OCTOBER 6: Ray Bradbury, "The October Game"

Ray Bradbury is one of my very favorite writers, and most certainly one of the thrilliest horror writers in history.  I especially enjoy reading "The October Game"* aloud to someone who has never heard this story before.

A couple's disintegrating marriage is the impetus for this shocking and disturbing tale.  Like the husband narrating the story, the reader must exercise patience while waiting for the October game's denouement.  But when it comes -- holy cats.




Don't turn on the lights.






* Other creepy reads in this collection: "The Veldt"; "Skeleton"; "The Jar"; "The Small Assassin"; and "Fever Dream"

OCTOBER 6: Ray Bradbury, "The October Game"

Ray Bradbury is one of my very favorite writers, and most certainly one of the thrilliest horror writers in history.  I especially enjoy reading "The October Game"* aloud to someone who has never heard this story before.

A couple's disintegrating marriage is the impetus for this shocking and disturbing tale.  Like the husband narrating the story, the reader must exercise patience while waiting for the October game's denouement.  But when it comes -- holy cats.




Don't turn on the lights.






* Other creepy reads in this collection: "The Veldt"; "Skeleton"; "The Jar"; "The Small Assassin"; and "Fever Dream"

OCTOBER 5: 26 Signs Your Place is Haunted

Courtesy of Buzzfeed.

OCTOBER 5: 26 Signs Your Place is Haunted

Courtesy of Buzzfeed.

OCTOBER 2: Bad things happen to nice (and not-so-nice kids)

Even though I love summertime best of all, October is one of my very favorite months.  Chilly enough for a sweater, but still sunny.  Cider donuts and apple picking.  And scary stories.  Lots and lots and LOTS of scary stories.

If you've got any scary book or movie suggestions, come talk to me!

While I was on vacation I finally got to enjoy Joe Hill's latest, NOS4A2.  Not since The Nightmare Before Christmas has there been such a mashup of gingerbready good times and bloody horror.  Since the incessant playing of Christmas carols gives me murderous thoughts anyway, I loved the sinister world of Christmasland, where all the children are happy.  Very, very happy.  Forever.

I also got an advance look at The Troop by Nick Cutter.  Five boy scouts and their scoutmaster are spending the weekend on a lonely island near Nova Scotia.  What should be a routine camping trip turns into a gruesome bid for survival when an very unexpected castaway shows up on the island.

Guys, this book was stomach-churningly gross*, and I mean that in the best possible way.  This one doesn't come out till February, but keep it on your radar.  Horror veterans Stephen King and Scott Smith have both vouched for it.








*Once you've read it, that description's gonna make you laugh.

OCTOBER 2: Bad things happen to nice (and not-so-nice kids)

Even though I love summertime best of all, October is one of my very favorite months.  Chilly enough for a sweater, but still sunny.  Cider donuts and apple picking.  And scary stories.  Lots and lots and LOTS of scary stories.

If you've got any scary book or movie suggestions, come talk to me!

While I was on vacation I finally got to enjoy Joe Hill's latest, NOS4A2.  Not since The Nightmare Before Christmas has there been such a mashup of gingerbready good times and bloody horror.  Since the incessant playing of Christmas carols gives me murderous thoughts anyway, I loved the sinister world of Christmasland, where all the children are happy.  Very, very happy.  Forever.

I also got an advance look at The Troop by Nick Cutter.  Five boy scouts and their scoutmaster are spending the weekend on a lonely island near Nova Scotia.  What should be a routine camping trip turns into a gruesome bid for survival when an very unexpected castaway shows up on the island.

Guys, this book was stomach-churningly gross*, and I mean that in the best possible way.  This one doesn't come out till February, but keep it on your radar.  Horror veterans Stephen King and Scott Smith have both vouched for it.








*Once you've read it, that description's gonna make you laugh.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Have a fun and very SAFE Halloween. With more treats than tricks and 1 truly great book such as Libba Bray's "The Diviners." I just started Ms. Bray's latest tome and it is AMAZING. Nothing quite like transporting yourself to New York City in 1926; prohibition, flappers, Ouija board, hip flasks, cloches and Fitzgeralds.Strap yourself in and enjoy the ride!

Sadly, these amazing pumpkins may be underwater

But you can revel in the artistic process!




Up until now I thought Martha Stewart was all that, but she does not tend towards the gory. That's okay, Martha, we all have our own skill set.

Another example of incredible pumpkin-talent here:

Are you still here, reading this? Get on over to the hardware store for woodcarving tools and LED light fixtures! Do you prefer to make your Jack-o-lantern scary or friendly? And do you try to roast the seeds (and end up setting the kitchen on fire) or do you just chuck the insides? Share, share in the comments!

Creepypastas

A modern-day take on word-of-mouth urban legends, creepypastas are scary or unsettling stories that get circulated around the Net.  Here are some of the best sites I've found -- take a visit to sample a bit of horror or to craft an urban legend of your own.

Image credit: www.buzzfeed.com/anteater/creepy-weird-images

http://www.creepypasta.com/
http://creepypasta.tumblr.com/
http://www.creepypasta.co.uk/


















I give this whole phenomenon four candy corns.

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

Lacey has lived her sixteen years guided by her faith and especially by her father, who is the children's pastor at their church.  Lacey has always been the sort of girl who didn't take center stage, but this year she wants something different.  This year, Lacey is hoping for the coveted role of Abortion Girl in her church's Hell House* production.

Lacey gets the role, but not in the way she expected.  She's also falling in love with a boy her parents don't entirely approve of.  For the first time, Lacey starts to question her church and her faith.  How can she hope to save others through her role in Hell House when she has so many doubts herself?

Sensitive handling of a sensational subject, Small Town Sinners is a sympathetic picture of a teen finding out just how strong she is.


I give this book three candy corns!

*A Hell House, like a haunted house, is staged around Halloween.  Demonic guides lead viewers through dramatic scenes of botched abortions, drunk driving crashes, domestic violence, etc. in an effort to convert the unsaved.  The documentary Hell House gives an in-depth view of a Hell House in Texas.

Just in case you haven't come off your Halloween high...

Classic...

Happy Halloween!

YAY CANDY!

Halloween DIY Costumes

Because we can't all be like this guy.

Tomorrow at 4:00!

Scary movies!

I love, love, love Halloween. Wearing costumes, eating candy and watching scary movies. I love watching scary movies so much that every October I have a movie marathon.

Which is why I am so stoked to be holding the first-ever horror movie screening here at the new library. On Wednesday, October 27th at 4:00 I will be showing a masterpiece of screaming terror! With popcorn!

But I need your help. There are just too many good movies to choose from. So I am inviting you to vote on what you'd like to watch. I have ballots here in the Teen Lounge with choices, but if you have other suggestions I will take them under consideration.

I've posted a survey on the blog that's the same as the ballot, but you can also add your comments.