UVA Library Reading Challenge
Librarian for English and Digital Humanities
Research Librarian for Music & Performing Arts
2025: Four Centuries of Women’s Gothic
In 2025, 
we are reading Gothic literature written by women authors, beginning with some of the first Gothic novels written in the 18th century, then moving chronologically to end with contemporary 21st century Gothic fiction.
Want to join us? You can follow the full challenge or read just a few works that pique your interest. There are two ways to participate:
Join the Facebook group to follow and participate in the conversation.
OR, subscribe to our monthly posts via our blog, UVA Reads! We will send content to your inbox in one convenient monthly email.
Reading Schedule
January: Clara Reeve, The Old English Baron (1777)
February: Charlotte Dacre, Zofloya (1806)
March: Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (1818)
April: Elizabeth Gaskell, “The Old Nurse’s Story” (1852) & “The Grey Woman” (1861)
May: Mary Elizabeth Braddon, “The Shadow in the Corner” (1879) & “The Good Lady Ducayne” (1896)
June: Shirley Jackson, We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962)
July: Angela Carter, “The Werewolf” (1977) & “The Bloody Chamber” (1979)
August: Toni Morrison, Beloved (1987)
September: Anne Rice, Violin (1997)
October: Octavia Butler, Fledgling (2005)
November: Shani Mootoo, Cereus Blooms at Night (2009)
December: Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Mexican Gothic (2020)
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