help choose my October TBR | spooky books & cozy reads

[@chuucake]

emma's sponsorship skits are always the best 😽

[@emmiereads]

haha thank you, I love making them!!

[@CarrieBarrieintheDesert]

For real. Emma, you low key hilarious 😂

[@eloisecondon4413]

Have you read Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw?

[@tubeguito9555]

Hi, was really struck by the beauty of "Motion Detection", a thriller book that I found by chance on Amz while looking for a new book. The cover intrigued me, it's an unusual book with a spectacular ending, I highly recommend it!

[@nacky371]

As Italian I’m so impressed, your Italian is so good. I’m happy to see other people around the world interested in the Italian language and culture. You are doing an amazing job😊

[@E.Cerulean]

I have two cousins from Senegal (of all places) who learned to speak Italian. People love the language.

[@alice.c27]

"Don't look now" is a spooky short story by Daphne du Maurier and it's set in Venice !

[@CarrieBarrieintheDesert]

Can I just say I love all the "regularly scheduled programs" we've had from you lately, Emma. You put so much beauty and calm into the interwebs ❤️

[@nikolaiquack8548]

"Death in Venice" is fantastic. Far and away one of my favorite books I read in school (I'm from Germany, so something by Mann is very typical for German class). I personally would prefer reading it in summer, since an oppressing hot weather atmosphere benefits the reading experience imo, but I'm sure you'll love it either way 🖤

[@hiimnora]

I'd definitely recommend "The name of the rose"!!🥀It has tons of dark academia vibes and cheeky humor, and there were also some interesting discussions about religion and academia. I wouldn't say it's essential to pair it up with your trip to Italy though (not much insight into Italian culture other than the lifestyle of monks...), but it's a great read for fall season. Hope you enjoy it🤗

[@stevenklinden]

The Name of the Rose is one of my favourite books of all time, and I agree that it's a good book for fall.

[@claudiaambrosoni6903]

I "m having a very bad period of my life due to depression and watch your videos is like a lot of positive vibes + love and passion . Really thank you so much. You deserve the best❤

[@trishnickles2236]

Claudia, Sending you blessings of comfort and strength during this difficult time, ( and extra hugs as well!). Take care. 🙏💕💕

[@lauramcconn1091]

I'm about 100 pages into Rebecca, and I'm OBSESSED. Beautiful writing, gothic vibes off the charts, and sooooo moody. Highly recommend!

[@jaimee-kate]

Rebecca is very good, a pillar of the Gothic suspense genre! Weyward is also solid but I don't think it's a particularly spooky read -- it's more Green Witch than Halloween Witch, but still it was a nice read

[@emmiereads]

ooh okay perfect - will definitely try to get to it this year, it's been sitting on my shelf for too long!

[@srhsw]

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke was one of my favorite books when I was younger and I reread it all the time! It follows a group of orphans in Venice I think it'd be the perfect fun read for your trip! :)

[@spinstercatlady]

The Bloody Chamber is fantastic and the stories have the perfect autumnal spooky vibes!

[@TheGerbita]

The Name of the Rose is fantastic. One of my favorites of all time. However, it’s not a light read. Do not recommend for a trip (but definitely give it a chance!)

[@amelie.mp3]

Currently reading Master and Margarita and I definitely recommend adding it to a fall tbr

[@finn-tf3ke]

that book is so good for colder seasons, but i agree- fall suits it so well. it's such a mischievous read, and it really fits the vibes of fall and halloween without being a halloween or a horror book

[@fiddleleaffiction]

Literally love these more organic TBR planning videos - they’re amazing. PS I have about 12 used books in my freezer right now because of you 😂 💕

[@emmiereads]

So glad:’) And haha amazing gotta keep those bookshelves safe!!

[@rebeccaxo2232]

OMG READ REBECCA!!! Yikes what is it going to take! You will LOVE it! PLEASE! 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@derekxo]

just the video I needed today 😌 I started the bloody chamber and i’m saving a few other spooky reads for later in October, so hopefully I find something cozy to read until then 🍂🖤

[@caora100]

WAS WAITING ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT FOR THIS ONE..... your october tbrs are always my favourites!!!

[@emmiereads]

they're my faves too:')

[@siyamarwaha8323]

rebecca was a life changing book for me. one of the most beautiful, atmospheric books i've ever read. i hope you get around to it!

