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My neighbors have started decorating their houses and lawns for Halloween, and everywhere I shop has Halloween candy. It’s time to think about the holiday, so I’ve been trying to make a list of classic literature for Halloween reading. Here are my favorites. I’ve read them all, mostly more than once, and enjoyed them, though some of them frightened me!
- Dracula — Bram Stoker, 1897
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow— Washington Irving, 1820
- “The Raven” — Edgar Allan Poe, 1845
- Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus — Mary Shelley, 1818
- Macbeth— Shakespeare, 1606
- All the Harry Potter books —- J.K.Rowling, 1997 - 2011
- Halloween Party — Agatha Christie, 1969
- The Graveyard Book — Neil Gaiman, 2008
- Mexican Gothic — Silvia Moreno-Garcia, 2020 (reviewed here: Cthulhu Comes to Mexico)
- Anything by H.P.Lovecraft (lived 1890-1937) — If his creepy characters don’t scare you, his racism will.
I’m concentrating here on literary works. I know there are many others that I am less familiar with, notably Stephen King. Of course, tons of movies and TV specials also have Halloween or otherwise supernatural and spooky themes! And most of the classics that I named have been made into films, sometimes over and over again. Like there seem to be at least 60 versions of Dracula.
Blog post © 2022 mae sander. Images as credited.
25 comments:
The only ones from your list that I've read are Frankenstein, Harry Potter books, Macbeth, and "The Raven."
I don't do scary. I am always astonished to see how many people love scary, though.
Woman in White is a scary-ish classic I have read.
Hello,
I do not do much decorating. I did see my son's home yesterday, they have Halloween decorations outside and inside their home. I have read a few of the books on your list, all the Harry Potter books on your list and the Halloween Party. Take care, enjoy your day!
We are currently reading the last Harry Potter book, as a family.
I have been seeing Mexican Gothic all over the place but I am not a big horror fan so have stayed away.
I put out pumpkins, but being in the country we don't get any kids!
Loved Harry Potter and have (of course) read Poe's Raven and Shakespeare in classes and seen the latter performed at Festivals (they're really not scary as I define the word anyway). A few years ago I set myself a project to read a list of books that I knew quite a bit about, could even fake discussing if I had to, but had never actually read. So Frankenstein was on my list, but I simply could not get through it. I decided life was too short to continue to plow through. And besides there were more than a few books on my list that I could (and did) enjoy.
I have never been Harry Potter fan, but those books certainly got kids to read and that's a good thing. When our daughter was much younger I used to decorate the house and yard, but not anymore. I gave most of my decorations to the family with two young kids a few houses down, and since they put them all out I can still enjoy them.
Hi Mae. I haven't seen glow in the dark drinks before, but how fun is that? And perfect for this week's T day. I'm glad you shared those-thanks- as I am filling in for Elizabeth this week. I'm not sure she needs someone to fill in for her, but I am glad to help her out. And thanks for the book list. There are some good ones on the list. I haven't read Mexican Gothic, but the others are great choices. I hope you are getting ready for Halloween, and that you have a great T day also. hugs-Erika
Thanks for the link Mae to your previous post about Keigo Higoshino's third mystery. I enjoyed reading your view about the book. Thanks for sharing it in your comment.
I am not into scary but I love the Harry Potter books.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Stop throwing wonderful books at me! ;-)
Yes, the shops have some Halloween stuff, too, here, but it´s not really a "thing" here yet.
I won´t buy sweets and the bell I won´t turn on, either.
Last time there was but one kid. Or... wait, one group of three kids, I think.
Not worth the trouble - bell on means posties (and yes, plural) use ours cause we live first floor and they are too lazy to walk up. Also I refuse to take parcels for others who are indeed home and then complain why I didn´t walk up to them asap (I work!).
But to you: Happy Halloween-preparing! :-)
I've read a few Dracula books, all of which I've enjoyed. Our shops are already selling Christmas goodies!
Great list of books Mae. I've read some.. Frankenstein... Dracula... the Raven.. Harry Potters.. Great post! Happy T day! Hugs! deb
Good list, I've read most of them too, but should re-read some.
I'm not a seasonal decorator.
Your post made me smile. Love it. Have a great day.
Great list Mae, read them all. Some suggestions for your list - Henry James - the Turn of the Screw, and Wilkie Collins, the Woman in White. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx
Fabulous band fun 😊. Happy T Day wishes! Hugs Jo x
Your neighborhood is so wonderful! I remember that. And what a terrific list!
Glow in the dark drinks would be lots of fun. A howling good reading list you've compiled for the holiday. Happy T Day
A glow in the dark drink would be so much fun. You've compiled a howling good reading list for the holiday. Happy T Day
A glow in the dark drink would be so much fun. You've compiled a howling good reading list for the holiday. Happy T Day
A lot of shops and eateries decorate for Halloween but generally people don't decorate their homes and gardens. I love seeing photos of American gardens decorated for your holidays. I'm not really a fan of spooky books although I have read all of the Harry Potter books! Happy T Day. Chrisx
A glow in the dark. Happy T Day drink would be fun to have while reading something from your howling good book list. Happy T Day
Yeah I'd like to go back and read some of the classics like Dracula and Frankenstein .... but I usually stick with Shirley Jackson around Halloween time. Enjoy your week.
I'm not a fan of horror and Halloween is not really celebrated here. Unfortunately it has blown over from the States and children nowadays hold a party. Any excuse for dressing up. But I don't really like children being introduced to horror etc at an early age. Yes, I'm an old stick-in-the-mud!
Hugs,
Lisca
I remember reading "Dracula" when I was about fourteen and it scared the living daylights out of me!
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