Hallobooks (The Thursday Three)

These are books I feel compelled to read each and every October/Halloween. If you can get your hands on a copy of any of them I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

The Thursday Three

Favorite Halloween Books


Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Series by Alvin Schwartz, 1981, 1984, 1991.

This is a three volume set and includes the titles Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones. Each book contains various urban legends, both of the scary and funny sort, just perfect for this time of year. One of my favorites is the story Harold, found in SS3. I use to read this one to some of my classes. Each day in October, for about 15 minutes after lunch, I would read or tell a spooky or spooky, but funny story. Harold was always one of the most well liked. Unfortunately, it also caused at least one boy to nix his mother's ideas for having a decorative scarecrow in her yard. Do you remember Harold, Issac?

Ghosts Along the Cumberland by Williams Lynwood Montell, 1975.

This one I remember from high school. And, as a Tennessean who only lived a hop, skip, and jump from the Cumberland River, I could relate to the lore found within its pages. The fact that John owned a copy of the book made him all the more cool to me when we started dating.

Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld, 2002.

This one somehow found its way into my collection when I was an elementary school librarian. I would read it each year to 4th and 5th graders but much of the humor was lost on them. They just couldn't relate to plastic masks with the two little nose holes and rubberband held in place by a cheap staple or the orange peanut-shaped candies that many elderly people would give away. But, as a child of the 1970s, I could most assuredly relate. I also lucked up and found a bunch for sale a few years ago at a Dollar General store for a buck each. Hardcover editions, at that! I cleaned them out and that's what trick-or-treaters who came to my door received that year, in addition to the black and orange pumpkin straws, of course. If you grew up during the 60s and/or 70s you'll want to be sure to read this one. And, of course, it's Jerry Seinfeld. How can it not be funny?

Happy Halloween Reading, Ya'll!