It truly doesn’t feel like the end of September (and maybe it’s because I haven’t been woken up yet by Billie Joe Armstrong yet.) Alas, we are here at the end of the summer and it’s time to shake off those dusty cobwebs and reset our souls during the autumn months…
Usually we say these are upcoming morbid curiosities, don’t we?
Well… life has been upside-down as of late, and time is a big pot of soup, so we sadly entered into the spooky September era without the proper introduction *coughs* dedicated blog post *coughs* to our Double Trouble Morbid & Mor(e)bid Curiosities book club picks.
Let me make up for that and start clearing away my own cobwebs to shed some light on our two book club choices, just as they deserved to be attended to!
Plus in order to be found if we ever went missing within one of them… you never know the darkness these books might hold, right?
And I’m sure that’s exactly why you’re here, Boils and Ghouls, to learn about our macabre adventures down into the darkest depths or unknowingly beyond the other side (in literature)…
Morbid & Mor(e)bid Curiosities | September 2025 π·οΈ
…do we ever need to be prepared for these two horrific scares during the month of September…
Our September Morbid Curiosities π Book Club Reads Are…
self-created graphic design using Canva
πͺ¦ The Rotting Room by Viggy Parr Hampton (2025)
Goodreads book description
I couldn’t believe the double-tie scenario we ran into with this book… the spirits would NOT choose between The Deep or The Rotting Room (to a point where I almost called it and said Let’s read ’em both–triple threat month…)
But, we ended up making the decision together to fast-track this particular stubborn pick right to September! Personally, I loved this idea and so glad we ended up doing that so we could properly tackle this chilling read.
From the cover and the premise of this book, I feel like it gives me The Unworthy vibes, and I really enjoyed that reading experience with the Morbid Mavens back in March.
π¦ Bat Eater And Other Names For Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker (2025)
Goodreads book description
I wasn’t sure originally how to approach this book, so I’ve held off reading it when it was first released back in January. But so many of my book pals have endorsed it, which is always a great indicator that it vibes with me. Plis, I’ve heard a lot about the book online and honestly, I am in love this cover art variant….
So I was eager when I found out it came with my Kobo Plus subscription (and was available via my Spotify Premium) so I jump right into it and then possibly order either that cover version if I can source it (or possibly see if the Evernight ed. is still available?!)
Check to see if this book title is available in your area:
It’s literally the END of September and we haven’t even spoken about next month’s ideas or book club suggestions!
So you may be asking about the upcoming October Morbid Curiosities? π»
Well, that blog post is also on the way…
Let the countdown begin! β±οΈ
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days
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Upcoming OCTOBER Morbid Curiosities π
Drop into either haunted clubhouse at any point in time. We welcome all creatures, spirits and souls alike… And we begin our Double Trouble Morbid Curiosities π on the first Friday of each month over on Fable (mark your calendars π & join us, if you dare…)
Do you like to read HORROR books?
Do you like to vibe with the most spectacular souls in existence?
The selection process was slightly different for September since one of the two morbid curiosities was already chosen back in July. We ended up fast tracking one of our tiebreaker picks from August…
To see that BTS process and the hilarity that ensured, check out the August Morbid Curiosities blog post π
As for our second selection, we used our lovely and trusty Cursed Wheel narrow down our eleven suggestions to the 6SIX6possible morbid curiosities to pick from…
And from there we voted in the haunted clubhouse on Fable which one would be the ultimate morbid curiosity to devour in September…
and SPOILER ALERT: you already know who won π¦
As our saying goes, “…the mor(e)bid, the merrier…” so if you like book clubs and want to check out the Fable app, we would be happy if you could…
[β¦] what a typical book club selection process looks like for our book clubs, check out the π¬ BTS of last monthβs Morbid & Mor(e)bid Curiosities (for September) [β¦]
[…] what a typical book club selection process looks like for our book clubs, check out the π¬ BTS of last month’s Morbid & Mor(e)bid Curiosities (for September) […]
[β¦] it was released at the start of the year, so I suggested it as a possible option to vote on for our September Morbid Curiosities book club read and well, it [β¦]
I’m not sure about you, but I always feel a tinge of bittersweetness during this time of the year. I’m sad to say goodbye to the long days and warm weather, but I’m so excited for that crisp Autumn air and to snuggle into all my fuzzy sweaters.
