Hallowe'en Reads
A Hallowe'en themed reading encouragement poster that is just the slightest bit the worse for wear for having been smuggled out of the library in my pants... I'm kidding! I don't really steal posters from the library! Well yes, I do. But, only if they're really cool posters and only if I'm wearing long pants. I don't remember where this one came from, but I don't remember it ever having been stuffed down my trouser leg so I probably came by it legitimately.In keeping with the spirit of the poster's theme, I'm sharing some of my favorite scary and/or Hallowe'en-flavored books today. Not really any surprises in the list, I'm sure...
This book is just so subtly creepy and so many little things stick with you long after you've read it. One of my favorite brief moments in the story involves the main character studying the kitchen of Hill House, a room with an overabundance of doors leading off into every other area of the house, and wondering how the housekeeper can stand working in there knowing that at any moment one of those doors could be quietly opening behind her. Brrr!
Vampire Bunny!... or is he?
'Classic' cautionary poem presented as glorious b&w silent movie.
I just like the matter of a fact way this story is told. Not a lot of overt spookiness and you just might believe that poor Rosemary is only a high-strung victim of her pregnancy-addled hormones, except that we've all already seen the movie and we know there's something effed up about that kid's eyes...
Jill Thompson is the Goddess of Hallowe'en
The ending is kind of lame... I mean (SPOILER ALERT!) who hangs themselves just because the noose is already dangling there and, hey that's the way the poem ends anyway so why not? And the solution to the crime is a bit obvious... but this is still atmospheric and fun.
Triffids just freak me out, man!
No-brainer!
8 comments:
I don't think I can even count the number of times I've read Bunnicula (and the rest of the series for that matter.) I think I checked it out of my elementary school library like every other week for four years or so.
1) All excellent choices.
2) Edgar Allen Poe does it for me.
3) LOVE your latest post featuring Evil Little Pumpkin Dude. Wait, what's that? You don't remember such a post? Uh-oh. GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.
And: That is very nice of you to add me to your list of links! THANKS! I'm loving what you guys 'n gals are all doing, and you inspired me to put up a semi-Halloween theme post today. :-)
Excellent choices! I read The Haunting of Hill House for the first time when I was in High School, and it still ranks as one of the best horror novels in my mind. These days, though I read Lovecraft and Poe to get me in the Halloween mood. Also, if you get the chance, try A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. That's probably my all time fave Halloween read.
I loved Bunnicula! Along with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it was one of those books I wished was real! I recall that there was a sequel (I don't think there was more than one..), which didn't live up to the original.
shawn: I think my school librarian actually refused to check it out to me after the first dozen or so times... I believe she thought that I needed to expand my literary horizons beyond vampire bunnies!
fencerscott: I'm gonna have to track that particular Zelazny down... I don't know how I managed to miss it!
maria: there were two sequels to Bunnicula that I consider 'official'... "The Celery Stalks at Midnight" & "Howliday Inn" and then more recently there has been a spate of spin-off series- Bunnicula & Friends, Bunnicula's Pals, Tales From the House of Bunnicula -that are much inferior to the original and better left ignored.
And, sparkle... I have no idea what you're refering to when you say "Evil Little Pumpkin Dude." The only little pumpkin dude around here that I can think of is PJ and he's not evil! He's a sweetheart! Sure he can be a bit spirited at times, but he's still just a wee little gourdling... it's to be expected! You must be thinking of another "Evil Little Pumpkin Dude" at some other blog.
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, STEVEN A.!
:-)
The Haunting of Hill House cover art is eerie. Quiet. Unsuspecting... Just the kind of thing to stay away from if you value your life.
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