Five "Boo-tastic" Books for Halloween

 

For my first column article, I wanted to recommend some creepy reads since it’s officially Spooky Season. Ghosts and vampires linger in windows, pumpkin spice permeate coffee mugs, and there’s (finally) a chill in the air. As we near Halloween, I thought it would be fitting for people to want to have a chill crawl up their spine, so I am coming at you with five Boo-tastic books to read this Halloween.

 

1.     Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

I read this book over the summer, and now it’s one of my favorite novels of all times. King weaves a story of a quaint, homey small town in Maine, but underneath all the domestic hometown bliss lingers a city of vampires. Dark and gritty, it’s definitely something to read this Halloween (if you can handle adult content, of course).

 

2.     “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe

Alright, not a book, per se, but it’s still a fantastic, spine-tingling tale. Poe, the father of horror, presents us with a man who decides to murder his wife and stuff her inside a wall, only to be betrayed by a certain feline. If you are into audio books, you can find a reading of the story by Christopher Lee on YouTube, which I highly recommend.

 

3.     Craven Manor by Darcy Coates

Darcy Coats has quickly arisen in recent years as one of the newest, most popular names in horror. With many titles to her name, Craven Manor was a novel I had to latch onto as soon as I saw it. If you love ghosts, empty, creaky houses, and dark, family secrets, this is a book to enjoy.

 

4.     The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Though I wouldn’t call this a “scary book,” it is definitely a book that should be read around Halloween. It follows the story of a boy named Bod who lives with ghosts and a vampire in a graveyard. There he goes on many adventures, encountering ghouls, ancient curses, and lots of other dangers. Perfect for younger readers as well as adults.

5.     Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine

 

Naturally I would include everyone’s favorite childhood master of horror. Stine has given us a wide of myriad of books to choose from, and they are perfect for younger children who want to develop a love for reading. Some of my personal favorites include A Night in Terror Tower and The Legend of the Lost Legend.

 

So you now have a list. Be sure to cozy up with a cup of tea and one of these great reads this Halloween. Also, you may want to sleep with the light on!