Spooky Book Lovers Gift Guide

If you’re looking for great books to gift your spooky loved ones this season, keep reading!

Most of these suggested books I own myself or totally plan on buying. I love classic horror by all the greats and I’m also proud to support indie writers and I hope you will too. I’ve marked the ones available in digital format that make great last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers.

Best Indie Urban Paranormal so real you might go looking for these people and places series:

Consumia’s Spiritual Emporium, Book I of the Omnist Series by Rob Weldon* – $6, $16, $26; Digital, paperback, hardback and other formats available via Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Best Monster Fantasy Turned into a Video Game and Hit TV Show Series:

Blood of Elves, Book I of the Witcher Saga by Andrzej Sapkowski* – $9, $12, $25, $60; Digital, paperback, hardback and other formats available (Complete Boxset shown in image below) via Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Best Steamy Indie Paranormal Romance:

Hex and the Single Witch by Roxanne Rhoads – $12 paperback via Amazon

Best Indie Fantasy-Horror-SciFi:

Cast a Cold Eye by Derryl Murphy and William Shunn* – $2, $35 Kindle and hardback via Amazon

Best Classic Halloween Story:

The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury* $5, $15; Digital, paperback, hardback and other formats available via Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Best Fun-Sized Stories to get you into the Halloween spirit:

We Bleed Orange & Black: 31 Fun Sized Tales for Halloween by Jeff Carter* – $7 paperback via Amazon

Best Comprehensive Halloween History book I can’t wait to own:

The Better Days Books Vintage Halloween Reader by Various authors – $23 paperback via Amazon

Best and Fastest Way to Understanding Halloween Folklore and Traditions:

Creating Your Vintage Hallowe’en: The folklore, traditions, and some crafty makes by Marion Paull – $15 hardback via Amazon

Best Compact Taschen Icons Picturebook:

Halloween: Vintage Holiday Graphics Edited by Jim Heimann, Forward by Steven Heller – $17 paperback via Thriftbooks

Most Comprehensive, Deluxe Hardback Halloween Picturebook Collection:

Vintage Hallowe’en: Tricks, Treats & Traditions by Robert Pandis – $75 hardback

This sought after vintage Halloween picturebook is typically sold out, but I included it here because sometimes you can find it selling on secondhand markets online.

Best Someday I’m gonna own that Book:

Dracula,1897, 1st edition by Bram Stoker – $200-37,000

If you ever come across an ugly little book that looks like this, keep it!!!

*Makes a great last-minute gift or stocking stuffer!

Haiku of the Week

Part II of the Merry and Fright series.

sinister smile
a hidden killer inside
the snowman

Ten Gifts for Halloween Lovers – 2023

Not sure what you gift your favorite Halloween lover this Creepmas? Well, you came to the right place. It’s going to be a Christmas to dismember with these cool and creepy holiday gift ideas!

Llewellyn’s 2024 Witches’ Calendar $12 – For the Halloween Witch Lover

Bundt Haunted Manor Cake Pan from Nordicware $36 – For the Halloween Baking Lover

Trick R Treat Sam Bitten Lollipop Bag from Trick or Treat Studios $59 – For the Halloween Lover on the Go

Elvira’s Very Scary Xmas 8″Clothed Figure Collectible by NECA $60 – For the Elvira Halloween Horror Collector Lover

Wednesday Nevermore Loungefly Mini Backpack, Pre-order Exclusive from Entertainment Earth $69 – For the Trendy TV Halloween Lover

Spooky Shoes like Chocolaticas Widow Heart – Mary Jane Flats by Hot Chocolate Design $85 – For the Halloween Spider Lover

6-Ft Pre-lit Purple Halloween Christmas Tree $92 from Costway at Target – For the Halloween Christmas Lover

Halloween Glass Ornaments from Christmas Traditions Store 19.99 for 12 or $9.99 for 6 – For the Halloween Christmas Lover Who Needs Ornaments for the Tree

“Dome of Doom” Light-up Haunted House Sculpture from Bradford Exchange $119 – For the Classy Yet Fun Halloween Decor Lover

Gothic Halloween Tea Sets from Angioletti Designs $165-185 – For the Gothic Halloween Tea Drinking Lover

Have yourself a merry and fright Creepmas!