[@hyemiyah]

i don't think you'd want to read the name of the rose in italy, maybe read it before or after your trip, but not during. it's a dense book (at least it was for me, but i don't mean it in a bad way).

[@helensreading]

seeing the notification that emma has posted a video us absolutely the best moment in a day.

[@emmiereads]

[@maxmustermann-hx3fx]

6:30 the thief lord by cornelia funke. It is more a child book, but it was one of my favourite book as a child/young teenager and also one of my first books that I got from the library. I read it in german and I can't remember that much about the story only that it takes place in venice and is about a child thief gang that lives in an old cinema. My mother read it afterwards and she also loved it xD.

[@cookie_catzz]

26:40 - omg, your voice is so nice- it would be so amazing to listen to you read audiobooks, sometimes i don't like the voice of the person reading but yours is so soothing and clear 😭❤

[@taesthetic6598]

As a fellow Italian subscriber it's so cute to see you excited to come here! Also, your pronunciation is really good ☺️✨

[@LaughingStockfarm1]

I’d wait on Name of the Rose, it’s a complex twisty kind of story and I think it will be best as a stay-at-home book. I really enjoyed it.

[@saphi.is.a.bookworm]

As an italian myself I think your pronunciation is already so good! It makes me very happy to see you so interested in learning it 🥰 The Name of the Rose is really gothic and spooky, so it might be a good choice for october - though maybe not something to take on a trip, since it's quite long and craves a certain amount of energy and attention to get through. Also, as a side note (though maybe you already know this), Isak Dinesen was the pen name of the author Karen Blixen, which she used to get published (since getting published as a woman back then was not easy). Happy reading, and I really hope you enjoy your time in Italy! 🥰

[@dreamywillow8664]

Hope you get to Rebecca in November! It’s one of my favourite classics

[@sadiem9097]

if you haven't read it, the neopolitan quartet by elena ferrante is an amazing series set in Naples!

[@imalyzathymia]

emma has truly become my comfort booktuber. 💚

[@RachelECartwright]

If you read the Agatha Christie mystery, I'd love to see another video of you trying to solve it as you read it! Going to Italy sounds so exciting!!

[@stevenklinden]

Apologies for the multiple comments, but as a huge fan of Umberto Eco, I would say you should read The Name of the Rose soon, but perhaps not while on vacation. It's the kind of book you want to take your time with. Perfect for cozy autumn evenings at home with a cup of tea. It's ostensibly a murder mystery, but it's also so much more than that - a meditation on how we read texts and how we make meaning - and I think it might really appeal to you as an English student.

[@skhariling]

Love the Italian themed sponsorship ad

[@neliaaa]

The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan are a perfect autumnal read and is set in Venice. 🤸🏻‍♀️🤠 it's a short read, but a very thrilling, messing-with-your-mind one! (also, I see it as autumnal because of the mood & themes, but I also read it in autumn 🍂)

[@shaylamariah]

it’s so funny how you said it’s the perfect time to reread Dorian Gray. i got the uncensored version not too long ago and i started it a couple of days ago 🥰

[@Ninaofthe90s]

PLEASE read Rebecca!!! ❤❤

[@aleksandrrakitin9747]

I loved Legends & Lattes. It's exactly how you described, low stakes fantasy and that's why it was amazing. Would recommend to everyone

[@circleofleaves2676]

Set in Venice - The Passion by Jeanette Winterson. It's also a work partially of magical realism. It's so good! For a book set in Florence - Still Life by Sarah Winman. But definitely, definitely read The Passion. You won't regret it. It's also short.

[@IdaMadeleine_]

I really needed this today. School is just so stressful and my sleep schedule is really f-ed up. Thank you so much for posting this (its so comforting❤), much love from Germany :)

[@Teaisfortigger]

The Name of the Rose is one of those books where you have a pre and post-Eco time in your reading. That being said, I would say it's a book you need a time where you can put all of your attention on it to both understand some of the medieval, philosophical themes, but also to actually enjoy the mystery aspect of the plot. I don't think it would suit a holiday because you may not be able to fully immerse yourself in the reading experience if you're also spending time gallivanting around! I also think reading it would be enhanced once you've actually visited Italy! It's a great October/November read, but for another time I think. I read it as a buddy read with my partner, which I HIGHLY reccomend!

