Spooky & Strange

Follow me into the endless library... Commentary, reviews, and retellings of horror tales, weird fiction, spooky stories, and mysterious mysteries with Aurelien. Books, short stories, flash fiction, and more.

Alanna by Tamora Pierce, in quotes 12/15/2023

Alanna by Tamora Pierce, in quotes "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 -- Want more quoteable quotes? Support the show at ------- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/29103523

The Fall of the House of Usher E1 commentary/watchalong 11/19/2023

The Fall of the House of Usher E1 commentary/watchalong 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 -- Want more commentary watchalongs? Support the show at ------- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/28703928

The Woman in the Brown Coat by Aurelien and Dustin! 10/27/2023

The Woman in the Brown Coat by Aurelien and Dustin! "Her head starts to turn, and I gasp --" Trick or treat, spooky friends! Aurelien and Dustin (from ) 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: With additional voice acting by Kay: -- Want more original stories? Support the show at ------- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/28443479

A spooky Friday the 13th reading from Her Dark Inheritance 10/13/2023

A spooky Friday the 13th reading from Her Dark Inheritance "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: -- Want more spooky reads? Support the show at ------- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/28302107

Curiosities of Superstition by W. H. Davenport Adams 10/08/2023

Curiosities of Superstition by W. H. Davenport Adams "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: -- Want more random reads? Support the show at ------- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/28258679

Aurelien reads The Beautiful People by Charles Beaumont 09/18/2023

Aurelien reads The Beautiful People by Charles Beaumont "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 Want more old school stories? Support the show at ------- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/28066425

Library book sale bookstravaganza 08/24/2023

Library book sale bookstravaganza “Don't join the book burners. Don't be afraid to go in your library and read every book...” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower Aurelien digs out from under a pile of library sale books and catalogs her unread gems. Tune in for hot takes on old books! Ranging from "the most unusual mystery novel ever written", to neurological non-fiction, to the YA of our nightmares, and short story collections from famous writers, plus all the various genre adventures, and a random secret gift, the gang's all here. Shade of the Tree by Piers Anthony Condominium by John D. MacDonald Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz Dawn by Octavia Butler The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring by John Bellairs The Man who Mistook his wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart The Nine Lives of Chloe King by Celia Thompson Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier Bluebeard's Egg and other stories by Margaret Atwood From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by e.l. konigsburg Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman Shade's Children by Garth Nix The Floating Admiral by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, G.K. Chesterton What to read first, spooky friends?? Weigh in and support the show at ------- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/27844569

The spookiest summer reading check-in 07/31/2023

The spookiest summer reading check-in Spooky salutations, listeners and readers! It's time for a "what I was reading when I wasn't here" mid-2023 check-in. Slither into the shade and have a listen, then make your plan of (reading) attack. **** Black Bloom by Felix I.D. Dimaro After Dark with Roxie Clark by Brooke Lauren Davis Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant The Two Doctors Gorski by Isaac Fellman The Honeys by Ryan La Sala The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean Amari and the Night Brothers by BB Alston Birds, the first story in Evil Flowers by Gunnhild Øyehaug, translated by Kari Dickson **** Episode references: Cari Can Read youtube: With Cindy youtube: **** Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com Support the show at /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/27617934

Readalong: Interview with the Vampire, chapter 1 07/09/2023

Readalong: Interview with the Vampire, chapter 1 "Here are the confessions of a vampire." Let's read INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (1976) by Anne Rice together, spooky friends! Tune in to hear Aurelien's running commentary on her first time reading Chapter 1/paperback book pages 1-34. Readalong with your own copy or just listen in for the story! -- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com Support the show at /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/27413445

