Scary Reads

Carole Barrowman, English professor at Alverno College, author of Hollow Earth middle grade series, contributor to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Minneapolis Star Tribune etc. And one scary mother…reccomends these reads for this time of year. Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown (Simon & Schuster) This is my Granma pick for Halloween this year! Jasper Rabbit has a creepy pair of underwear. They glow in the dark and he just can’t get rid of them not matter how hard he tries. This book has just the right amount of scary humor for very young readers who want to be scared, not scared. Mistress of All Evil by Serena Valentino (Disney-Hyperion) You never forget your first time. The first time you crawl under the seat in the theatre because you’re so scared, that is. Maleficent was my first scare when she came on the screen in Snow White. But what made Maleficent so evil? This is her origin story. A great book for anyone 8 or older that appreciates the power of this iconic villain. Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Thomas Dunne) I’m always on the look out for a ‘tasty’ vampire novel, especially one with lots of action and not so much angst. Set in Mexico City, it draws on the myths of the Aztecs who believed in blood sacrifices to give them power. This is a smart and scary addition to the Vampire canon with lots of good and bad vampires to love.  The Ruins by Scott Smith (Vintage)  If you haven’t read Smith’s classic, you’re in for a truly horrifying treat. This is one of my top five scariest novels. It’s got nail-biting suspense, fast-paced action, and lots of gore. Four American tourists in Cancun help a German tourist search for his brother who went missing while on a hike to an archeological dig. You know their rescue mission isn’t going to end well, but you won’t be able to look away.  The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman (Simon & Schuster)  A bewitching new book! And a non-scary choice for those who like to keep Happy in ‘Happy Halloween.’ This is a prequel to Hoffman’s best-seller “Practical Magic” about a family of witches who are cursed in love (anyone falling in love with them is doomed).  Readers see how the first generation of women (Jet and Francis) came into their powers and the risks they are willing to take to be happy.