and I shed a pretty hefty river of tears, to say the least.
For anyone who knows me for at least three seconds, you can only imagine that my current obsession to drop everything, pack up the three of us, and relocate to Norway doesn’t come out of left field. It felt like destiny had carved out a whole new roadmap for us there. The Folk Museum had my entire soul: the preserved historical houses, standing tall in some cases for centuries, just stole my heart.
I had only just dabbled with painting, and it was almost immediate, once we returned to Texas; my very first attempt at painting was in the likeness of one of those traditional carved Norwegian buildings I’d just seen (from a picture I took, but it counts!).
They say you don’t understand how difficult certain tasks are until you’ve tried yourself, and painting all the intricate carved detail on those balconies nearly killed me, but as I look back on it, there’s a beautiful romanticism of a young witch (me!) trying to perfectly replicate one of those buildings as part of her first foray into this magical paint journey. It’s probably the hardest thing I have ever tried to paint.
One of my first paintings since getting back (an inspiration from the Norwegian Folk Museum)
Honestly… Between walking among awe-inspiring fjords and steeping in the deep history all around you… The overall essence and significance of the sheer magnitude of Norse Mythology I’ve been surrounded with over the last two weeks…my mind feels…rewired with gods and fate and sagas that predate most written word. Obviously, with all that on my mental palette, my Fall To Be Read list needs some decidedly Nordic influence-something I plan on discussing with all of you!
Let’s dip a toe in before leaping all the way in; I wanted to share with you what’s stacked and waiting on my nightstand as of now.
When you just need gods and consequences…
Okay, so, this book has been talked to death on BookTok, and the fans are devoted. I, however, was not until I literally just walked upon the soil upon which these sagas were inspired. Danielle L. Jensen’s A Fate Inked in Blood did just that for me. If you haven’t indulged yet: fierce female warrior leader?Vikings (a.k.a. Norse gods and their complicated world)? And the ultimate feel-good “underdog becomes hero” trope…all backed by plenty of “uh oh, somebody messed up” with serious fallout? Yeah, now I get it.
For the “I want my romance juicy with a little more grit and bite”…
And when I say just the facts! Web of Vows and Vengeance consistently appears in my explore feed for good reasons; the enemies-to-lovers vibe is strong, there’s so much court intrigue you’ll lose yourself in it, and the characters dabble in some serious morally gray areas. These are always satisfying reads in my book.
For the “I want all the atmosphere before I’m ready to be terrified”…
Dark academia has my complete attention every single fall! You can’t go wrong with Elise Kova’s Prince of Swords, which so many folks recommend because they feel as though it perfectly blends dark academia with Gothic romance.
For the “give me comfort, but make it creep”!
Seriously-how do cozy gothic books NOT get more love and attention? This season, I am particularly in the mood for them. This is where Maxym M. Martineau’s Manor of Decay comes into my periphery…and pretty much all of my hopes…with the cozy vibes of a witchy small town, a found family, and the ultimate slow burn romance with enough creepy overtones to keep things interesting.
What’s on your transition tower of books for this time of year? Tell me, because the books and life are flying by faster than we all can keep up!
Under the same stars,
Alexis
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