🎨🏙️🖤🤍

Art is what makes loneliness bearable

I find this book fascinating in many ways. I came across it while searching for novels with an urbancore mood and setting.

When I first picked it up, I had no idea it was part memoir and part art criticism, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. For some reason, I truly felt in love with it.

I find myself constantly researching all of the artists mentioned throughout the book. The way the author tells their stories is almost addicting. This book makes you want to pick up other memoirs and biographies about the people she writes about. This is the kind of book that inspires you to keep learning and reading long after you put it down.

The author takes you on a journey through New York City after a breakup, where she suddenly finds herself alone in an urban environment, struggling with doubt, insecurity, and a deep sense of loneliness. There’s this feeling throughout the book of not knowing how to adapt or belong in a city that never sleeps.

At the same time, she explores the lives of different artists from the 50s and 60s, showing how they expressed loneliness, alienation, and isolation through their art. Many of them were dealing with their own insecurities, fears, and personal struggles while trying to create something meaningful and make a place for themselves in the world.

This is the kind of book you take your time reading, because you constantly find yourself stopping to look more into the artists mentioned and dive deeper into their lives, their stories, and the impact they had on art and pop culture. The author writes about them in such an engaging and intimate way that it makes you want to learn more and more about them.

This book also explores serious topics such as drug addiction, homelessness, rejection, mental illness, and the isolation and discrimination faced by queer artists in the 50s and 60s. Through the lives of these artists, the author shows how loneliness can shape a person’s identity, relationships, and art, while also exploring the emotional cost of feeling misunderstood by society.

I have not finished this book, and I’m taking my time reading it. It feels like a little treasure I can come back to whenever I want to relax and get lost in it for a while. I truly recommend this book to anyone, even if you’re not looking to read about art. I believe anyone who reads it can find something to relate to.

🌙📖💫☕

I wanted to do something fun and exciting today, so I came up with 20 questions just for readers! Drop your answers in the comments!

What book found you at the exact right moment? 

What story do you associate with a specific season or weather?

A book that made the world feel quieter after you finished it?

What character do you most identify with?

What’s your “reading personality” in three words?

A fictional place you think about more than you should?

A book you almost didn’t read but ended up loving?

What vibes do you chase most when you read?

A book that felt like a dream (in a good or strange way)?

A book you wish more people talked about? 

A book you carry with you, even when you’re not reading it?

What book lives rent-free in your brain for no good reason?

Do you DNF books or push through?

What’s your most used bookmark right now?

What book did you buy just because it looked pretty?

What book would you bring to survive a boring day?

What book would be the best to read during a storm?

Which book has the coziest atmosphere in your opinion?

What book feels magical but has no magic?

Which book would you gift to someone you care about most?

You can find my own personal answers in the comments!

I’ve been gone for such a long time! I apologize, I've just been incredibly busy taking care of all my cats (I have, like, 15) and haven’t had much time for blogging or for myself.

But today I decided it was time to post, and I’m excited to share this recommendation!

I’ve been looking into revolutionary women from the early 50s, 60s, and 70s who were considered radical for their time. I want this to be my main focus this year when it comes to reading.

I want to read about women who empower women ✊, about revolutionary women (no matter how extreme or unconventional they were considered), and dive fully into their minds and pretty much drown there.

The book I’m about to recommend is truly controversial for several reasons. It explores feelings about eliminating men from this world, as well as topics of violence, debates, and more.

I love these books! The more controversial, the better! But if you’re not into these topics, it’s perfectly fine to skip it!

This book was written by Valerie Solanas, who is infamous for shooting the artist Andy Warhol in his office in 1968. She was convinced he, and others, were trying to steal her words, and she wasn’t having it. she shot him and felt no regret in doing so. Valerie also struggled with homelessness, discrimination, and drug abuse throughout her life.

This book was initially self-published in 1967, and it circulated in underground feminist circles. Over the years it gained wider attention, especially after she shot Andy Warhol.

SCUM Manifesto

by Valerie Solanas

🖤📓✏️ Radical feminist book by Valerie Solanas that argues society is dominated by men. Critiques patriarchy, and suggests that men should be removed to create a better world. It combines dark humor and extreme ideas, challenging readers to rethink gender, power, and the structures that oppress women. This book also reflects Valerie’s personal struggles and her journey through life.

