Reading with a Side of Life

Pick up this classic here.

A Halloween classic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow delivers headless-horseman chills that never get old. And honestly, how can we not love the moody, gothic glow-up it got with Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane on screen?

Become revived with this handsome book.
I snagged this edition because the cover art is drop-dead gorgeous—I already had the Dracula version, and together with Frankenstein , they look downright iconic on the shelf. What really surprised me, though, is the little design details inside and the fact that the book is feather-light. Honestly, it’s such a sleek, cool way to collect the classics.

Pick up this classic here.

I haven’t read this book since high-school but it is a quick read with 145 pages. So-every Halloween, Tom Skelton and his friends set out to trick-or-treat, only to realize their friend Joe Pipkin was missing. The boys end up going on a journey with slightly off Mr. Moundshroud, who whisks them across the world from Egypt to England and beyond. All while chasing after Pipkin and uncovering the history of Halloween. Why this book is so good is because the simplest thing is made to sound poetic-let me swooning begin.

Party with this book here.
Halloween fun takes a deadly turn when 13-year-old Joyce brags at a party that she once witnessed a murder—only for everyone to laugh it off as kid talk. But when she later turns up drowned in the apple-bobbing tub (yes, seriously), the party vibes crash hard. Not what you would exactly expect from a A.C. book but I quite enjoyed it.

Let this book inspire your next Halloween decor here.
When it comes to this book-think less Michael Myers bursting through the door and more a hushed story whispered around a crackling campfire. I have always loved the writing style but what really got me was how it took classic folklore, small-town spookiness, and those familiar October tropes, then twisted them into something fresh and original.

Grab this one with your good hand…
I suggest this one because my son brought it home and it made us cackle because they are icky scary but classic ideas. But seriously, I don’t know a single person who doesn’t love this book. All three books have amazing original artwork by the OG artist—it’s an absolute steal and pure chef’s kiss.

Pick up this epic cover here.
I’ve been eyeing Dracula by Bram Stoker forever, but this edition finally made me bite (pun intended). The design is gorgeous and feels luxe in your hands—but let’s be real, the teeny-tiny print is basically a jump scare for your eyeballs. So beware.

Go to the carnival with this book… buy your ticket here.
So this book is about two teenage boys who are complete opposites yet bound together like two sides of the same coin. One is the golden child, almost too good to be true; the other, a brooding near-sociopath. When a dark carnival rolls into town, it changes everything—and no one in the town escapes its eerie creepy ass grip.

Enjoy being in a cemetery here.
This book gives us a baby named Bod…yes…Bod. After Nobody 🙂 who stumbles away after his family is murdered. Now he is the boy who dodges a murderer and gets adopted by ghosts—because why not grow up in a graveyard? Between learning ghost tricks, dodging ghouls, and trying to fit in with the living, Bod’s coming-of-age story is equal parts eerie and heartwarming. It’s spooky, smart, and beautifully weird—the kind of Halloween read that lingers long after the last page (or pumpkin) is gone.

Guess who the snitch is here.
There’s No Way I’d Die First was such a fun ride—I laughed out loud and stayed hooked the entire time. The horror movie nods were perfection, and Noelle’s determination to claim her “final girl” status? Absolute queen energy. I thought I had the clown figured out (spoiler: I didn’t), and the audiobook narrator nailed the voices as well. Total win for this spooky read.

Grab this captivating story here and let me know what you think.
Reading horror novel is one thing—but when it’s laced with real history, that fear hits different. This book serves up body horror, witchy chills, and a gut-punch of reality that’ll make you clutch your pearls and your uterus. Childbirth is no joke but thank goodness it has come a long way since the 70’s. It’s dark, emotional, and feminist as hell—a slow burn that leaves you haunted, heartbroken, and just a little bit furious (in the best way).

Wake up from Fax News and grab this copy here.
Noah Fairchild, a Brooklyn liberal (gasp), is a good son that checks on his parents as often as he can. But when his conspiracy-obsessed parents in Richmond doesn’t answer his calls he travels to his childhood home only to find them glassy-eyed, surrounded by rotting food, and worshipping at the altar of “Fax News.” When they suddenly turn feral and attack him, Noah realizes this isn’t just political brainwashing—it’s something far darker. Part horror, part social commentary, this story holds up a terrifying must read.

Follow the ice-cream truck and pick up this book here.
Five boys, one haunted ice cream truck, and a nightmare that refuses to stay buried—tell me that doesn’t scream Halloween read! Sure, it gave IT vibes (and who can really out-King Stephen King?), but despite a few familiar beats, it still chilled me enough to keep the lights on and wish for just one more chapter.