[@chiaraperri9983]

I’m italian and you can’t even imagine my reaction when I heard you speaking Italian!!!! You’re so good Emma😍🥹

[@my_19th_personality]

woman in white was fine, but i must say i had expected a bit more by it but could be just me. hope you will love it of course. now, rebecca was fantastic, just an amazing read from start to finish

[@red.carnation]

i wasn't looking at the screen at the beginning and when emma started speaking in italian (my native language) i jumped cause i thought someone was greeting me irl (this means the accent is so good!)

[@aurorasamiira]

To be honest, I wouldn't take The Name of the Rose with me on holiday. I think it's the type of book you want to dedicate some more attention to, that you just couldn't when you're traveling. I haven't read it, though. This is my opinion based on a friend who did, so my advice may not be very reliable 😅.

[@eduardojefferson8736]

taking gothic literature this semester in college and i'm so thrilled we're going to read some classics at the same time

[@alep5561]

been looking for a spooky book for this month and it'd be also the last book for my yearly challenge you've kinda convinced me to read phantom of the opera, tysm for the video they really make my day

[@isabelmariamoorealonso666]

The name of the rose film has perfect October vibes ✨

[@mirlne]

I recommend the Neapolitan Quartett by (anonymous) author Elena Ferrante! Set in Italy (Naples, Ischia, ...)

[@htt8372]

Happy fall y’all!!

[@emmiereads]

HAPPY FALL!!!!

[@ariadni3917]

Happy autumn!!!!

[@Meikcaj]

The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins is a great Gothic/Ghost novel set in Venice

[@kayleehenderson9059]

ty for this video😌 it reminded me that house of leaves and bunny are both on my tbr and i can't think of a better time to read them than now!!

[@ecaterinashitov6630]

Recommend listening to Anna Massey's narration of Rebecca while taking a walk in the forest in the middle of autumn, gives you that spooky vibe 😉

[@sagaki_]

Elena Ferrante is an Italian author that you might like, I read “The Lost Daughter” this summer and really enjoyed it:))

[@thyme-in-a-bubble]

looooove the soft filter

[@chiarabertoldi2992]

Sooo Emma about the name of the rose.. I think it's more a "read at home in the dark with a candle and tea" kind of book, I would maybe take Calvino or Buzzati to Italy ❤ hugs to you and Cal

[@frauerde5282]

I've read Calvino in january for the first time. It was Invisible Cities and it did something to me, so much, that there were lines where I cried. Now I have The Complete Cosmicomics and Numbers in the Dark, but am hesitant to read them. Do you think they're as good as or even better than Invisible Cities?

[@chiarabertoldi2992]

@@frauerde5282 heey! So glad you loved invisible cities 😍 so far I read 3 of his books, including one non fiction and I had so many breakthroughs even reading that. So in my humble opinion and limited experience I can say that every Calvino so far has confirmed that I need to read them all. As an Italian I think it’s a duty and honestly a pleasure, I’ll try my best to squeeze one book each year. Hope you continue this journey too ❤️😉

[@wandering0wonderland]

@@frauerde5282 Thus far I've read Invisible Cities, Marcovaldo, The Baron in The Trees, and If On A Winter's Night A Traveler. The only one I didn't enjoy was "If on a winter's night.." though I still enjoyed aspects of it. invisible Cities is my #1 and Marcovaldo was my #2. He's absolutely worth reading more from, I'd like to read all of his work.

[@allmylovealmaaz]

As someone that lives in the southern hemisphere I'm living vicariously through you as I long for Autumn 🍂 love your videos as always 🍁 xx

[@joychalaby]

Oh my I'm the same 😅

[@wiwingmargahayu6831]

some people wrap book cover with transparant plastic maybe to make book cover paper last longer the soft cover version

[@miraintheforest]

I have been so busy with school all week. Now im binging Emma videos💕

[@NicoleElaine0208]

Don’t Look Now by Daphne Du Maurier!! Thriller, haunting, SET IN VENICE

[@claraferreira2243]

you NEED to read Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend" before going to Naples!

[@stevenklinden]

For books set in Venice - Iain Pears's "Stone's Fall" is a very good book partially set in 19th-century Venice.

[@mattkean1128]

I Vote Hurricane Season (it was surprising and intensely evocative) Rebecca (Du Maurier is wonderful) and Satantango (i still think about scenes from it). I'd like to try Elizabeth Gaskell's collection of Gothic stories. I loved her North and South.

[@shiningyoonie]

I secone Hurricane Season and any Daphne du Maurier.