Horror writer Hailey Piper drops in 06/17/2023

Horror writer Hailey Piper drops in Could you slip through a hole in reality? Aurelien interviews horror author Hailey Piper, author of QUEEN OF TEETH, THE WORM AND HIS KINGS, NO GODS FOR DROWNING and more. It's a far-ranging conversation about so many ways we experience horror. Listen for horror geekery about unreliable narrators, our fuzzy reality, takes on modern movies, hopeful hopelessness, splatter Westerns, and how to trick your loved ones into reading the horror you know they'll love. Listen to THE TURNING, Spooky & Strange ep 74: Read the horror of Hailey Piper: Pre-order CRUEL ANGELS PAST SUNDOWN: Look out for her upcoming stories in Unspeakable Horror vol 3, We're Here, Les Petits Morts, and more! Books Hailey Piper recommended: The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle IT by Stephen King Mostly everything by Ramsey Campbell They Drown Our Daughters by Katrina Monroe -- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com Support the show at /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/27179721

The Invasion by K.A. Applegate 06/08/2023

The Invasion by K.A. Applegate We’re off the map of weirdness by this point. How to describe this bizarre, mysterious, fantastical but also grounded, fun with very real consequences at stake, easy to read with heavy themes, 90s book? Go through the janitor's closet and meet under the school for THE INVASION (1996) by K.A. Applegate. Leave your prior preceptions at the door, don't judge this book by its many covers, and let's jump in! Seriously, don't even google it. Spoilers in this one! Interesting word of the book: monstrous adjective frightful or hideous, especially in appearance; extremely ugly. shocking or revolting; outrageous:monstrous cruelty. extraordinarily great; huge; immense:a monstrous building. deviating grotesquely from the natural or normal form or type. having the nature or appearance of a fabulous monster. -Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod -Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com -If you'd like to support the podcast or commission an episode, https://ko-fi.com/spookyaurelien /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/27010557

Nothing But the Rain by Naomi Salman 04/19/2023

Nothing But the Rain by Naomi Salman "Welcome to Aloisville, rainiest town in the rainiest state. Population: we don’t recall." Don your rain gear and don't forget your umbrella for NOTHING BUT THE RAIN (2023) by Naomi Salman, a short tale of a drowning town and the people left (or kept) inside. Would you rather forget, or do what you can to survive? What does it mean to survive? No spoilers in this one! Episode references: THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN by Michael Crichton: 58 RULES TO ENSURE YOUR HUSBAND LOVES YOU FOREVER by Rafeeat Aliyu: THE LONG RAIN and ALL SUMMER IN A DAY by Ray Bradbury Interesting word of the book: vivarium noun, plural vi·var·i·ums, vi·var·i·a [vahy-vair-ee-uh, vi-] a place, such as a laboratory, where live animals or plants are kept under conditions simulating their natural environment, as for research.\ ---- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com If you'd like to support the podcast or commission an episode, /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/26595768

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh 03/20/2023

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh "Sometimes I feel dead," I told her, "and I hate everybody." Let's get lethargic, and philosophical, with MY YEAR OF REST AND RELAXATION (2018) by Otessa Moshfegh. A rare pick from the world of literary fiction, this book feels like eating alone in a dingy restaurant at 3am. It's not horror, but you may be unnerved in a different way. (Stick around for some Gatsby rambling near the end!) No spoilers in this one! -- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com Support the show at /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/26286666

Horror writer Ruth Anna Evans drops in 02/22/2023

Horror writer Ruth Anna Evans drops in Why are some of us so attracted to being totally repulsed? Aurelien and horror writer Ruth Anna Evans explore this question in a discussion of body horror and short fiction; the inherent horror of bodies; and why we poke at our bruises. Plus, we share a non-spoilery preview of the collection OOZE: Little Bursts of Body Horror (2023), which is, across 21 stories, bizarre, strange, heartwarming, weird, surprising, and gross. Keep up with Ruth Anna Evans at Grab OOZE in paperback form -- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com Support the show at /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/26012877

The Postmortal by Drew Magary 01/21/2023

The Postmortal by Drew Magary "There's only one reality." Take a stroll down a dark alley in Midtown to hear a modern horror cautionary tale, THE POSTMORTAL by Drew Magary (2011). Read it at your own risk, this dark dark tale of humanity and vanity, and consider your answer to the question we are still asking today: would you want to live forever? No spoilers in this one! Read more from Drew Magary: Interesting word of the episode: collectivism noun the political principle of centralized social and economic control, especially of all means of production. -- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/25687044

