Reading 6 Horror Novellas in 48 hours 👻 || A Spooky Reading Vlog

[@AmyNoelleReads]

omg THANK YOU for that rant on Dear Laura! 👏 I read it during Summerween and felt the EXACT same way but everyone else I know that has read it absolutely loved it so I'm like, is it me?!?! 😂

[@LunahsLibrary]

Lmaoooo Gabby 😂😂😂 “and I’m guessing the bitch gives him a tooth” 🦷🤣

[@mereditha4363]

I cracked up too! 🤣

[@shari1121]

I freaking LOVED Crossroads so much! I have a weird relationship with horror books lol. I think I like them, but they usually either don't scare me at all or they end up disappointing in some other way. Crossroads kind of solidified what it is that I find truly scary: grief. No one wants to go through it, but we all end up grieving someone at some point in our lives. Grieving the loss of a child though... that's a whole different kind of fear in my opinion. Definitely my favorite of the year so far!

[@laurencaldwell5601]

I got my wine!! Excited to see if any they sent will taste good 👍

[@thomascampbell350]

That beat playing at the coffee shop was so fire it caught me off guard while I was driving to work. I cranked that volume til my car was shaking

[@blending_in]

I was in a bad mood but I swear seeing this notification made me light up instantly 😭 Thank you, queen.

[@alexthomas962]

I finally read “we need to do something” based on your recommendation (it was great!!) and now I’m going to pick up “Cirque berserk”!! Thanks Gabby!! :)

[@17caria]

the Dear Laura rant was funny, and that first segment of music was creepy!

[@janisjay]

i loved this video!! please do more reading vlogs on short novellas!!

[@afriendwithfiction865]

I've been wanting to read more horror novellas, so I'm extra excited about this!

[@mandysmorgueofhorror]

I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed Crossroads. It’s one of my fav horror books. I think Laurel Hightower has a beautiful writing style and she really captured the power of grief and loss so perfectly!

[@gabbyreads]

It’s so good 😍😭

[@molliee5183]

It’s a super stormy day & I got to leave work 3 hours early & gabby uploads this… perfect 🌧☕️

[@shell1338]

I loved Petrified Women. I agree with you about one of the decisions she made. Such a fun and wild read.

[@lorenamunguia-cortez9368]

A horror vlog?? Cannot get any better than this

[@kellyjohnston2977]

I've been wanting to read more horror , so I'm very excited about this vid!

[@pratiksha2898]

I'm definitely going to read Crossroads & Petrified Women.

[@vanessas_library9386]

Hello Fresh is amazing! Quick and simple meals to make and you get to keep the recipe, I have a book full now.

[@canelli4]

I’m just starting to watch this now and I love the music in the background choice!! You’ve inspired me to want to do this!!!! So much fun!!

[@danidayreads]

I'm watching this at work (by myself) and that ambiance music is creeping me out 😅

[@cricketreads4654]

I love this! Novellas and mangas are my go to when I hit reading slumps. I would love to see you do a manga reading vlog where you read a bunch of different genre manga and rate which ones were the best. Three novellas I have been looking into reading are Dark Halls by Jeff Menapace, The Lunchling by Jay Alexander and Six Rooms by Gemma Amor.

[@kelliebennett9932]

I love hearing you talk about these books. So awesome!!! Need to pick up a few.

[@plantobebooked-Alicia_Allen]

I have never read novellas before, surprisingly. I am a big book lover. The bigger the better, but now I want to read all you recommended but Dear Laura, lol. I need to try Novellas!

[@reanna187]

I just picked up a things have gotten worse since we last spoke and omg that book is weird. I loved it. Thinking about picking up A Dowry of Blood next!

[@notpeach17]

Hearing you ranting is always entertaining 😂

[@StephanieLoolie91]

Petrified Women was so good! I was lucky to read an ARC last year. I also really enjoyed Dear Laura - very messed up!

[@karamarie6781]

Crossroads was excellent. You will really like it!

[@mrsasori8]

Not sure if you've already read it but I'd recommend Come Closer by Sara Gran. I read it two months ago and still think about it about every day

[@vampqueen]

I have just purchased Cirque Berserk and Crossroads. so I am looking forward to reading those. :) I love your vlogs. x

[@case4147]

I read Cirque Berzerk for Summerween and enjoyed it so much. Something about it was totally captivating, and such a fun time too!

[@chxrrywxves]

I've been back and forth whether I wanted to read Dear Laura and your review definitely made the decision for me lol

[@carrielumpkin3250]

Thank you for telling us about all these books it really helped me and I'm sure other people too 😊

[@blending_in]

Love the rant about Dear Laura 💀

[@smittenforfiction]

Short Horror: The Grown Up by Gillian Flynn was pretty good.