[@AndriusReadsBooksSometimes]

Dinesen/Blixen is amazing, and Seven Gothic Tales is my favourite of hers. If you liked The Old Chevalier, you'll probably like most of her stories, especially the ones in this collection.

[@marieangealahmar]

for italian i would totally check out anything by Elena Ferrante! I'm also going to be learning Italian this year, I'll be doing translation

[@amolove24]

This video is getting me so ready for autumn!! I’m traveling to London to visit my cousin next week and I’m planning on taking Wuthering Heights and Dracula to read there and I’m so excited

[@kathy2539]

Rebecca is wonderful, Emma. Umberto's The Name of the Rose, I found it heavy going and actually put it down for another time. I'd take something lighter to Italy. 😊

[@syl2169]

Take The Name of the Rose with you to Italy, it is awesome. Nice to read it on your flight to Italy so you can think about it from time to time, there are a few layers to this book that you can enjoy for sure

[@annabattistello9993]

Girl... you are better than 80% of the people (non native speakers) that I've heard trying to speak italian in my life

[@bush0174]

Vampires... Italy.... Anne Rice.... I think you should check out Vittorio the Vampire. It isn't a part of Rice's main vampire series, so you can just jump in. Another Anne Rice book that takes place in Italy is Cry to Heaven, which is a standalone novel and does not have vampires.

[@The7Girlie]

Rebecca is a truly stunning book, I do think you will love it!!

[@BookBurrow]

If you're seeking novels set in Italy then consider 'Journey by Moonlight' by Antal Szerb. From Venice to Ravenna, Florence and Rome, to the Tuscan countryside. It's a treat, would recommend.

[@nightgreen1201]

I've the perfect book for this autumn for you, in Italy, vampire and existentialism. "Blood and Gold " by Anne Rice Don't worry if it's the eighth book in the vampire series.The only thing you need to know is that the protagonist of this book is Marius, the vampire who created Armand. Think about it, you won't regret it, I just promise!!! Ciao

[@emmiereads]

this literally sounds perfect, thank you!!

[@jamesisaacson6379]

​@emmiereads how about second book in vampire chronicles series the vampire lestat also when will that review be out I have ask you to read and review is for while now ?

[@Pursuitsofmybookishheart]

My jaw dropping when you said you DNF’d the Shadow of the Wind 😅 I loved your video and felt inspired to plan the rest of my reading year. Going back to school, I have so little time to read for myself that I’ve been craving easy quick comfort reads. I’ll have switch things around and simply DNF other books I was hoping to just finish in 2023 but that honestly are not worth the time. I’d rather read than simply finish bland books for the checkmark

[@yaeli_i_guess]

hey, the neapolitan novels by elena ferrante is a good series set in naples

[@caerrie]

The Name of the Rose is quite spooky, but not an October must, I think. I've also found it quite involved to read (in fairness, I was listening to an audiobook, but the mystery requires a lot of sort of geometric thinking?), so it might not be the ideal book for traveling since I felt I needed to be in a quiet place to read it. I'm not Italian, so take this with a grain of salt, but I did feel it had more to say on religion and medieval times than necessarily on Italian culture as it is now? It's a great book and you'll love it! But I don't think you'd be disappointed if you read it after your trip instead of before. Maybe it'd even be better, because you could picture the landscapes in more detail?

[@rine6740]

oh you HAVE to read White Is For Witching!! It takes the idea of a haunted house and makes it into a metaphor for racism/colonialism and it's so interestingly written. I really recommend it

[@lizzie-kl4us]

Satango is incredible (I think I recommended it here a while ago lol) but I wouldn't put it on a packed tbr because you really need to give yourself time to absorb the prose, rather than rushing through it. I think you'll really like it though

[@Cubehead27]

Was planning on giving The Name of the Rose a shot myself in October 🙂 haven't read a full Eco book before so I'm excited

[@starlight773]

im italian and i loved the intro😭

[@wittilly]

the haunted hotel by wilkie collins is also set in Venice! and it's a perfect gothic murder mystery for autumn

[@panipasztetowa476]

Hello! I am 99% sure you will enjoy "Marina" a lot. Give it a try. I read it a few months ago and I think it is the best mix of cozy and gothic combined.

[@pendragon2012]

Loving all the new content, Emma! BTW, PLEASE read Woman in White! Great story!

