On the shelf: top five reads for spooky season

By Courtney Warren

It’s spooky season! Let’s be honest, my daughter Berit has been asking to decorate for Halloween since September 1. With our mornings finally getting cooler, it’s time to dive into cozy reads. Here are five cozy or spooky reads to look forward to this month! 
By the way, THANK YOU for sharing your reads with me. Whether you’ve emailed, stopped by Kylie Melons, or called, I love hearing what you thought of On the Shelf and getting your book recommendations!

1.    The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall     
Do you like the show Gilmore Girls? What about the movie Practical Magic? This is the perfect crossover and reached the bestseller list before it was even published! It just released and I’ve already started reading. 

2.    Cackle by Rachel Harrison  
This is perfect for a Halloween lover who likes to keep it weird. The main character gets pushed around. A lot. After meeting a new friend, a witch, who seems too good to be true, she learns to take her magic into her own hands and find the power within her. 

3.    Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie   
We could all use more Agatha Christie in our lives. She is the true queen of crime. In this Hercule Poirot mystery, a little girl tells her family she witnessed a murder. After her family doesn’t believe her, Poirot gets involved to investigate the “spirit” in their home. 

4.    Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alan Schwartz   
I will promote this spooky short story collection until the end of my days. It traumatized me as an early elementary school child who read well above my level. I recommend it for upper elementary or a fun read around the campfire. But be warned! 

5.    In Charm’s Way by Lana Harper  
This is the fourth book of a four-book series, and it’s for those that are looking for more of a rom-com style Halloween read. Delilah Harlow is struggling to regain what she has lost and casts a forbidden spell—only to discover much more than she expected.