I typically average about 5 books a month, so unlike many of the more voracious readers here, I’m not even going to attempt to black out my Bingo card*.  So I think I’m going to follow the same strategy that I used last year – pick a likely row with a handful of interesting books and then just wait for the calls to catch up. Here are some of the books I'm debating for the start.

A3 – Slasher Stories

Sandman Slim - Richard Kadrey 

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys - April Genevieve Tucholke 

B3 – Spellbound (an embarrassment of choices)

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead - Kim Harrison (can also fit Deadlands, Cryptozoologist, Shifters et c.) available as an audiobok

The Book of Life - Deborah Harkness  (might also fit Relics & Curiosities) - available as an audiobook but at 24 hours is longer than might commit to in audiobook during Bingo

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld - Patricia A. McKillip   

A Darker Shade of Magic - V.E. Schwab  (one of many places this can go since I don’t have the Darkest London Square).

C3 – Raven

The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater (reread - though this can also go many places)

one of the overflow from Spellbound

A short story TBD 

D3 – 13 

We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson (even though I think this will stretch my comfort zone and could go elsewhere)

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo 

Or more Raven Boys

E3 – Ghost Stories

The Girl in the Green Silk Gown - Seanan McGuire  (could also fit New Release)

*Yes, I know short stories count towards Halloween Bingo, but I can’t see reading 25 of them in a 2-month span either.  (And I’m just too likely to get sucked into the anthology and not move to other squares anyway)

I've now seen A Darker Shade of Magic on half a dozen reading plans for Halloween Bingo 2018.  Who'd be interested in turning it into an unofficial buddy read?

I suggest that we start either over the weekend of September 15/16 or the weekend of September 22/23, though I'm open to any time that doesn't conflict with the official Buddy Read.

So who's interested and what dates do you suggest?

I'll join my voice to the rousing chorus thanking Obsidian Blue and Moonlight Madness for inviting us to play Halloween Bingo with them.  

Even though I haven't picked books yet, I can't wait to show off my glorious card!

I'm amazed at those of you who already have a TBR list.  While I have a few things I'm thinking about, I plan to spend the next few days window-shopping the reading lists ably compiled by Murder by Death and all of your TBR posts before announcing my intentions.

And if you aren't already spooked into joining us, you have until August 30, 2018 to become enthralled.  Cards requests for the newly enspelled are placed here