At Once Upon a Book Club, we live and breathe stories, not just the ones we send out in our boxes, but the ones we curl up with after hours, too. From dark academia to Greek mythology, from romantic werewolves to haunted cottages, our team’s current reads are as diverse as our readers. Whether we’re listening to audiobooks during commutes, staying up way too late with a page-turner, or pretending “just one more chapter” won’t ruin our sleep schedule, we’re right there with you. We can’t wait to share what our team is reading, and don’t forget to check out our latest blogs; we've got some great ideas for creating family traditions or starting the ultimate YA reading challenges.

 

Logan: Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati

“I'm listening to Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati. It's a Greek tale, and it's really intense so far. I am loving the storytelling and the multiple characters and connections to other Greek myths.”

About the Book:

For fans of Circe and Elektra, Clytemnestra is a powerful retelling of the life of one of ancient Greece’s most infamous queens, a woman both feared and underestimated. Costanza Casati reimagines Clytemnestra not as a villain, but as a survivor. 

Betrayed by her husband and robbed of her child, she learns that to endure, she must seize power for herself. This fabulous story explores love, vengeance, and resilience in a world ruled by gods and men. It’s fierce, feminist, and perfect for those of you who love mythic women reclaiming their stories.

 

Sydney: Mate by Ali Hazelwood

“After reading Bride over the weekend in pretty much one sitting and being absolutely OBSESSED, I immediately had to start Mate. The banter in these books is top-tier and is constantly making me laugh to myself. Plus, there's so much tension with the romance (and plot itself) that I can't put it down!”

About the Book:

In Mate, Ali Hazelwood returns to her signature mix of humor, heart, and undeniable chemistry, and this time it’s in a world where humans, weres, and vampires collide. 

Serena Paris, a hybrid caught between species, is being hunted by powerful enemies and forced into a reluctant alliance with Koen Alexander, the commanding Alpha of the Northwest pack. Their bond sizzles with tension as danger closes in and fate refuses to play fair. Equal parts thrilling, romantic, and funny, Mate is a love story with bite…literally.

 

Teri: The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew

“It's a very atmospheric dark academia book about a girl who gets placed at a college that teaches people how to walk between parallel worlds. I'm still towards the beginning, but you can tell that there's something mysterious (and maybe dangerous) going on behind closed doors.”

About the Book:

Kelly Andrew’s The Whispering Dark is the perfect blend of eerie academia and haunting romance. It follows Delaney Meyers-Petrov, a Deaf student determined to prove herself at a university that trains students to cross between worlds. There, she reconnects with Colton Price, a mysterious boy with a dark past and even darker secrets. 

As deaths on campus mount, Delaney and Colton uncover the horrifying truth lurking in the shadows. Rich with gothic atmosphere, emotional tension, and lyrical writing, this debut captures both the wonder and terror of stepping beyond the boundaries of what we know.

 

Ryan: Should the Sky Fall by Amithia Raine

“It's about a reaper who falls in love with his next target’s husband, and feels a need to protect him at all costs. This was such a good book and nothing like I've read before. It started out really intense and dark, but turns really sweet and has a hint of the paranormal to it.”

About the Book:

Should the Sky Fall by Amithia Raine is a darkly romantic and emotionally charged story that explores love, forgiveness, and second chances, even when death stands in the way. After an accident leaves Dawson’s abusive husband in a coma, Dawson isn’t sure whether to pray for his recovery or his end. 

But when Cal awakens with no memory of his cruelty, the man before Dawson feels like someone entirely new. As love blooms between them, the question becomes whether redemption can exist after devastation and what happens when the ghosts of the past refuse to rest.

 

Nicole: The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong

“I like the premise a lot so far, and I'm excited to see the evolution of the characters through the story! And to meet the dreaded horseman…”

About the Book:

In The Haunting of Paynes Hollow, Kelley Armstrong masterfully combines small-town secrets, chilling folklore, and psychological suspense. When Samantha Payne inherits her late grandfather’s lakeside property, she doesn’t expect to uncover the dark truths buried with it or to question everything she thought she knew about her father’s death.

But as night falls over Paynes Hollow, strange figures emerge from the lake and whispers fill the woods. Caught between memory and madness, Sam must face her family’s ghosts, literal and otherwise, in this eerie, twist-filled tale of grief and redemption.

 

Tristan: Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins

“I am listening to the audiobook of Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins. I was completely obsessed with Scream when it first came out—so obsessed that I had the entire script memorized! The audiobook is narrated by the Ghostface voice actor, and it's fantastic. I'm really enjoying learning all the behind-the-scenes stories about the franchise.”

About the Book:

For every horror fan who knows exactly where they were the first time Drew Barrymore’s scream echoed through the night, Your Favorite Scary Movie is a must-read. Journalist Ashley Cullins dives deep into the creation, legacy, and cultural impact of the Scream franchise, weaving together exclusive interviews, production secrets, and thoughtful analysis. 

From late-night filming stories to the ways Scream redefined the horror genre with its clever self-awareness, this book is a fascinating look at how a slasher flick became a cinematic phenomenon.

Between the Lines

There you have it, the OUABC team’s current reads! From ancient queens and moody academia to supernatural romance and behind-the-scenes horror, our bookshelves are as varied as our personalities. 

Whether we’re devouring fantasy worlds or whispering about ghosts in the dark, we’re all chasing that same spark, the thrill of a story that stays with you long after “The End.” We’d love to know what you’re reading this month, so make sure to share your current book in the comments or tag us on Instagram.

And if you’re looking for your next favorite read, our Adult, YA, or Tween Book Boxes are waiting to bring a little extra magic to your reading life. Because at OUABC, we don’t just read stories, we live them.