i found a new genre of books...🍄🌲

in this reading vlog we are reading dark cottagecore books!!
🌼 s o c i a l m e d i a
• goodreads: / leonie-dams
• twitter: @thebookleo
• instagram: @thebookleo
• business enquiries: [e-mail]
🌺 a b o u t m e
Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 25 year old girl who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave). I live in the Netherlands and go to university, but make booktube videos in my spare time :)
🌹 m u s i c

[@aimeebrooks4303]

Dark Cottagecore is literally the Maleficent movies and I can't believe I didn't realise it before.

[@boglitt6918]

Exactly!

[@lenapakalniski2632]

OMG!!!!!! SO TRUE

[@helinkaya5442]

OH I have a book recommendation about this : malice by heather Walter, which is a sapphic retelling of the sleeping beauty which is from the POV of malice, the villain in the story. I really liked it ❤

[@kb-ih7ni]

I was so obsessed with the dark fae from the maleficent movie world i dreamt an entire story complete with lore and everything. The speed with wc i clicked on this video...hilarious.

[@vfa9761]

@@kb-ih7ni PLEASE write it down!!!!

[@mindimeeks4756]

I've heard of this referred to as "cottagegore" and I love it.

[@fearthelight.5766]

6:05 "i know nick wilde from zootopia had a chokehold on all of us, but this is taking it a little too far" THIS KILLED ME LMAO

[@Rocker9593]

lol I died when she said that! and had to stop and find this comment lol

[@MeMyshelfAndI]

Cottagegore!! (Cottage + gore) The dark, bloody cousin of cottagecore is 100% my vibe 🖤🔪🫀🍄🥀🍁🩸🦴🖤 House of Hollow, Queens of Renthia series, For the Wolf, Juniper & Thorn, Slewfoot, The Tangleroot Palace, Mexican Gothic, All the Murmuring Bones, Into the Heartless Wood, The Bone Houses, Follow Me to Ground, Small Favors, This Poison Heart (a bit too high fantasy to perfectly fit, but maybe a little bit The Ninth Rain. it definitely gets both the naturey and horror elements)

[@textappeal8833]

I loved house of hollow and small favors... gotta check out the others

[@ResOwOnance]

So many good recommendations omg

[@FaeryLaume]

I've read a lot of these and the rest are on my TBR. I never hear anyone mention the Queens of Renthia series but I have read two of the three books and really enjoyed them.

[@biaa7278]

yess house of hollow is so so good

[@manoeksbooknook]

Thank you for this comment!!

[@navyabajpai6946]

Circe also fits this aesthetic so well for some reason

[@__________________________6633]

I’ve received it as a gift, should I start ? Is it a light read ? Thank you

[@halfgodfairy8654]

@@__________________________6633 imo its not a light read, as the prose isnt very straightforward and rather "flowery" and the subject matter is also quite melancholic and sad, BUT Circe was one of my favourite reads this year partially because of these two reasons, so Id say read it as soon as youre in the mood for a book that isnt too light!!

[@blesr9022]

Yes! I’m reading it now and I love anything Greek mythology and they way the author wrote Circe is just perfect imo

[@MissAikaterine]

This intrigues me into getting Circe so much 🙌

[@freckles4603]

“The girl from the other side” really fits this vibe imo 🌿⭐️

[@ladylark10884]

i love that manga sm, it's incredible

[@dee7519]

YES YES YES

[@mayerlyariza8444]

there will be an anime version soon!!!

[@junainahrahman4156]

Love it!!

[@tell.me.mor.]

my partner and i have been using the term ‘botanical horror’ for books like this! we’re obsessed! top recs of ours are other words for smoke by sarah maria griffin, house of hollow by krystal sutherland, and baby teeth by meg grehan

[@I-love-your-father]

You and your partner sound awesome

[@srose1088]

Enchantment of Ravens feels like dark cottage core to me, the fae are inhuman looking and resemble the fores they reside in. All the vibes 🍂🌙

[@catsandbats77]

Such a great book!

[@realsushrey]

Enchantment of Ravens is amazing. One of my favorite romance books, even though romance is just the front for a backdrop of deeper themes.

[@MissAikaterine]

*adding to my tbr* 😅

[@srose1088]

@@MissAikaterine the fan art is pretty good. I use it to kind of imagine what stuff looks like.

[@MissAikaterine]

@@srose1088 oh wow that’s actually a very good trick (for all books tbh)! Do you find it on Pinterest?

