Find out what to read for some thrills and learn about superstitions!
🎙️Spooky Season Reads, Superstitions & Skeletons in the Catacombs: A Conversational Dive Into the Middle Country Public Library Podcast
Hey there, spooky friends! 👻 Welcome back to another delightfully eerie blog post, straight from the haunted halls of the Middle Country Public Library Podcast! Your ghostly guides this time around are Sal DiVincenzo, Sara Fade, and Nicole Rambo — and they’ve cooked up a cauldron full of horror book recs and creepy superstitions to get you in the Halloween spirit. 🎃
Let’s talk books first, shall we? Sara kicked things off with a cup of green tea and a stack of scream-worthy reads. And let’s be clear: these aren’t your run-of-the-mill haunted house stories — these are award-winning, soul-chilling, deeply creepy reads that might just make you leave the lights on at night. Let’s break them down:
🧛♂️ Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
Think: supernatural horror meets family trauma meets occult madness.
A young father and son are pulled into a dark family legacy — involving a cult called The Order that does unspeakable things in pursuit of immortality. It’s a brick of a book, but hey, that’s what Kindle is for, right? (Just don’t get tricked into thinking it’s short because there are no page edges!)
And yes — the son’s name is Gaspar. Which had the crew wondering… Spanish for Casper? A ghosty little linguistic twist. 👻
🪓 Don’t Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones
Think: indigenous serial killer + revenge + slasher sequel goodness.
This one’s for fans of My Heart is a Chainsaw. Jade is back in her hometown just as a killer escapes during a blizzard, seeking revenge for a historic massacre. Friday the 13th vibes? 100%.
🕯️ Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
Think: returning to your creepy religious hometown for a wedding that may or may not be a trap.
Main character Vesper (yes, another -esper name!) goes back to the family farm for her cousin’s wedding and finds more than just awkward hugs. Secrets, horror, and maybe a bit of existential dread all wrapped up in a sinister bow.
🐐 Sacrificial Animals by Kaylee Peterson
Think: Nebraska farm, family secrets, Chinese mythology, and forbidden love.
Nick returns home for a possible reconciliation with his abusive father and ends up entangled in a romance with his sister-in-law (yes, you read that right). Things get weird. And ancient. And maybe even demonic. So yeah — totally family-friendly. 😅
🏠 The House of Last Resort by Christopher Golden
Think: idyllic Italian hill town + €1 house + locked doors and church secrets.
Yes, this book is based on the real trend of abandoned Italian villages selling houses for €1. No, it does not end well. There are catacombs, there are church mysteries, and there’s definitely something lurking down there…
Sarah reminded us that all these picks are among the top horror books of 2023 and 2024, so you’re in good, creepy company.
Oh — and if you’re local? Don’t miss the after-hours movie night at the library on Friday the 25th, featuring none other than the classic The Thing by John Carpenter. Yup, the OG creepy alien-suspense snowstorm masterpiece. ❄️🧟♂️
Now, Let’s Get Superstitious…
Nicole took the mic next to explore spooky superstitions from around the world — and chances are, you’ve heard of more than a few thanks to America’s cultural melting pot.
- Breaking mirrors = seven years bad luck. Reflects not just your face, but your soul. So tread carefully when redecorating.
- Whistling indoors (especially at night!) can attract spirits, depending on which culture you’re asking. Russia says it’ll whisk away your wealth, too.
- Stepping on cracks might break your mama’s back — or just invite bad juju, depending on where you are.
- The evil eye — you know the blue charm — still going strong in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. Protect your energy!
- Opening an umbrella indoors is said to bring accidents and misfortune. It started as a very practical British superstition, but it’s stuck around.
- Knocking on wood for luck? It’s actually a call to tree spirits. (Nicole does this at least twice a week. Sal suspects the spirits are getting a little tired of it.)
- Itchy palms — especially in Caribbean culture — signal incoming money or trouble. Depends on which hand’s itching, so watch out!
Final Thoughts 🎃
If you’re looking for chilling reads, ghostly trivia, and the occasional laugh at confused character names (Gaspar vs. Gasp-er?), this episode’s got you covered.
So grab your green tea, a warm blanket, and maybe a blue Nazar charm — and hit play on the Middle Country Public Library Podcast for the full experience. Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube. You won’t want to miss their Halloween special… 👀
Until next time, keep it spooky! 🕸️
