This one is for my Cottagecore Readers, who enjoy mushrooms in everything: The Era of Mushrooms

I made a list of all 66 books on my instagram and if you want to go and look at it, you can do so here. This blog post is a summary of the 5 books that I have read (or reading in the case of one) on my list and what I thought about them! Go and vote in the poll if you have read any of the books mentioned here and here is the list of them all:

• What Moves the Dead

• Grave Yard Shift

• Don't Let the Forest In

• Swallowed

• Human Scars on Planet Skin (CR)

So, what did I think of the book...:

What moves the dead

If you have been around here for long, you will know that I LOVE anything T.kingfisher has written and I am making my way through the list of books. I have no complaint about any of them and in fact, I'd love more AND I am so glad we have so many coming out.

What Moves the Dead is no exception in this list. This is a book about Alex Easton, who goes to the countryside of Ruravia and sees that his childhood friends are dying due to a fungal growth and possessed wildlife.

This is a short book and there is book 2, with book 3 coming out this September. It is an understatement of the year to say that I loved it. This book explores dark topics, has a British mycologist

This is a combination of gothic horror, fantasy, fungal centered and a retelling (meant to be a retelling of The fall of the house of Usher, also on the list)!

Graveyard shift

Graveyard is also a novella and this is a Dark Academia Gothic, Horror book that focuses on 5 different people who cross path as they work a night shift. These five people find an open grave, where none should be found.

The story delves into the mystery of this grave and they encounter the gravedigger in question. One of the characters is a journalist and we go on a whole ride of seeing this story.

We also encounter other elements in the story: insomnia and sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, not having a home...etc.

M.L. Rio leaves us wanting more (or at least leaves me wanting more...) and I have started reading If We Were Villians as I couldnt get enough.

This one is perfect for you if you like those gothic vibes, tensions and rats with fungi.

Don't let the forest in

Don't Let the Forest in is, well, how do I say this: Making it into the top of my list of books I read this year. This is more of a botanical horror, hence why its on the Mushroom-ish category, but I couldnt not include it.

I can't say much without spoiling the book and I wouldnt dare do that to you, my dear cottagecore reader BUT what I can say is this is a fast paced horror, where you are questioning everything that has happened. DID IT HAPPEN?! Who knows?

I cannot say enough about this book and I have added CG Drews into my auto buy authors as they are the master of Cottagegore. This book follows Andrew, Thomas and Dove with the monsters from their stories and sketches....

Read this AND then come and talk to me ASAP (I mean it!)

Swallowed

Swallowed was my second book into Horromance and this is one of the Mushroom-ish books too but guys, this book, and I cannot place an emphasis enough on this, is AMAZING.

This is a horromance novella that goes along the journey of Jill Jones, who is a botanist, going on a journey to a Planet with her crew members. The synopsis starts with: "Earth is beyond repair. The Planet is our last hope."

This is a genre blend, which has sci-fi, romance, horror, paranormal and has the vibe of being in a mushroom fever dream, which happened when you accidentally ate that spore mushroom from a forest while you were frolicking there.

Now, if you read this, I expect nothing less then you popping in and coming to talk to me about it. Do it!

Human Scars on Planet Skin

And last, but not least, is Human Scars on Planet skin! This is an experimental cozy sci-fi novella that is focusing on the eco-horror of what is happening to Turr, the planet in the book.

I am currently making my way through this book but guys, honestly, I know I'm going to love it and you guys are in for it when it releases in September! The authors are amazing people who have their own Indie publishing press too and share lovely books with amazing covers.

Here are cute character arts that the authors have shared on instagram: part 1 and part 2.

I have to say, Clyra, Invidia and Leyren are my favourite looking characters (what a shock?! they're the mushroom characters...)

But, join us in my discord server by subscribing for free here and let's chat about this book if you are Arc reading it too.

And... What's next for the Cottagecore Readers?

So, we are starting a Mushroom Book Club Salon - this means there will be no assigned reading but you will be able to discuss any books that falls under this theme criteria with us in my discord server! Come on broad to Chanterelle Solace, join the discord server for free and let's go crazy about Mushrooms!

See you next time, Cottagecore Readers!