[@stephengoodman9058]

Women feeling isolated and not taken seriously seems to be a bit of a recurring theme in Shirley Jackson's work. I'm currently reading 'Dark tales' - a collection of her short stories - she really is an excellent writer.

[@abbyatwood3592]

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland fits this vibe soooo perfectly!

[@gia5034]

Yes omg I absolutely love house of hollow!!

[@cubalibre_947]

Agreed!! I had a great surprise reading it

[@iamthatxx4973]

I have this on my tbr. Really appreciate your suggestion!

[@24studiosbrm]

All three of the girls were great and also irritating in their own way. The writing style of the book is so descriptive and creepy.

[@lauraaiello5223]

Omg such a great book!! The atmosphere was just exquisite 🖤🍄🍃

[@irenegrijalvotarres]

T. Kingfisher has a bunch of books that fit this vibe. "Nettle & Bone" (quest through the forest with a witch, includes loveable reanimated skeleton dog) is her latest in that category, but I can also recommend "The Raven and the Reindeer" (a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen") and "The Twisted Ones" (that one is more horror, I know it's not your usual). Also, for mushrooms and rot with a gothic mansion setting, "What Moves the Dead" is her retelling of E. A. Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher.”

[@annieblock5396]

Was going to comment about "What Moves the Dead"! So good. I haven't read her others so this was very helpful!

[@MissAikaterine]

I’ve heard so many good things about Nettle & Bone ✨

[@LaFou06]

Spinning Silver, Uprooted and the girl in the tower all fit the cottagecore theme quite well, imo! Also maybe some stormy Agatha Christie, such as And then there were none.

[@lenapakalniski2632]

I also thought of Uprooted for this one! The vibes are there!

[@Bookishbrunette]

When she said dark cottagecore I immediately thought of Uprooted!

[@strixalucobooks1536]

Came here to mention The girl in the tower/bear and the nightingale 🖤

[@LaFou06]

@@strixalucobooks1536 ah yes, bear and the nightingale as well!

[@MissFlyingUnicorn]

I was going to mention Uprooted instantly! The Winternight trilogy (Bear and the Nightingale, Girl in the Tower, and Winter of the Witch) is also such a great suggestion

[@aiela]

For maximum Dark Cottagecore vibes, read the short story The Erl-King by Angela Carter. It’s just what you’re looking for! It’s part of the Bloody Chamber short story collection as well.

[@Kiki-oo3bw]

omg YES!! i second this 😌

[@mawley3266]

Oh 100%

[@catsandbats77]

Someone made a book based on The Erl King? That poem has always creeped me out and fascinated me at the same time.

[@FaeryLaume]

I liked Among the Beasts and Briars - it was definitely a YA vibe. The fox thing didn't weird me out, but my favorite part was that she was the gardener's daughter. For a darker forest vibe, with an actual cottage in the story, you might like The Will and the Wilds by Charlie Holmberg. I haven't read Fortuna Sworn yet. I had the same reaction you did when I finished We Have Always Lived in the Castle.

dark cottagecore reminds me of fairytales and I think it'll be the perfect reading aesthetic for January! I love reading fantasy in the wintertime, so I feel like this will be perfect for this time of year.

[@cessoles1602]

Finding books that fit with this aesthetic isn't easy, but in the last couple of years since I fell in love with cottagegore, here are some gems I've run across: "A Walk In A Darker Wood" (short story anthology, edited by Sarah Walker), "Tales From The Hinterland" by Melissa Albert, and "The Sisters Of The Winter Wood" by Rena Rossner. And although these aren't books, I just wanted to include a few more suggestions for anyone out there who, like me, simply can't get enough of this aesthetic... The album "O My Heart," by Mother Mother, is *very* cottagegore. If you're looking for something with a dark Americana kind of vibe, The Builders And The Butchers is a great band to check out -- gothic bluegrass, very dark lyrics, and the singer's voice is amazing. Compilations of "Deep Woods/Cryptid Stories" by Raven Reads (here on KZbin) have the perfect combination of being woodsy, cozy, and deliciously spooky. The 1970's film "The Wicker Man" and the 2016 movie "The Witch" beautifully capture the essence of cottagegore (not to mention they're both masterpieces of psychological horror). And for anyone here who doesn't already know about it, you've simply got to check out the "Cottagegore" playlist by Kester Spach (on KZbin). It captures this vibe *flawlessly.* Thanks so much to everyone else on here who posted their book recommendations -- I'm always looking for more cottagegore stories!

