Books for the Halloween Lover
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Once Upon A Haunted Time
I may love giving gifts more than getting them, but I am always delighted to receive a gift that makes me pause and think – wow, this person gets me.
When I receive a gift that perfectly fits my personality, hobbies, or interests, it makes that item all the more endearing. And, if you hit on more than one interest with that gift, well, we might have to become best friends.
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Such is the case when I receive a book on one of my favorite topics, Halloween.
My bookshelves are littered with publications featuring spooky tales, creating costumes, Halloween crafts, classic horror, Halloween history, and more.
But not everyone embraces all things Halloween, so here are ten books perfectly primed for gift giving and who on your list might appreciate them.
Makers of the Macabre
Creepy Cross Stitch: 25 Spooky Projects to Haunt Your HallsÂ
by Lindsay Swearingen
Creepy Cross Stitch: 25 Spooky Projects to Haunt Your Halls provides step-by-step instructions for creating eerie and spooky cross-stitch designs.Â
Featuring 25 patterns that range from gothic-inspired to the macabre and from the moody to the eerie, this book is filled with crafts perfect for the Halloween home.
Each pattern includes a full-color chart, a materials list, and instructions.
Tusk and Cardinal creator and author Lindsay Swearingen shares tips on how to customize designs and add personal touches to finished pieces, as well as advice on selecting the right fabrics and threads.Â
With a combination of creepy and cute designs, Creepy Cross Stitch is an excellent choice for anyone interested in crafting, horror, or alternative art and those who love to create unique and unconventional crafts.Â
Horror Fan
Frankenstein: The First Two Hundred Years
by Christopher Frayling
Frankenstein: The First Two Hundred Years is an in-depth exploration of the cultural impact of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein by renowned Gothic scholar Sir Christopher Frayling.Â
The book examines the evolution of the Frankenstein myth, from its origins in Shelley’s personal life and literary context to its various adaptations in film, theater, and popular culture.Â
In addition, the book includes a wealth of illustrations and images, including copies of the original Shelley manuscript draft. The abundance of artworks that walks us through the life of Frankenstein’s monster from the novel’s release to the present is enough to warrant a copy in any haunted library.
Frankenstein: The First Two Hundred Years is an engaging and informative read for both fans of the novel and anyone interested in the history of pop culture.
Crazy For Cosplay
The Costume Making Guide: Creating Armor & Props For Cosplay
by Svetlana Quindt (AKA Kamui Cosplay)
This comprehensive handbook, The Costume Making Guide: Creating Armor & Props For Cosplay focuses specifically on armor and props and includes 30 step-by-step demonstrations with full-color photos for creating costume pieces from scratch.Â
Authored by internationally acclaimed costume and content creator Svetlana Quindt, the book covers a range of materials and techniques, including foam, Worbla, and 3D painting, making it a valuable resource for cosplayers who wish to explore different skill sets.
What is cosplay, how to choose a costume, find inspiration and reference material, draft a pattern, create pieces for travel, and how to photograph your character are just some of the topics covered.
A fit for novice and experienced cosplayers alike, beginners will appreciate the clear instructions, tips, and tricks to help them get started with their first project. In addition, experienced cosplayers will appreciate the book’s detailed instructions and advanced techniques that can elevate their costume game to the next level.
Vintage Halloween Enthusiast
Halloween: Vintage Holiday Graphics
Edited by Jim Heimann
Halloween: Vintage Holiday Graphics is a visual delight, packed with vintage graphics and illustrations of Halloween from the early 1900s through the 1960s.Â
The book features a collection of postcards, advertisements, and other ephemera showcasing the spooky, humorous, and imaginative imagery that has come to be associated with Halloween.Â
Within its pages creep black cats, witches, ghosts, jack-o’-lanterns, and all the traditional Halloween icons giving the viewer a nostalgic and visually stunning look at the popular holiday.Â
This delightful tribute to the art and design of Halloween’s past appeals to fans of Halloween and its traditions, as well as those interested in the history and cultural significance of the holiday.Â
Classic Horror Connoisseur
DraculaÂ
by Bram StokerÂ
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In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires
by Raymond T. McNally and Radu Florescu
Published in 1897, the Gothic horror novel Dracula follows a centuries-old vampire from Transylvania as he attempts to move to England and spread the curse of the undead.
