"Rin glared up at her, blood dripping from her mouth, and smiled."

new year, new music, same old reading favorite quotes from books I'm reading

music credits

• Analog Bubbles by DeepTheme
• Star Chasers by kulluh

Selected excerpts from chapter 1 of THE DARK IS RISING by Susan Cooper (1973), set to a modified version of Twinkled Tapes by BIIANSU

Happy new year, book friends!

"Alanna gritted her teeth and thrust her chin forward stubbornly. She would see this through."

It's midwinter in the endless library, and Aurelien has only the very best books to shine a light in the gloom. "Alanna" (1983) by Tamora Pierce is a bright, fun, gritty-in-age-appropriate-ways, accessible first book in a girl-forward fantasy series.

Episode references:

• Sunny Nwazue from AKATA WITCH series by Nnedi Okorafor
• Penelope from THE MYSTERY HOWLING series by Maryrose Wood

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Want more quoteable quotes? Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/spookyaurelien

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• Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod
• Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

A wealthy CEO faces a criminal investigation amid tragedy, trauma, and a supernatural threat. The Usher family learns an informant lurks among them.

The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) has entered the Flanaverse. Based on various Edgar Allan Poe stories and characters, this show explores the prominent and wealthy Usher family. Is this just spooky Succession? Is it spooky at all? What kind of horror is this? Watch episode 1 along with Aurelien and find out!

The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

• Created by Mike Flanagan
• Directed by Mike Flanagan, Michael Fimognari
• Network: Netflix
• Original release: October 12, 2023

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Want more commentary watchalongs? Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/spookyaurelien

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• Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod
• Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

"Her head starts to turn, and I gasp --"

Trick or treat, spooky friends! Aurelien and Dustin (from The Rewatch Recap) wrote a spooky little PG-rated story together. Keep an eye on your windows and stay alert as you settle into "The Woman in the Brown Coat" (2022).

Produced by Dustin: https://linktr.ee/DustinCanRead

With additional voice acting by Kay: https://linktr.ee/fmwlpod

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Want more original stories? Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/spookyaurelien

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• Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod
• Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

"All the future looked gloomy and threatening, and the gaunt wolf hovered at the door of the Lynnes' humble home."

Gather round, spooks and strangers! For this special spooky season October Friday the 13th, Aurelien reads aloud chapter 1 of "Her Dark Inheritance" (1892) by Mrs. E. Burke Collins. What do you think the inheritance is, spooky friends? And do you want to hear more?

Read the story: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46363/46363-h/46363-h.htm

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Want more spooky reads? Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/spookyaurelien

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• Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod
• Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

"It was on Halloween, or All Hallows' Eve, that superstition ran riot..."

Trick or treat!

Aurelien explores the spooky archives of Project Gutenberg and comes back with 1880s non-fiction takes on Scottish Halloween traditions. How is bobbing for apples part of a divination ritual? Is any of this actually spooky? Join around the cauldron for readings and stories from "Curiosities of Superstition, and Sketches of Some Unrevealed Religions" (1882) by W. H. Davenport Adams.

Read it for yourself: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/41566/41566-h/41566-h.htm

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Want more random reads? Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/spookyaurelien

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• Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod
• Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

"Mary was a misfit. She didn't want to be beautiful. And she wasted time doing mad things - like eating and sleeping."

Aurelien reads another original Twilight Zone source story. This time, let's go back to 1952 (or is it 2022??) with The Beautiful People by Charles Beaumont.

Read the story at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36258/36258-h/36258-h.htm

Want more old school stories? Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/spookyaurelien

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• Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod
• Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com