✏️✏️✏️

I just couldn’t wait to recommend this book! Unfortunately, my local library does not carry it, but I can’t wait to get my hands on it (as I have not read it myself and will write a review when I do) and dive into Valerie’s lonely mind.

❄️ 🌫️ 🏙️ 🥀

I love God, but God doesn't love me. God only loves the strong, and I'm not strong

I was looking into bleak-atmosphere novels when this book was recommended to me. I grasped the concept of the story early on; it had that feeling of love that hurts more than it heals, and I jumped into it without realizing how much it would hurt.

I knew the premise. I knew the ending likely wouldn’t be bright or happy, but I went into it regardless.

I loved the atmosphere and the overall vibe. At first, it felt dangerous, like someone diving into a world they aren’t familiar with, yet daring to anyway because they’re drawn to someone whose world is completely different from their own.

Love, passion, and lust can wear many faces. From the outside, it can look cinematic and intense, like a connection that feels otherworldly. But deep down, you’re fading away, losing yourself a little more every day, living in constant paranoia, because that’s what toxic love truly is. It disguises itself in many ways, and by the time you realize you’re drowning, it’s too late.

Sometimes you crave that edge, that danger, that emotional rollercoaster. The guessing game. The waiting. The not knowing what to expect. It feels like a thrill ride, an adventure, like stepping into another dimension. But in the end, it’s a high that doesn’t last. It breaks you apart and devours you, inch by inch, until you’re simply gone, erased after pouring your heart into someone broken, dangerous, lonely, and unattainable.

I’m at a point in my life where I’ve lived through many, many things. This book felt like a slap in the face when it came to real life; it was painfully relatable. It felt familiar, like a distant memory, but not a happy one.

I think when someone gets involved with a person who is toxic, lost, and involved in bad habits, they become a victim in some way. They will almost certainly suffer enormous pain for falling for the wrong person. But what about the other side? What about the toxic and lonely person? What are they going through? What happened in their life that led them to choices that don’t necessarily benefit them? Why choose the dark road? Why keep making destructive decisions?

It puts everything into perspective. You begin to realize that everyone is sad in their own way. Everyone is suffering. No one is perfect. We all have our own circumstances, our own journeys, and our own private battles.

But at this point in my life, while I can relate and I can understand, and I’ve been through that kind of love, I cannot support someone whose goals, habits, struggles, and mindset don’t align with my own. It’s a losing game. There is no winning. Nothing can truly make it work or make it right. There is no real future there, only pain. Sometimes you have to break apart. Sometimes you have to let go.

This book had moments that made me cry my heart out. I could completely understand the pain it was trying to convey, and maybe that’s what made it hurt so much.

Apart from all the sadness, the bleak atmosphere only deepens the loneliness, the fear, the paranoia. It’s cold and gloomy, like an unforgiving winter that adds even more weight to someone who is already struggling. The setting doesn’t just exist in the background; it feels alive yet lonely.

It’s as if the winter is mocking you, or maybe keeping you company. It’s hard to tell the difference. Either way, it mirrors the emotional state of the characters so perfectly that the environment itself becomes part of the pain.

And still, I’m very glad I read this book, even if it truly tore me to pieces.

🌊🌀🌊🌀

I felt myself on the edge of the world; peering over the rim into a fathomless chaos of eternal night I’m back! The past few days have been pretty busy, so I haven’t done much reading. I wanted to quickly drop a review now that I found a bit of time.

Dagon is one of those Lovecraft stories I kept putting off for the longest time. No idea why, especially since it’s so short. I’m currently re-reading all of his work so I can write proper reviews, because honestly, he has so many stories that I’ve forgotten a lot of them.

Dagon easily stands out as one of his best stories (though that’s saying a lot, because most of his stories are great). If you’re into nautical horror ⚓, this one is perfect. I absolutely love ocean-related horror! The ocean and anything underwater fascinates me.

What makes this story so eerie is how the narrator is experiencing everything on his own. He’s completely isolated, and what he ends up encountering is unsettling. There is no one around to help him if anything happens.

The setting alone is terrifying and mysterious. This story triggers both thalassophobia and megalophobia. It is also psychological, showing how a single experience can completely break you.

And if you’re familiar with The Shadow over Innsmouth, this is basically where it all starts. Dagon gives us our first glimpse of the Deep Ones, the half-human, half-fish beings who worship Dagon.