[@anhkate3578]

I love Horror too thanks for your video so excited 👌

[@bookswithgeri]

I swear I was just looking for a latest video featuring horror novellas. I'm so excited for this one 🥰 Thanks, Gabby!!

[@ReadingWithMeg]

Been reading so many horror novellas lately and I really need to check out Petrified Women now!

[@doridoo5715]

Cirque Berserk was amazing!!!!

[@esliet]

Great vlog. You’ve convinced me to try horror novellas

[@sleuthytv1228]

Side note: that’s my favorite Hello Fresh meal

[@aardvarkbookclub]

This really makes me want to light a candle and curl up with a horror book

[@ilovesmallville13]

I read all of these except Below! I gave True Crime 5 stars, Crossroads, Petrified Women, Cirque Beserk and Dear Laura 4 stars! I love horror novellas and short stories 😍 Kealan Patrick Burke is one of my favorite authors.

[@LunahsLibrary]

I’m so glad you finished on a high note! I’m going to have to give Petrified Women a try!

[@diannejewelbarrera2203]

the cover for Petrified Women looks like a Titan

[@luca.desu.2590]

Ooh nice idea on superlatives in addition to a simple ranking because it is more descriptive!

[@rebar351]

Needed this video! Having a rough day!

[@vanessas_library9386]

I need to add these novellas to my tbr list.

[@jenshoemaker1642]

I am so excited to add some of these to my list :) do you have other novella rec videos?

[@andshereadstoo7809]

I liked Dear Laura but I read it on audio on 2x speed as I usually do with audiobook, was super into it, and the ending FELL SO FLAT thank you!!💔

[@courtneylynnreads9593]

I was so curious on how you were going to feel about True Crime. It makes sense that it didn’t really connect with you. I’ve been following your vids for awhile and your family is absolutely amazing. This book is more so for people that do not have such great families so they can feel less alone. I’m honestly happy for you that True Crime wasn’t a home run for you 😂

[@meridithcurran3092]

Oh wow. I was feeling there wasn’t any take away from that book, but that’s definitely a new perspective. I can see that.

[@cindyo6298]

This was such a successful reading vlog. I'd love to see more horror novella content

[@bookswithgeri]

Hi Gabby! I wondered where do you pick the novellas you're going to read next from? Like how were you able to come up with the list or your top picks? (do you casually browse, watch other booktubers, or like do you just pick titles that looks interesting in libraries or stores?)

[@gabbyreads]

I just hear about them from Booktube and IG and from other friends in the community 😌

[@icchigoat]

I absolutely loved this vlog it kind of inspired me to make a small tiktok to read and review books :)

[@annaross150]

I highly recommend Thornhill by Pam Smy. It's a middle grade graphic novel. I am not a middle grade reader at all, but It's one of the best things I've read this year! Very atmospheric and spooky. Read from two timelines, the past in journal entries and the present in illustrations. Centers around an abandoned orphanage in England, defiantly worth checking out!

[@KristenReads]

Yes! Very atmospheric. I read it a few years ago but still think about it.

[@rfb8499]

Ooooh I’m currently reading True Crime!

[@srokachannel]

How funny, I was watching your blog and when you noticed pet sematary I noticed that I too am currently wearing my pet sematary t-shirt:)

[@krisprepolec5616]

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw was a very unique horror novella. And the cover is awesome.

[@idkwhattonamemyself9326]

I love your reading vlogs! ❤️

[@bookaholicbanter]

You have me so hyped to read Petrified Women! Also want to read Cirque Berserk and True Crime. I haven't really read any horror novellas and now I really want to.

[@gabbyreads]

I hope you find some you enjoy! 😌

[@alarareads]

I've read Petrified Women and it was super creepy!!

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Gabbi I'm proud of you and I loved your vlogs and you are amazing Supporter and your editing is amazing

[@UnbrokenandRandom]

Jeremy Ray has full books of microstories. He's great!

[@miquesbookvlogs372]

I definitely recommend checking out Penpal as it is a better version of Dear Laura!! Also I just got Cirque Berserk and I can't wait to dive in!!

[@gabbyreads]

I can’t wait to read Penpal!! And hope you enjoy Cirque Berserk 😍

[@bryanc7080]

Definitely got me interested in Crossroads, Below, and Petrified Women. It's not a novella but the plot of Crossroads sounds kinda similar to Suffer the Children by Craig DiLouie

[@BohoBookworm]

True Crime is one I've been really excited for! It's sad you didn't like it as much as you wanted to but it still sounded pretty epic!!

