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Carissa 👻🦇

@thereadingghoul

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👻Just a ghoul who loves to read
📚Horror, thriller, fantasy, romance
📖ARC Reviewer

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A little witchcraft after dark. 🔮

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We did this shoot in August and now it’s finally spooky season! Lots more to share from this one… I found this tunnel in Chester and had to bring my favorite goth princess here for a shoot… Can’t wait to squeeze in some more spooky shoots before Halloween👻

@thereadingghoul

#njphotographer #spookyseason #newjerseyphotographer #gothphotography #portraitphotography

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Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark collection from @litjoycrate

I'm not sure any other books traumatized an entire generation quite like Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark did in the '80s and '90s. And it wasn't just the stories. It was the creepy artwork that gave kids everywhere nightmares and made sure we never looked at a dark corner of the room the same way again.

So when I saw LitJoy Crate's special collected edition featuring all three volumes, there was no question it needed a spot on the shelf next to my originals. And this thing is an absolute showstopper.

Spooky metal corners. Straps with skeleton hand clasps. Claw marks debossed into the cover. That beat-up, ancient tome look. And inside is all the original artwork that scarred us as kids, plus new art that fits those nightmare fuel vibes.

These books were a rite of passage for '80s and '90s kids. Passing them around at school, reading ghost stories at sleepovers, and flipping through those terrifying illustrations when we probably should have been asleep. This special edition is a spooky book lovers dream. A must for horror fans and a perfect throwback to the creepy nostalgic series that started it all.

Who else grew up reading these?

QOTD: What childhood book would you love to see get the special edition treatment?

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Thanks for the favorite color stack tag @darkerside.reads . If you haven’t seen her green stack, go check it out, it’s gorgeous!!!

Listen up publishers and cover designers…we need more purple books! Some of these are a stretch…more of an eggplant or indigo than true purple, but the pickings were slim. Such an under-utilized color IMHO. This is my attempt at a purple stack. I’ve got a purple LED light going behind me to try and enhance the purple vibes. The final photo has no purple light on so you can see the natural color.

So how are we feeling about the weekend? Any good plans?

On this end…getting my windshield replaced because a rock went through it on the way to work yesterday. Holy crap was that LOUD! Gonna hang out outdoors some, do some hiking and start a new writing project.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!

Tagged a few friends but feel free to jump in it you're inspired!
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#bookstack #booksta #horror #reading #bookish

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Before Booksta 📚

Until a few years ago, I was always a reader, just a much more casual one. From about 2010–2019, I was mostly reading comic books. I even checked my Amazon history to jog my memory, and there were surprisingly few novels in that time frame.

But I always had some book going, and these are 10 I know I read around the time they came out that stuck with me. Looking back, they helped keep me interested in novels and played a small part in shaping the adult reader I am today.

What are the books that helped shape your reading journey before you found Booksta?

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October Hopefuls 🎃📚

I’ve definitely been neglecting my horror shelf this year. But apparently while I was busy reading more fantasy, I was also quietly building a very spooky TBR.

October feels like a good time to get back to my roots. Horror was what got me hooked back on reading in the first place, and I’ve got plenty of creepy, murderous, and generally questionable choices waiting for me.

I definitely don’t expect to get through all of these, but they’re on the list for spooky season. Three of them actually take place on Halloween, so those will have to wait until later in the month. Until then, I’ll just be letting my mood reader brain decide, “How spooky are we feeling today?”

QOTD: what are you looking forward to reading in October?

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September Wrapped 📚🍂

September apparently had places to be because it absolutely flew by. 😂 But it was a pretty great lead-in to fall and spooky season, so I’ll let it slide.

I finished 7 adult novels, plus 10 Goosebumps books during @billys_booksandstuff Goosebumps Read-Along Week. So apparently it was a month of adulting and revisiting my childhood. Balance.

September gave me a little bit of everything: a few books that didn’t quite click, a few that surprised me, and several that were just plain fun. Honestly, that’s a pretty successful month in my book.

October decided to sneak up on us like a proper jump scare. I’ve definitely been neglecting my horror shelf this year, so I have plenty of spooky options waiting for me. Time to see which ones actually bring the Halloween vibes.🎃📖

What was your favorite read in September?

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🍂 FALL stack 🍂

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, today officially marked the beginning of fall. After what felt like a very long, very hot summer, the promise of cooler weather, spooky stories, and cozy adventures is finally here.

Fall is my favorite season, and it’s not just because I’m a horror lover. There’s nothing better than a crisp fall day, a comfy hoodie, and absolutely going out of your way to step on every particularly crunchy leaf pile you come across. 🍁

And don’t even get me started on the smell of light misty rain and earthy fallen leaves. No candle is ever going to replicate that one. It pairs perfectly while reading a good book with an open window.

Basically, I’m ready for hoodies, blankets, books, crunchy leaves, and an unreasonable amount of fall snacks. 🍂📚

What’s your favorite thing about fall?

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SEPTEMBER Stack

We have finally hit the 'ber' months, although with how hot it is, it doesn't feel like it yet. Crisp fall days and spooky nights are right around the corner. Things start to slow as the summer hustle winds down.

I need to figure out my TBR with spooky season approaching. I have a Goosebumps week coming up with @billys_booksandstuff and then will probably stay on Hororr/Fall vibes until November. But as a mood reader, maybe a different book genre diverts my attention. We shall see.

What are you looking forward to most about Fall?

Silent Companions
Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone
Perfect Day
Thirteenth Child
Everyone on this Train is a Suspect
Mary Shelley Club
Blacktop Wasteland
Everyone in this Bank is a Thief
Repeat After Me

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Some recent visitors to Creepella's... Who will we meet this week??? #newjerseylocal #goth #creepellas #vinyljunkie #gothicfashion #recordcollector #mainstreetburlington #gothic #vinylcommunity #heavymetal #gothicstyle #burlingtonnj #Gothic #vinylrecords #art #recordstore #dizzyandcreep #punkrock #gothicmusic #shoegaze #collectibles #collectible #alternativemusic #music

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Thank you for this fun tag @chainsawheartbooks ! I’ve been having fun seeing everyone’s take on this fun trend. I liked how @k_reads2much organized hers as well, so I shamelessly copycatted some of her categories.

I’ll tag some folks, but if it looks fun, give it a whirl!

What a weekend…went on a couple of hikes, line edited, ate fresh pineapple. Pretended it was fall, despite the upcoming heatwave mid week. How about you all? The highlight has been continuing a buddy read with @spookimom of Boy’s Life. She’s a few chapters ahead of me and I aim to catch up today! I’m really loving this one.

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#bookrecs #reading #bookstagram #horror #fantasy

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