Knowing that Lovecraft wrote this years before Innsmouth makes it even more interesting, especially since the Deep Ones are my favorite entities in the Cthulhu Mythos.

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of re-reading Dagon. It truly is one of his best stories in the Cthulhu Mythos.

🔥

🧹🌸🔥📖

Doors are very powerful things. Things are different on either side of them

I’ve been meaning to write this review ever since I read the book earlier this year, but I kept getting distracted by other reads. 

When my bestie and I were talking about future reading challenges and our favorite reads of 2025, I didn’t even have to think about it — Howl’s Moving Castle was easily my top book of the year.

I’ve actually never gotten the chance to watch the Ghibli film, and I can’t wait for the day I finally get to sit down and dive into Howl and Sophie’s magical world on screen. When I realized that Ghibli has so many novels, I decided to pick this one up and read it instead of watching the movie first,  and honestly, it might’ve been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I loved it so much. Every page felt comforting, every chapter memorable. It was never boring, always full of adventure, magic, and those little heart-warming moments that just make you smile.

Honestly, this might be the coziest novel I’ve ever read. It makes you want to pack your bags, go on an adventure, and somehow end up living inside Howl’s magical moving castle forever 🏰✨

Following Sophie’s journey was pure magic. I loved her from the very beginning, and she quickly became my favorite character. There was just something about her that made it impossible not to root for her every step of the way.

One of the best things about this book is how it makes you feel like you belong, like you’re welcomed. It creates such a comforting, cozy atmosphere that honestly makes you wish you were Sophie, living out her adventure yourself 

I feel like in real life, help can sometimes come with a lot of fakeness attached to it. But in Sophie’s story, Howl makes her feel truly welcomed, like she doesn’t have to be afraid or guarded.

She has a place where she belongs, where she can heal, recover, and simply exist in peace while enjoying a warm meal 🍳🍞. That sense of safety and comfort made the story feel even more special and meaningful.

This book seriously has everything!! Adventure, coziness, cottagecore vibes 🍄, romance, friendship, witches and spells, and so much more. There was truly never a dull moment, and I loved every second of it.

It’s one of those books that leaves you genuinely sad when you reach the last page. You instantly miss the characters, the world, the warmth, and all the little moments that made you smile. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to start over the moment you finish it.

I miss Sophie and her magical adventure already. 🧺🕯️

A warning to all: once you read this novel, there’s no going back. You will fall deeply and madly in love with Howl, and he will absolutely put you under his spell ✨💖🌙✨

I honestly don’t think I can say much more than this — Howl’s Moving Castle has officially become one of my favorite books of all time. 🖤

I can truly say this reading year felt magical. I wandered through so many beautiful stories, and there are books I read that captivated me. I can’t wait to step into magical worlds and begin another reading adventure in 2026. 📖

As we approach the end of the year, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed. This year flew by in the blink of an eye. I hope it was kind to you, and if it wasn’t, I pray that every ache, loss, and quiet pain begins to heal, and that the year ahead greets you with peace, blessings, and beautiful new beginnings.

To close out December, I’m bringing you another special recommendation: The Golden Compass series. This story holds a very special place in my heart. It’s one of my favorite books I read in high school, and honestly… I’m still not over it.

I never completed the trilogy, but I did read the first book with my friends, and we all fell in love with the story. If you’re looking for an atmospheric, unforgettable adventure—something thrilling, immersive, and truly magical, you absolutely have to dive into this series.

The Golden Compass

by Philip Pullman

❄️🧭✨ Lyra Belacqua is a brave girl living in a magical parallel world where everyone has a dæmon, a little animal version of their soul. When kids start disappearing, she heads to the frozen North to find them.

On her journey, she meets armored bears, witches, and all sorts of dangers, while using a magical device called the alethiometer (aka the “golden compass”) to help guide her.

❄️☃️🌨️🧊

This book has some seriously dark, spine‑chilling moments, plus these icy, lonely winter vibes that just pull you in. It’s a magical fantasy with full-on winter aesthetic, honestly, it’ll mess with your mind (in the best way)!

My bestie and I decided we’re going to re-read the first book and finally finish the trilogy. We’re so excited to dive back into this adventure we first experienced in high school, and I honestly can’t wait to binge all three books! ✨

I’m currently reading Silent Night ❄️🕯️ by Mary Higgins Clark, a book I first read years ago, probably back in 9th grade. I absolutely fell in love with it back then, but I couldn’t remember much about the plot or characters, just a vague sense of the story.