[@Ms.SpookyNerd]

Great vlog🎃🪦🕷️👻🦇💀☕🪴📚

[@books-on-a-wire]

All of these books have been on my TBR and I've read Dear Laura (4), Cirque Berserk (5), and True Crime (4). I'm a mom of two teen boys so I feel like Crossroads is going to be forever unread lol, I just don't know if I can do it. But I'll definitely have to read Below and Petrified Women. If you want a teeny tiny book, try his The House Plant. I was impressed with how much emotion he packed in that short story.

[@ruthypoo2675]

The only one of the 6 I’ve read is Dear Laura and I think I got more from it than you did as a character study and study of (maybe misplaced) retribution or redemption. On my TBR already are Crossroads and Below, but now adding Petrified Women and Cirque Berserk. I’ll likely be reading some or all for Ashley’s 24 Hour Horror-A-Thon. Some I can recommend are Hannah-Beast (perfect as a Halloween read), Kutter (I was sobbing at the end), Park Closes at Dusk (fun with action), Palmetto (creepy Ania Ahlborn aesthetic, natch), Come Closer (possession story done right), The Pretty Ones, Queen of Teeth, The Worm and His Kings, and maybe Come Forth in Thaw, but it definitely has some serious trigger warnings. That’s a variety of short to novella length but it don’t hurt to mix it up! I really enjoyed this vlog and hope you’ll do more. Thank you!

[@gabbyreads]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! And wow thanks for the recs, I’ll have to check these out 😍

[@soumyaranganathan1677]

Really loved the video, now want to read Petrified women and crossroads. Already read Cirque Beserk and loved it, read Dear Laura and didn't like it much

[@justinkhchen]

Dear Laura 🤣🤣🤣 I kind of forgave its lack of logic since it's a novella, and focused on the emotional portrayal (trauma/psychological torture) - ended up giving it 4 stars. Excited to check out Petrified Women!

[@TM-ui9gt]

I loved True Crime, however, the first half was better than the second. I didn't want to first half to stop. It was almost two separate stories.

[@sassysarahreads]

So glad you enjoyed Cirque Beserk. I was pleasantly surprised by it and loved it more than I thought I would. Samantha Kolesnik’s novellas are interesting. True Crime is definitely a great example of a grindhouse or extreme horror. Extreme horror tends to be incredibly misogynist and abusive towards women. Kolesnik often tackles those topics from the feminist lens or perspective and True Crime is more of a character study into depravity and whether you can beat your upbringing that shapes you into the worst of your parents. I enjoyed Waif by her and think you may enjoy that one more in terms of concept and what the reader takes away from the story, but think of it like two novellas in one because it abruptly turns in plot points. Below was tons of fun and I definitely need to pick up Crossroads sooner rather later.

[@talesandtails9]

I'm so happy you liked Petrified Women! I buddy read that earlier this year with one of my friends and we both really enjoyed it. I also gave it a 4.5 for the exact same reason, I was screaming when she did that. No way in hell. Crossroads sounds so good, might pick that one up for the next ween readathon.

[@gabbyreads]

Yes Petrified Women was wild 🤯 and also ahhh yes hope you enjoy Crossroads!

[@CarolMarieReads]

An author to check out - Chad Lutzke

[@LexieMoon321]

True Crime almost has that Bonnie and Clyde to it. I’m interested in checking it out!

[@nwreader]

You need to read Jeremy's novella THE HOUSE PLANT..it's sooo good.

[@RivetingReads]

So glad you loved Cirque Berserk!!

[@RivetingReads]

I feel like I’d struggle reading True Crime

[@RivetingReads]

Omg seeing Five Guys 😍 I miss being able to go there!

[@RivetingReads]

Loving the Dear Laura rant lmfao

[@RivetingReads]

Omg now I haveee to read Petrified Women!

[@RivetingReads]

I loved this video so much 🧡

[@afriendwithfiction865]

Also, I'm from WV where the Mothman is from and I haven't read Below yet!

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Wow. I have some horror novellas to read! Thanks Gabby 🎃

[@brittanysettle]

I’m so glad you liked Petrified Women! I read it in March and I keep thinking about it - it was so creepy. I gave it 5 stars but I completely agree with your thoughts on the main character’s ridiculous decision-making 🤣 Also, you’ve convinced me to pick up Crossroads, it sounds soo good!

[@gabbyreads]

Yeah Petrified Women was wild 🤯 I hope you enjoy Crossroads!!

