all hallows read.

"you know, there aren't enough traditions that involve giving books." 

- neil gaiman, october 23, 2010

and with that blog post just over a year ago, mr. gaiman, a favorite author of this here blog owner, created a tradition that took off immediately.

it's called all hallows read.  and the concept is simple: "on hallowe'en or during the week of hallowe'en, we give each other scary books.  give children scary books they'll like and can handle.  give adults scary books they'll enjoy."

"new books or old or second-hand, beloved books or unknown.  give someone a scary book for hallowe'en.  make their flesh creep..."

c took up the challenge immediately, gifting me let the right one in last hallowe'en, which i am too scared to read (i'm a wimp).  but this year?  it was salem's lot.  my first stephen king read.  i finished it in less than a week.  wow.  terrifying.  and awesome.  but mostly terrifying.  

but that's ok.  it is hallowe'en, after all.  a scare or two each october is good for me.  

i like to display my favorite hallowe'en books during this time of year.  ones from my childhood, like happy birthday little witch and scary stories to tell in the dark, right next to newer favorites, like wicked, dracula, and practical magic.  books are so good at holding memories.   

my suggestion for the perfect all  hallows read book?  neil gaiman's own the graveyard book.  technically for children but so well-written that any adult will enjoy. 

now go buy someone a book!

xo. di.

*images by me