The novel is written in journal and diary entries, letters, and newspaper articles, giving the reader multiple perspectives of the events while exploring the struggle between good and evil.Â
Needing no real introduction, Dracula has significantly impacted popular culture, influencing the portrayal of vampires in books and film. It is considered a classic of Gothic literature and remains a popular read today.
Appealing to people fascinated by the supernatural, vampire lore, and dark storytelling, this novel is even better when paired with the following:
In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires, by Raymond T. McNally and Radu Florescu
In Search of Dracula delves into the origins and evolution of the vampire myth, from Stoker’s Dracula to Vlad of Transylvania, to recent adaptions of the Dracula story.
Internationally recognized as the leading authorities on Vlad the Impaler and Dracula, authors and professors McNally and Florescu take the reader on a journey through the history, folklore, and literature of vampires providing a wealth of historical detail and fascinating insights.
Dracula and In Search of Dracula go together like a Gothic PBJ, a perfect pairing for the reader that can’t get enough of this dark myth.
Halloween History Buff
Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History
by Lesley Pratt Bannatyne
In Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History, one of the nation’s foremost authorities on Halloween, Lesley Pratt Bannatyne, explores the origins and evolution of the holiday.
This volume provides an informative look at the history and cultural significance of one of America’s most beloved holidays, from its early origins in the British Isles to the modern-day American celebration.
The book explores how Halloween has been influenced by immigration, religion, and commercialism and recounts the ways in which Halloween has been celebrated throughout American history.
Included among the copious notes and references are related recipes, poems, and songs.
This book is an excellent resource for the curious of mind who wonder where this holiday of costumes, candy, and horror originated.
Twisted Treat Maker
The Wicked Baker: Cakes And Treats To Die For
by Helena Garcia
Pastry chef, blogger, and gothic star of the Great British Bake Off and the US Great British Baking Show, Helena Garcia, birthed this bounty of brilliantly ghoulish creations.
The Wicked Baker features over 45 recipes, including cakes, cookies, pastries, breads, and desserts – each treat presented with a gothic flair fit for any haunted soiree.
Each playful and imaginative recipe is accompanied by a full-color photo and detailed instructions to ensure a spine-chilling successful outcome.
This unconventional recipe book is an excellent choice for anyone who loves baking, experimenting with new flavors and those that appreciate the artistry of creating spooktacularly beautiful and delicious desserts.
The Nostalgic
A Woggle of WitchesÂ
by Adrienne Adams
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The Haunted House and Other Spooky Poems and TalesÂ
Edited by Gladys Schwarz and Vic Crume
A Woggle of Witches and The Haunted House and Other Spooky Poems and TalesÂ
Ghost stories. Spooky tales. Haunted legends.Â
Frights and delights from childhood do more than weave a tale; they transport one back to another time when we could drift away into a world of ghosts, witches, vampires, and other creepy creatures.
From classic frights to bone-chilling horrors to ridiculous riddles, these books and stories of youth engage us like no other.
Simple rhyme and verse, along with colorful artwork, are remembered long after we’ve exited the suggested reading age of Halloween storytelling.
For those that want to revisit a simpler time when witches slept in hammocks in the trees or a velvet ribbon kept one from losing their head, I recommend you start with one of these.
The End
Now that your gift-giving is on point and you can impress your Halloween-obsessed friends remember to treat yourself to one of these haunted tomes from our bag of tricks.
Which one of these books for the Halloween lover will you choose?
Until next time, read on.
Make an eerie impression with a handmade haunted bookmark.
