Category Archives: Halloween

Fortnight of Fright: Mini Book Reviews by Emily of Emily Reads Everything

by

FoF2014

Hi loves! Today we have my friend Emily sharing some creepy reads with you! Em is one of my favorites and as we both love horror, I am going to comment after her recommendations so you can hear my thoughts as well! Take it away, girl!

I’m so excited to have the chance to join you today and grateful for the opportunity to guest post! Alyssa is so fun to follow on twitter. She’s snarky, honest and hilarious. We share a love of Neil Gaiman, the fall season and Halloween. Obviously, since she loves Gaiman, she has great taste in authors and books. Obviously some of you are not as refined as we are and might not enjoy horror. That’s ok, we can work on it. Today I’d like to share with you some Halloween reads, in order from slightly creepy to scare your socks off. I tried to choose a mix of older stories and newer releases. These perfect for a dark night when you are home alone and need some company. (She’s right, I am snarky and honest. Okay, and hilarious ;D)

Odd Thomas

This is not your typical horror series. Odd is quick to point out that he’s just a simple fry cook at the local diner. He just happens to be able to see the dead. Dead people don’t talk but they do try to communicate with odd and send him messages. This series is different. There’s always something dark lurking around the corner. However, Odd is such a ray of light, it’s hard to be too concerned. (Okay so I have never read any Koontz…I don’t know why but I have never really been interested! I do like the whole “I see dead people thing” this has going on though..)

John Dies at the End

So weird. That’s the only way to describe this book. Without ruining anything, the basic premise is that when two burnouts take a new drug called soy sauce, it causes them to see a whole new layer of the world. Suddenly they can see all sorts of things that people weren’t meant to see. They can’t unsee it and now everything in this hidden layer of the world can also see them. (I have NEVER heard of this and it sounds so trippy!! Adding it to the TBR)

Through the Woods

I never would have thought a graphic novel could be so creepy before reading this one. It’s a series of short stories. Several of them are gruesome fairytale retellings that would be right at home in the original Brother’s Grimm. I think what really sets the tone is the art style. It’s dark with muted colors and then brilliant pops of red for emphasis. If you aren’t sure about this, I would highly recommend checking out this website http://emcarroll.com/comics/faceallred/01.html His Face All Red is included in this book and it’s a great example of the style and tone of this collection. (I LOVE THIS BOOK WITH A FIERY PASSION!! IT WAS WRITTEN JUST FOR ME!! That is all.) Continue reading →

Fortnight of Fright: Halloween Treats

by

Welcome to A Fortnight of Fright over here on Books Take You Places! Fortnight of Fright is an event hosted over two weeks, by myself and Brittany from The Book Addicts Guide, we will be featuring some fabulous posts on all things Halloween!

Another delicious autumn related treat over here on the blog today! I have heard these called a few different things but I like the name Hocus Pocus Rolls the best because first, Hocus Pocus is awesome and second, once you bake these delicious treats the marshmallows disappear..LIKE MAGIC!

After taking a peek around here, make sure you head over to Brittany’s blog to enjoy some other Halloween related fun! 

For this recipe you will need:
  • One can of crescent roll dough
  • Enough large marshmallows to go inside every crescent roll
  • Melted butter
  • Cinnamon and sugar

Unfortunately I only have pictures of the finished product – I didn’t anticipate featuring this one on the blog at the time! Nonetheless they are still extremely easy and delicious, so go make them!

Not the best picture but you get the idea!

1. Preheat your over to the temperature specified on the back of the crescent roll container.

2. Unroll the crescent rolls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Roll the marshmallows in the melted butter.

4. Roll the marshmallows in the cinnamon sugar – I tend to use LOTS

5. Wrap the marshmallow in the open crescent rolls; do your best to close the sides around the marshmallows.

6. Put the rolls in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.

7. Remove the crescent rolls from the oven and allow them to cool enough to handle. When they aren’t hot enough to burn off your fingers, break them open and enjoy the MAGIC!

YUM!

Something Wicked This Way Comes

by

Friends! You might not know this but Halloween is one of my FAVORITE days ever! October is by far my favorite month, all of the autumnal goodness floating about and the leaves start to change and I can wear SCARVES and drink/eat PUMPKIN and APPLE flavored THINGS!! I live in New England so really, autumn is where it’s at. It all feels so magical. Pair the fabulousness that is autumn with the fact that I love scary things and you can probably understand my love for Halloween.

To celebrate my adoration for this day I am lucky enough to be partnering with Brittany from The Book Addicts Guide for a two-week event we’ve titled “A Fortnight of Fright.” During these two weeks we are going to be showcasing posts related to all things Halloween! We will be sharing reviews of excellent “Halloween Reads,” as well as various posts on our favorite Halloween movies, television shows and even some delicious autumn treats! The best part is that we have some fellow bloggers who will be guest posting on our blogs to help spread the love. Do you want to hear something equally awesome? We want your input! We’re not asking for any commitment, just some discussion! We want to know what you love (or hate) about Halloween, what traditions do you have? How old were you when you stopped trick or treating? For the record, I was a senior in high school when I dressed up as The Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz and trick or treated for my last time. We want to hear anything and everything that you have to say about Halloween!

We’re starting next Wednesday so get ready; your input is what we need!

If you are feeling extra generous and want to really get involved then sign up here to guest post during Fortnight of Fright!