Ride the broom here and see how you can make a Puritan mad.
The cover art had me instantly—dark, moody, and absolutely gorgeous. The story? Way more gory and gut-twisting than spooky, but I was here for the chaos. It’s not your typical dark romance—it’s a fierce, witchy journey of self-discovery with killer characters, sharp writing, and a husband who totally stole the show.

Feel the autumn leaves under your feet with this read here.
I kept seeing Dead Leaves all over Bookstagram and figured it was the perfect spooky-season read—snagged the Kindle version, and two stories in, I knew I needed the paperback on my shelf. There is just something about this book. Every story gave me that perfect chill-down-your-spine vibe.

Provide your offering here and pick up this book…or else.
Strang looks like your average sleepy little town—until sunset, when “Halloween” crawls out to collect its living treats. The townsfolk play along because, trust me, you do not want to find out what happens if you don’t. This short story may have mixed reviews, but I ate it up—creepy monster reveal, slow-burn tension, and all the eerie autumn vibes a girlie ghoul could ask for.

Decide if you like this MMC here.
The perfect cozy-but-creepy read to kick off spooky season! If you’re not into heavy spice or buckets of gore, this one’s your vibe—just enough chills without the stomach-turning stuff. I wanted a little more butcher mayhem, but honestly? Still a killer good time.

If you want your Halloween reads to come with spooky and steamy vibes, the Scared Sexy Collection is your guilty pleasure. These bite-sized novellas blend chills and romance so well, you’ll devour them in one go. Some stories hit you with swoon, others with shivers—but all of them leave you wanting more. Wanna read? Get these on your Kindle or listen to them to hear the Halloween vibes.

I dare you to buy it here…
“I dare you to run and hide…”
Oh honey, the moment I saw that line on Instagram, I hit “buy now” faster than a witch on a broom. This book is full of short novella’s that are pure spooky-season perfection—equal parts chills, thrills, and sinful heat. Think dark game of tag with demons, delicious tension, and just enough plot to keep your heart racing and your jaw dropping. Perfect for anyone who likes their Halloween reads hot, but not drowning in guts or gloom. Just beware—once you start, there’s no hiding from this one.

Find out who plays in the sheets with this book here.
A quick, spooky, and spicy little treat—this novella knows exactly what it’s doing and totally nails the vibe. Fast-paced, fun, and just the right amount of heat. And that line? “If you’re a sexy Casper, I’m gonna be so pissed.” literally made me giggle out-loud.

Join the fun with this book here (wink).
If you know Kelly’s books, you know she’s bringing the heat—six couples, a little chaos, and a whole lot of heat. You do not even have to read the first book to play along. It’s steamy, wild, and packed with love, laughter, and devotion. If FF, MFM, or MMMF makes your heart happy, this one’s a must-read.

Look behind the mask here.
This book was pure spooky-season fun—no overthinking required. If you’re hunting for deep plot, keep walking—but if you’re craving wall-to-wall smut and bi awakenings hotter than hellfire, this one delivers. Harlow didn’t come to play; she came to bring the spice, and baby, she understood the assignment.

Join the herbal lessons and under-cover vibes here.
Witchy vibes, small-town secrets, and a double murder? Oh, honey, this New England drama had everything. Lizzy Moon is the kind of main character you can’t help but cheer for, and Evvie? Total scene-stealer — I’d read a whole spin-off just for her!

Go into the cabin with this book here.
Oh, I devoured this book — and honestly, I did not see the twist at the end coming! I spent half the time wondering how these two totally different stories could possibly connect, and when they finally did? Mind. Blown. The girls got under my skin and that twist? I never saw it coming — I seriously loved this one.

Find out who the inspired the podcast here.
This book had me hooked faster than a true crime podcast on 2x speed. Granted I did not put together that this book is from the host of Crime Junkie. This read is a twisty ride through small-town secrets, a murder that feels way too close to the Jon Benét case, and enough suspects to make your head spin. Everyone’s guilty until proven innocent.

Find the missing girl here.
One of the best thrillers I’ve snatched up in a while — and I wasn’t even ready for that ending! A little far fetched but I was like…who? What? Why??? It’s fast, sharp, and totally bingeable, like a detective show you can’t stop watching because you don’t know who they should be interrogating. No jump scares here, but trust me, the mystery keeps you hooked till the last page.

Read it with me here. Release date October 14th, 2025

Bite into this one with me and drink it up here on October 14th, 2025.