Books of the Month
September Books of the Month
Rytual by Chloe Elizabeth Wilson
It’s giving Mecca meets cult vibes, in the best way possible. If the girls from Bunny (Mona Awad) worked at Mecca, you’d get something like Rytual. I support women’s rights, but more importantly, I support women’s morally questionable skincare routines, and this book gets that.
Rytual follows Melbourne girlie Marnie, who's a little lost after the death of her mother and the end of a relationship with an older mentor figure who took advantage of her. Vulnerable and searching for purpose, she finds herself pulled into the orbit of Rytual Cosmetica, a high-end beauty brand led by the magnetic and enigmatic Luna.
The concept is instantly compelling, dark, culty, and drenched in luxury. I was immediately drawn in by the world and found the initial build of both the story and its characters super engaging. The satire and irony shine through, especially in its sharp commentary on wellness culture, consumerism, and feminine power.
That said, while I loved the vibe and atmosphere, Marnie as a protagonist didn’t quite land for me. She felt a little too passive, I wanted her to either fully resist or fully surrender. But perhaps her "meep-ness" is part of the point, part of her journey.
The first half of the novel is absolutely gripping, and the whole aesthetic? Immaculate.
My only real critique? The ending could’ve hit harder. It felt like it lost a bit of the momentum that made the first half so strong. Still, a fascinating and stylish read I’d recommend to fans of literary horror, cult fiction, and beauty-world satire
Click here to put Rytual on hold.
Past Books of the Month
Listen for the lie by Amy Tintera
My hands and eyes were glued to the pages as this brilliantly twisty dark comedy-meets-murder mystery grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Lucy Chase, a blunt, smart, and straightforward anti-heroine, is a complex character you can’t help but root for, even though there’s a chance she may have murdered her best friend.
Lucy is dragged back to her hometown when a smug true-crime podcaster starts digging into the unsolved death of her friend Savannah. With town gossip, ghostly visions, and long-buried secrets piling up, Lucy must confront her past, and find out whether she’s truly a killer.
Witty, sharp, and full of biting social commentary, this book strikes a perfect balance between suspense, dark humour, and unforgettable characters (special shoutout to Grandma Beverly, an absolute gem). Equal parts hilarious and nerve-wracking, it kept me laughing and on the edge of my seat the entire time.