The Turning by Hailey Piper 12/05/2022

The Turning by Hailey Piper "The news calls it a curse, but deep down, it's a mystery." Meet Aurelien in the skies tonight to talk about THE TURNING by Hailey Piper. Spoilers ahead for this surprisingly optimistic story of transformation and change. Read more from Hailey Piper: Read more stories from OTHER TERRORS: AN INCLUSIVE ANTHOLOGY (2022): --- Interesting word of the episode: pterosaur noun any flying reptile of the extinct order Pterosauria, from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, having the outside digit of the forelimb greatly elongated and supporting a wing membrane. --- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/25228083

Frightful Flash Fiction, vol 3 10/24/2022

Frightful Flash Fiction, vol 3 It’s time for another flash fiction roundup! Join Aurelien for a quick tour of the latest strange, spectacular, scary, sweet, surprising short fiction she's loved lately. No spoilers! "Horror Story" by Carmen Maria Machado: "Bashee Lullaby" by Chazley Dotson: "Gotta See the Candy" by KC Ball: "The Ransom of Miss Coraline Connelly" by Alix E. Harrow: "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe: Interesting word of the episode: habiliment noun Usually habiliments. clothes or clothing. clothes as worn in a particular profession, way of life, etc. habiliments, accouterments or trappings. -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/24742800

The Hungry House by Robert Bloch 10/08/2022

The Hungry House by Robert Bloch "All alone, holding a hundred naked eyes in her hands." Feel that autumn chill in the air? You may be ready for coziness inside, but prepare to be unsettled about home and hearth with "The Hungry House" by Robert Bloch (1951). Spoilers ahead! Episode references: The work of Charles Addams: Psycho, the book: -- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com Support the show at /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/24559836

Tiny Women by Solange Rodriguez Pappe 09/19/2022

Tiny Women by Solange Rodriguez Pappe "... I saw the tiny naked woman cross the living room in full war cry." Aurelien gets weird with short "Tiny Women" (2018) by Solange Rodriguez Pappe, translated by James D. Jenkins. It's part of The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories, vol 1, and a fun way to kick off ~*~*spooky season*~*~ (well, that and the dance break!) Episode references: Get the collection: https://www.valancourtbooks.com/the-valancourt-book-of-world-horror-stories-vol-1.html Exploring the genre of "magical realism": -- Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/24410271

TV Binge Club 2: Harvest of upcoming horror 08/25/2022

TV Binge Club 2: Harvest of upcoming horror “One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us.” ― Kurt Vonnegut Join Aurelien for a short reading break to talk about some hotly anticipated horror tv shows and movies coming this fall. (Yes, even in alternate dimensions like endless libraries, though release dates will vary.) Watch the trailer for Wednesday: Watch the trailer for Vampire Academy: Watch the trailer for Interview with the Vampire: Watch the Cabinet of Curiosities First Look: Watch the trailer for Wedding Season: Watch the trailer for The Resort: Watch the trailer for Raven's Hollow: -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/24168273

Aurelien talks "Scream"on The Rewatch Recap 08/12/2022

Aurelien talks "Scream"on The Rewatch Recap Hey spooky friends! Did you know there was a TV show based on the movie "Scream"? Aurelien and Dustin are going back to 2015 and watching season 1 of the MTV original series SCREAM! Did you watch it? Trick question - no matter your answer, jump in and join us for The Rewatch Recap. See you there~ Listen on Apple Podcasts: Listen on Spotify: Listen (and connect) on Goodpods: /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/24039600

Spoiler alert! Galax-Arena (2/2) 07/26/2022

Spoiler alert! Galax-Arena (2/2) Whether you finished reading "Galax-Arena" or you're just here for a good story, proceed with caution: there's spoilers ahead! Aurelien spills this story's secrets, and screams alongside the characters, through the rest of this wild, YA mind-f$ck adventure. Plus, what's up with Bro Rabbit? And how about that ending? -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/23831225

