Maybe I’m biased since my birthday is during this season or because horror is my go-to genre, but this is my favorite season of the year. Here in the Vortex, we have no shortage of activities and books for those of us who love the season around Halloween.
Looking for a scary story to curl up with? Check out our scary, horror and thriller book lists. My personal favorite of these books was Monstrous, by Jessica Lewis. Keep reading for a curated list of chilling and thrilling books and some scaretacular events happening in the Vortex this Halloween season.
Book Reviews & Recommendations
“Monstrous” by Jessica Lewis
Monstrous
by Jessica Lewis
Call Number: YA F LEWIS
REVIEW: Bad Witch Burning by the same author was an excellent thriller with some serious tension, and Jessica Lewis absolutely did not disappoint with Monstrous. This book is dripping with tension on every page. After an eerie opening, Latavia soon finds herself tied to an altar as a sacrifice for an ancient monstrous snake, but she refuses to die and makes a deal with the monster she can never go back from. A deal she’s gonna have to live with if she wants to keep living.
What follows is a gut-wrenching plot as Latavia is forced into brutal situations to stay alive and fulfill her end of the deal. She has to think on her feet, lie to the people she’s closest with and make difficult choices. There are also nightmares and PTSD from reliving the horrors of what they did to her and what she has to do.
“Let Me Out” by Emmett Nahil, Illustrated by George Williams
Let Me Out
by Emmett Nahil; Illustrations by George Williams
Call Number: YAGRAPHIC NAHIL
REVIEW: Making deals with demons and other nasty things is always a great way to make me love a plot. Monstrous used it as the inciting incident to excellent effect. Let Me Out used this trope in a way I didn’t expect, but I was grinning from ear to ear when the deal was offered.
This incredibly gory graphic novel takes place in a small town in the 1980s and has a very Stranger Things-esque plot. The illustrations are fantastic and really make the world come alive. George Williams doesn’t pull any punches with these graphics, and some of them will make you squirm. Come for the nostalgic horror and great graphics; stay for the excellent character development and plot twist.
“Bad Medicine” by Christopher Twin
Bad Medicine
by Christopher Twin
Call Number: YAGRAPHIC TWIN
REVIEW: In Bad Medicine, four Cree teens gather around the fireplace to tell urban legends. These short stories deal with the struggles the teens face in their lives. Some of them deserve their fates while others are cursed to live with horrors they did nothing to bring on.
If you want a feel-good story, look for a different book. These stories will crush your soul with the weight these characters carry. Each story is as grim as the last, and the dark and gloomy illustrations pair with it perfectly.
Middle-Grade Horror
Thrillers & Suspense
Small Town Horrors
Scary Season-Themed Events
Celebrate the season by finding the perfect activity, or register for all of them if you want to overload yourself with seasonal vibes. Here are the programs we have on offer next month that will satisfy your appetite for arts and scares.
Alebrije Masks
Thursday, October 3, 6 p.m.
Paint a captivating cardboard Alebrije mask using vibrant neon colors. Watch as your creation comes to life under blacklight, producing a stunning and mesmerizing effect.
DIY Pumpkin Decorating
Saturday, October 5, 2–4 p.m. (Drop in)
Join us for a crafty and scary time where you can start decorating your craft pumpkin for the Pumpkin Decorating Contest. We’ll have all the supplies you need to get started!
Felted Ghosts
Tuesday, October 8, 6 p.m.
Explore the craft of needle felting! Natasha Lehrer Lewis of Esther’s Place will teach you how to sculpt wool into a boo-tiful felted ghost!
Urban Legends: La Lechuza
Tuesday, October 15, 4:30 p.m.
Listen to Hispanic urban legends and paint a ceramic owl inspired by La Lechuza. This urban legend contains horror themes.
Registration opens Tuesday, September 24 at 9 a.m.
Slime Time
Monday, October 28, 4–5 p.m. (Drop in)
Let’s have an ooey-gooey time as we make our very own slime in the Vortex!
Zombie Makeup for Teens
Tuesday, October 29, 6 p.m.
Learn how to create realistic and scary zombie looks using simple makeup techniques in this fun and interactive workshop. No prior experience is required.
Registration opens Tuesday, October 8 at 9 a.m.
Pocket Cryptids
Wednesday, October 30, 6 p.m.
Here’s your chance to sew or glue together your favorite cryptid into a small little plush to take anywhere you can go! Mothman, Bigfoot, wendigo and so many more!
Registration opens Wednesday, October 9 at 9 a.m.