My Spooktober Reads for 2024 and What I Read Last Year

Sleep Tight By J. H. Markert

Overview: Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the eerie consequences of dreams and nightmares becoming reality. As the protagonist grapples with the blurring lines between sleep and wakefulness, they must uncover dark secrets that threaten their sanity and those around them.

From the Dust Returned By Ray Bradbury

Overview: In “From the Dust Returned,” Ray Bradbury weaves a tale of a mysterious family residing in a legendary house in upper Illinois, where the children are wild and the elders possess extraordinary longevity, each embodying elements of the fantastical. Amid preparations for a grand homecoming, a sense of impending doom lingers, particularly for Timothy, the foundling son burdened with the truth of time, who faces the inevitability of aging and mortality unlike the others.

Scythe By Neal Shusterman

Overview: In a dystopian future where death has been eradicated, two teenagers, Citra and Rowan, are chosen to become apprentices to a Scythe, a role that requires them to take lives to control the population. As they navigate the ethical complexities of their new roles, they uncover dark truths about the Scythedom and must confront their own beliefs about life and morality.

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology By Various Authors

Overview: Never Whistle at Night is a captivating anthology that delves into the rich tapestry of Native American folklore, intertwining horror with traditional tales. Each story reveals the consequences of breaking cultural taboos, highlighting the narrow line between belief and disbelief in the supernatural.

Bloodchild and Other Stories By Octavia E. Butler

Overview: Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler is a powerful science fiction story that explores the complex relationship between humans and alien beings called the Tlic, who rely on humans for reproduction. The narrative follows Gan, a young human who must navigate the difficult dynamics of love, duty, and the expectations placed on him as he confronts the realities of being a host for the Tlic’s offspring.

Practical Magic By Alice Hoffman

My rating:

Overview: “Practical Magic” follows the lives of two sister witches, Gillian and Sally Owens, who struggle to navigate love and life’s challenges while grappling with a family curse that threatens to doom their romantic pursuits. As they embrace their magical heritage, the sisters must confront the darker aspects of their powers and the expectations that come with being Owens.

Recommendation: Someone looking for a cozy, witchy family mystery.

Vibes: Enjoying home baked goods with a cup of tea and a good book by the fire. Just cozy, heartwarming, and of course witchy.

Pet Sematary By Stephen King

My rating:

Overview: A chilling exploration of death and resurrection, Pet Sematary follows Louis Creed as he discovers a sinister burial ground that brings buried animals—and eventually people—back to life. The novel delves into the consequences of defying the natural order, revealing the haunting toll it takes on families and the darkness that lies within grief.

Recommendation: Someone looking for a slow burn horror with a crazy, intense ending.

Vibes: Grief

The X-Files: Goblins By Charles Grant

My rating:

Overview: The X-Files: Goblins by Charles Grant explores the eerie investigation of Mulder and Scully as they delve into a series of mysterious disappearances linked to an old legend about goblins. As they uncover unsettling truths, the agents must confront their beliefs about the supernatural while navigating the treacherous landscape of fear and folklore.

Recommendation: Someone looking to continue the classic early season Mulder and Scully stories we all know and love.

Vibes: Grungy hotels and government conspiracies.

Rosemary’s Baby By Ira Levin

My rating:

Overview: Rosemary’s Baby is a chilling psychological horror film that follows a young couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who move into a gothic apartment building in New York City. As Rosemary becomes pregnant, she suspects that her husband and their eccentric neighbors have sinister plans for her unborn child.

Recommendation: Someone looking for a story about cults and their satanic obsession.

Vibes: Some devil worshiping, gaslighting, and the worst pregnancy symptoms set against the backdrop of 1960s NY.