Halloween Suggestions

Post your suggestions for October's Halloween-themed book here! I'll compile the list of suggestions and we can have a vote.

Reminders: I think it would be better if we stayed away from authors like Agatha Christie. Try and pick books that are not so popular and would be interesting to discuss.

My suggestions:
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski because it's postmodern, edgy, and supposedly a very involved read. I've never read it before but people are raving about it online, despite (or maybe because of) the quirky formatting. They say the house in the story is aware of itself as a house, and the book is aware of itself as a book. Could be interesting.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley because I've never read it and classics are usually good for discussion. I'm not sure about this one, though-- maybe someone who's read it can give some feedback on it?

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice, because I've also never read it.

The Shining by Stephen King because (surprise) I've never read it either (shows how much of a scaredy-cat I am!) and it is widely held to be the scariest book ever.

Feel free to chime in with your own suggestions!

A Winter Haunting by Dan Simmons. I have heard good reviews about this one, but I have not read it yet.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. I have been told by more than one person that I need to read this book and just never got around to it.

I like the idea of House of Leaves.

Not crazy about Stephan King because I just tried to read The Gunslinger and I thought it was absolutely horrible. I have been told by King readers that the Dark Tower series is not that good and I should try his other works like the shining, the stand, and it.

I would say that I have been reading mostly fantasy and sci-fi lately, mixed with some feminist drama (Cat's Eye but Margaret Atwood) and could use something that will make me sleep with the lights on.

Looking forward to reading whichever one we choose.

Oh, Stephen King's It is another one I should have mentioned. I've heard good things about that, too!

I think I'm going to need to read whatever book we choose in broad daylight.

I'm game for Stephen King's It or any other Stephen King novel! However, if we do decide to do something more classical, Bram Stoker's Dracula is a good Halloween read.

Another good classic is The Woman In White by Wilkie Collins -- it's not horror, but it's mysterious and can be scary.

This is making me want to read them all!!!

Okay, so far we have these books to consider:

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
The Shining by Stephen King
A Winter Haunting by Dan Simmons
It by Stephen King
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Shall we take a vote? I think we should each pick three titles (because otherwise we might not come to a consensus).

Here are my votes:

1. House of Leaves
2. The Shining
3. It

I am up for any of the titles with the exception of Interview with a Vampire, cause I have already read it. I guess to be fair I will give you three though.

1) House of Leaves
2) It
3) A Winter Haunting

-Nic

I'm all for Stephen King! I need a good scare.

1) It
2) The Shining
3) House of Leaves (just because I had to put something for the third, but I really just prefer the first two. For one, I can easily find copies from the library. Hehe.)

Looking at this though...It seems to be the winner!

You know what? I'll probably end up reading all three books (The Shining, It, House of Leaves). In fact, I think I'll have themed readings for October-- all creepy stuff.

Im the same way, and I think I will probably read them all at once... I have this crazy thing about reading more than one book at a time. I am going to get It and House of Leaves (because I know It is a long one) on my lirary list now, that way I dont have to wait so long. Let me know if we are to discuss the Shining and I will add it too.

I think I'd read one book first -- I'm reading a whole bunch of other books in addition to the ones we discussed here. Hehe. Which books would we discuss here though?

Let's discuss It, since I doubt House of Leaves will be available at your library.

Great! Thanks. :D It WOULD be easier! Worst comes to worst, it'll be easy enough to find it in the closest bookstore too, though I'm not so eager to spend nowadays. I've checked the library though -- I figure they can send me the copy by the time October or November rolls along. :D When do we begin it?

Well, first we have to finish A Wild Sheep Chase, and then we have to read Catch 22! Do you think we can finish Catch 22 before October? I've begun collecting scary books. I've decided I will read nothing but scary books in October-- something I would never dream of doing except that I will be in Australia with my boyfriend in October!

Since ginger_dame seems to have fallen behind in reading A Wild Sheep Chase, I think we'll have to skip reading Catch 22 (since there doesn't seem to be any time for it now before October) and have a bit of a break before we start on It. I've changed the group blurb to reflect this.

Ech, sorry! I'm done with A Wild Sheep Chase though! I agree with the break before October. There's other not-so-substantial books I'm finishing this September in addition to beginning of school stuff. I'm loaded with textbooks and articles to read if I want to make it to a Cum Laude for graduation. -_-

No problem. The schedule was a bit too tight anyway, and I'm busier than usual with my thesis, too. Still think we'll be able to do more than one scary book for October, though!

i've got to tune in more regularly. catch 22 can wait. It is fine; it's one of my three I'd pick.

five considerations for november:

1. catch 22 -- j. heller
2. the bell jar -- silvia plath.
3. tick tock -- dean koontz.
4. through the looking glass -- lewis carroll.
5. cross creek -- marjorie kinnan rawlings.

i shall post the first week in october with my "It" observatioins. (and yes, I've already read it (IT) thrice!). lol

I can't find a library copy of It! Wah! I might have to purchase it after I've started with my job --- I'll be a bit delayed with the reading but I'll catch up.

In the meantime, I'm reading The Shining! I'm loving it so far! It's hard to make a scary book scary, but I applaud King's books' easy reading.