The Midnight Circus is a decadent collection of immersive fairytales from a seasoned American author. Continue reading
Tag Archives: spooky books
The Halloween Tree (1972) #31DaysofHalloween
“Everything seemed cut from soft black velvet or gold or orange velvet. Smoke panted up out of a thousand chimneys like the plumes of a funeral parade.” I really did save the best for last- The Halloween Tree. This is one of the most magical stories I have ever read and proves that Halloween is … Continue reading
Trick ‘r Treat: Days of the Dead (2015) #31DaysofSpookyBooks
If you ever wanted a sequel to Trick ‘r Treat, tough shit. You get this graphic novel instead, which is front-to-back Halloween horror mastery. I adore this little guy, especially the last story ‘Monster Mash.’ It’s majorly heartwarming while still being scary and bloody and funny. There’s 4 stories in here and each one is … Continue reading
Twelve Nights at Rotter House (2019) #31DaysofHalloween
Haunted houses6 are essential to the Halloween season. Not the $20 a pop haunted attractions off every highway, but the straight up haunted-as-fuck houses you drive by and get chills from. Such a house exists in this brand spanking new novel, which was also featured in the October issue of Fangoria. Haunted houses ARE Halloween … Continue reading
Carnival (1989) #31DaysofSpookyBooks
Carnivals are inherently creepy to me. I don’t know if that’s a Bradbury thing or a byproduct of too much Pennywise exposure. The worn carnies, the caged animals, the obvious effort to lure in children…yeesh. This 1989 paperback isn’t going to make you lose any sleep or blow your mind. However, it’s like watching a … Continue reading
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) #31DaysofSpookyBooks
Wearing a Halloween costume gives you ample opportunity to bring out a different side. It could be a dark one or a sweet one. Maybe you’d just amplify the personality you already have or take on an entirely foreign persona. That contrast is exemplified none better than in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The novella … Continue reading
Jack the Ripper (2006) #31DaysofSpookyBooks
It’s weird to say that I have a favorite crime case. The Ripper case is STILL fascinating people and still holds its place as one of the most brutal mysteries of our time. True crime also holds place as a popular genre for a lot of you, so it wouldn’t be fair to not include … Continue reading
Trick or Treat: The History of Halloween (2012) #31DaysofSpookyBooks
Every worshipper needs its Bible. This is basically the handbook on Halloween written by the holiday historian herself. It’s a thorough tome of the Celtic roots and its evolution throughout the centuries. You’ll learn about our weird little traditions’ origins, why we call carved pumpkins Jack, and other tidbits explaining the most strange and wonderful … Continue reading
The House With the Clock In Its Walls (1973) #31DaysofHalloween
I chose to include this Halloween-tinted juvenile mystery in lieu of R.L. Stine’s extensive portfolio of Halloween-y tales because, dare I say, it’s a bit more refined? It’s about a recently orphaned boy who goes to live with his uncle, who happens to be a warlock, and has a witch as a neighbor. There’s black … Continue reading
Blood Canticle (2003) #31DaysofSpookyBooks
You didn’t think I forgot about vampires, did you? There’s a shit ton of awesome vamp novels and series out there but the most pivotal (and most responsible for the sexy, tragic vampires we love today) series is The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice. I’m nowhere near completed but I can’t deny that it’s an … Continue reading