[@blending_in]

I'm gonna read Cross Roads asap!! Edit : I dropped everything and read it! Just finished reading it in one sitting and its one of my favorite horror books of all time now! Thank you, Gabby. Now on to Petrified Women! No sleep for me tonight lmao

[@gabbyreads]

Ahhh I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! 😍

[@ginakennett4051]

Will you read gone to see the river man? I am afraid to read it, hope you read it first, lol

[@gabbyreads]

it's on my TBR! :)

[@shanemyrick5432]

Bentley Little is an amazing horror writer and has several good reads I'd highly recommend giving a shot if you never read any of his works

[@NakiasHideaway]

So glad you enjoyed Petrified Women because it's one of my favorites and Jeremy Ray is a sweetheart! Like you, I could not put it down and I know what moment you're talking about with the MC and I felt the same way. Also loved Bullet Train and so glad they didn't ruin the movie by showing too much in the trailers! Oh and I recommend Hannah-Beast by your beloved Jennifer McMahon. 😉

[@gabbyreads]

Yesss it’s so good!! And ohhh I didn’t know Jennifer McMahon had a novella 👀

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

Wishing you the best of luck with your reading for this fantastic readathon and I believe that you will do it please stay safe and enjoy your reading love your family friend John prayers and thoughts for you and your family xxx

[@macnx3637]

I would like to buy those top 3

[@stephheartsbooks3777]

I need to read Petrified Women. Have you read Off Season by Jack Ketchum? It's really good.

[@gabbyreads]

No I haven’t yet! I’ll have to check it out!

[@judychapman1868]

OK, I WATCHED “Forgotten” on Netflix and had mixed thoughts about it. I’m still not sure if I liked it or not and doubt I’ll forget about it….

[@jennifersmyth6301]

Hi.This is off topic, but can you recommend a couple of good time travel books? I’ve already read 11-22-63 and replay by Ken Grimwood. Thanks gabby!

[@queenkim8631]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who didn't love true crime😬...Also dear Laura was on my tbr for the LONGEST...glad I didn't buy the book😅

[@mad_m101]

How do you deal with a burn outs reading books all the time now?

[@vampqueen]

Okay so crossroads came today and I read it today, and WOW what a book. so much in that book reminds me of myself. I don't want to give to much away. but it was pretty scary for me as it was so real. EVEN her own mother part. thank you for the videos and for recommending it, I think I can now heal. I am 44 with a 4 year old, Finally I had my little girl after wishing so god damn hard all my life, BUT my mother is a LOT like the mother in this story, and you know what, this BOOK has given me the courage. just a courage to ignore the games that she plays and realize I am the best mother I can be.

[@thegreenforager2362]

Was wondering if you have read “Tastes like candy” by Ivy Tholen, it’s a slasher similar to Cirque Berserk I think takes place in a carnival as well I was thinking of getting this book to read. Also I was thinking maybe the main protaganist was a bit naive? Not dumb but just not wise lol

[@bizzywithbooks5256]

I didn’t make it past page 2 of True Crime. But I will be trying out Crossroads.

[@tinadoesntreadthatmuch]

I don’t get the hype for Crossroads but maybe it has to do with the way it portrayed suicide ideation because I’m very sensitive to that topic. And it wasn’t great here imo, especially towards the end. But I need to sit on it a bit longer as I finished it like two hours ago. I’m glad you loved it though!

[@brandihertel5206]

Check out Woom, horror novella by Duncan Ralston

[@Taylorwintz]

Naomi's Room is so scary and creepy. It is a book I wish I haven't read it sticks with you like pen pal

[@kep07]

Crossroads sounds so good!! It will be on my list to buy right now. Have you watched the movie called Wake Wood? The book sounds like the same vibes as that movie. If you check it out please let us know!!☠🖤

[@gabbyreads]

No I haven’t! 👀 I’ll have to check it out!

[@RallyReviews]

If you like "big brother" and have a way to see it. check out australia's big brother. this season i have been watching it with a friend and it has been so fun. way more twist then the american one this season.

[@mikeprewittmovieandbookreviews]

Hi Gabby I just watched the video and I enjoyed your thoughts on all these. Out of these six I would personally read Cirque Berserk that one sounds pretty dope. I have a pretty fun recommendation for you and that is Zero Lives Remaining by Adam Cesare. This is about a haunted arcade game. I really enjoyed it. And I still enjoy the channel keep up the good work 😊

[@homemadehappy6956]

In Dear Laura I couldn't understand the part when he knocked on her door and she just stared at his dark figure through the door. If she just answered the door she would have know who he was. And he knocked for awhile like he wanted her to answer. If he wants to remain unknown why would he come to her door hoping she'd answer? Dumb!

[@gabbyreads]

Exactly!!! I was like she really doesn’t want to know who he is.. like she had so many opportunities to find out 🫠