Top Ten Tuesday

My Ten Top Reads for Halloween

Ali@abookishlife21 Comments

The theme for this weeks Top Ten Tuesday over at The Broke and the Bookish is a Halloween freebie. I have to admit I went into a bit of a panic when I heard this as there are just so many things you can do. I have however realized that I’ve never actually done a post on some of my favorite Halloween reads so, while it’s probably not the most original take on the prompt, that’s what I’ve decided to do.

These are probably favorite recent reads rather than all time faves but I’ve tried to include a good mix and some lesser known books so there’s something for everyone.

Young Adult

Frozen CharlotteThe Ghost Files (The Ghost Files, #1)MonsterThere's Someone Inside Your House

  • Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell – Remote and isolated location, weird goings on in the middle of the night, mysterious deaths and some very creepy little dolls, what more do you need for a very spooky story that will have you jumping at every strange noise.
  • The Ghost Files by Apryl Baker – I see dead people. Yeah, thankfully I don’t but Mattie Hathaway does. She’s been doing her damnedest to ignore them but when something happens to a friend she has no choice but to open the lines of communication. I do love a ghost story and this has plenty of shocks and twists.
  • Monster by C.J. Skuse – Another remote and isolated location (a girl’s boarding school in the middle of nowhere), a group of girls left alone during a blizzard and the legend of the Beast of Bathory, a big cat rumored to roam outside the school. This is a little slow to get going but once the blizzard starts it’s truly gripping and keeps you guessing till the very end.
  • There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins – There’s someone inside your house and for some reason they feel the need to move around your furniture and then bump you off in a violent and gruesome way. Not exactly the scariest of reads (not scary at all in fact) but it’s an easy read with plenty of diversity and a cutesy romance.

Adult

The Ocean at the End of the LaneThe Girl with All the GiftsThe Beast of Barcroft (The Fatal Folklore Trilogy Book 1)

  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman – Not sure why but there was a lot in this that creeped me the hell out. I mistakenly thought it was YA when I started it but it’s really not. Beautifully written and absolutely horrifying at times.
  • The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey – This was not at all what I was expecting when I first picked it up. I personally wouldn’t say it’s a particularly scary read but it does have the odd moment where you kinda want to cover your eyes. Absolutely brilliant, as is the film.
  • The Beast of Barcroft by Bill Schweigart –  Something is terrorizing the neighborhood killing the local wildlife, pets and a few of the neighbors. Could it be some mythical beast, or has someone’s dog gone rabid (hint: it’s not the latter)? This is the book that taught me the meaning of cryptozoology and also had me looking into the Beast of West Lothian (totally a real thing just like apparently the Beast of Barcroft was).

Paranormal Romance

Once Burned (Night Prince, #1)The Skeletons of Scarborough House (The Chapelwick Mysteries #1)Fashionably Dead (Hot Damned, #1)

  • Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost – If you’re going to get involved with a vampire might as well make it Dracula, wait woops not supposed to call him that. He might get angry and torch the place. Jeaniene Frost books are definitely my fave guilty pleasure read and Vlad Tepesh is by far my favorite alpha male. Hot, hot, hot and hilariously funny at times.
  • The Skeletons of Scarborough House by Kitty French – I see dead people, sorry already done that. This time it’s Melody Bittersweet who sees dead people and decides to use her talent by starting the Girl’s Ghostbusting Agency. Unfortunately being the local nut doesn’t leave much potential for love and the only options seem to be scumbag ex and competition and the local reporter determined to prove you a fraud. This is a funny read but also more emotional than you would expect. Also Kitty French is the master at creating chemistry in the most unexpected of places.
  • Fashionably Dead by Robyn Peterman – Vampyres with a Y this time (is there a difference?). Anyway, girl goes to get hypnotized to stop smoking and winds up a vampyre, it could happen to anyone. I love Robyn Peterman books, they’re very crude but extremely fun reads.

So that’s my top ten Halloween reads. Have you read any of these or have I tempted you to pick them up? What are your favorite Halloween reads?

Feel free to leave comments below and links to your own top ten’s.

21 thoughts on “My Ten Top Reads for Halloween”

  5. Great post! I read Frozen Charlotte a few weeks ago and I loved it – definitely very scary!! I also read There’s Someone Inside Your House but I didn’t find it has scary as I hoped. Monster is on my TBR – that cover of The Ghost Files is terrifying!!

    Here’s my TTT.

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    • You should definitely read Monster. Such a great book but then I usually love everything Skuse writes. The cover of Ghost Files is probably scarier than the story. If you managed Frozen Charlotte you’d be fine.

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  8. Great picks! I haven’t read a few of these but I’m especially intrigued by Frozen Charlotte–it sounds perfect for me! I love that you added a Neil Gaiman book in here. He’s one of my favourites.

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  10. I’ve heard so many great things about There’s Someone Inside Your House, but I haven’t gotten a chance to read it yet. Hopefully sometime soon! And All the Gifts is absolutely amazing too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! ❤

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