It’s almost a battle of the feels when this time of the year approaches, so no wonder I get completely overwhelmed and out of sorts. As you know, the blog is not running at its full capacity with our continuous weekend updates and captivatingly creepy content–but I want you Boils and Ghouls to be aware that content (and new undisclosed projects) are on their way… and well worth the wait!
I sincerely appreciate your patience, your presence and your subscription to this blog. Your support keeps the content coming, and I want to keep you here for an endless amount of time… π
*coughs* This might be the perfect point to introduce tonight’s Morbid Monthly Recap… *coughs*
August truly felt like it slipped away with the blink of an eye…
or “like a bottle of wine” if you ask Taylor.
I don’t know how I managed, but I really did tackle a lot of books in August while packing up the entire contents of my old apartment AND onboarding into a new job within my career.
I’ve had more authors connect with me over the last few months and I will said it again–It’s a joy and honor to work with authors directly via my contact page ππ» so if you’re a Horror or indie author, and you have some spooky books you’d like me to read π then I’m your ghoul!
August Theme | LEt’s Read OutsidE! βοΈ
Since here on the East coast, our summer weather tends to quiet down towards the end of August, so for this month’s theme I wanted to find a way to get outside and read as much as possible!
I love using the Fable app to prepare monthly reading lists, and to share them with my fellow fantastic Fablers on the app to get hyped for the upcoming scares or fascinations I’m about to experience…
If you happen to be an avid reader and want more social in your book life, Fable is definitely the app to seek out π
Book Reviews
π=physical/ebook π§=audiobook
Issues With Authority by Nadia Bulkin (2025)
[ π£οΈThank you BookSirens for the ARC] Format: ebook π
“Shirley Jackson Award-Nominated author Nadia Bulkin’s sophomore collection ISSUES WITH AUTHORITYdrenches the reader in a sensory overload of power, belief, and horrifying transformation.“
This was my first BookSirensrequest, solely based on the above description! I was captivated by the cover art, but was also grabbed by the topics and subjects being discussed within the stories. Dealing with some heavy subjects and emotional triggers, this was definitely a great first BookSirens reading XP!
“An abused, grief-stricken, and impoverished Sonny has all but given up on life. That is, until he meets death, by way of the Grim Reaper. The Reaper, a junk food loving, poetry reading, cigarette-addicted entity, has no time to waste as he searches for a suitable successor who would become “Death” for the next millennium. By training the boy in the ways of death and dying, Reaper grooms his young apprentice and through suspenseful and horror-laced events, he unknowingly gives Sonny something he never intended: A reason to live.“
Starting out the first week in our Get Outside and Read, Buds! book club was a book I’ve been dying to read for quite some time, and I was ecstatic that our Book Aura was screaming for us to read it last month.
I almost envisioned this read to give be similar vibes that Catcher in the Rye did… but I was not expecting to cackle as much as I did from a talking Grim Reaper… 10/10! Hilarity ensures from this witty dialogue but I also warn those of the very sensitive and triggering subject matter you’ll also encounter.
Rating:πππππ
Dark Cloud on Naked Creek by Cindy O’Quinn (2025)
[ π£οΈThank you to Brigids Gate Press & Netgalley for the ARC] Format: ebook π
“…Tales of Appalachian folklore are woven throughout this story, which leads the readers to wonder if the monsters that visit their darkest nightmares might actually be real.“
Folk Horror! Appalachian Folklore Horror! Sign me up.
Not realizing what I was signing up for, but doing so anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed this reprinting of Cindy O’Quinn’s Appalachian Folklore Horror and the horizons it broadened upon reading.
Rating:ππππ
Subscribe to the blog for more haunted monthly recaps…
How High We Go In The Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (2022)
Format: Paperback π
“From funerary skyscrapers to hotels for the dead, How High We Go in the Dark follows a cast of intricately linked characters spanning hundreds of years as humanity endeavours to restore the delicate balance of the world.“
Our second pick for the Get Outside and Read, Buds! book club (courtesy of our lovely Book Aura feature on Fable) and I would have to say, the one book last month that shifted my entire perspective!
Touching on such heavy topics and touchy subject matter, I was engrossed in this audiobook from start to finish… so much so, I went out and purchased the physical paperback for a reread/annotation experience.