I recommended it to my amazing bestie ❤️, and he read it in no time. I didn’t have a copy yet, so he read it first and even wrote a review. Then, I went to Goodwill (you can sometimes find real treasures there for just $1.99) and couldn’t believe my eyes! There was Silent Night! I called my friend right away, and he couldn’t believe it either. Even better, I found three other Mary Higgins Clark novels while I was there, I’m such a fan of her thrillers.

Now I’ve finally started reading it again, perfect timing since it’s December—and I’m already loving it. It’s different from how I remembered it, but there’s a familiar feeling creeping back. I can’t wait to finish it and write my own review of this awesome story.

Silent Night

by Mary Higgins Clark

❄️🏙️ The story centers on a young boy who is kidnapped, and the suspense unfolds as the investigation tries to uncover the kidnapper’s identity and motive. The novel explores the tension, fear, and emotional stakes surrounding the boy’s disappearance, all set against the backdrop of the holiday season.

🎁🚕🌟⛄

I highly recommend this novel if you’re looking for a suspenseful thriller perfect for the winter holidays. There’s something about Mary Higgins Clark’s novels that makes you want to binge them, she’s truly the queen of suspense for a reason.

Do you love holiday thrillers? Are you a fan of Mary Higgins Clark’s novels?

🐾🐾🐾🐾

Like love, life is beautiful because it has to end

I’m on a mission to read every Japanese book about cats 🐾, and I just grabbed If Cats Disappeared from the World after it was highly recommended. The opening was pretty simple, and at first the premise didn’t totally click for me. Once I realized the story was actually going to dive into some deeper themes, I was really glad I picked it up. It ended up being exactly the kind of vibe I was hoping for.

This is a story about looking inward and really reflecting on yourself. You start pulling up memories you didn’t even realize you still had, and you find yourself thinking 💭 about all the moments you shared with the people you love 💕. It’s a book that reminds you what to be grateful for and how the little things matter more than we imagine.

And yes, there’s a cat! A really important one, too. I genuinely miss Cabbage (the cat), his presence in the story is so sweet and meaningful. This book had me sobbing, and I couldn’t even tell you why. It wasn’t a sad cry, it was more like a wave of reflection that just hits you out of nowhere. It’s a super short read 🌸, but it definitely stays with you.

This book had me sobbing, and I couldn’t even tell you why. It wasn’t a sad cry, it was more like a wave of reflection that just hits you out of nowhere. It’s a super short read, but it definitely stays with you.

🦊❄️☃️✨❄️

The snow covered her like a blanket

During one of my trips to Barnes & Noble, I was picking out a couple of books to read and came across Leila 👧🏻 and the Blue Fox 🦊. I grabbed it mainly because the cover was so beautiful, it gave me such cozy winter vibes that I knew I wanted to save it for the colder months.

It sat on my shelf for a while, but once the weather finally got cold ❄️, I picked it up and read it. It ended up being a really short journey because I binged it immediately. I think anyone who picks up this book will notice the artwork first! Every page is stunning. It’s one of those books you never want to crease or bend; you want to keep it in perfect condition.

This book is light-hearted, but it also dives into family issues and how to deal with anger, inner emotions, and misunderstandings. At its core, it’s a story about a daughter trying to understand her mother, and why her mother abandoned her.

As you follow Leila’s inner struggles, you’re also following Miso, the fox. And honestly, every time the book shifted to Miso’s journey, I cried. The sections are always short, just a small paragraph, but somehow they pull you right into the fox’s story and break your heart a little. You’re watching Leila discover herself, and you’re watching Miso 🦊 discover herself too, and the way their journeys run parallel is just beautiful.

One thing about this book is that it definitely feels cold. It’s like waking up really early, having a warm, comforting breakfast 🍳🌨️, and then setting out on a chilly journey up North to experience something you’ve never felt before. It captures that atmosphere perfectly.

This book is fascinating in so many ways because, even though it’s such a short journey, it doesn’t shy away from big themes. It touches on family issues, inner emotional struggles, and even political topics like immigration and the hardships immigrants face while trying to find safety and start a new life in another country.

It reminds us that we’re all just humans trying to survive and get by. It also explores the love and passion someone can have for their work, as well as the journey of discovering yourself and choosing your own path.

