October is one of my favourite months of the year, due in no small part to Halloween! It’s the time of year where we celebrate all that is spooky and weird, and for the past few years I’ve tried to focus my reading on a selection of horror reads during the month. Due to my busier schedule, this selection will be smaller even by my standards, but I wanted to participate in Frighteningly Good Reads again this year regardless.

Frighteningly Good Reads is a laid back readathon hosted by Molly over at Silver Button Books; be sure to check out her selection of books too! All are invited to join. If the book is scary to you, it counts, so don’t feel intimidated by having to read outside of your comfort zone.

Books to Read

I’ve narrowed my books down to two this year, but I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to get through them with some dedication. I just have to work through the unfinished business that is Jingo by Terry Pratchett first.

My first book will be The Grip of It by Jac Jemc, which I actually had on this list last year but unfortunately didn’t get to. It’s a haunted house story that caught my interest a while ago that I, ideally, know little about. I’m excited to dig into it.

My second book will by ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King, a vampire novel that was the author’s second book. I’ve got a nice reprint hardcover that looks like the very first editions that were published and I’m really looking forward to reading some vintage King. I haven’t gotten to read any of his books this year either, so it’ll be nice not to let his books languish on my shelf.

Comics to Read

Unfortunately, I can’t really think of any horror comics that I own that I’d immediately want to get to. However, I’ve been aware of a graphic novel adaptation of The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath by I.N.J. Culbard for years now. I bought a copy for a friend once, but I’ve been wanting to read it myself since reading through Lovecraft’s dream cycle a couple of years ago. I think the story would be a lot more digestible in graphic novel form. Hopefully, I can get a copy of the above volume and read it before the month is out.

If you’re reading anything spooky for the Halloween season, I’d love to hear about it below. Ditto films or any other media!