As the world’s population becomes increasingly locked away indoors, many of us are feeling panic or anxiety in the face of change and uncertainty. Whilst we all strive to maintain our collective physical well-being, it’s important not to let our mental health slip. The Bookstagram community thrives on indoor activity and online connection, but it’s only one part of our usual daily lives. And so, as concerns around mental strength, well-being, and loneliness rise during this unsettling time of global pandemic, the Bookstagram community is stepping its game up!

Feelings of concern are entirely understandable… but I would suggest that it’s far more fun to celebrate the opportunity to hunker down, get cosy, and save humanity in the most introverted, bookworm-y way possible! You are, therefore, invited to the next Generally Gothic Book Club read-along…

…of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death (1842), during the final full week of March, from Monday the 23rd through to the 31st.

A number of you have already expressed interest on Instagram (yay!), where I will open a group chat on the 23rd. You’re welcome to share your thoughts in the comments here from then onwards too though, if you’d prefer.

The Masque of the Red Death is a short (short, short!) story about death, disease, a prince, and a party. How perfectly apt, my royal friends! As with all my short story readalongs, I have selected a text that’s available to read free online/download to your eReader. This time, from the ever-giving Project Gutenburg.

If you’re otherwise at a loss for reading material, Gothic Bookworm has compiled a list of free online resources, here. What a hero!

Stay well, folks; wash your hands & don’t be a dick! ❤