In the latest installment of our beloved Author’s Bookshelf, a series where we get to unravel the book lover side of the storytellers we admire, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kayla Cottingham. This New York Times bestselling author is well known for her gripping YA sapphic horror novels. Her most well-known book is arguably My Dearest Darkest, a gripping story set in the eerie town of Rainwater, where Finch Chamberlin — a new student at the prestigious Ulalume Academy — finds herself entangled in a supernatural mystery. After surviving a near-fatal accident, Finch and her friends inadvertently summon a carnivorous creature that promises to fulfill their deepest desires, but it comes at a horrific price.
Kayla, who frequently shares her literary adventures as @kaylacottingham over on Instagram, welcomed us into her bookish space to explore the bookshelves that inspire her own dark and enchanting tales. A true bibliophile, Kayla gave us the total scoop on her lifelong love affair with books, reading habits, and favorite genres — Kayla even threw in a few stories behind her eclectic collection and the personal significance of some of the titles. From well-worn classics to contemporary gems, her shelves are a testament to her diverse literary tastes and the inspirations that fuel her writing.
Accompanied by exclusive photos of her personal library, this Bookstr interview offers a unique glimpse into the literary world of one of today’s most intriguing writers. Ready to explore the shelves of a true booklover? Then let’s get to it!
How long have you been collecting your books?
The collection I currently have started when I was in college. I moved cross-country and it didn’t make sense to bring all my books from home with me, so I had to start fresh. That said, I’ve lived in my current city (Boston) for ten years now, so it’s definitely had time to grow.
What is your favorite book on your shelves?
I have an old leather-bound copy of A Midsummer Night’s Dream that one of my friends bought me for my birthday a few years ago. It’s got personal significance since the first story I ever published as a teenager was a modern retelling of Midsummer. Aside from that, I also have a special edition of Howl’s Moving Castle that I bought myself as a present after Practical Rules sold since it’s very much inspired by Diana Wynne Jones.
Do you organize your books a certain way? Is this the only way you organize, or does it change? If so, how often do you reorganize your books?
I’m a former librarian, so I organize my own shelves by the same rules used in public libraries (minus Dewey — I don’t have time for that). My shelves are sorted by age category (adult, YA, and middle grade), and there are separate shelves for graphic novels/manga and nonfiction. It’s all alphabetical by author, aside from graphic novels and manga, which are alphabetical by title since that’s generally easier to find. My whole bottom shelf is ARCs since I like to try and give those away if I can.
If you have keepsakes, knickknacks, and trinkets on your shelves, which is your favorite?
I adore trinkets and keepsakes — I actually have whole other bookshelves that I use just to display those! My favorite is probably my collection of passes/badges from different conventions/festivals I’ve spoken at. I have them hanging off my author copy shelves so I can remind myself of those events since I have so many good memories from them.
Do you have any special editions of your own books on your shelves?
I do! Fox & Wit did a special cover of my first book, My Dearest Darkest, and I always have that on display. I also have two I’m waiting for in the mail for Practical Rules that both have custom jacket art — one from Dazzling Bookshop and one from Rainbow Crate. The Dazzling Bookshop one also has fore-edge illustrations of the pastries Delilah bakes in the book, and it’s ridiculously cute.
How do you keep track of your TBR pile?
I have a separate Goodreads account from my author one to keep track of my TBR. It’s private and under a fake name so people can’t find it unless I want them to — not because I’m leaving nasty reviews or anything, but because I read a lot of spicy romance that doesn’t exactly go with my author brand.
Are you particular about the format of the book you purchase — hardcover or paperback — or whether they’re new or used?
New or used is less of an issue, but I do prefer hardcovers. Paperbacks tend to be so flimsy that I worry they won’t survive the test of time. Since my first two books were paperback originals, I was stoked when Practical Rules got a hardcover release. Plus, the title has really pretty pink foil on the case, and the jacket is beautiful. The designers absolutely killed it!
Are you someone who worries about sunlight exposure, how the books are aligned (vertical or horizontal), or if the pages are yellowed with age?
I used to worry about that when I was younger, but after I became a librarian and had to weed the collection for condition all the time, physical books began to feel a lot less precious. Plus, I think yellow pages, or a bent spine, give a book character. It means someone loved it enough to keep it on their shelf a long time, or to read it over and over. What can I say — I’m sentimental.
What do you do when you run out of shelf space?
I like to try and weed my collection once a year or so — again, because of my library days. Once I’ve done that, I go to the used bookstore and sell the ones I can and donate the rest to my local library.
And there you have it, book lovers! A huge thank you to Kayla Cottingham for sharing her heart and bookshelf with us. This delightful chat with Kayla has come to an end, but the magic doesn’t stop here. Be sure to follow us for more bookish interviews and literary adventures. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for Kayla’s upcoming book release of Extraordinary Quests for Amateur Witches, hitting shelves everywhere in 2025.
Check out what’s on author-illustrator Ireen Chau’s bookshelf — just click here!
Get all caught up with Kayla by purchasing her three other books on our bookshelf over at Bookshop!