Monthly Haiku Corner – December

Happy December! I can’t believe it’s the last month of 2023. It’s been long ridiculous year. The theme this month is Merry and Fright. It’s a traditional Christmas vibe with a little dash of spooky sprinkled in. I’ll have lots of cool haiku, gift-giving guides, scary holiday movies lists and free gifts to give away so stay tuned. Season’s Screaming!

winter wonderland
creatures stirring for creepmas
all merry and fright

Spooky Small Business Saturday

Remember to support Small Business Saturday and shop independent or local shops. Below are only a few unique and reputable spooky shops independently owned and operated all-year long which I support and highly recommend for all your Creepmas shopping this year holiday season.

Local Los Angeles:

Dark Delicacies: https://www.darkdel.com

Celebrating 29 years, Dark Del provides a home for truly independent booksellers, movie memorabilia collectors, horror fanatics, and other spooky stuff in the greater Los Angeles region. The store is located in Burbank and often holds in-person signings and events. Del is also an awesome author and editor of works, such as Dark Delicacies horror anthology series and the suspense-western, The Survival of Margaret Thomas. If you live in L.A. area, stop by this weekend!

Mystic Museum: https://www.themysticmuseum.com/

Part oddities, part occult, part horror shop, part mystics museum, Mystic Museum is one-of-a-kind place for horror and occult fans. Taking up an astonishing three storefronts, the corner store is Camp Horror, an 80s horror themed shop that carries horror movie apparel, memorabilia and more.

Next door, the oddities shop, find rare, vintage and occult items for your arts and craft. You’ll barely notice that you crossed over to Mystic Museum, a place for goth decor, apparel, books, jewelry and more. Inside that shop is a door, where, for a donation, you can enter the parlor room that houses original artwork and vintage items celebrating curated themes throughout the year.

And, then, there’s the exhibit down the street…trust me, Mystic Museum is a kooky, dreamy, satisfying day trip.

Halloweentown Store: https://www.halloweentownstore.com/

I adore Halloween Town Store. Open all year long, this costume shop is a few doors down from the original main store, which carries everything from Halloween props and spooky clothing to original art prints and spooky, vintage, pop horror collectibles. Check everyone off your list in one visit.

Online:

Gingerbread Bag by Backstitch Bruja

Creepmas wrapping paper or Krampus Folklore Mug as seen below by Spooky Cat Press

Krampus Folklore Mug

Halloween Pumpkins Black Xmas Stocking by Working Class Punx: https://www.workingclasspunx.com

Poe Tea Set by Me and AnnabelLee Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/MeandAnnabelLeeShop

Tiny Bryon von Battie or Tiny Ghostie keychain plushies by Elle’s Ghosties

International:

Haunted House Incense Cone Holder – October 31st https://october31st.co.uk/creepmas-haunted-house-incense-cone-holder/

If you live in Europe, or outside the USA and looking for an amazing Halloween shop, then, try October 31st store, owned and operated all year along by Spooky Wil.

October 31st is da domb! In addition to carrying some great stuff from artists and creators all over the world, Wil also produces original crafted art and merchandise and ships internationally.

October 31st also often carries out-of-print, discontinued, or rare Halloween or spooky collectibles that can’t be found in the US, sometimes at regular retail price. Yes, shipping costs are little high, but scalpers and secondary markets on Ebay or Amazon, are gonna charge mark up prices and charge for shipping too. You can reach out and interact with Wil beforehand, he’s super sweet, and he packs items with great care. Shop from Wil. Keep a good guy in business!

Hope your holidays are full of merry and fright! Happy Creepmas!

Sinister Saturdays- Talk to Me, 2023

Title: Talk to Me
Director: Danny and Michael Philippou
Starring: Sophia Wilde, Marcus Johnson, Alexandra Johnson, Joe Bird and Miranda Otto
Distributed by: A24
Running Time: 1hr 35min

When a group of Australian friends become addicted to conjuring spirits using the embalmed hand of a satanic medium, they quickly learn the dangers of opening doors to the spirit world.