The journey through the Arctic ❄️🧊 was exciting, a little dangerous, and extremely cold. I could picture every page so clearly in my mind, like a little movie playing in my head. Some moments felt eerie and liminal, perfectly capturing the haunting beauty of the Arctic night.

I don’t think I could’ve come across a more perfect winter read. I love Leila, and I love Miso, and I genuinely miss them both. It’s a short book, but such a beautifully written unforgettable journey.

Spoiler Alert: This review contains spoilers

🦇🌙⚰️🕯️

I was a newborn vampire, weeping at the beauty of the night

What an intense journey. This book will leave you emotionally drained.

This may be the darkest book I have ever read. There is no relief from the chaos, solitude, or suffering. The story continues to get under your skin, and by the end you find yourself completely lost in its darkness 🌙⚰️.

When Claudia enters the story, it becomes more unsettling. There is a sense of emptiness that she brings with her, creating an atmosphere that is terrifying and captivating at the same time.

At the beginning, there are a few amusing moments. The bickering is pretty hilarious. However, once Lestat steps out of the story, the sense of loneliness and dread intensifies. The journey of Louis and Claudia is deeply complex, and their story is haunting and captivating.

There are beautiful moments in the story 🩸🥀 Louis and Claudia’s trip to Paris was truly fascinating. Anne Rice’s descriptions are atmospheric and dark. It’s one of my favorite parts of the book. But after that, the story shifts and gets more disturbing and intense.

Despite all the darkness and despair, I don’t see it as a negative. These are exactly the elements I love in a story! Total agony, chaos, and destruction that leave you breathless.

The only real issue for me is that the ending felt rushed, especially in the last 30–40 pages. I still think this book is a masterpiece and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a dark and beautiful novel.

One last thing I want to say is that I am absolutely in love with Anne Rice’s writing style. She’s one of my favorite authors, and I can’t wait to read more.

The cold weather is finally here, which means it’s the perfect time to curl up with a cozy winter read. I love discovering seasonal books 🐧, especially anything holiday or winter-themed. I recently picked up a book at Barnes & Noble, and I’m completely falling in love with it. Leila and the Blue Fox 🦊❄️ is exactly the kind of quiet, atmospheric story I was hoping for! Full of icy landscapes, frozen seas, and that soft winter stillness.

It’s not just visually gorgeous, with stunning artwork 🐻‍❄️, but the story itself is sweet, gentle, and surprisingly refreshing. It’s the perfect little winter book.

This story is touching because it digs into memory, distance, belonging, and all the things people feel but don’t always say out loud. It has the grounded, realistic feel of a true survival journey or nature expedition.

Just one of those books that makes you want to escape into another world, even if only for a little while. It’s the kind of story that quietly settles with you and makes you reflect in different ways.

Leila and the Blue Fox

by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

🦊🦭🐻‍❄️ Leila and the Blue Fox is about a girl who begins a quiet, emotional journey that mirrors the path of a beautiful Arctic fox traveling across frozen oceans and huge northern landscapes.

As Leila follows the fox’s travels, she starts her own personal journey, thinking about her memories, growing up, and where she fits in the world. The story drifts softly between wild nature and real human feelings, like a winter daydream full of snow, stillness, and the kind of thoughts that come from looking up at a wide, cold sky.

🌨️🧊🌨️🧊

I’m not even finished with the book yet, but I already had to recommend it! There’s just something about the atmosphere that’s so calming, and it’s the perfect winter read if you want something nostalgic without too much darkness. Animal lovers beware!! This book will make your heart melt and ache at the same time.

❄️🌫️🌙☁️🖤

Russiancore is truly one of my favorite aesthetics. It’s not just about photography, I also have many Russiancore novels that I would love to recommend.

There’s something strangely beautiful about the decay. It’s eerie, melancholic, and kind of mesmerizing at the same time.

The Russiancore aesthetic is really popular on Tumblr, and a lot of people enjoy Russiancore without even realizing it.

I’m drawn to books with a wintery vibe and a gloomy atmosphere, ones that feel sad, lonely, and hauntingly beautiful.

I love dark novels and gloomy stories that truly captivate me. I know it’s not everyone’s vibe, but this post is for anyone who can relate to the darkness and loneliness and Russiancore brings you all of that.

