Halloween Books Recommendations

 

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As Halloween approaches its always a good time to cozy up next to the fire place with a cup of hot chocolate and read some spooky books.

In this post I will go over five Halloween books that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. If there is a book on this list that you haven't read this is a good time to read it as Halloween approaches. If there is a book that I am missing leave a comment, I always like to read something new.

1. I Am Legend 

This is one of my favorite Halloween books. I usually read this book once a year. When I was a kid I watched the movie before reading the book and I was so confused on why the title of the movie was called "I Am Legend." That curiosity eventually encouraged me to read the book. Let me tell you this book is way better than the movie. Don't get me wrong the movie was entertaining, I like Will Smith movies, but the book is drastically different. For example, in the movie the antagonists are zombies, while in the book they are vampires. 

The ending of the book explains why Robert Neville, the protagonist, is a legend and it is brilliant, it makes sense, and it is satisfying. If you haven't read this book I highly encourage it. However, this book is aimed for adults and have some adult themes that may not be suited for with triggering imagery. For example, the vampires tempt Robert to leave his house in a lewd fashion.

2. Frankenstein

This is another novel that has not had a faithful adaptation. I get why movies don't, but I believe that if there was a movie that followed the events of the book it would do well in the box office. It would be unique to what has been made and what is being made currently in theaters.

Without going into any spoilers the book follows Frankenstein and his monster, having a father and son theme to it. The father being disappointed in what his son is. His son longing for compassion, being jealous of his father. I really like how the book betrays both perspectives of Frankenstein and his monster and how the monster went down a monstrous path believing that it was his only one. While the father thinks he is being noble, but is as much of a monster as his son.

3. Harry Potter

Not all Halloween books need to be scary or have a sad ending. Even though there are sad moments in the series I enjoy reading this series about a boy that escapes an abusive home to learn magic, gain friends, and defeat the Dark Lord. I assume most of you have read this series before, but if you haven't read it in a while take some time out of your busy schedule and read this relaxing series.

I watched the movies before reading the books and I am sad that Peeves was never in the movies. I hope that he will be present in the TV adaptation that will be happening.

4.  Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie

I have been sharing a lot of classic Halloween books, but this one is a less known book by a classic author so I thought I would recommend it.

For those who may not know Agatha Christie is one of the most well known murder mystery writers. Her series is as much of a classic as Sir Athur Doyle who wrote Sherlock Holmes. Many of her books have been made into television shows, BBC radio drama, and movies. Her most recent book that was made into a movie is "A Haunting in Venice" which is based off of this book. Most of her novels follows Hercule Poirot as he solves the crime.

In this novel a 13-year old girl named Joyce claims to have seen a murder at a Halloween party. At the end of the party she is found dead, drowned in an apple bobbing tub. One of the attendees brings Hercule Patriot to investigate the murder and Joyce's declaration. Will Hercule Poirot solve who the murderer was? The only way to find out is to read the book or watch the movie. 

To be honest I have not watched the movie yet so I don't know how accurate it is with the book. So It would be best if you just read the book. It's good to read.  

5. The Road

Have you ever read a book and thought about it days, weeks, and months after finishing it? "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy caused me to ponder the message long after finishing the book. It may have been because the story follows a father and his son and when I read it I became a recent father so the message stuck with me longer because I love my children. It could also be that the story is so compelling that you don't have to be a parent to enjoy the message. Either way if you want to read a rousing book I would recommend this novel.

The story follows a father and son as the journey on foot in an post-apocalyptic world. We don't know what caused this world to become this way, but it is and the father is trying to raise and protect his son from the natural man in the world that would do anything for a meal. The father does his best to keep his morals and be one of the "good guys" with the help of his son, but it becomes hard when food is limited. 

This book has some dark themes to it that are not suitable for people that only want to see good in everyone. Meaning they like the bad guys to be mild like Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb. This book is not that way. To drive home the message of staying true to being one of the "good guys" even in dark situations, McCarthy doesn't leave anything to the imagination.