The movie starts out with a grieving Mia (Sophia Wilde), hot off her mom’s funeral, begging her BFF Jade (Alexandra Johnson) to go to a party, so they can experience some fun and excitement. She’s particularly close with Jade and Jade’s younger brother Riley (Joe Bird), even Jade’s mom, played by Miranda Otto (of LOTR and Sabrina fame) who is hip to the kids and their little white lies, but this struggling single mom is also a busy nurse who gets called back to hospital leaving the trio alone to go sneak off to the party.

It’s unclear at this point if Mia has had time to process her mom’s death but she’s obviously a muddled mess of emotions and prime target for what’s about to happen.

Each teen takes their turn, first, they’re strapped to a chair and tied down tight by the biggest member of their group (if that ain’t a red flag I dunno what is), next, they light a candle, grab hold of the embalmed hand and say one of two commands, “talk to me” or “I let you in”. What follows is 90 seconds of madness.

What should be a terrifying event (see every other horror movie ever made about conjuring the dead), these kids instead get a huge thrill out of being possessed. In some ways, the movie likens it to getting high. Spirits take control of the teens’ bodies and say the wildest shit. Some spirits are good, some spirits are bad, some spirits are horny and make out with the dog, and some spirits are recently deceased family members who have committed suicide for unknown reasons.

Mia instantly becomes obsessed with touching the hand, desperate to communicate with her dead mother again. Despite objections from Jade, and the other more hardened members of their friendship circle, Mia’s quest blinds her to the dangers so much that she drags young Riley with her to friend Hayley’s house for another go. This time, giving permission, that she doesn’t actually have, allowing Riley to partake in the fun, but playtime is over.

Mia’s weakened emotional state and the group’s bending of the rules, attract the attention of a demonic spirit and this one’s not letting go of Riley.

In Talk to Me, there is a clear separation between the living and the spirit world, but it matters not because these kids don’t pay attention to rules or respect the dead. This is horror movie version of fuck around and find out.

Mia’s life begins to quickly unravel, until she basically becomes a conduit for evil demons looking for a soul. Mia hallucinates and even allows spirits to possess Jade’s boyfriend, in what becomes just one of a very long line of frustrating scenes as we watch Mia’s choices go from bad to worse until the unthinkable happens.

My initial thoughts were Talk to Me wasn’t as scary as it could have been, but I began to appreciate the film after a second viewing and its contributions towards horror.

First, there’s the amazing and very realistic portrayl of Gen Z. As I stated before, these kids reveled in being possessed, rather than get scared. I dont know if it’s social media, bad parenting, or shitty education system, all of which seem to be a worldwide problem, but this generation is missing some serious critical thinking skills. The desire for instant thrills, gratification, and lack of self preservation to the point they’re messing with the dead is bonkers. Like any good A24 movie, I’m sure there was subtext and hints all over the movie that clued audiences into what was happening, but the performances are so spectacular that we can’t do anything but zero in on what’s happening to Mia, and then Riley.

Riley, oh my gosh, if there’s a victim of the year award in film, hands down it belongs to this character. Your heart will break, your skin will crawl, you’ll feel pain just by looking ar him. It’s horrific, and it’s one of the many reasons I’m highly recommending everyone spend $ to rent on Amazon Prime on Halloween night.

Scariest scenes: Any scene involving the possessed Riley in the hospital and his torture scene.

Wicked Art Wednesdays – Diana Levin, Ghoulish Bunny Studios

Happy International Artist Day! Today we celebrate the dark fantasy art of Diana Levin of Ghoulish Bunny Studios!

Diana Levin’s art could be described as both whimsical and menacing. Her imaginative and unique style embrace death and horror, all while capturing the natural beauty of an enchanted forest or a fantastical world.

Diana and her author husband Shawn Givens travel around to different conventions and trade shows all over the USA. They’re two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Stop by and say hello!

