The primary cemetery project that obsessed me this year was 222?Cemeteries to See Before You Die. It came out at the end of August.
It’s an update to my book?199?Cemeteries to See Before You Die, which turned 7 years old last year. You’d be amazed how much has changed in those 199 cemeteries in that amount of time — plus I got to add 23 beautiful cemeteries that I’d missed the first time around.
The book hasn’t gotten many reviews, but those it did get were nice.
Library Journal said, “This excellent title is chock-full of fascinating tidbits about graves, burial grounds, mausoleums, and more. General readers and serious cemetery-trekking travelers will keep it flying off of displays.”
Ron Charles’ Book Club at the Washington Post said: “This intricately illustrated volume covers the U.S. and then moves around the world. Designed for the itinerant taphophile.”
Author, podcaster, and world-traveling taphophile Tui Snider had some really sweet things to say about?222 Cemeteries on her Patreon. My favorite part: “Loren Rhoads’s new book is a must-have for anyone who loves historic cemeteries! Great info and chock full of gorgeous photos. Wonderful for armchair travel and/or planning actual trips.”
The Spade & the Grave said: “The book covers all corners of the globe, introducing the reader to burial practices from numerous different cultures, and is a great introduction to regions you might not have already been familiar with as a burial ground enthusiast. Overall, this updated volume is absolutely wonderful, and would be a great addition to the bookshelves of any taphophiles or history fans in your life!”
Horror Addicts said: “Whether you are stunned into silence by its gorgeous photography or even more inspiring text, you will be launched into another state of mind.”
Parade?magazine added the book to their list of Best New Books:?The 27 Best New Book Releases This Week: Aug 27-Sept 2, 2024 – Best Reads on Parade
The Chicago Tribune‘s “Gift Books for 2024” said: “For a book about death, it’s fun!”
Chantal LaRochelle’s Gift Guide for Taphophiles said: “Perfect for aspiring cemetery explorers and dedicated taphophiles alike, this beautiful guide to the world’s most fascinating and offbeat cemeteries is a must-have!”
I had a great time talking about cemeteries and my book on several podcasts.
For NPR’s Morning Edition, I spoke to host A. Martinez about cemeteries as tourist destinations — and as the best place to take a date in Southern California. He has some surprisingly sweet opinions on the subject. The show was called “Each year at this time, tombstone tourists take in the sights at cemeteries.” Airdate: 10/23/24
Dylan Thuras, founder of Atlas Obscura, and I have corresponded since back in the days of my Morbid Curiosity magazine. Needless to say, I am a huge fan of the Atlas. I even used to set up cemetery tours for the local Obscura Salon group. Dylan and I discussed the question “Are Cemeteries Dying?” on his Atlas Obscura podcast.? Listen on the Apple podcast or Spotify. Airdate: August 22, 2024
Patricia from the Morbidly Curious Book Club and I had?an amazing conversation?about?Morbid Curiosity and cemeteries. So much fun! Airdate: August 27, 2024
I also chatted with A. S. Stewart about “A Walk through the Graveyard” on her Shadows and Ink podcast. Airdate: August 20, 2024
I hit a milestone when Matthew Kronsberg interviewed me for the Wall Street Journal. The story appeared “When Did Cemeteries Become Tourist Attractions and Hot-Date Spots?”
The Petaluma Argus-Courier wrote about “Digging Tombstones: A Grave Pastime in Words and Pictures” in advance of my book-signing at the Word Horde Emporium of the Weird and Fantastic.
Ross Lockwood interviewed about cemeteries as libraries for the Petaluma Argus-Courier.
I did a bunch of live events:
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On Sunday, September 8, I told some ghost stories set in US graveyards to my local Horror Writers Association group. (Just as an aside, if you have a group who’d like to hear some stories about ghosts, graveyards, and the power of urban legends, comment below or drop me a note on my contact form.) I call the lecture “Whistling Past the Graveyard.”
On September 14, 2024, I joined Kathleen Klebe, president of the Historic Union Cemetery Association, to lead my first cemetery tour. Kathy talked about the local history recorded in this pretty little cemetery, while I explained the symbolism on the gravestones.
On September 29, 2024, I did a book-signing at the Word Horde Emporium of the Weird and Fantastic in Petaluma, California.
On October 16, 2024, I had the pleasure of chatting with Paul Koudounaris about his beautiful new book,?Faithful Unto Death: Pet Cemeteries, Animal Graves, and Eternal Devotion. We were hosted by the Mark Twain House and Museum.
On October 20, 2024, I showed photos from the book (including the newly added cemeteries) and talked about cemetery travel at Book Passage in Corte Madera, California.
On October 22, 2024, I read from 222 Cemeteries to See Before You Die and was interviewed by Josh Wilson, editor of The Fabulist, at Green Apple Books on the Park. You can watch online on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01iyhQTbrFk
How did I choose 222 Cemeteries? was posted on LorenRhoads.com on August 29, 2024.
How to update a book when your father is dying was posted on LorenRhoads.com on August 21, 2024.
My three favorite reads of the year on Shepherd.com.
Books to start your cemetery list on Booklist.
My Amazon cemetery book recommendations.
I took over the Horror Addicts blog for the week of Halloween:
- American Vampires
- Marie Laveau’s Ghost
- The Wave Organ
- How to be Safe in a Cemetery
I created a Reader’s Guide to 222 Cemeteries, with discussion/journaling questions, an interview with me, a cemetery playlist, and best of all, Cemetery Bingo! You can download a free copy of the Reader’s Guide from Bookfunnel.
FYI: It’s a different bingo card than the one in the Death’s Garden Revisited Reader’s Guide, so you can play with a friend.
The Order of the Good Death gave away a copy of 222 Cemeteries to See Before You Die?on twitter (or X, if you insist).
If you’d like to treat yourself to a copy of 222 Cemeteries or give one as a gift, here’s the master link. If you order directly from me, I can sign and personalize them.
In addition, I am stocked up on Wish You Were Here: Adventures in Cemetery Travel, the?Cemetery Travels Notebook,?Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues: True Tales of the Unsavory, Unwise, Unorthodox, and Unusual,?This Morbid Life, and the last few copies of the black edition of?199 Cemeteries To See Before You Die. I would love to sell you something to read!
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A word about the Amazon links: I am an Affiliate for Amazon, so I make a small kickback loren when you buy books through my links. Your support feeds my own book-buying. I appreciate your help, but I do encourage you to support your local bookstore or online vendor of choice.
A word about buying direct from me: It may be a little slower than buying from Amazon. I sign and wrap all the books myself. Usually I include postcards or other treats. If you buy from me, I really appreciate your support.