[@camilahuron4976]

If you want the good misty atmosphere in dark cottage core you should read the FOR THE WOLF series by hannah whitmen! This series explores the red riding hood trope but crosses it with beauty and the beast. The author is amazing at atmosphere and keeping you engaged in all the details. My only critic is that it can be a little slow but i love it!

[@spacepirating]

2 books that I’ve read recently that fit this trope- particularly the dark fungus vibe- are Mexican gothic and what moves the dead. loved them both!

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

This video is so cosy, it fits the cottagecore aesthetic perfectly!

[@FireFr0ggy]

Your digital painting gives me The Ancient Magus' Bride vibes. Shirley Jackson is a favorite author of mine. Her short story, The Lottery and novels Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in a Castle are my favorites.

[@juliaziemann5140]

is it similar to the netflix series?

[@stephengoodman9058]

@@juliaziemann5140 They have the same title but that's about it apart from some character names. They're both excellent in their way though.

[@kathryn8862]

An enchantment of ravens, a fragile enchantment, t kingfisher’s books, into the heartless wood, juniper and thorn, and silver in the wood all give me goblincore /dark cottagecore vibes!

[@slglorie]

I'd recommend The Winternight Trilogy! (especially The Bear and The Nightingale)

[@FaeryLaume]

Loved the Winternight trilogy. Similar mythology/folklore, similar time period, but different interpretation, I also just finished The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore.

[@katereadsbooks3805]

I loved this, but, in previous videos, Leonie has read it and said it is not her thing!!

[@akashiccode]

I got this out the library and Is next to read!

[@MissAikaterine]

I’m so tempted to get back to this series rn!

[@TheDobby321]

I would really recommend Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh. I think it fits this perfectly!

[@charoi9659]

Was the first thing I thought about, too. And the two books are quite short as well, all the vibes and not a big commitment :D

[@MatildaTheBookDragon]

It's beautiful! I've got the second but haven't read it yet

[@tpstps85]

I came here for this rec!!

[@federubiowenk2859]

I think you would like Nettle and bone by T Kingfisher. It’s a dark fantasy with witches, a bone dog and a demon hen. For me was a really cozy quest like book

[@StephenLarrick]

This is the first time that I've seen you draw in a video -- I really liked watching the images come together as you talked about the book. Cool idea.

[@fallisdying2077]

I loved the drawing timelapse you did with the voiceover!!

[@ZoetheGoober]

Thank you for finding the description of this INCREDIBLE aesthetic

[@witchology]

my favorite piece of media at the moment that I feel fits this aesthetic rather perfectly is the Mabel Podcast. ghosts, fae, nature, abandoned house overtaken by shrubbery and rot. made me fall in love with this aesthetic and i've been seeking books and other media that even come close to replicating it ever since. (also they have official transcripts on their website so you can read along as well!)

[@bybookandbone]

My aesthetic is essentially dark cottage core so you best bet I'm hyped for this video. I didn't realise it could be a book genre!

[@hollyh5791]

The Shady Hollow series by Juneau Black fits this perfectly! It’s about a small town murder & all the characters are animals who live in the forest. It’s amazing & one of my top 5 favorites!

[@liviejb]

Your deer head portrait is SO reminiscent of the Rusty Lake games, which I 100% recommend. I would even venture to say they have the cottagegore vibe 🌿🍄

[@annawinter__]

i can't help but think that the 'being' you draw looks like 'the outsider' from 'the girl from the other side' give it a try if you want!

[@ASGhouti]

I love how you deliver these types of concepts/topics, please make more of the dark cottagecore reading vlog/recommendations! 💙✨

[@nikolahetn944]

Highly recommend A Far Wilder Magic! It's the most autumn book I've ever read and I think it kinda matches the vibe of dark cottagecore :D

[@nikolahetn944]

Also not a book but you should definitely check out Mushishi!

[@gilmorewitch197]

It's been a while since I've read The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg but I remember it had nice nature/cottagecore/demon vibe, it lowkey gave me dark studio Ghibli feels? I would also highly recommend reading short story by Leigh Bardugo The Witch of Duva, it has this dark fairytale element that I adored

[@erikkasea]

House of Hollow would fit the vibes perfectly

[@SweetlyCryptic]

Dark Cottagecore/ cottagegore is a favorite vibe/ aesthetic of mine!!! I will 100% be looking into some of these!!

[@lavendergore]

i'm watching this in the morning with my coffee and it's very broody outside and oh my lord watching you draw was so calming and lovely - thank you! loving this aesthetic and definitely have to check out we have always lived in this castle!

[@megangoodell]

Please do more videos of your drawing while you talk about books! Omg I love it!

