Monday Moods is a weekly bookish meme created and hosted by Unwrapping Words (aka, me!). The premise is simple: every week, there’s a new ‘mood’, ranging from tropes to genres or actual moods (happy, sad, etc). On a Monday, feel free to post about books on your TBR, books you’d recommend, or a mix – whatever you like – that fits the ‘mood’ prompt. And of course, you can use your own if you’re not fussed on a particular one!
When I was considering what to do for this week’s Monday Moods, I found out that tomorrow is actually National Mario Day, so games felt like a very fitting topic! So, here’s 5 books on my TBR featuring games in some way, shape or form.
This Week, I’m in the Mood For…
Games
Fear Ground
Jennifer Killick
Genre: Horror
Age: Middle Grade
Format: Paperback
Published: September 1st, 2022
I Want to Read This Because I really liked Dread Wood – it’s excellent MG Horror with Goosebumps vibes, and I have no doubt the sequel – with a new craze taking over the school, a game called Flinch – will be just as good.
Of Boys and Games
Mona Black
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: November 5th, 2024
I Want to Read This Because an angel, demon, vampire and fae who all for the same girl at a paranormal academy…why wouldn’t I want to read this one?
Critical Hits: Writers Playing Video Games
Edited by J. Robert Lennon and Carmen Maria Machado
Genre: Non-Fiction – Essays
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: November 21st, 2023
I Want to Read This Because I love video games, and like many of the things I love, I also love reading about them! I really like the idea of this, writers exploring games. The description shows too how conflicting they can be, but at the same time how they can be a positive force. I imagine this will be really interesting.
Broomsticks and Board Games
Amy McNulty
Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: September 29th, 2020
I Want to Read This Because it looks cute and witchy! I love the colour. This also features a werewolf best friend and vampire ex-boyfriend, as well as a ghost, so there should be plenty here that’s entertaining from that setup alone!
Homebound
Portia Elan
Genre: Sci-Fi
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Expected Publication: May 5th, 2026
I Want to Read This Because I heard about this via a fun game used as marketing – it was very much of the 80s/early 90s click through adventure style, and it made me really curious about the book! In 1983, Becks picks up a half-finished game left to her by her uncle, intending to complete it, and what follows is…well, sci-fi time travel stuff!
As always, if you have any recommendations based on the above or have read these and want to share your thoughts, please do. Do you have these on your TBR, or other game based/inspired books?
Unwrapping Words 