Halloween stories

Some Halloween Reading Ideas!

Angela29 Comments

Yes; I am one of those people that as soon as it is October, it is basically Halloween! This is my absolute favorite time of year, from the cool weather, to the beautiful trees here in West Michigan, to the baking of breads, and casseroles, and of course, boot and sweater weather 😊

Gale’s Pond, Shelby, Michigan, 2017
McGraft Park, 2016
Gale’s Pond, Shelby, Michigan, 2017
Gale’s Pond, Shelby, Michigan, 2017
Gale’s Pond, Shelby, Michigan, 2017

I have a few favorite books that I like to read during the Halloween-Thanksgiving seasons, as well as some cozy mysteries that I have read that are perfect for this time of year.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow-Washington Irving

Sleepy Hollow

This is certainly one of my all-time favorites books; a quick read, a classic story, and how can you not cheer for Ichabod Crane? Determined to win the hand of Katrina Van Tassel, Ichabod needs to deal with both the Headless Horseman, and the determined suitor of Katrina, named Brom Van Brunt. This story has been retold in movies and television series alike, and I have been a fan of all of them.

Ghastly Glass: A Renaissance Faire Mystery-Joyce Lavene, Jim Lavene

Ghastly Glass cover image

I read this cozy mystery earlier this year, along with the other books in the Renaissance Faire Cozy series. This is book two, and takes place during Halloween. Jessie is the main character, and in each book, she is apprenticing at a different vendor for her thesis for her PhD. In this story, she is apprenticing with the glass blower. There is the necessary murder victim, and the personal life issues that are standard with cozy stories. I really enjoyed this whole series.

Anything by Stephen King…I have a few favorites, but you definitely need to plan ahead, as most of his books are very, very long.

From a Buick 8 Cover Image 2

My favorite King book is From a Buick 8. I have not heard from too many readers who have actually read this story, and if put on the spot, I could not exactly explain what draws me to this book, but it is fantastic! I am not sure how I ended up owning 3 copies of it; but I do 😊 Other great King stories are the classics, such as Cujo, Carrie, and Misery.

What are your favorite books to read during this time of year?

The Haunting of Reindeer Manor – Concluded

AngelaLeave a comment

Kevin Guests' books as a series
Kevin Guests’ books as a series

Remember how I said yesterday that this story was fairly light on the blood-and-guts gore and I would have no issue with my teenage girls reading this?

Yeah. Never mind about that. Apparently all the blood-and-guts gore is in the second half of the book. It suits the story, and is a necessary part of setting the scene as this story comes to its conclusion. There is no need to be concerned about reading violence and brutality that is added just to add it; it is a part of the story and its conclusion and is just as necessary to the flow and feel of the story as the characters themselves are.

So, I generally try to not give any spoilers about books, and this one is no exception. It ended just as strong as it started, and this is certainly a book that needs to be put towards the top of your Read-by-Halloween list! What I can and will tell you, is that the 5 characters in this story were haunted more by their own demons of their past behavior compared to anything the entities in the house could do to them. Maybe that is the true moral of the story; the things that haunt us on the outside is due to the things we bury on the inside.

Next on my Halloween list!
Next on my Halloween list!

Since this book had a forward that stated it was part 1 of “The Haunted Houses of Anderson”, after the final chapter there is a teaser section for part 2 of “The haunted Houses of Anderson”, which is titled “The Chronicles of Foxwood.” I hope to be able to have this read before Halloween arrives, and any others that are in this series.

More to come!

The Haunting of Reindeer Manor – Kevin Michael Guest

AngelaLeave a comment
This appears to be one book of a series of books about haunted houses
This appears to be one book of a series of books about haunted houses

Looking for some more quick Halloween reads, I found The Haunting of Reindeer Manor, by Kevin Michael Guest. Reindeer Manor is a real Haunted Attraction in Dallas, Texas.

 Reindeer Manor

A professor looking to end his career with the publication of 9 hauntings, Professor Anderson forms a team of 4 others to investigate, not letting them know the history of the house, Reindeer Manor, so he could get their honest feelings, input, opinions. Jessie is a college student who has no Psychology or paranormal experience. Professor Anderson also has his secretary/mistress Mary attend, for no reason other than his own comfort I would imagine. Professor Fletcher is hard up for the money, and the Dean promised him a full time job if he does this favor for him and Professor Anderson. Amy is a medium with very strong powers that seem to be blocked by some entity in the house. These 4 comprise the team along with Professor Anderson, and convince the current owner of Reindeer Manor, who is using it as a Halloween Haunted House attraction, to restore it to its original form so they can examine it for 5 days and nights. For the sum of $100,000.00, the owner knows the dangers, and that he should refuse, but money wins out.

I am halfway through this story, and it is great reading so far. It is full of suspense, frights, and nothing too blood-and-guts gory that I would be concerned about my teenagers reading this and freaking themselves out! I will have this finished by tomorrow, and give my final report.