March may mark the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, but my reading list would make you think we’re about to enter fall. That’s because this month my TBR list is full of horror novels. Two are Stephen King novels I’ve had for months and have picked up and put down half a dozen times each. The third book this month is a new book that I’ve had on my reading list for a while now, and why not add it this month when I’ve decided to read all horror?

I’ve picked three books to read this month. It’s a little less than I’d like to read in a month, but it is what it is. I’ve been increasing how much time I spend writing a day, leaving me with less time to read. In my opinion, this is a small price to pay for publishing the sequel to Lost Girls that I can’t wait to share with you all!

Let’s take a look at the horror-thrilled books I’ll be reading this month!

If It Bleeds

One of Stephen King’s newer novels, this compilation includes four different short stories. Although, if you ask me, the title story is more of a novella than a short story, I’m definitely not complaining. Stories include a friendship bond so strong that even death can’t keep the two apart, a school bombing that could lead to another outsider, and many more.

Why It’s On My TBR List

When you think of horror, Stephen King is the master who comes to mind. I received this novel—along with Jeremy Bates’ The Sleep Experiment novel, which I highly recommend—for my birthday this past August. Over the past seven months, I’ve started and stopped If It Bleeds half a dozen times.

Why did I keep putting it down? It wasn’t the stories. I think it was more that I wasn’t in the right mindset to read horror at the time. As a horror writer, I know it’s not a genre that can be casually picked up whenever, whenever. Since I’ve been working exclusively on horror for the past two months, I’m in the right mindset to binge horror novels.

And, now that I’m halfway done, I can say I regret waiting this long. I absolutely adore these stories so far.

Final Girls

Quincy Carpenter is the sole survivor, landing her the title of Final Girl. Now, 10 years later, Quincy is happy with her life. Lisa is another Final Girl, as is Sam. The three try to move on with their lives, but when Lisa is found dead and Sam shows up at Quincy’s house seeking help, can the final girls band together, or is there an ulterior motive to Sam’s arrival?

Why It’s On My TBR List

Who doesn’t love a final girl? Nancy in A Nightmare on Elm Street, Laurie in Halloween, Sidney in Scream…these girls play as important of a role in horror movies as the villain himself. But what happens after the credits roll? More importantly, what if it wasn’t a horror movie and was your life?

I’ve had my eye on Final Girls for a few months now, so I figured this was the perfect time to add it to my reading list since it aligns perfectly with my horror-only theme this month.

Pet Sematary

Moving to a new home is never easy, especially when the family cat is found dead shortly after the move having been hit by one of the many semi-trucks that plow down the street next to their home. The death of their pet leads to the discovery of the pet cemetery, or sematary as spelled by the kids who set up this safe place, near their home.

Dark secrets lurk just beyond the burial place, a place where the dead can walk again. But, as their neighbor Jud, told Louis who brushed it off, “Sometimes dead is better.”

Why It’s On My TBR List

Pet Sematary is one of King’s iconic novels that I shamefully have yet to read. Already having If It Bleeds on my lists and making it a horror-filled month, I figured now was the perfect time to commit to reading it at last.

What Are You Reading This Month?

When picking what books you’re reading each month, do you pick a theme like I did this month or do you choose what’s been on your bookshelf the longest? Let me know how you pick your TBR list, then share what you’re reading this month.

I’m planning to do a major book haul in the next month, so feel free to share any book recommendations, too!