Except for vacation, I’ve been trying to keep my October reading as ghostly or magical as possible. It’s been a good reading week. What the most Halloweeny thing you’ve read this month?
This morning while Gage was at his last day of Timbernook, I took this book on an hour walk and contemplated making other decisions in life, both big and small, and where they might have led me.
Loved this book. Not only did I love the endless possibilities, I loved the attention to great philosophers, especially Thoreau, who is a favorite of mine. Highly recommend this one for discussion and contemplation.
Rosemary and Guy move into the Branford in NYC having heard of some of its more infamous past residents. They are befriended by an older neighbor couple and their relationship starts to change. When Rosemary becomes pregnant it’s not at all what she expects and she becomes even more isolated.
A perfect psychological horror story for October.
This book made my day. Any fan of Dean Koontz knows how much he loves dogs, especially his golden retriever Trixie. Trixie decided to write a book when she realized that some humans weren’t as happy as dogs were.
This book was so, so sweet. I loved it, even reading some passages out loud to Jason making him laugh too. If you have ever loved a dog, get your eyes in this book so you can feel the slobbery kisses as you read.
Trixie has since passed but her spirit lives on.
This middle school story gave me all of the good stuff. It was a book about growing up and learning to navigate friendships and family and to believe in yourself enough to believe in ghostly spirits. Yes, there are ghosts, but the ones that help set things right.
A fun story for tweens. Loved it!
Also, we watched this throwback Goosebumps video two nights ago. It was definitely old school, but Gage loved it ❤️
Peggy has run the magical house for over 60 years, but now it tells her that her days are numbered. Stella is an aging actress struggling with being replaced by younger women, personally and professionally. Carmen has buried evidence of crime at the house and is haunted by its evil. Alba comes to the house as her future is in shambles.
It’s a charming book. I wish there’d been a little more about the four women, sacrificing the bits from the men, but the story still held it’s magic. Magical realism fans will enjoy.
Home Before Dark, Riley Sanger’s take on a haunted house, was a perfect listen as I worked on a puzzle late into the night. Maggie’s father had made their family famous with a memoir about them escaping their house after being attacked by ghosts. Now that he’s dead and the house is hers Maggie goes back to ready the place for sale and perhaps bring back memories from when she was 5. Is Baneberry Hall still haunted? Was it ever? I really liked this one!
Jack was only 7 when he first came upon the troll under the bridge and convinced it not to take his life. He offered his sister, later his would-be girlfriend, and finally promising to come back when he was older after he experienced life. He kept his promise, but would the troll still want his life?
Fantasy and fable in one clever short story. There are adult themes, so I’m not sure about the age group, but I was pleasantly surprised to like it so much.
Stacy's Books 
What a fun Halloween reading week. I liked that Riley Sager book, very atmospheric.
It was atmospheric. I’d heard some grumblings about it so was prepared to be disappointed. But I wasn’t.
Ah, you’ve got one that I’ve read and a couple I want to read. The Dollhouse Murders – I read that way back when my daughter was in elementary school. Think that lovely school librarian that I volunteered for put it in my hands. She put a lot of books in my hands back then. Ha! And I’ve actually got that Riley Sager book checked out, but unread as yet. Happy Halloween, Stacy!
Hope you had a happy Halloween Kay!
A fun week of reading! I have not heard a bad thing about The Midnight Library, but haven’t read it yet. I have been reading lots of mysteries, mostly cozy. One in particular takes place in the fall and the victim is the owner of a pumpkin patch.
Have a great week!
It was fun to try some spooky reading for October. I’m not usually a seasonal reader 🙂
I read The House at the End of Hope Street quite a while ago – I seem to remember liking it.
It was fun, but I did have higher hopes for it.
You had a fabulous week, full of books that are perfect for Halloween, with a nice combination of scary and magical. I loved The Midnight Library, taking away from it the idea that things could always be much worse. I like how you reflected upon your life choices. That’s a lovely way to conclude the reading of this book. I bet Matt Haig would be happy to hear you’d done that.
The House at the End of Hope Street sounds intriguing. I also like the sound of The Witches of Benevento and Life is Good. I think I will try to see if I can find a copy of these.
It was fun to do some Halloweeny reading!
What great fall and RIP reading! I’ve been hesitant about adding The Midnight Library to my list, but you’ve convinced me. Now let’s see if I get to before RIP next year…
It was for book club this month or I probably wouldn’t have read it either. Hope you like it!
I’ve also read Home Before Dark this year for Halloween. It was really good and I will definitely be reading more of his books.
I’ve read The Midnight Library earlier this year and it was a good read. Makes you think a lot yes. I still need to do a Wednesday Wisdom post on this book.
Life is good seems like something me and Elza will enjoy. I’ll take a look at it.
Have a good week and happy reading.
Elza Reads
I’ve read one of his and liked it, but I think I preferred this one. Enjoy Life is Good. It’s so charming.
Looks like you had a wonderfully spooky reading month. I listened to The Ex Hex over the weekend for my Halloween reading. Check out all the books I read at Girl Who Reads
I really want to read that. I’ve heard so many great things.