Cozy October Staff picks
This month, staff have chosen some favorite books and movies to carry you through the sun-dappled days of October. From spooky spectaculars to binge-worthy series, make plans to pop some popcorn, make some hot chocolate and get lost in these stories.
ADULTS - Sharon Schwartz, Head of Reference & Adult Services, proposes mysteries, a sprinkling of horror and some unexpected hits.
Books
Double Booked for Death by Ali Brandon
A Black Cat Bookshop Mystery Book 1
As the new owner of Pettistone's Fine Books, Darla Pettistone is determined to prove herself a worthy successor to her late great-aunt Dee, and equally determined to outwit Hamlet, the smarter-than-thou cat she inherited along with the shop. Darla's first store event is a real coup, the hottest bestselling author of the moment is holding a signing there. But when the author meets an untimely end during the event, it's ruled an accident, until Hamlet digs up a clue that seems to indicate otherwise.
Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross
When Wesley Lloyd Springer passed away, he left his proper Southern wife two legacies. The first is the whole of his sizeable estate. The second, so astonishing thereupon hangs this wonderful and witty tale. Miss Julia, recently bereaved and a newly wealthy widow, is only slightly bemused when one Hazel Marie Puckett appears at her door with a youngster in tow. Hazel Marie announces her intentions: the child is Wesley Lloyd's out-of-wedlock son and, since the man left her penniless, she's leaving little Lloyd in Miss Julia's care. Fast-paced and charming, with a sure sense of comic drama and a cast of crazy characters, this novel will delight readers from first page to last.
The Garden of Blue Roses by Michael Barsa
A car lies at the bottom of an icy ravine. Slumped over the steering wheel, dead, is the most critically acclaimed horror writer of his time. Was it an accident? His son Milo doesn't care. For the first time in his life, he's free. No more nightmarish readings, spooky animal rites or moonlit visions of his father in the woods with a notebook and vampire make-up. Or so he thinks.
Blood Communion: A Tale of Prince Lestat (Vampire Chronicles) by Anne Rice
The Vampire Chronicles continue with a riveting, rich saga--part adventure, part suspense--of Prince Lestat and the story of the Blood Communion. He tells the tale of his coming to rule the vampire world and the eternal struggle to find belonging, a place in the universe for the undead, and how, against his will, he must battle the menacing, seemingly unstoppable force determined to thwart his vision and destroy the entire vampire netherworld.
Colonial Horrors: Sleepy Hollow and Beyond by Graeme Davis
The most spine-tingling suspense stories from the colonial era—including Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, James Fenimore Cooper, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry James, H. P. Lovecraft and many other pioneers of American horror fiction.
Stream these movies & TV series with Hoopla
Mr. Brooks is a successful businessman, generous philanthropist, loving father and devoted husband. Seemingly, he's perfect. But Mr. Brooks has a secret - he is an insatiable serial killer, so lethally clever that no one has ever suspected him… until now. Starring Kevin Costner, William Hurt and Demi Moore.
Stephen King’s Riding the Bullet
Alan is making the one-hundred-mile trip back to his hometown to see his ill mother. While hitchhiking, he’s picked up by a shadowy figure who, as Alan soon learns, harbors a dark secret. Throughout the journey, Alan is confronted by his many fears and demons from his past. His final challenge is a climatic choice between life and death. Starring David Arquette and Jonathan Jackson. Also an audio book.
Binge watch five movies in this series, as chainsaw-wielding hero Finn fights with the terrorizing sharks. If you’re looking for a serving of cheesy goodness with your hot cocoa, this is your pick! Starring Ian Ziering and Tara Reid.
In this psychological thriller, a journalist goes undercover to investigate the unsolved murder of one of her childhood friends. The path leads her directly into the office and personal life of multi-millionaire Harrison Hill, CEO of a powerful advertising agency. Investigating him from all angles, Rowena assumes new identities in life and online. Starring Halle Berry and Bruce Willis.
Murdoch Mysteries - Season 1 - 11
Cutting-edge Victorian science meets cunningly plotted mystery in this "stylish period thriller.” In the 1890s, Detective William Murdoch adopts modern techniques like "finger marks" and forensics to track Toronto's most sinister killers. Though derided by his skeptical boss, Murdoch finds friends and allies in a lovely pathologist and an eager-to-learn constable. Along the way they cross paths with some of the era's most famous figures, including Nikola Tesla, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Prince Alfred.
TEENS - Teen Librarian Maggie Mueller’s top picks are frightful, amusing, mysterious and guaranteed to make you think.
Books
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Bod is the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised by ghosts, werewolves and other cemetery dwellers, Bod has learned the customs of his guardians – like fading into invisibility. Can a boy raised by ghosts face the worlds of both the living and dead? The only novel to win both the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Medal, The Graveyard Book has sold more than one million copies.
