Each week our amazing staff bring you a sample of the books or music they're immersed in.

Lian Hingee is reading Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

I don't know if it's the general dreadful state of the world, the awfulness of the news, or the looming dread of climate catastrophe, but there's been a really big uptick in 'cosy' iterations of my favourite genres, and I for one am here for it. People being nice to each other? Low-stakes drama? An almost guaranteed Happily Ever After (or at least until the next book in the series)? SIGN ME UP. Thus, at the recommendation of one of our Emporium booksellers, I found myself happily ensconced on the couch with a copy of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

Fashioned as the journal of grouchy academic Emily Wilde, this absolutely charming novel follows her adventures in the Nordic village of Hrafnsvik, where she hopes to complete the final entry in her exhaustive encylopaedia of faerie lore. Unfortunately for Emily, it's not long before she finds herself smack dab in the middle of one of the stories she came to observe; and even more frustratingly, her dashing academic rival Wendell Bambleby (yes really) is there to witness it.

I adored every minute of this delightful fantasy. I loved the prickly Emily, the profligate Wendell – their friendship reminded me strongly of the one between Sophie and Howl from Howl's Moving Castle – and I'm eagerly anticipating their next adventure in Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands, which tragically I have to wait until January to read.

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Kate McIntosh is reading Fed to Red Birds by Rijn Collins

After meeting the lovely Rijn Collins when she came into the shop to sign copies of her novel, Fed to Red Birds, I really, really wanted to read her book. Some months later, it finally made it to the top of my to-be-read pile and I am so glad it did.

Set in Iceland, this is one young woman's journey of self-discovery as she comes to terms with her own anxiety, grief and a whole new, complicated language. Dark in a delightfully gothic way, this is a very impressive debut, but I strongly suggest you rug up nice and warm before sitting down to read it. 

Emma Davison is reading The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

I read The Haunting of Hill House this week and I loved it. This novel is creepy and sinister but also really emotive, I couldn't put it down. In this story Dr Montague, a paranormal researcher, invites Luke, Eleanor and Theodora to Hill House to see whether he can prove the rumours that the house is haunted. This is Shirley Jackson's most famous novel and one which has been adapted for the screen multiple times.

This is so much more than a simple ghost story, it is a complex exploration into the mind and moving portrait of female oppression. With halloween just around the corner this is the ideal spooky read. All hail Shirley Jackson! On the subject of horror, I also went to see A24’s Talk to Me at the cinema this week and it was great. A well-crafted aussie horror film which had me thoroughly freaked out.