If you’re a fan of dystopian atmospheres and stories, Russiancore is basically the definition of dystopia. Long winters ❄️, gray skies, and dim streetlights make the world feel cold and unforgiving.

There’s a constant sense of emptiness and solitude. Streets feel abandoned, and human presence is scarce.

Russiancore isn’t just about photography. It also includes music, books and movies.

For the past three months, I’ve been obsessed with researching Russiancore books, and I have a huge TBR list on Goodreads under the Russiancore category.

I want to recommend a novel that perfectly fits the Russiancore category. It has a dystopian, bleak atmosphere, filled with surreal and grotesque imagery

The Slynx

by Tatyana Tolstaya

🩶🕯️📖 In a post-apocalyptic Russia, society is broken and strange after a mysterious catastrophe called the Blast. Benedikt, a young man, navigates this bizarre world filled with mutated people, odd customs, and surreal dangers, all while trying to make sense of the ruins of the past.

☁️🌫️🌙🌧️

I was waiting for November because I feel Russiancore books are best recommended during the dark, gloomy winter months. The cold season has arrived, and it’s a time for reflection. This year has been difficult for many of us, and these harsh months are especially challenging for those who have it tough and often feel sadness.

Sometimes reading something light could help us feel better, but sometimes that's not what we're looking for. We're looking to relate, to have a moment to ourselves, to be left in peace.

Since Russiancore is so lonely, it gives you that peace that you look for when times get too overwhelming.

Sometimes reading something light can lift our spirits, but other times, that’s not what we’re looking for. Sometimes we just want to relate, to have a quiet moment to ourselves, to simply be left in peace.

Russiancore, with its deep loneliness, offers that very peace, the kind we seek when life feels overwhelming.

But keep in mind, these books are sad, cold, and lonely.

I’ll be recommending a few Russiancore books this month and next, all the way through February. The cold months are made for Russiancore and for never-ending journeys. It’s a time to reflect, to pause, and to plan a better year ahead for all of us.

Day 31 of 31 Days of October Reads!

We made it! We’ve reached the end of this amazing journey. I hope I managed to share some great recommendations and maybe even introduced you to a few stories you hadn’t heard of before. What a ride! I’m so glad I decided to do this.

For the last day of our October reads, I just had to mention Harry Potter. A spooky month just isn’t complete without it, that’s basically law. But today, I’m not talking about the books.

Instead, I want to share these super cute Harry Potter bookmarks 🧣⚡️ I found on Etsy! I used to have one like this, but I lost it >.< so disappointing. I was really happy to come across these adorable scarf bookmarks and just had to show them off.

House Scarf Bookmark

Check out this tiny house scarf bookmark from one of the four Harry Potter houses! It’s handmade and crocheted to match your favorite house scarf, so cute and perfect for any HP fan.

Day 30 of 31 Days of October Reads!

I’m back! Yeah, I know it’s already November, I’m still catching up, but I’m almost done!

If you’re into manga, I’ve got the perfect recommendation. I’m a huge fan of The Ancient Magus’ Bride anime, and I’m honestly obsessed with all the characters.

It’s one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read. It’s packed with British/Irish folklore, fae creatures, natural magic, and a mix of romance and adventure. Think alchemy rooms, old libraries, potion brewing, and studying magical creatures, like going back to school, but the whole curriculum is basically witchcraft.

It’s magical, cozy, a little spooky, and has a really sweet romance running through it. Perfect for this time of year.

I also want to mention that this story is really a journey of healing. It’s all about rebuilding yourself, finding your place, and learning to grow again. It definitely comes with heartache and some truly devastating moments, and it can get really dark at times. But that’s part of what makes it so powerful.

The Ancient Magus’ Bride

by Kore Yamazaki

🧡🧪🌱 A lonely girl named Chise, who has the ability to see magical beings, is bought at an auction by Elias, an ancient, mysterious magus with an animal skull for a head.

Instead of treating her like an object, he takes her in as his apprentice (and future bride) and brings her to his home in the British countryside.

🕯️🌰🎃🌾🍄

I definitely recommend the manga, but you should also check out the anime on Crunchyroll. I was saving this one, but I just had to share! Nothing says autumn 🍂🍁🕯️🌰 quite like The Ancient Magus’ Bride. If you’re in the mood for a romantic, emotional story that might make you cry a little, this one is perfect.

Day 29 of 31 Days of October Reads!