Rating:πππππ
Secret Lives Of The Dead by Tim Lebbon (2025)
[ π£οΈThank you to Titan Books & Netgalley for the Read] Format: eBook π
“A dark folk horror tale of a deadly family curse, crime and murder that is sure to turn your blood cold, from the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Netflix’s The Silence.“
I’ve been wanting to explore more Folk Horrorbooks and when I saw this one on NetGalley, I couldn’t help myself from requesting the chance to read… I mean, look at that skeleton!
While I found the pacing a little off for my speed of reading, I enjoyed the non-linear narrative to really build up that dark family curse from the ashes!
Rating:πππ
We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson (1962)
Format: Paperback π
“Taking readers deep into a labyrinth of dark neurosis, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a deliciously unsettling novel about a perverse, isolated, and possibly murderous family and the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate.”
Our third read in the Get Outside and Read, Buds! book club, we decided to adventure into the eerily castle and explore the unfortunate world within Shirley Jackson’s exquisite Gothic Horror.
As a fan of The Haunting of Hill House, I am shocked I haven’t read more of Shirley’s books! Captivated by the mysterious plot and the cutest cat, I was excited to finally get a chance to read this novella with the book club.
Rating:πππππ
Hell Pulp by Matias Ylikangas (2025)
[ π£οΈThank you to Matias Ylikangas & Netgalley for the Read] Format: eBook π
“Hell Pulp is a grounded exploration of the afterlife myth, unbound by religious traditions. For readers craving adventure, horror, and philosophical reflection, Hell Pulp offers a harrowing vision of a world just beyond ours.“
Okay, cover alone this one had my attention…
Matias, I applaud your visuals here! I love a gripping cover and this one just screams for your eyes to process just what you’re looking at!
Rating:πππππ
Trip by A.J. Humphreys (2025)
[ π£οΈThank you to Dark Journeys Press & Netgalley for the Read] Format: eBook π
“Where do the beings from legends, myths, and folklore originate? Are supernatural truths hidden in these orated tales? Were they the first works of fiction? Or possibly the hallucinations and ramblings of the mentally inebriated or unstable before humanity understood such conditions?“
You really have me hook, line and sinker at “psychological horror” so it was a no-brainer that I would request to read A.J’s novel on NetGalley.
What I didn’t expect was to be so immersed in the trip itself while reading (via very clever formatting choices and writing styles) which truly enhanced the experience for me. It’s definitely a book you’ll want to reread again, just to get any sort of grip on the trip…
Rating:ππππ
To haunt my previous reads, check out this archive.
I tend to overestimate how many books I can read on top of many other life factors (i.e., including but not limited to: packing up an entire apartment to move, working on learning a brand new workflow, etc.) So I’m not mad that I was able to read at least eight of the ones I set out to (and even finish some I had planned to finish back in July…)
And while I did not get to finish our August Morbid Curiosities, I still plan on reading both books throughout this month and into October, if necessary.
(In fact, I saw that Knock Knock Open Wide will have an audiobook release on Oct 7th π)
If youβd like to see what other books Iβve read, creep my books π
plus consider possessing your inbox with NEW blog updates…
High and Low vibes of August
There were a few stand outs this month that really stuck with me, so it was hard to truly pick just one… August was a great month for captivating and engaging reads!
β¨ VIBED THE HIGHEST WITH…
Hell Pulp by Matias Ylikangas (2025)
Why did this book exceed my expectations?
Just from how that first chapter read, I knew this book was going to take over my life (and quite possibly haunt me in my afterlife π)
You really begin to feel for Oscar and his afterlife journey through what we can only assume to be the depths of absolute Hell and I think that’s what really kept me hooked, plus the development of his relationship with Nathanial and their overall intriguing mission to get to Dean Theodore for the answers they are seeking. It reminded me of my reading experience with A Short Stay In Hell which was emotionally scarring, but in the most beautifully horrific way possible!
Also not to mention the most viscerally unreal and disturbed descriptions of the pain endured in the afterlife that I’ve ever witnessed…
And shout-out to Matias for his captivating posts on IG to promote the release of his debut book. I appreciate when an author immerses you in their world with the use of visuals to really ground you in their work, and the ones Matias was able to create and display to capture the atmosphere and vibes of Hell Pulp were pure and utter nightmare fuel! *claps*
This hellish & terrifying Horror book was released in this past August (with this ghoul needing to get themselves a physical paperback copy)
And if I were you… and I were morbidly curious… I’d be reading it now π
It was literally just the pacing for me. It felt off in some spots while developing some of the characters’ backstories and that created some confusion later on while juggling the multiple character narratives and non-linear timelines in the story.