Artist: Diana Levin
Company/Studio: Ghoulish Bunny Studios
Website: https://www.ghoulishbunnystudios.com/
Social Media: https://instagram.com/ghoulishbunnystudios or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ghoulishbunnystudios

Enter the 5th Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge for a chance to win a witchy prize pack containing a canvas bag and an enamel pin featuring the art of Diana Levin!

Sinister Saturdays- The Boogeyman 2023

Title: The Boogeyman
Director: Rob Savage
Starring: Chris Messina, Sophie Thatcher, Vivien Lyra Blair
Distributed by: 20th Century Studios
Running Time: 1hr 38m

Based off the 1973 short story by Stephen King, I found this one on Hulu the other night. I hadn’t read the story before, so I thought maybe it would be a paranormal movie, but it kinda turned into a creature feature. For anyone new to the lore, a Boogeyman is predominantly North American mythos of a hellish creature that hides in closets, under the bed, or other dark creepy places and eats children who misbehave, or in this case, are just unlucky.

A recently widowed psychologist Will Harper (always solid Chris Messina) and his two daughters, teen Sadie (Yellowjackets star ingenue Sophie Thatcher) and young Sawyer (very talented Vivien Lyra Blair) are still reeling after the unexpected death of the mother, when the youngest girl suddenly finds stalked by the Boogeyman. It’s a little unclear how the creature came to find young Sawyer, maybe the family’s collective grief invited the Boogeyman into the home.

Or it could have been this sad welp below, who lost his family in the movie’s opening scene.

Lester Billings (played by my new favorite character actor David Dastmalchian) shows up in doc’s office, totally unannounced, without an appointment, and talking about the creature that comes for your kids when you’re not paying attention. Dark stuff and the doc Harper agees, there’s something off about this dude. For some creepy reason, while Harper is in the next room calling 911, Lester decides to check out the families’ closets and quickly finds out the Boogeyman eats adults too. Btw, the Boogeyman is also an extreme multi-tasker because it manages to haunt two families at the same time.

Now about that Boogeyman, filmmakers kept all the traditional tropes to make their monster feel familiar to audiences, hiding in the dark, afraid of light, mimicing voices, fast traveling like ghosts or a spirit, but, then, they also smartly added some new characteristics to unnerve and surprise filmgoers, moving away from a paranormal entity to a more corporeal physical creature.

It was ugly, had tentacle-like appendages walked on ceilings, moved in all directions, making it near impossible to outrun.

Monsters are not all powerful though. In fact, they have a lot of limitations, and Sadie and Sawyer turn out to be two smart cookies, who manage to defeat the Boogeyman, for now at least. People should probably still check under the bed and in the closet.

I found this PG-13 horror thriller to be a short enjoyable romp. The film relies on the creeponess of the dark, jump scares and the anxieties of a grieving family to scare audiences. Much like Lake Mungo, a film I reviewed earlier this month, grief is a powerful negative emotion that really opens you up to supernatural. Since there’s no gore, sex, and only mild use of drugs and bad language, The Boogeyman is probably good for families looking to introduce older kids into horror.

Scariest scenes: When young Sawyer rolls her lamp ball under the bed to reveal the Boogeyman for the first time and another jump scare moment when the Boogeyman suddenly appears and grabs Sadie.

Of Beaches and Monsters

‘Ber months may start tomorrow, but Summer isn’t over just yet. There’s still 23 days left to celebrate Summerween. I couldn’t decide which is scarier, horror films featuring spooky cabins or mysterious beaches. So, here’s a double list with the best of both worlds. From creature features to crazed killers, you can find all of these films streaming somewhere. Let me know which list you think has the scariest movies.

Best Nautical Horror Movies

Happy Summer! Tis the season for visiting the beach and taking boat rides across the seven seas. The theme this month has been June Doom and as recent events has shown us (orca boat attacks, lost Titanic sub, etc.), the ocean is still the Earth’s most dangerous playground. But, for as much as I love Jaws, shark horror is a dime a dozen, so I decided to go in a slightly different direction by sharing my picks of the best nautical horror that doesn’t involve sharks. From vengeful spirits to alien creatures hiding in the depths of the trenches, this list will give you plenty of reasons to stay on dry land. Check them out and leave me comment here or on Instagram to let me know what you thought.