GGB Fresno: Horror Book Exchange

For our October meet up, we wanted to do something related to the season but without going full Halloween (you never go full Halloween 😉 ). We decided to exchange novels that fall under the horror, thriller, or mystery genres. The Geek Girls met at a local Mexican restaurant, Casa Corona, which has a nice covered patio that allowed for conversation. Casa Corona felt right for our horror theme thanks to the Dia de Los Muertos decor. As the ladies showed up, we discussed Fresno’s upcoming comic con, Zappcon, which is still in its infancy at year three. Julie had booked a booth for her fandom shop, The Crown Julies, and she hoped to snag a few more Geek Girls along the way. (Update: she was successful and we hope to see several new faces at the next brunch).

Once we all settled in, we each introduced the books we chose over chips and salsa. Julie brought a graphic novel rendition of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, Tiffany brought Stephen King’s classic The Shining, and Adriana brought a book I think many of us remember, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Some newer releases were brought by Michelle M (In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware), Michelle T (Boneshaker by Cherie Priest), and Melena (So Now You’re a Zombie by John Austin). I wanted to bring something from my favorite author growing up, R.L Stine. He recently revived his Fear Street series so I choose Secrets which contained two stories in one.

To settle who would take home what book, each of us wrote our names on a piece of paper and did a classic blind draw. While some of us brought books for keeps, others entrusted their beloved themed books to a fellow Geek Girl with a promise to read and return the books by the following brunch. In addition to the novels, Miss Julie gifted handmade bookmarks to each lady. Each bookmark had a quote from famous horror story: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Raven, etc. They are lovely.