Tuesday, October 25, 2011

all hallows read.

"you know, there aren't enough traditions that involve giving books." 
- neil gaiman, october 23, 2010


and with that blog post just over a year ago, mr. gaiman, a favorite author of this here blog owner, created a tradition that took off immediately.


it's called all hallows read.  and the concept is simple: "on hallowe'en or during the week of hallowe'en, we give each other scary books.  give children scary books they'll like and can handle.  give adults scary books they'll enjoy."


"new books or old or second-hand, beloved books or unknown.  give someone a scary book for hallowe'en.  make their flesh creep..."


c took up the challenge immediately, gifting me let the right one in last hallowe'en, which i am too scared to read (i'm a wimp).  but this year?  it was salem's lot.  my first stephen king read.  i finished it in less than a week.  wow.  terrifying.  and awesome.  but mostly terrifying.  


but that's ok.  it is hallowe'en, after all.  a scare or two each october is good for me.  


i like to display my favorite hallowe'en books during this time of year.  ones from my childhood, like happy birthday little witch and scary stories to tell in the dark, right next to newer favorites, like wicked, dracula, and practical magic.  books are so good at holding memories.   

my suggestion for the perfect all  hallows read book?  neil gaiman's own the graveyard book.  technically for children but so well-written that any adult will enjoy. 

now go buy someone a book!

xo. di.

*images by me

5 comments:

  1. so cute! i had a "scary stories" anthology when i was little and even though i was petrified most of the time, i couldn't stop reading it. we're masochistic when it comes to fear i think. :) i would love to read a few of these!

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  2. That's a great idea for a book swap. I definitely never read scary books (I'm such a wimp), but this could work for any holiday, I think. Love the way you have seasonal books displayed for Halloween!

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  3. This is such a brilliant idea - leave it to Mr. Gaiman. I don't often read truly scary books, but Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca was thrilling in that classic Hitchcockian way, it's one of my all-time favorites. Since I haven't read The Graveyard Book yet maybe I'll take your recommendation this year! ;)

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  4. Great idea!

    My mother and I were just commenting on how sad it is that so many book stores are closing. I used to love to spend hours walking around and picking out books. Of course, I got home that afternoon to my credit card bill filled with Amazon charges!!

    I give books all the time - I think it's a great gift idea!

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  5. much to my delight - couldn't agree more, it could absolutely work for any holiday! you can also find halloween books that are not exactly scary, but are still...mysterious.

    casee marie - amen, sister! definitely recommend graveyard book to you

    misslivviebelle - i know it, i feel the same. browsing bookstores is such a pleasure.

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thanks so much for the note! i love reading your comments. xo. di.

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