By Joyce Deming, Information Services Librarian, Golden Library
Have you ever wondered why we like to read books or watch movies that frighten us silly? When I was a kid, I devoured scary books and watched hours of The Twilight Zone andOuter Limits, but now I tend to find the evening news frightening enough. Come October, however, I still find myself drawn towards reading a scary story or two. Here are some spooky recommendations.
The name Stephen King is synonymous with horror. While most readers are familiar with his books (
The Stand is probably the scariest book I've ever read; I think about it every time I drive through the Eisenhower Tunnel), his short stories are often overlooked. My favorite is "The Library Policeman," from his bookFour Past Midnight. It will certainly make you think twice about returning your library books late!
Another great collection of short pieces is
The 13 Best Horror Stories of All Time. Edited by LesliePockell, it contains suchclassics as Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and my favorite,"The Monkey's Paw" byW.W. Jacobs. Ifirst read that storyin junior high school and have never forgotten its "be careful what youwish for" message. And speaking of Shirley Jackson, her bookThe Haunting of Hill House is considered by some to be the quintessential haunted house story.
Any list of must-read horror classics would be incomplete without Mary Shelley's
Frankenstein or Bram Stoker'sDracula. Both stories have been retold numerous times in both print and film, but you just can't top the originals. And while it may be considered more science fiction than horror, H.G. Wells'
War of the Worlds still has the power to frighten modern readers.
If you like scary creature stories mixed with action-adventure thriller, then you'll love
The Relic by DouglasPreston and Lincoln Child. What could be scarier than a half man/half reptile monster stalking the creepy halls of the American Museum of Natural History? Be sure to follow up with Reliquary, the equally spooky sequel, where the action moves to the sewers and aqueducts of New York City.
For a good old fashioned ghost story with gothic overtones give Ghost Writer by John Harwood a try. It's got a windswept coast, a slightly deranged mother, a mysterious relative and a haunted house. What more could you want?
One of my favorite things to do in October is to re-watch Mel Brooks'
Young Frankenstein. With Gene Wilder as the mad scientist with the finger in a light socket hair and Marty Feldman as the hump-backed assistantwith the moving hump,it's pure campy fun. And for some hauned house silliness, tryThe Ghost and Mr. Chicken with Don Knotts. Knotts is a comedic genius, as any one who watches old
Andy Griffith Show reruns can attest. For more scary recommendations, talk to your librarian or browse the Library's catalog at
http://jefferson.lib.co.us.