Our October Books - Chapters & Chai Book Club
Our October Books - Chapters & Chai Book Club
I don’t know about you, but I tend to fill my October reading list with as many spooky books as I can. Horror isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, which is why I decided to offer two options for October - that way, you can read horror, our non-horror pick, or both!
Here’s a little bit about each of our October books, starting with our non-horror option: Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood.
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood.
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either.
Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind.
But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . .
With found family, slow burn romance and an uplifting message about self-love, this is the cosy, autumnal read that you've been waiting for.
I read this book last Autumn and felt like it was the perfect read for the season if you’re looking for something lighter and cosy! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this one.
About Lucy Jane Wood
Lucy Jane Wood is an English writer and YouTuber from the Wirral, now living in London.
She started her YouTube channel in summer 2013, quickly becoming popular for her fashion and lifestyle videos. Over the years, she has contributed to publications such as Cosmopolitan UK, Harper's Bazaar, Metro, and Marie Claire.
In 2024 she signed a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan, through which she published her debut fantasy novel Rewitched. This year, she published her second fantasy novel Uncharmed.
“Rewitched and Uncharmed were both written to be cosy, comforting, joyful books that evoke the 90s witches I loved so much growing up. They’re soft, kind stories (full of absolutely terrible jokes) to lead you by the hand into spooky season and rewind your mind back to a precious, nostalgic time. Best enjoyed with a spiced latte and a cat on your lap.” - Lucy Jane Wood, on Rewitched & Uncharmed. From lucyjanewood.co.uk
And if you like something a little darker… here’s a little bit about The Lamb by Lucy Rose.
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
A FOLK TALE. A HORROR STORY. A LOVE STORY. AN ENCHANTMENT.
Margot and Mama have lived by the forest since Margot can remember. When Margot isn't at school, they spend quiet days together in their cottage, waiting for strangers to knock on their door. Strays, Mama calls them. Mama loves the strays. She feeds them wine, keeps them warm. Then she satisfies her burning appetite by picking apart their bodies.
But Mama's want is stronger than her hunger sometimes, and when a white-toothed stray named Eden turns up in the heart of a snowstorm, little Margot must confront the shifting dynamics of her family, untangle her own desires and make a bid for freedom.
With this tender coming-of-age tale, debut novelist Lucy Rose explores how women swallow their anger, desire and animal instincts - and wrings the relationship between mother and daughter until blood drips from it.
I read this book back in September and also had the pleasure of meeting Lucy at the Waterstones Brighton event ‘An Evening with Lucy Rose’. This is such an incredible horror debut, and I am so excited to share it with you. I really can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this one, especially if you’re new to the horror genre! I am so appreciative of people taking a step out of their comfort zone and giving this book a go.
About Lucy Rose
Lucy Rose grew up in rural Cumbria. She studied at Northumbria University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film and Television Production, and is now a filmmaker and writer. She currently lives in the North East with her black cat, Figgy.
She began her career making short films, some of which have visited BAFTA- and Oscar-qualifying film festivals internationally. Her filmography includes The Sycamore Gap (2018), Peak (2019), She Lives Alone (2020), and Taste (2023).
Her short fiction and nonfiction have been published in Dread Central, Mslexia, The Observer, The Nerd Daily, and more. Her debut novel The Lamb is a Sunday Times Bestseller, and she is nominated for a Books Are My Bag Fiction Award.
You can find more of her writing in ‘Of the Flesh: 18 Stories of Modern Horror’, and ‘Someone Like Me: An Anthology of Non-Fiction by Autistic Writers’. She is currently writing her next book.
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I’m really looking forward to seeing you at our October meet up! I hope you enjoy whichever book you choose to read this month. As always, please do tag us in your Instagram posts and share your thoughts with us online and in our group chat - we love to hear from you!
Happy reading, stay cosy (and spooky!)
Keeley