Oldie but goodie Halloween reads

Don't be scared off by classic literature.  These novels make great book club reads and even though they have been around for an eerie long time these tales still have staying power.  If modern day horror and gore sound too too much for you and your group then start with these recommended reads that will get you in the Halloween spirit. The below classics will not keep you up at night but at the very least keep you up reading!
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a short story at under 100 pages.  Pair it with The Invisible Man and you got two perfectly terrifying reads for Halloween!

​While Frankenstein is a fast read at 166 pages (pages varies on different editions) Dracula has more at 370 pages. Make sure you discuss which versions (abridged, unabridged, edited) everyone will be reading before pulling the purchasing trigger. Just enough scare these novels may give to you.  Note: you have been warned
The scariest monsters​ are the ones that lurk​
​within our souls
​Edgar Allan Poe

Can you solve the crime? Fall into a mystery
“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.”
Arthur Conan Doyle

When you think of mystery Sherlock Holmes comes to the forefront. A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four are two separate novels read together comes in under 200 pages. In A Study in Scarlet, Holmes and Watson meet for the very first time and become the dynamic duo that we all know and love.  The Hound of the Baskervilles is a short read that packs a mystery punch with a possible killer monster hound on the loose in the fog dense moors of the English countryside.
Crocodile on the Sandbank was such a huge Halloween hit in our group that we read the second in the series, ​The Curse of the Pharaohs after the holidays were over.  Crocodile on the Sandbank is a whodunit Victorian mystery set in 1880s Egypt with a very strong-willed, self-proclaimed spinster Amelia Peabody. Decorate your Halloween book club in ancient Egypt and celebrate! Check out some fun Egyptian mystery ideas from our past read Death on the Nile
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Who doesn't love Agatha Christie?  She is known as the 'Queen of Mystery' in the literary world as her work is so popular even to this day.  Christie has many novels to choose from so you really you can't go wrong with these top choices for your group.  These novels will get you off the mystery ground with  And Then There Were None  following with Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express.  See And Then There Were None review and party ideas as well as Death on the Nile and Evil Under the Sun

The Secret Adversary by Christie, is the first in a series with post WWI ex-service members Tommy and Tuppence.  We thought this book was more spy than mystery but without a doubt less murderous as Christie's other novels.  If you are looking for more of a lighthearted Agatha Christie then this would be the book for you! See And Then There Were None and Death on the Nile review and book party ideas

A gothic romantic thriller

Rebecca might be considered a classic but this suspense novel holds the test of time.  It's classy with a haunted past and a thrilling end.  Netflix did a pretty good movie rendition but in no way compares to this masterpiece novel.  A must read!
​ Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier on Amazon.com

Read a historical murder-mystery investigation
​This real-life Victorian era mystery-investigation, The Dead Duke His Secret Wife and the Missing Corpse is set during the late 1800's England where the real Sherlock Holmes detectives were born and Jack the Ripper era.  Sometimes bizarre with a heavy cast of strange characters this tale will keep you on your toes to the bitter end.  A truly fascinating story.
The shocking and incredible true story of Mrs. Grace Humiston, detective and lawyer who turned her back on New York society life to become one of the nation's greatest crime fighters during a time when women weren't even allowed to vote. After graduating from N.Y.U. law school, Grace opened a legal clinic in the city for low-income immigrant clients, and quickly established a reputation as a fierce, but fair lawyer who was always on the side of the disenfranchised...read more book description of Mrs. Sherlock Holmes on Amazon.com

​Costume Book Party Ideas
What's a Halloween book club without costumes?
​ Choose one of these great ideas to get your theme started!

  • ​What's your favorite book of all time?  Choose a costume based on your favorite character or even an idea from the story 
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  • Movies and books!  All costume ideas from novels that became movies  
 
  • Book Heroes -  Only those that have been admired, showed courage or noble qualities are allowed at this Halloween book party.  Frodo Baggins, Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, Jane Eyre, Katniss Everdeen, Hester Prynne,  of The Scarlet Letter, Harry Potter, Robin Hood, to name just a few...
 
  • The definition of fairy tales:  A children's story about the magical and imaginary beings and lands. There is a plethora of these timeless stories to glean for costumes ideas from Hansel and Gretel to Little Red Riding Hood. Here is a complete list of all fairy tales on Wikipedia

  • Need easier ideas?  Dress up as a character from any novel your book club has read in the past or present. The bottom line is to dress up bookish and have a blast!
Halloween book club tips on Go Beyond Book Club
Prizes for best costume, runner up or honorable mention can be a bottle of wine, small gift card or a sweet treat.  Find unique and affordable bookish gift prizes on Etsy.com 

The Book Club Menu

What does your fall table look like? In honor of your Halloween read get inspired by your spooky, mysterious or a frightful novel.  Encourage your book club to be as creative as possible on the sides and desserts.  Again, whatever your book club chooses to read, try and draw ideas from the book itself. Above right photo - Fahrenheit 451 inspired table decor.  See more on Fahrenheit 451 Book Party Ideas 

If you don't want to throw a Halloween theme book club then have a fall dinner. Have all your friends bring autumn dishes that celebrate the season. Decorate your table with fall leaves, pumpkins and warm colors. 

Not interested in the Halloween genre? Enjoy these reads that are toasty cozy and have nothing to do with the spooky season.  Try:  A Gentleman in Moscow,  The Nightingale: A novel, News of the World and Before We Were Yours and other novel ideas here

Halloween Book Party Decorations

Decorate your Halloween book club party with a book title banner. These are super easy to make and gives a nod to the novel you've read.  You can use the title of the book or a quote.
​Materials available on Amazon.com
letter stencils
Craft tags
​String to hang banner
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DIY Halloween book club photo back drop on Go Beyond Book Club
Make your own easy to do photo back drop!  If you can't find the perfect back ground (see the ready made ones from Amazon on mystery party page and sci fi party page for ideas) then create your own.

Materials -  buy two kinds of crepe paper or as many colors as you want (crepe paper rolls are super inexpensive).  Use double sided tape to place at the top and bottom of a wall or a corner of your party room.  Cut strips of crepe paper to attach to the double sided tape and twist from top to bottom for a cool effect. Use a strip of crepe to make a border for the top and bottom to cover rough edges.  Hang from the ceiling any decorations that give the back drop some more bling. Time to snap those pics for forever memories!

More decorating ideas...

The 7.5" Plasma Ball makes an electrifying tabletop decoration. Frankenstein inspired book club
Halloween Glow in the Dark Wine Bottle Label on Amazon or do it yourself wine labels on book club ideas
LED Blue Bat Lights perfect for your Dracula Halloween book club on Amazon.com