[@hannahwebster5606]

Rebecca is amazing

[@ReadingNymph]

The Uncensored Dorian Gray is amazing, highly recommend 👌🏻

[@azu_rikka]

You have to go to Florence!!! The book to read there would definitely have to be "Still Life" by Sarah Winman. If you go to Naples, start with Elena Ferrante's "L'amica geniale", the first book in a quartet. Am currently reading the name of the rose and enjoying it (only 50 pages in). I hope you will be vlogging in bella Italia!

[@juke986]

I truly believe you need to read Agatha Christie's Hallowe'en Party this month!

[@SloanePaoPow]

Pale Horse is a better spooky Christie read. Hallowe'en Party is not a great book, despite it recently being adapted

[@abbiebryant8548]

You should absolutely go into Rebecca blind. I didn't expect to love it (it sat on my shelves for yeaaars) but I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! Already ready for a reread and I only read it in January! I will say I think I would have liked it less had I known what it was before I started - no expectations are the best expectations.

[@BreakfastAtFabianas]

Your italian is getting better!! You'll love Italy ❤

[@carnelian6545]

i really recommend Natalia Ginzburg if you're wanting to read some Italian literature! her most famous book is Family Lexicon (sometimes translated as Family Sayings). she had an extraordinary life and a real gift for capturing character in dialogue. her short stories are also incredible!

[@lydiaisimmune]

your italian is really good! i'm sure that you'll have no problem in making yourself understood on your holiday 💚 hope you enjoy it, i visited venice for the first time this year and loved it - there weren't even that many tourists! my favourite moment was seeing the stores stocking up on the goods they had to sell that day directly from the canals in the early morning, its what made it feel like a real lived place but you have to see libreria acqua alta (even though its always super crowded :( ) and the grocery store built inside an old theatre/cinema as for the name of the rose.... i'd say skip it for now, there's not much about italy in it because italy wasn't really a thing in the middle ages, and apart from being dense it's also full to the brim with latin it's a really intense read, but despite being very rewarding i don't think it's a great holiday book (i've also read it a long time ago so take what i say with a pinch of salt - maybe try reading a chapter before putting it in your suitcase though!)

[@vasilisashakurova743]

Please, read Rebecca. It’s the best

[@myweakness1883]

"If I don't like the person's voice, it's over" literally me 😂 The audiobook narrator can really influence the whole experience, this is why I might need to reread The Picture of Dorian Grey. I listened to the audiobook and ended up rolling my eyes every time the narrator would read Dorian's lines. He did this young boy voice for some reason and it drove me crazy 😅

[@bookishbianca]

I’m reading the sequel to once upon a broken heart (the ballad of never after) and I love them both. Just fyi though the setting is super wintery and magical so it’s also a great series for winter time. But I’d still recommend it for right now since the final book in the trilogy is coming out in November!

[@zoriana_zoria]

Hi Emma, I‘d recommend Journey By Moonlight by Antal Szerb for a beautiful haunting autumnal book set in Venice 😊 Also Hurricane Season from your list is disturbing as you said by I was absolutely blown away by it!

[@johnsailorsgoat]

The Satantango movie is unbelievable!

[@de_hobbyhoarder50]

I am also trying to read Zofloya this October as well as The Mysteries of Udolpho. My other classic gothics novels for this spooky season are Uncle Silas by Sheridan Le Fanu and Melmoth the Wanderer by Charles Maturin.

[@oak_leaf]

Hi Emma, would you like to do another specific books recommendation? If so, I'd like to get two recommendations: - a forest is a character, something to be loved, cared for and caring too - Native Americans perceive the past as something in front of them, because they know it, and the futuru behind them, because they can't see it. I want to know more.

[@JosephineLemonade]

i saw someone mention Ice by Anna Kavan recently and it really sounded like something you might be interested in!!! i don't know much about it but i know it's set in a world of snow and ice which honestly sounds perfect for you ✨ might be worth looking into for your winter tbr!!

[@hyemiyah]

when your voice broke at the picture of carolyn and you

[@E.Cerulean]

We need you as a narrator on audible. What a voice, elocution & intonations.

[@Oaxara]

I think I said the opposite in your comments last year (oops), but I actually think at least The Vampire Lestat (though maybe not the rest of the series) will really work for you. I re-read TVL last winter and just. the philosophy and writing just blew me away. I was in love with it this time. (all of this comes with the caveat that you gotta roll with the first person narration. if you can work with that it's so so good)

[@pageturner242]

you should definitely incorporate name of the rose into your italy trip somehow!!