Gretchen's Picks
Gretchen joined the Snowbound crew in the summer of 2020, and has a very handsome dog named Rosie Cotton.
Do you judge a book by its cover?
ALWAYS! I only read books with good covers. I might be missing out on some good reads... but I doubt it.
Dogear or bookmark?
Now I am become death, the destroyer of books--dogear all the way.
Monogamist or polygamist reader?
I consider myself a read-onist (reading hedonist)--the more the merrier!
Any classics you refuse to read?
Camus.
What's your most terrifying book experience?
When I'm reading in bed and drop my book on my face.
Do you eat while reading? If so, what's your favorite reading drink or snack?
I love a good reading beverage. Currently, red wine.
Your mission as a bookseller?
To find and share great new reads with our community.
Are you a fan of filth & depravity? Please, please, please read this sadistic and fevered black comedy. Best Moshfegh yet. Holy shit!!!
This book is a must for fans of classic darkness à la Poe, Kafka, & the like. Dávila is a master of fear, obsession, paranoia, & terror. Deeply unsettling. Five stars.
This is a perfect fantasy read. It checks all the boxes without being cliche. Great adventure, characters, and a surprising amount of humor. 10/10.
Woah. This book takes the horrors of American history & white supremacy, and creates an unputdownable tale of vengeance, motherhood, and queer love. Raw, gothic, and dark--this one will stick with you.
A smoky noir set in 1970's Mexico City--romantic, dangerous and dark; it has all the right ingredients to take you on a twisty-turny & exciting adventure. Very fun!
Not just any slasher--this is a meta-slasher! This book twists & transcends the "final girl" trope in awesome, brutal, and ultimately hopeful ways. A perfect read for fans of the genre, or a great intro for horror beginners. Delicious & evil!
Vivid, luscious, and heartbreaking--Shire takes us on an exploration of, and journey to womanhood. Totally gorgeous!
Outlawed is a total blast. I've always loved a good western, and this book checks all the boxes--plus some extra!
This book nicely defies the macho tendencies of its genre--with a sparkling cast of queer & nonconforming characters, and a story revolving around women's reproductive rights. Check it out!
This collection of poems is beautiful and devastating. Every line--even the most sparse--feels striking and weighty. Definitely worth a read.
This book--woah. Beautiful. Awful.
A man processes the sudden loss of his wife... darkness & cosmic horror slowly unspool. I've never read anything quite like this. A truly stunning read. Transcendent.
Damn. Not sure I've ever read anything quite like this. So heavy, so sharp; an incredible revenge fantasy full of blood-soaked humor. A totally unforgettable read.
Wow!! I loved this one. What a beautiful collection of short stories. All tinted with dreamy, bizarre, and unsettling hues. Good read for fans of Her Body and Other Parties.
Not necessarily scary, but haunting. Ghost Variations traverses the many ways one can be haunted, with ease--leaping from chilling to sweet, and devastating to beautiful.
I was expecting a purely gothic read from this title, but was thrilled and surprised by the amount of horror. Mexican Gothic would be a great read for fans of Bronte, but also Lovecraft.
This book is INSANE!! In the best possible way. Lee Durkee has written a book that is both hilarious and heart-wrenching. You need to read this book, and then tell your friends to read this book. It's that good.
If you're any kind of romantic, you NEED to read this book. This book will totally sweep you off your feet, and take you to unexpected--and beautiful--places.