Category Archives: Gothic

#WitchWeek2022 Day 2

November already! Well, at least you have this week to enjoy an international tour of fantasy books and authors, thanks to #WitchWeek2022. Then a few days to recover. Then the speedy tumble through various holidays to the end of the … Continue reading

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#WitchWeek2020: The end is nigh!

If you’re reading this, you’ve lived to tell the tale of Witch Week 2020. When you do, make sure it’s a tale with dark corners, collapsed towers, and horrifying specters. Not to mention lots and lots of shadows. Chris and … Continue reading

Posted in Gothic, Witch Week | Tagged | 14 Comments

#WitchWeek2020 Day 6: MEXICAN GOTHIC and the Classic Gothic Tale

Wrangling the specters today is guest blogger Kristen M, who has been blogging at WeBeReading.com for most of twelve years and is the creator of March Magics (which annually celebrates Diana Wynne Jones and Terry Pratchett). She lives in Seattle, loves baking, … Continue reading

Posted in Gothic, Horror, Witch Week | Tagged | 11 Comments

#WitchWeek2020 Day 5: Gothic fantasy, with puppets

Puppet shows! Fun times for all, right? Not in this chilling Newbery Honor book. In 2007, Laura Amy Schlitz had won the Newbery Award for Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village. This 2012 gothic fantasy by the … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure, Fantasy, Gothic, Historical fiction, Mystery, Witch Week, YA Lit | Tagged , | 8 Comments

#WitchWeek2020 Day 4: M R James and the Gothic Tradition

In this post, guest blogger Jean takes us to the world of M. R. James, famous for his creepy gothic tales, which have inspired several 20th and 21st century authors. Jean is a librarian blogging at Howling Frog Books who … Continue reading

Posted in Classic, Fantasy, Gothic, short stories, Witch Week | Tagged | 15 Comments

#WitchWeek2020 Day 3: The Graveyard Book

“It takes a graveyard to raise a child.” (back cover of The Graveyard Book, US edition) Appropriately for today, the Day of the Dead, we present you with a discussion of this year’s read-along book, a novel set in a cemetery. Four of us–Lory* … Continue reading

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#WitchWeek2020 Day 2: A Gothic Reading of The Betrothed

Today’s guest blogger, e-Tinkerbell, lives in Italy, so it’s no surprise that she brings this classic Italian novel from the 19th century to our attention. e-Tinkerbell is a high school English teacher who loves literature, history… and shoes. She blogs … Continue reading

Posted in Classic, Gothic, Romance, Witch Week | Tagged | 9 Comments

#WitchWeek2020 Day 1: Gothick Dreams

Happy Halloween to all! My first guest blogger is my co-host, Chris, who blogs as Calmgrove on WordPress, where for eight years he’s been exploring the world of ideas through books by way of reviews and discussions. Today Chris has taken … Continue reading

Posted in Castles and towers, Gothic, Mystery, Witch Week | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

#WitchWeek2020: Master Post

Diana Wynne Jones’ Witch Week (1983) is a fantasy set between Halloween and November 5th — Bonfire Night — marking the day in 1604 when Guy Fawkes was caught preparing to blow up Parliament. Six years ago, Lory of Emerald City Book Review used this … Continue reading

Posted in Fantasy, Gothic, Horror, Mystery, Witch Week | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Countdown to Witch Week 2020: One week to go

Actual Halloween may be cancelled this year, but you can celebrate it virtually with us, during Witch Week! Don’t miss out on the fun: Apply your Gothic makeup, put on your best costumes, and settle down for a close reading … Continue reading

Posted in Gothic, Witch Week | 4 Comments