Time to Send in Book Suggestions for October

Trick or treat! For October’s read, we’re looking for global books that match a Halloween theme. The book doesn’t have to be scary or spooky though we’ll gladly accept those, but it does need to include a strong element that’s traditionally associated with Halloween.

So bring on books that spooky or scary, or books with a ghost, witch, haunted house, black cat, bat, or anything else associated with Halloween. Just make sure the book focuses on the theme as a major part of the story (e.g., the witch is a main character or the story takes place in a haunted house). +Don’t forget to ensure that the book is a global one following our usual requirements & is available as both a paperback & ebook.

Side note: While the US often comes to mind when thinking of this holiday since it’s widely celebrated across the country, the Library of Congress notes that Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”).

If you’re as curious about Samhain as I am, here’s the 5-star book with Samhain rituals, recipes, & lore which I just picked up.

“Samhain—also known as Halloween—is the final spoke in the Wheel of the Year. At this time, the harvest has finished and the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. This guide explores the old and new ways of Samhain along with the more lighthearted activities of Halloween.”

The review which piqued my interest was one which notes that Samhain “is a time to clear out what (or whom) isn't needed in your life focusing on endings, remembrance, and tribute to those who came before us [while also] tying up loose ends before the introspective time of winter. This book covers ways to celebrate however you choose, provides crafts and recipes for festivities, activities to celebrate the holiday in modern ways while honoring tradition, chants and prayers, and Samhain symbolic correspondences. I recommend it for pagans both beginning and experienced, and for anybody not of the faith who has an open mind and wants to learn of these histories and traditions.“

Skimming through the book, I’m already hooked by the interesting history included & the sweet sketches. Here’s a taste of what’s included:

HAVE ANY BOOK SUGGESTIONS?

Just let us know your Halloween-themed suggestions by Wed., Sept. 27 11PM ET. (That’s NYC time. See it converted to your time below.)

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You can comment with your suggestion below or in our online book club in Facebook.

We'll use your suggestions & suggestions from the book club management team to compile a list of 6 books. The book judged as best will then be read.

Which Book Should We Read from Belgium?

In order to start reading quickly, we’re going to do an abbreviated voting cycle so make sure to include your vote as early as possible.

We got 4 great book suggestions this month & randomly chose 2 (see the video of the random pick here).

Before we get to the vote, let me introduce you to some “contemporary” Belgian poetry. I have that in quotes because the name of the book I got the poetry from is titled Contemporary Belgian Poetry (view on Amazon), however, the collection is from 1911. I usually don’t like rhyming poetry, but I found this book available for $0 on Kindle (not Kindle Unlimited, but a purchase price of $0 so took a shot). It was interesting to read & there are a few poems I enjoyed like the following one. Plus, it’s astonishing to see someone not only translate poetry, but translate rhyming poetry!

“Midnight

The earth is black with trees of velvet under
A low sky laden with great clouds of thunder.
The gnomes of midnight haunt the dark, whose ears,
With luxury veiled, hear as a deaf man hears.
One is uneasy in one’s stifling sheets,
And so uneasily the poor heart beats
That, bathed in sweat, at last you leave your bed,
And as in dream about the chamber tread.
You throw the window open. Not a sound.
Surely the wind is swooning on the ground,
And listening to some holy, mystic birth
Preparing in the entrails of the earth.
You listen, earnest, to your heart’s loud shock
Beating with pained pulsations like a clock.
Then to the window-sill you pull a chair,
And watch the clouds weigh down the helpless air
Over the gardens whence, in sick perfumes,
Exudes the sweat of trees and wildered blooms.”
— Victor Kinon

THE VOTING

You can vote from now until Tues., May 3 at 11:30PM on which book you’d like the club to read next. (That's NYC time. See this converted to your local time below.)

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To participate:

1. Review the books.

2. Then, click here to vote.

We'll publish the anonymous results afterwards.