Saturday, 15 October 2011
Sweet, Spicy and Spooky Reads for All Hallow’s Eve
I compiled a list of my top ten Hallowe’en reads (right now). They are not in order of preference. You will notice I did not include any Harry Potter books because, hello, those are great any time of the year. Enjoy!
1. The Hollow Trilogy by Jessica Verday. For those that enjoy sweet YA romances between a likable girl and a strange, ghostlyboy; this is the next teen trilogy to follow. It’s got the slightest bit of mystery and another dash of something-not-quite right, in this haunting, modern tale of Sleepy Hollow. And the author definitely plays up the winter-y and crispy autumn feel in the book.
2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This is a magical story about a bewitches circus and the people who make it what it is. The romance between two bound characters leaves the reader sweating buckets and the suspense from mystery behind the fate of this fantastic circus has readers pulling at their hair. Not to mention, the whole setting of the circus is very reminiscent of the circus from Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, which can be best appreciated during Hallowe’en.
3. The Hallowe’en Tree by Ray Bradbury. If ever there was any classic Hallowe’en book, this would be the go-to read. This book is a journey through the customs of Hallowe’en and the history of tradition. It is also a story about sacrifice, especially for the sake of loved ones, despite their faults. It is a story that has fast become a tradition for many, to read with their family members, every Hallowe’en.
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. This book is brilliant for ages ten and up. It’s a twisted (and a little bit morbid) story following an orphaned boy that has been raised by ghosts in a graveyard. He finds he is able to imitate ghostly abilities and that he is curiouser and curiouser about the world outside of the graveyard. But the world outside his haunted home is a dangerous place, and the protagonist finds himself targeted by the same man that killed his family when he was a baby. This is for people seeking thrills, suspense, mystery and a slightly eerie story appropriate for most ages.
5. This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel. It’s all that’s being talked about amongst booksellers, right now. A modern re-telling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is exactly what is needed for All Hallow’s Eve. This is also a book for YA twin fans. It may not be all that magical, but it sure is creepy. The main protagonist, trying to find a cure for his suddenly ill twin brother, resorts to the secrets and “older” cures that can be found in the books hidden away in their home. There’s even a little love triangle to spice it up for female readers!
6. Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. Post-apocalyptic zoms! This YA read is by the author of Patient Zero (so you know it’s gotta be good). While the creepy-crawlies in here are actually flesh-munching zombies, Maberry introduces the reader to a world corrupted by bounty hunters and those living in fear of the world outside the Rot and Ruin. But it’s not all that depressing and heartbreaking, as the story follows a couple of teens that have quite the sense of humour and a surprising amount of hope, in a world taken over by zoms.
7. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith. For those that want to be classy this Hallowe’en, with a horrifying twist. I’d even wager it’s better than the original. The protagonist has a bit of spunk as she deals with legit issues of life and death and zombies, as well as an infuriating romantic link to Darcy.
8. Sweep by Cate Tiernan. Hallowe’en (Samhain) wouldn’t be the same without some classic, but modern witches. And I’m not talking “wicca” or “neo-paganism”. This is the real deal, with magick and powers you can’t even imagine. Tiernan weaves a web of stories in this 15-book series. Although the main protagonist is Morgan, an adopted girl with no clue about her abilities, until the smoldering Cal comes to town; Tiernan has a way of telling everyone’s story. She even changes perspective in some of the books so the reader doesn’t have a one-sided view of things from Morgan. In the end, things are more complicated than they seem and some of the power displayed may give the reader the heebie-jeebies. I certainly got chills reading about the “Dark Wave”.
9. Necronomicon by H. P. Lovecraft. Oh yes, this entire 878 page volume is certainly worth the read during the days counting up to Hallowe’en. I would list off the stories collected in here, but it’s pretty much everything amazing, including the entire Cthulhu Mythos. For some these tales will be scary; for others, just a bit creepy; and for all, most definitely weird. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
10. Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. This is for those who want the classic vampire horror tales, with more trickery and death than sweet romance. It’s an unconventional Victorian story about two girls attracted to each other and the death and sickness that follows this strange girl, by the name of Carmilla. This is definitely a great short read, with minimal required effort, but still gives the reader quite the chill, when learning the true identity of Carmilla.
Posted 1 year ago
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Excelsior, fellow book lovers!
Sometimes I wonder why my books haven't asked for my parents' blessings yet.
You don't need to know who I am. Only that I like things. Like books. I am also a bookseller, which is why my hands are so dry to the point of them peeling off like snake-skin.
This blog is meant to be as ridiculous and funny as it is serious. I love books, reviewing them, discussing them, and analyzing them, but I'm also a fan of awesome things that make me laugh.
This does not include cheesy romantic comedies or lemon-flavoured candies. These are neither laugh-worthy (usually) or awesomely yummy (ick).