[@LaurenNicoleGlenn]

Dark cottage core is such a vibe! If you’re looking for another one that falls under that genre, I highly recommend A Daughter of the Trolls by McKenzie Catron! It’s dark, lush, and full of those eerie cottage core vibes! It’s all about Fae too!

[@andreanicole8132]

Your videos always take me out of my reading slumps

[@manoeksbooknook]

This video made me realise that a lot of my favourite horror/spooky books fit into this genre. They all have to do with nature, funghi, flowers etc. I'm talking about House of Hollow, Mexican Gothic, Horrid, What moves the Dead etc. And some comments made me realise this is called cottagecore so I'm definitely going to look for more of those books and read more in 2023

[@torialexander8754]

For the Wolf by Hannah Witten also has the cottagegore vibes. I loooove it.

[@dvckduckgoose]

leo i absolutely love your art style!

[@cozy_k8]

I could watch you draw and talk about books all day! ❤️

[@frostkiss2]

Your art has its own personal style, I love it!! It's good!

[@jaimeerindy4573]

Such a cool vibe!! I want more of this kind of book!

[@Thenoobestgirl]

18:19 I read that as 'The Village People have always hated us' at first 😂

[@fallisdying2077]

Absolutely in love with this video!!

[@alissamaharaj791]

Love that someone else is appreciating Fortuna Sworn! ❤

[@josesanchez9707]

So glad and happy 🌙 watching another video of THE BOOK OF LEO 📕📔📗📘

[@jasperdotpdf]

you should read the silver in the wood duology! it‘s two short novellas that fit this theme perfectly :)

[@abbigilzean4833]

It’s raining and there’s candles burning while I’m watching this video and the vibes are immaculate. Please make more videos like this!

[@nolahelene9703]

this already sounds so good, I'm exited :))

[@cunninglilcutie]

Oh my goodness I’m obsessed with this aesthetic, please do a part 2!!🍄

[@lenani9143]

Okay, so Ink Heart is well enough known and I feel some people are disappointed by it BUT I'd like to recommend book two and three (Ink Blood & Ink Death) because the story changes so much, they become very fairytale-esque and especially the third one got big dark cottagecore vibes in my opinion (and one of my favorite settings of all time - I'm just saying BIG ASS trees!) I just re-read the series and was surprised how much they hold up for me even as a 25yr old. 🧡

[@GretaC]

Agree wholeheartedly!! I read the second book first by mistake and honestly the second and third are way better than the first. I feel they are way more fleshed out in a sense. Thank you for reminding me of this series, omw to reread it

[@bloepblep4287]

I didn't know there are more parts! Definitely going to read them, I loved reading Ink heart as a child

[@djunaskye6220]

Ultimate dark cottage core: Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh. Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller is good too!

[@Rocker9593]

Im all for this dark cottagecore vibes! also loved having the drawing while discussing a book aspect of the video.

[@kl3321]

cottagecore: baking apple tarts, comfy sweaters, gardening, the smell of rain dark cottagecore: dark foggy forests, thorns, moonless nights, abandoned cottages cottagebore: we have to fix the septic tank again

[@lisamano7454]

your drawing omg it’s so good!!

[@madhulikasingh7968]

i was going through ur channel today itself coz u r my comfort youtuber and now u posted a new video im soo happy love u💖

[@nataliasjoy]

I have been loving your videos sooo much ❤️ it's almost like a ritual - you post = okay now it's time to relax, light a candle and write down my next reads from your video 🍁🍂 take care xx

[@decompcore4780]

The delivery on "Hello! It did not get better." made me crack up, you are hilarious.

[@liaha4674]

Three dark crowns!!! I love the series. Its entertaining, dark in the way you want it to be and soooo unique.

[@Thetea765]

Why is no one talking about her amazing art

[@_cwirka]

Your drawings are great 😍 it was super cool to watch you draw while you were talking about the book 👌

[@hannahfay4950]

Your drawings were gorgeous 😍 great video Leonie!

[@annad1590]

Such a great video and editing! Loved the cosy vibes 🥰 Have a great week Leonie!

[@annas.8994]

unsettled ground fits it so good! Very dark and very much a cottage lol ❤

[@lydiam.1833]

I really loved the Blackthorne and Grimm series by Juliet Marillier. I think they fall into this genre.

[@Noaartetc]

Wow, such a cute.. everything. Drawing, setting, music, theme, you. Very calming video, you are truly a darling!!!