Daniel Zovatto, Jane Levy & Dylan Minnette in Don’t Breathe, 2016
When I first started reading this book, I was almost picturing the cast of the movie Don’t Breathe (which really worked for my aphantasic mind) but then, while also trying to unveil our villain and their connection to our three main characters, I became sort of lost and disconnected from the story (and even the characters themselves) which ultimately impacted my reading experience.
I do appreciate Titan Books & NetGalley for allowing this ghoul access to the advanced reading copy to read this summer ππ»
If you’ve made it this far, I appreciate that you’ve read about my monthly reading habits π
Drop a π» in the comments and share your reading highs and lows for August…
Do you have a morbid curiosity? Join the club(s) ππ
Can you hear that high intensity music that I’m playing?!
Do you FEEL that feel good Friday energy yet, Boils and Ghouls?!
I sure hope so, because I am so grateful that it is finally Friday…
I’ve been meaning to post for a while now, but I’ve been getting hit with setback after setback. So while I try and play catch up in every area of my life, let’s have a recap of the Summerween outfit energy that was with us this year.
Curated Looks for Summerween 2k25
For this Summerween, the idea was to try and get outside as much as possible so that we could enjoy the nice summer sunshine (while still cultivating those dark and spooky vibes throughout the months) So for this ghoul, that means styling a lot of oversized horror graphic tees with maxi skirts, wearing light and flowy dresses, and keeping things casual in the most comfortably, chic clothing items.
*coughs* lives in biker shorts all summer long *coughs*
But before we jump into my Summerween outfits, we cannot forget what day it is…
Kialey (aka Ghoul Host on IG and YT) has the most wonderfully authentic energy and presence online, and her stunningly creative vlogging content will give you the best and most terrifying vibes as you explore dark, spooky (and sometimes abandoned) places.
If you are looking for that perfect Summerween dark and moody-core energy, you will be inspired by all of Kialey’s outfits and video content. I highly recommend you check out her socials and give her a follow.
Also, if you’re interested in checking out more of my #OOTD inspirations, brands and stores to visit, head over to my Style Guide page π
With the humid and sweaty weather that the East Coast brings, this ghoul handles things a little differently.
As a sensory spirit, I don’t like to have too many items touching my skin, so less is more in my case.
Same Shorts, Same Shoes, Same HaT… Different Day π
I’m such a big fan of this shade of Red and wearing biker shorts, in general. I’m pretty sure my two favorite colors make up that traditional “3D” color scheme actually, which is seriously poetic for my admiration of movies.
I scored the Pulp Fiction Graphic tee when I was visiting NL back in 2022 at Hempware and lucked into my Mourning Ritual Graphic tee at Spencer’s this summer. I don’t know where I’d be without my baggy, graphic tees…
Only Speaking The Truth
While exploring the city during the summer months, I noticed these cute little graphics spray-painted on the sidewalk (they were to promote a new shoe store opening nearby) so I thought, “Why not take this opportunity to snap a cute pic?”
With much great success, I was able to capture an aesthetically pleasing photo featuring my lovely Vans. The perfect pair of shoes for that iridescent, ethereal energy!
The holographic Suede material is such a vibe and they’ve paired with absolutely every outfit I’ve styled this summer. Hands down one of my favorite Summerween purchases this year!
Selfie in the window
Another window selfie (featuring those gorgeous Vans…) but would you believe me if I told you I did not buy the dress and hat together?
I originally purchased the hat at a Dollarama back in 2021… but then I found this Kimchi Blue Picnic Gingham Midi Dress months later at a local thrift store. When I discovered they were pretty much matching patterns, I had to pair them together!
An afternoon in Paris during the summer of 2k22
This was probably my favorite casual and chic Summerween outfit (and clearly, since I’ve been wearing it for years now…)
I just love and live for a flowy dress that’s effortless to wear and style, plus it doesn’t hurt that now I’ve paired it with the perfect match (our lovable Dollarama bucket hat.)
A big thank-you for recapping the Summerween 2k25 looks (and vibes) with me this evening, Boils and Ghouls!
I hope you found something to be bewitched by and maybe a few new inspired looks to create next Summerween.
Consider subscribing to creep more content…
plus, check out more of my outfits and BTS inspirations, head over to Parallel and Pinterest
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