Teens: Teen Blog

Spook-tober Is Here!

Spook-tober Is Upon Us!

     It was a dark and stormy night. The wind shook the side of the house, thunder crashed while lightning danced across the landscape. And in the distance, a lone wolf howled his hunger and frustration. You sit alone in your room, seeing and hearing the cacophony around you, when all of a sudden you realize.... this is the perfect setting to read or watch some scary stuff!

     So, what do you do? You turn on Netflix, only to realize that the films available are not quite what you are looking for. You sift through your DVD/Blu-ray collection to discover that you have already watched "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Halloween" so many times that you can quote it. Scrolling through your other streaming services brings you up with even more empty-handedness until you throw down your phone in frustration and scream "Why can't I find anything scary???????"

     Believe me when I tell you that we have all been there. But, have no fear! Because despite finding a lack of anything truly scary to watch during said storm, there are plenty of books to read that will fuel that love of the horror-fying, and spook-tacular frights! Here are some great suggestions to get you in the Halloween spirit!

The Fear (an Enemy Novel) by Charlie Higson

ISBN: 9781423134237

Publication Date: 2012-06-12

In London, after a worldwide sickness infects adults, turning them into zombie-like creatures, DogNut and his crew embark on a deadly mission to find missing friends, as hungry, bloodthirsty grownups lie in wait.

The Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey

ISBN: 9781416984504

Publication Date: 2010-10-12

In 1888, twelve-year-old Will Henry chronicles his apprenticeship with Dr. Warthrop, a New England scientist who hunts and studies real-life monsters, as they discover and attempt to destroy the Wendigo, a creature that starves even as it gorges itself on human flesh.

Supernatural Horror Short Stories by Roger Luckhurst (Foreword by); Daniele Bonfanti (Contribution by); Carolyn Charron (Contribution by); E. E. W. Christman (Contribution by); Kay Chronister (Contribution by); Morgan Elektra (Contribution by); Matthew Gorman (Contribution by); Jason L. Kawa (Contribution by); Stephen Kotowych (Contribution by); G. L. McDorman (Contribution by); Michelle Muenzler (Contribution by); Cody Schroeder (Contribution by); Oliver Smith (Contribution by); Lucy A. Snyder (Contribution by); Mariah Southworth (Contribution by); Angela Sylvaine (Contribution by); Damien Angelica Walters (Contribution by); Desmond Warzel (Contribution by); Michaël Wertenberg (Contribution by); Trisha J. Wooldridge (Contribution by)

ISBN: 9781786641823

Publication Date: 2017-06-20

This collection crawls with the dark fingers of terror, the chilling sensation of another presence sitting alongside you while you read the tales of horror laid out before you. Contains a fabulous mix of classic and brand new writing, with authors from the US, Canada, and the UK.

     These are just a few of the potential horror-fying reads one can find in our libraries. There is something about reading these tales that sends an even bigger chill up your spine. Sitting in your dad's favorite recliner with just the lamp beside you for light. You can hear all the creaks and squeaks of the house as you read these terrifying tales, not knowing what those creaks are, but it just adds to the ambience. 

     Whether you are a fan of horror or not, there is something in this spooky season for everyone. Movies like "Hocus Pocus" or "The Little Vampire" are a far cry from something like "Friday the 13th" but they all add something to this remarkable season. 

     If you are wondering what else the library offers during this time, then keep reading! If you are a teen that drops by the Beaufort Branch between October 17 - October 30, you will be able to participate in our Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. Work your way through our set of clues to be entered into a drawing for a Dunkin' Donuts gift card! Test your knowledge of all things Halloween, or Samhain as the Druids celebrated it, and learn things you, might, not have known about this ancient and varied holiday. 

     And of course, another thing the library offers you when you are at home on that dark and stormy night, wondering what to do, you can check out one of our new video games. Especially our horror-fying video games. "Bendy and the Ink Machine" anyone? 

     Or perhaps, you are a murder mystery fan and want to turn your house into a murder mystery party during that long and stormy night. Perhaps you have the perfect house in which to stage a fun and twisted murder mystery for your friends to solve. Give a listen to our murder mystery podcast, or stop by the Newport Branch to pick up a murder mystery packet with scenarios for you to enact with your friends. It would surely be a scream!

     I am starting to wonder as I write this if there are too many puns and odd phrases... but can you ever have too many? The world may never know.

     Whatever you end up doing for the spooky season, we hope you enjoy it! Halloween is a fun and fantastical time, full of chills and thrills, and of course, candy! What is a dentists least favorite time of year, is many people's favorite. So, go out, explore and have fun (remembering your mask and social distancing!) and enjoy Samhain in all it's spooky glory!