Insomnia by J.R. Johansson
Sixteen-year-old Parker Chipp spends his nights experiencing other people's dreams and getting no rest, so when he discovers that new friend Mia's dreams are different he becomes fixated on her until memory blackouts lead him to question exactly what their relationship is.
One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
When the creator of a high school gossip app mysteriously dies in front of four high-profile students, all four become suspects. It's up to them to solve the case.
What Waits in the Woods by Kieran Scott
A hiking trip in the woods in upstate New York is out of the comfort zone for sixteen-year-old city girl Callie Velasquez, but she wants to bond with her new friends Lissa and Penelope, not to mention her new boyfriend, Jeremy. However, nothing could have prepared her for the true human darkness that waits for her in the woods.
Thornhill by Pam Smy
Parallel plotlines set in different times, one told in text and one in art, inform each other as a young girl unravels the mystery of a ghost next door.
1982: Mary is a lonely orphan at the Thornhill Institute For Children at the very moment that it's shutting its doors. When her few friends are all adopted or re-homed and she's left to face a volatile bully alone, her revenge will have a lasting effect on the bully, on Mary and on Thornhill itself.
2016: Ella has just moved to a new town where she knows no one. From her room on the top floor of her new home, she has a perfect view of the dilapidated, abandoned Thornhill Institute across the way, where she glimpses a girl in the window. Determined to befriend the girl, Ella resolves to unravel Thornhill's shadowy past.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Also a movie.
After a family tragedy, Jacob feels compelled to explore an abandoned orphanage on an island off the coast of Wales, discovering disturbing facts about the children who were kept there.
Love talking about books? Join our Teen Book Club!
Movies & TV Shows
A subversive take on the characters of the Archie comics, the series explores small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale's wholesome facade.
In a small town where everyone knows everyone, a peculiar incident starts a chain of events that leads to the disappearance of a child - which begins to tear at the fabric of an otherwise peaceful community. Dark government agencies and seemingly malevolent supernatural forces converge on the town while a few locals begin to understand that there's more going on than meets the eye. When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back.
The Winchester brothers seek out and fight supernatural forces in an attempt to find their mysteriously missing father and the person or force responsible for their mother's death.
Super 8
In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witnesses a catastrophic train crash while making a Super 8 movie and soon they suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local deputy tries to uncover the truth, something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.
A family of four must navigate their lives in silence after mysterious creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival.
CHILDREN - Our children's librarians recommend books that capture the imagination and offer a few thrills along the way.
Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown Ages 4-8
Jasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn’t know any better he’d say his undies were a little, well, creepy. Jasper’s not scared obviously, he’s just done with creepy underwear. But after trying everything to get rid of them, they keep coming back!
Two Problems for Sophia by Jim Averbeck Ages 4-8
Sophia’s adventures with Noodle, her pet giraffe, continue in this sequel that is humorous, smart and cleverly illustrated. Sophia is a budding scientist with confidence in her problem-solving skills.
The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael by Bonny Becker Ages 5-8
When the Thirteen bus pulls up one dreary, stormy evening, something about it doesn’t seem quite right. The driver grins down with a mouthful of long, white teeth, and there’s barely any room to sit. But Michael McMichael is bringing his gran something very dear, so he gets on board despite his misgivings. As they travel on and the rest of the passengers get off, Michael realizes there’s nothing normal about this bus — and the driver is getting creepier by the minute. Best-selling author Bonny Becker’s cleverly rhyming text will chill and thrill readers alongside Mark Fearing’s wonderfully funny illustrations, making this book perfect for Halloween story times — and lovers of things that go bump in the night.
Out of the Wild Night: A Ghost Story by Blue Balliett Ages 8-12
A new mystery from the author of Chasing Vermeer. This one takes place on the island of Nantucket and features ghosts that come back from the dead to try to protect the old homes they once lived in. Surprises and chills await readers.
Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Series Book 1) by Aru Shah Ages 9-12
Aru unwittingly frees an ancient demon from the Bharata Lamp at the museum of ancient Indian Culture. If you enjoyed learning about Greek Gods in The Percy Jackson series, you’ll want to try this first in a new series about Indian Mythology.
Movies & TV Shows
Room on the Broom Ages 3+
Parents' Choice Award and National Parenting Publication Award. Beautifully animated film based on the best-selling children's picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox Ages 7+
Creative, smart and humorous for all ages. The all-star cast tops it off. Based on Ronald Dahl’s classic book.
Fly Away Home Ages 8+
This mid-90's flick is still powerful, authentic and relevant. The story of a girl experiencing tragic loss and coming through to the other side with support from her dad and a few baby geese.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Ages 7+
Wallace and Gromit’s pest-riddance company—Anti-Pesto—captures rodents and tried to reprogram them to not eat vegetables. However, the plan goes awry and instead produces a giant were-rabbit that wreaks havoc on the town.
Coraline Ages 9+
Coraline opens a small hidden door in her apartment, she discovers a secret passageway to a parallel other world where everything -- her parents, her house, her neighbors, her magical garden -- seems way better ... or is it?