[@melmeira95]

I started reading We have always lived in the castle by your recommendation. I am almost finishing it and I am not disappointed. It is great!!!

[@hannahgolden]

Shirley Jackson (RIP) is one of my favorite mystery/suspense writers. She also wrote The Haunting of Hill House. I'm glad you're enjoying the book!

[@SabinesBookNook]

Maybe A Far Wilder Magic would fall in this category of books, that one intrigues me sooo much!

[@florance17]

Loved the drawings!! So beautiful!

[@samantha2254]

Thanks for the books recommendations, we love you❤

[@ilianafafouti7224]

“A spell of winter” by Helen Dunmore fits into this aesthetic perfectly in my opinion. It is quite dark and deals with disturbing themes, but i feel like it captures the dark woods and the feeling of isolation really well

[@ssolace13]

I've been searching for this genre for months! you saved me

[@stephanz.1270]

i just love books with dark academia vibes!

[@bridgetteorourke1627]

Hello, I just wanted to leave a quick note and say that I just found your channel today and I absolutely love your video format! It's way different than anything I've seen on book tube and is a whole excellent vibe. 🧡

[@mahumcrochets]

Just discovered your channel and I’ve binge watched all your videos! Absolutely LOVE your vibes

[@elizakowalska9811]

I don't care for the cottagecore at all, but I think the subtle arch of an eyebrow in your drawing and the way it connects to the nose just got me out of my drawing depression. I literally dropped my work in the middle of an email and had to draw a little face next to my work notes.

[@theseventhcrow461]

Your art is amazing!!

[@hslotfan]

i would love a part 2 to this

[@auggiet8380]

I need your sweater lmao it is too cute!

[@librarianinthesky]

What Moves the Dead is a great option for the vibe. Dark forest, mushrooms, mysterious lake, creepy rabbits.

[@Jawaheraziz89]

I love “we have always lived in the castle” by Shirley jackson.. she is considered gothic writer,, creepy unsettling vibes

[@Jane-ow7sr]

Ok but that candle bottle is actually genius. Put a candle in there it slowly melts down and falls to the bottom and eventually you'll fill it all the way up and you can reuse the wax for whatever.

[@emmacharles4611]

just wanted to say that I love your mushroom cardigan so much!

[@rachelo75]

I HIGHLY recommend the two novellas Silver in the Wood (Emily Tesh) and The Faerie Hounds of York (Arden Powerll) for dark cottagecore vibes. I think you'd love them, and the second is also the perfect winter read! I agree with other recommendations that House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland is also perfect for dark cottagecore.

[@FaeryLaume]

Silver in the Woods is on my TBR but I hadn't heard of The Faerie Hounds of York - thank you, I bought it for my Kindle. :)

[@willa4484]

The nick wilde reference had me DYINGG😂😂

[@abigailhess6169]

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert would fall under Dark Cottagecore but it's pretty graphic. If you're looking for characters who treat each other badly then you'd probably love Zodiac Academy!

[@rori1016]

Nettle and Bone is another good dark cottagecore!

[@skyhideaway]

when i say i want to read / watch something dark, i usually mean media with dark and complex topics and maybe more morally grey characters than the usual heroes vs villains trope. btw, it's so nice to see you drawing again! that piece of art was so cool!!

[@CharI0tte]

For dark cottagecore I would recommend A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross. It's an isolated island, lots of people live in cottages, there are nature spirits, herb gardens and a mystery that needs to be solved. I love this kind of aesthetic as well as more gothic vibes as well. For those gothic vibes i would recommend One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig or A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson.

[@FaeryLaume]

I loved A River Enchanted. I didn't realize the second book was out yet.... oh, it comes out in December here. Can't wait!

[@grimreads]

Shirley Jackson was agoraphobic so a lot of the feeling on anxiety in "We always lived in the castle" rings so true. Great gothic novel. Def sad, especially when it all hit the fan

[@ontheturquoisetrail]

Winterwood, love Shea Ernshaw's writing style. Thanks for the video!

[@isabvIIa]

You should read juniper and thorn if you loved this genre. It is quite dark (check the tws) but I am currently reading it and I love it.

[@xQueenOfDarknessX]

You might like A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft for this vibe! It includes a cottage in the woods, a fox hunt, and a slight romance (i think its YA).

[@mena4397]

A far wilder magic was peak autumn, melancholy,dark cottagecore/gothic vibes! It was so atmospheric I still have dreams of wickdon

[@OohAPrettyRock]

Glad i found your channel! Looking forward to putting a decades worth of books on my list haha