It is a curious phenomena that only in America is Halloween celebrated as a commercial event where children get to dress up and go around asking for sweets. In England, it seems, it was customary for children to stay at home, being terrified of what may walk the streets in the night of Halloween. This is an account from Neil Gaiman, an author, who, as a child spent his English Halloween nights wishing he was living in the other country across the ocean instead. This Halloween, he is proposing the idea of giving friends and family a creepy book to read (with a nice little endorsement by Stephen King, too). So, if you’re staying in this Halloween, or simply want to get in the mood for the occasion, here are some alternative reads 8flo recommends for Halloween. Deviating from the usual spooky stuff like ghost or creepy vampire stories, we’ve dug up these reads which may interest readers of all sorts, and are quite adequate to leave one either sufficiently spooked or entertained. Happy Reading!

We’ll first honour Mr. Gaiman himself, who endorsed the idea of reading for Halloween.

1. The graveyard book, by Neil Gaiman

This delightful little book was originally meant for children, but as with, Coraline, its spook factor makes for an entertaining easy read for adults, too. Hugely inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle book, The Graveyard Book tells the story of Nobody Owens, who as a baby lost his parents and was adopted by a dead couple, and how he grows up in the graveyard. The age of 15 is when many teenagers start having adventures, but Nobody, as a child had already had his fair share of them. Follow him as he explores different realms, meets the Sleer (an ancient, seemingly formless monster buried deep ‘neath the graveyard, lying in wait), make allies and conquer enemies. Nobody’s challenge is in growing up, and out of the graveyard, as well as to achieve the great task of having to defeat an ancient force who wiped out his family. The story can get pretty creepy at times, because so many things are left mysterious, and supernatural. Parents, instead of fairy tales, why not tuck your kids into bed with this book on Halloween, for a change!

Where to find it : Junior section of the National Library, available in many branches.
Also available in most bookstores, including Popular. - Next page

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