Summerween 2025: TBR

 

Hello, everyone! I'm so excited to participate for the first time in Summerween, a readathon hosted each year by Gabby @ gabbyreads. As you may already know, Summerween is all about bringing the Halloween vibes to summer, so it's a readathon that focuses on horror and thriller books (you can learn more details by watching Gabby's announcement). 

In Summerween, we get 5 prompts that will dictate our reading. As it's my first time participating, I wanted to pick 5 books for the 5 prompts. But since the readathon is from 5-12 of July, I didn't want to be too ambitious with my TBR. That's why my picks are short books and novellas, but they are all books that I'm super excited to read. 

Without further delay, let's get into the prompts and the book I've selected for each one: 

1. Read a Book in the Dark (or at Night)

In this prompt, you simply have to read in the dark or at night, which means that any book could fit. Luckily, I have the habit of reading on my balcony in the dark, and especially horror novellas, so I think it will be pretty easy to complete. 

My pick for this prompt is Strange Pictures by Uketsu.

2. Read a Horror or Thriller Book

The second prompt is to read a horror or thriller book, which is another easy one. For this prompt, I was unsure which book to pick as there are so many on my radar. I decided to go with a new release from an author I've read from before. It's a haunted house book and is supposed to have a gothic atmosphere, and I didn't need any more information to be excited to read it. In fact, I've already started it this morning! 

My pick is We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough. 

3. Read a Book with a Sky on the Cover

The next prompt is to read a book with a sky on the cover, which ties with this year's Summerween logo (which is super cute btw). But this was the most difficult prompt for me to find a book. I was initially searching for either a horror or thriller book with a sky cover, but I couldn't find any. So, I selected a sci-fi book that I have been meaning to read for a very long time.

My pick for this prompt is To Be Taught If Fortunate by Becky Chambers.

4. Read a Book You've Owned for a Year or Longer

For the next prompt, we have to read a book we've owned or have on our TBR for a year or longer. The truth is that most of the books in this TBR would complete this prompt, but once again, I selected a different book. This is a horror classic, which I'm shocked that I've yet to read. Well, not for long! 

My pick is Carrie by Stephen King.

5. Read a Novella, Manga, or Listen to a Spooky Audiobook

The final prompt is to read a novella or manga, or listen to a spooky audiobook. For this one, I went for a horror novella. There is something in this genre that really makes it ideal for short forms, such as short stories and novellas.

The book I've added to my TBR for this prompt is This Is Where We Talk Things Out by Caitlin Marceau.

Which book will be reading for Summerween?

Happy reading!!