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7 Books To Read That'll Give You The October Spookies

You might want to sleep with the lights on.

Casey Lofton

Oct 09, 2018

University of Virginia

106

7 Books To Read That'll Give You The October Spookies

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It's October again, which means it's time to get in the mood for Halloween. Get into your spooky mindset with these harrowing novels.

1. 'The Shining' by Stephen King

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Okay, so I obviously had to go with a Stephen King novel. What I love about King's novels are the fact that he creates an air of uneasiness far before anything sinister starts to happen. With over 50 published novels, you can find a King book to fit the specific spooky you want. Ghosts, murder, torture, mystery, or psychological thriller, King has done it all. 'The Shining' is probably one of his most historically scary novels, so prepare to sleep with the lights on.

"Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start... But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote...and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old." - Goodreads

2. 'Night Film' by Marisha Pessl

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnCCN9Ihk_X/?tagged=nightfilm

Using mixed media, including newspaper clippings, online forums, and photographs, this mystery novel has touches of occult to amp up the spookiness. Investigative journalist Scott McGrath looks into the death of the daughter of world-renowned reclusive cult-horror film director Stanislaus Cordova. While ruled a suicide, McGrath has beef with famous Cordova and can't let the 'suicide' go.

"Driven by revenge, curiosity, and a need for the truth, McGrath, with the aid of two strangers, is drawn deeper and deeper into Cordova's eerie, hypnotic world. The last time he got close to exposing the director, McGrath lost his marriage and his career. This time he might lose even more." - Goodreads

3. 'The Raven Boys' by Maggie Stiefvater

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Following a psychic's daughter and four uniquely beautiful boys obsessed with a dead king, this book is on my list because it has a killer atmosphere . While on the hunt for ley lines and a dead king, this whole novel captures an eeriness that is palpable. Worlds are crossed and people are met, but the whole time I was reading, I was on edge, capitvated by the atmosphere Stiefvater creates.

"For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore." - Goodreads

4. 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn

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If you've yet to read this, DO IT ALREADY! I originally read it in October of 2014, and it perfectly set the mood for the diabolical murder-mystery that goes down.

"Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?" - Goodreads

5. 'The Diviners' by Libba Bray

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoPFyDCH8qC/?tagged=thediviners

This YA book is another that hits on atmospheric writing. Set in 1920s New York, Evie O'Neill goes to live with her uncle, who works at an occult museum. Following multiple storylines of teens with unique abilities, they intertwine to come together against an unknown force.

"As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps... And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened." - Goodreads

6. 'You' by Caroline Kepnes

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEL6UNxvEFV/?tagged=youbook

Written in second person, this novel is narrated by Joe Goldberg, professional stalker. A tale about a man willing to do anything to get to know Guinevere Beck, this novel is seriously creepy and will make you question anything you put online... like ever.

"When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card." - Goodreads

7. 'Bird Box' by Josh Mallerman

https://www.instagram.com/p/BohGRiBloIT/?tagged=birdbox

Taking away the sense of sight, this post-apocalyptic story follows a mother and her two young children trying to escape an unknown being. Without seeing what is lurking, an anxiety settles within you as you are just as clueless as they are.

"...the journey ahead will be terrifying: twenty miles downriver in a rowboat--blindfolded--with nothing to rely on but her wits and the children's trained ears." - Goodreads

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Lifestyle

Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

North Carolina State University

560

Summer is hot and humid, and it's almost like summer was made specifically to drink the refreshing, cold, crisp wonderful, delicious, nutritious nectar of the gods. Which is none other than beer; wonderful cold beer. With summer playing peek-a-boo around the corner while we finish up this semester, it's time to discuss the only important part of summer. And if you haven't already guessed, it's beer. There are few things I take more seriously than my beer, in order are: sports... and beer. Here are my favorite summer brews:

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New England Summers Are The BEST Summers

Why you should spend your next summer in New England.

Saint Joseph's University

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Three years ago, I chose to attend college in Philadelphia, approximately 360 miles away from my small town in New Hampshire. I have learned many valuable lessons away from home, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in Pennsylvania. One thing that my experience has taught me, however, is that it is absolutely impossible to beat a New England summer.

You cannot beat the beach. Believe it or not (which many people may not), New England has a long and beautiful coastline. Most of my high school summers were spent sitting on the Wall at Hampton Beach, getting sunburnt and eating Acai bowls from The Secret Spot. The Wall was the place to be both during the day and at night. We begin our days there with a KB's bagel and coffee, and end them with pizza and ice cream. It’s not a New England summer without that 4 p.m. text from someone, “Who wants to meet at the Wall tonight?” Nighttime is for Tripoli’s Pizza, the sound of waves, and wishes on shooting stars. Wednesday nights are especially important, as those are the nights that Hampton Beach sets off the weekly firework display.

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Recommended for you

7 Books To Read That'll Give You The October Spookies

You might want to sleep with the lights on.

1. 'The Shining' by Stephen King

2. 'Night Film' by Marisha Pessl

3. 'The Raven Boys' by Maggie Stiefvater

4. 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn

5. 'The Diviners' by Libba Bray

6. 'You' by Caroline Kepnes

7. 'Bird Box' by Josh Mallerman

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Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

Coors Light Summer Brew:

Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat

Sam Adams Summer Ale

Hell or High Watermelon

Blue Moon Summer Honey

LandShark Lager

Corona

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

Perfect Weather

You'll get an effortless tan

You can exercise with a view

You don't have to worry about bug bites

In n Out all day, every day

We have outdoor concerts

We live where people vacation

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

1. “Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside. It's where my demons hide.”

2. “Tonight, we are young.”

3. “Cuz I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it.”

4. “Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame.”

5. “I can’t wait to fall in love with you, you can’t wait to fall in love with me.”

6. “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin with no makeup on.”

7. “Why you so obsessed with me?”

8. “We ain’t ever getting older.”

9. “I didn’t know that I was starving until I tasted you.”

10. “Didn’t they tell you I’m a savage?"

11. “I’m gonna make you miss me.”

12. "Cheers to the freakin weekend.”

13. “Love’s a game. Wanna play?”

14. “You don’t know about me, but I bet you want to.”

15. “Let’s set each other’s lonely nights, Be each other’s paradise.”

16. “Trippin’ on skies, sippin’ waterfalls."

17. “Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days.”

18. “But you will remember me for centuries.”

19. “Something about you makes me feel like a dangerous woman."

20. “Don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me.”

21. “Darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.”

22. “Find me where the wild things are.”

23. “I’m high on lovin’ you.”

24. “If you’re gonna be somebody’s heartbreak, somebody’s mistake, if you’re gonna be somebody’s first time, somebody’s last time, be mine.”

25. “Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled on.”

Everything Bruce says in his classic rock songs.

1. "Talk about a dream Try to make it real You wake up in the night With a fear so real Spend your life waiting For a moment that just don't come Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)

2. "It's a town full of losers/ I'm pulling out of here to win" (Thunder Road)

3. "You've got to learn to live with what you can't rise above" (Tunnel of Love)

4. "I got something in my heart/ I been waitin' to give/ I got a life I wanna start/ One I been waitin' to live" (Leah)

5. “God have mercy on the man/ Who doubts what he’s sure of” (Brilliant Disguise)

7. “Is a dream a lie when it don’t come true, or is it something worse?” (The River)

Why you should spend your next summer in New England.

Want to know more about summer destinations?

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1. "Talk about a dream
Try to make it real
You wake up in the night
With a fear so real
Spend your life waiting
For a moment that just don't come
Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)