Galax-Arena by Gillian Rubinstein (1/2) 07/10/2022

Galax-Arena by Gillian Rubinstein (1/2) "What does the future matter, if until the past is told I’m living in limbo, neither alive nor dead?" Keep your instincts sharp and jump into cross-genre YA weird "Galax-Arena"(1992) by Gillian Rubinstein. Don't get stuck on the sci-fi-y title -- this story is not what it appears to be. No spoilers in this one! Episode references: Learn more about patois languages like Jamaican Patwah/Patois: and -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/23695697

Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab 06/03/2022

Tunnel of Bones by Victoria Schwab “A shudder, a plunge, a second of darkness, and I'm back in the in-between.” Aurelien is back to talk about "Tunnel of Bones" (2019) by Victoria Schwab, a positively paranormal tale of Parisian peregrination. The second book in the City of Ghosts series, it's another spooky adventure with Cassidy Blake. No spoilers in this one! Listen to Aurelien talking City of Ghosts #1: Keep up with the author at Check out the movie "As Above, So Below" (2014) /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/23323415

Starsong by Tehlor Kay Mejia 02/13/2022

Starsong by Tehlor Kay Mejia "The starsong is louder now, swelling in a way that says something's coming." Pop into the endless library for a sweet treat: "Starsong" (2018) by Tehlor Kay Mejia. Published in the excellent witchy collection Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women and Witchcraft, edited by the fabulous Jessica Spotswood and Tess Sharpe, it's a story of growing up and finding your magic. (And flirting with cute girls on Instagram!) Read more from Tehlor Kay Mejia: Buy the collection: Special music shout out to Leonell Cassio's "A Magical Journey Through Space" -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/22118639

Time Enough At Last by Lynn Venable 01/13/2022

Time Enough At Last by Lynn Venable "The atomic bomb meant, to most people, the end. To Henry Bemis, it meant something far different - a thing to appreciate and enjoy." Gather round for a story, spooky friends! Aurelien reads aloud "Time Enough At Last" (1953) by Lynn Venable, the source material for your favorite original Twilight Zone episode. It's a subtle horror story, that draws you in and knifes you in the back. Read the story for free at Project Gutenberg: -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/21760646

From the book pile, Dec 2021 12/30/2021

From the book pile, Dec 2021 We start books with the best of intentions, but sometimes the timing isn't right. Aurelien introduces five strange, mysterious, intriguing, and eerie recently started books. No spoilers! Secretive Scottish boarding schools, cosmic crime scenes, ghosts (of course), seances, and more questions than a crossword. Madam by Phoebe Wynne (2021) Department Zero by Paul Crilley (2017) Small Town Monsters by Diana Rodriguez Wallach (2021) Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson (2018) The 39 Steps by John Buchan (1915) -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/21636044

The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells 10/25/2021

The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells "It was as if all the pain in the world had found a voice." Aurelien took a short trip to "The Island of Doctor Moreau" (1896) by H.G. Wells. It's an unfortunately readable classic about brutality, ego, torture, and humanity. To paraphrase Hobbes: it was nasty, brutal, and not short enough. Add "Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?" by Frans de Waal to your tbr: https://wwnorton.com/books/Are-We-Smart-Enough-to-Know-How-Smart-Animals-Are/ -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/20930765

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab 10/03/2021

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab "A little special. A little strange. Not quite alive but definitely not …" It's that time of year, spooky friends! The spookiest season of all. Let's tell ghost stories! Gather round the fire for "City of Ghosts" (2018) by Victoria Schwab, the story of a strange girl with a dead best friend, the ability to see ghosts, and, ironically, ghost-hunting parents! Part Lydia Deetz, part Lyra Belacqua, and all her excellent spooky self, Cassidy Blake is your next weird best friend. No spoilers in this one! Find more from Victoria Schwab at -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/20687459

A House At the Bottom of A Lake by Josh Malerman 08/22/2021

A House At the Bottom of A Lake by Josh Malerman "It's impossible. But it’s here. Can we keep it?” Grab your canoe and meet Aurelien at the secret lake for "A House At the Bottom of A Lake" (2016) by Josh Malerman. Let yourself be swept away in this weird dreamy story of first dates, summer love, and the thrill, and horror, of discovery. Listen for the spoiler warning around 19:50! -- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com /episode/index/show/spookysistersbookclub/id/20223653

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