Spooky Stories

  • Spooky Picture Books

    Spooky Picture Books

    Fall means it’s time for a genre that I find delightful: spooky picture books! Even as an adult, I still enjoy reading picture books, and there is something especially fun about the ones that manage to be a little bit spooky. Here are some of my favorites, whether you are a kid or an adult! … Continue reading

  • In the Deep Dark Woods

    Growing up with the woods at my back in Central Oregon, forests have always been closest to the sublime for me. Forests hold beauty, magic, mystery, and little bit of terror – there is nothing quite so eerie as the silence of the woods on a snowy winter’s day. Since moving to Seattle, with its… Continue reading

  • 1990s Vampires

    The days are getting shorter and colder, the fog is rolling in every morning. Fall has arrived, and with it, spooky season! Many may be familiar with local sparkly vampires, but for horror fans looking for a more menacing take on the creature, check out these three titles. My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due… Continue reading

  • Lucky Thirteen: Scary Short Stories for Kids

    Lucky Thirteen: Scary Short Stories for Kids

    I have a love of short stories that I only discovered as an adult, which is a shame. I think one of the most satisfying things in the world is a well written short story and I think they’re wonderful if you (or your child) are not a big reader. For me it’s attention span… Continue reading

  • Witchy Reads for a Witchy Autumn

    We are approaching one of the most magical times of the year: when the leaves begin to turn, the days get windier, and the spiders come out to leave their shimmery artwork in the gardens for us to admire. Every autumn, it can feel amazing to lean into the spookier side of things and appreciate… Continue reading

  • Scary Stories: All Grown Up Now

    As October looms near, I can’t help but to think about making a Spooky Stories display for the library. As a children’s librarian, I am mostly gathering books for young readers. I just put on hold several of my favorites, like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, and the thought occurred… Continue reading

  • Spooky Stories, Coming to a Bar Near You!

    Spooky Stories, Coming to a Bar Near You!

    Shadows lengthen, leaves crisp and fall, and a presage of winter’s chill runs down your spine. Its the perfect time to gather for some spooky stories, and we have several opportunities coming up in the weeks ahead, as our Booktoberfest celebration nears its close. First up, two storytimes at the Central Library this coming Monday: Continue reading

  • Lovecraft Revisited

    Confession: I have never read anything by legendary horror/fantasy writer H.P. Lovecraft. And I am unlikely to do so going forward. What I have been doing is reading a bunch of books inspired by Lovecraft. I’m sure that there are references and nuances I’m missing, but I’ve really been enjoying these books on their own… Continue reading

  • Spooky Stories in Libraries and Bars, all October!

    Turn down the lights, get yourself a drink and gather round while we take you on a little trip down a dark and twisted road to the place where your fears like buried. This month we have extra spooky story times for grown ups in store, at the library and coming soon to a pub near… Continue reading