I’ve gotta talk about A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott — it’s seriously perfect for autumn. The gothic vibe is so beautiful and haunting, and honestly, it’s one of my all-time favorite books. I’ve read it more times than I can count since I was young! I’m pretty sure I made all my friends read this back in high school. I just couldn’t stop talking about it!

A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott is a gothic romantic thriller — dramatic, dark, and surprisingly modern for something written in the 1860s.

A Long Fatal Love Chase

by Louisa May Alcott

💔 A Long Fatal Love Chase follows Rosamond, a young woman who leaves her lonely, sheltered life in search of adventure and independence. The story becomes a tense, globe-trotting journey full of danger, romance, and suspense, as she struggles to find freedom and take control of her own destiny.

🖋️📜💐👒

One of the reasons I think this book is perfect for the autumn 🍂mood and spooky season is the way it wraps all those insecurities and struggles in such a dark, hauntingly beautiful way. It keeps you on edge from the very first page — mysterious, emotional, and just the right kind of romantic and eerie.

I love how it blends love, betrayal, and darkness together. It’s such an intense, haunting kind of thriller that you just can’t stop reading.

I don’t know about you, but when autumn 🍄 comes and with it the cold days, I just want to escape reality and get away. If you’re familiar with this feeling at the of the year, you will love this novel. 

Rosamond’s entire journey is about breaking free: from isolation, from control, and from the illusion of love that turns into obsession.

Every escape feels like both liberation and danger. Rosamond is chasing independence in a world that keeps trying to take it from her. It’s romantic, tragic, and full of motion. I think if you love dark romance and thrillers, this is the perfect book.

This book is special because it’s a very feminist book. Rosamond is an independent heroine and she refuses to quietly accept the role of a submissive, obedient woman. From the start, she desires freedom, adventure, and control over her own life.

Louisa May Alcott wrote this book when she was really young, and back then it was considered way too scandalous to publish. It shows a woman boldly going after what she wants, and it’s full of dark, suspenseful vibes, nothing like the “proper” domestic stories women were expected to write at the time.

Because of this, the book wasn’t published until 1995, long after Alcott’s death — almost 130 years after it was written!

I’m so happy this book popped into my head today! It’s honestly one of my all-time favorite feminist novels.

"I had a strange, wild longing to escape, to be free, to live my own life, whatever it might cost me."

Day 28 of 31 Days of October Reads!

We’re already in November, and somehow I’m still stuck on Day 28 of my October Reads… don’t judge me 😅 I almost forgot to share this one, but Toradora is such a gem! It’s one of my favorite shows, and it’s also a light novel. Definitely the perfect way to end October and kick off the fall season.

Toradora

by Yuyuko Takemiya

I’ve shared a ton of dark, spooky stories this month, but I wanted to end on a bittersweet note. Toradora is a romance, but it just fits autumn so well. You honestly shouldn’t go on with your life without experiencing this story about friendship, love, and growing up with the people who mean the most to you. It’s funny, sweet, sad, charming, intense… the friendships here are just next level. 💛

If you love warm, heartfelt stories, Toradora is right at the top of the list. You’re not ready for how much you’ll fall for these characters and their bonds.

It moves through all the seasons, and you can really feel that in both the anime and the light novel.

Taiga’s whole vibe just screams autumn — cozy, fiery, and a little bittersweet. 🍁

The school setting makes it even better, filled with fun events, quiet moments, and so many scenes that just hit you right in the heart.

When it comes to change, this story really hits you hard. 💛

🍂 Ryuuji’s a sweet guy with a scary face, and Taiga’s tiny but fiery — high school’s ultimate odd couple. They team up to help each other with their crushes, but along the way, friendship, chaos, and a little romance sneak in.

Between school festivals, cozy apartment moments, and autumn skies, they learn about love, growing up, and the kind of bond that sticks no matter what. 

Sure, it’s mostly a romcom, but somehow it makes you cry and feel everything so intensely — in that gut‑wrenching, beautiful way. I don’t even know how to explain it, but honestly… it’s one of the best stories ever.

🍂🍁🍃🎃

Honestly, no season really feels complete without the charm of Toradora. It’s perfect for any season, any mood, and it’s just so beautifully entertaining and emotionally wrecking.

"You’re the kind of person who makes people want to be better. That’s why I like you." 💛

Who else knows Toradora? Drop a comment and let me know!