Christmas vlog: Spooky books, winter oddities market & the WORST horror movie I’ve seen recently

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW: How are you celebrating the darker side of the holiday season? 🎄🖤

[@literarylove123]

I am reading lots of Krampus/Yule Cat/Frau Perchta folklore, Victorian ghost stories, and Gothic literature. I have Yule decor around my house. I'll also be honoring the Winter Solstice. I love the darker side of December.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

@@literarylove123 yes for honoring the winter solstice! I learned about Yule a few years back and I love giving myself the space to work through the darker parts of myself parallel with nature!

[@ladyfashionsoul]

Omg I love everything about this video!🖤🖤

[@happyhauntslibrary]

This is why I love KZbin. It helps me finding people!!! Thanks so much for watching 🥹🖤🎄 and happy Creepmas season, friend!!!

[@christirandazzo3769]

This was so fun to watch. Thank you for putting this together for us. Merry Christmas.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Thanks so much for watching!! 🖤☃️🖤 I hope you’re having a relaxing December with lots of creepy reads! 🤗

[@maddymoonslibrary]

The yeti mug 🙌

[@happyhauntslibrary]

We love the Bumble around here!! Such a classic movie. I actually watched it last night. 🥰🥰🥰

[@ireneeish]

I loved all the holiday festivities! And how you always have spooky holiday accessories to go with every occasion 👻🎄

[@happyhauntslibrary]

You know me, I love a good theme 👻☃️🖤

[@Alicia-606]

I’m reading NOS4A2… I know you didn’t love that one! It seems like most everyone that has read Candy Cain Kills has had a fun time. Your garland came out nice 🌲 you have so many festive places to visit around you! Those drinks 🍹🔥

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Yes CCK was really fun! I wanted a bit more from it but it’s a novella 😂 I see why you gave it a 4 star rating. It read like a movie, especially with the ending, but they should have just gone to the damn hospital 😂

[@victoriasampley]

The vibes on this vlog are perfect!! Your mom is so cute and the craft turned out amazing! I’m obsessed with your Sandy Claws

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Isn’t the Sandy Claws just the cutest???? I got him in Disneyland right next to the Haunted Mansion ride. I saw a kid had him when I was on the other side of the park and I knew I needed one myself 🤣 and thanks so much for watching, Victoria. I can’t wait to see what Creepmas shenanigans you get up to!

[@victoriasampley]

@@happyhauntslibrary Omg such a good find!!! I feel like it’s hard to find the perfect piece at the parks but you def did! ♥️🖤🖤♥️

[@katrinabrown]

"Krampus! Where are you?" That's so cute!! Yess! Candy Cain Kills!! A Holi-date sounds so fun! Haha, It's A Wonderful Knife took me so long to finish 😂 it ended up being very weird but I loved Justin Long in it! Loved this vlog! It put me back in the Creepmas mood! 🎄🩸

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I can’t say Justin Long wasn’t committed to his role 🤣 but Joel McHale had zero stage presence, my goodness! 😂😂 I need to try out Sacrifice Game after you watched it last night. I’m intrigued!

[@nevskislake]

I loved this video so much. I love how thematic your videos are, tying a love of fashion, books, movies, mixology, and events together to really create a journey.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

THANK YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH!!! That’s my whole goal - to tie it all together but sometimes it’s hard to get the algorithm to understand 🤣 but I’m so freaking happy that you get it haha. I love a good theme!! And basically I just want creepy vibes in every aspect of my life 👻

[@SpellboundHomestead]

Merry Creepmas! 🎄🖤❤

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Taylor!!! I’ve been missing your face on my feed. I hope you are having a relaxing and cozy holiday season with your fam making all the joyful memories!! 💜💜💜

[@SpellboundHomestead]

@@happyhauntslibrary You’re too kind! Thank you! ❤️

[@eriebeverly]

Can't say you aren't hydrated! I fell asleep during It's a Wonderful Knife twice. It was just endless. I watched XX (2017) the other night which if you haven't seen it is a horror anthology film featuring female directors. It was interesting and there is a Jack Ketchum adaptation in the mix.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I know, that pop up bar night was a marathon and not a sprint 🤣 And It’s a Wonderful Knife was SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT! I love love love Its a Wonderful Life, so that made me even more sad about how boring this newer take on it was. And oo I will see if I can find that anthology streaming somewhere. I am trying to find more visual anthologies since I have been so into written ones recently!

[@eriebeverly]

@@happyhauntslibrary If you're a fan of It's a Wonderful Life maybe check out IT HAPPENED ONE CHRISTMAS (1977) if you haven't seen it before. It's a little cheesy but fun.

[@culturalcobwebs]

This was such a welcome dose of holiday happiness! Taking your recommendation for Snowball and can't wait to dive into it during break. I've been reading a lot of random titles to clear my shelves and have been missing some silly holiday horror. This looks perfect! And ugh, It's a Wonderful Knife was sooo bad! Like, what on earth was Justin Long doing? Your videos are always such a treat after a hectic day :-)

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed this one, Liz! Will there be a holiday horror podcast episode this month 👀 Your Black Christmas one was great! And I’m sure it’s so satisfying to clear out your physical shelves to make some space as we start a new year. The holiday horror will always be here 😂

[@culturalcobwebs]

@@happyhauntslibrary We were planning on doing It's a Wonderful Knife but...lol I think we're going with Better Watch Out and Violent Night. And thank goodness for holiday horror. On my walk with my dog today I saw someone left up all their Halloween decorations and just added Santa hats-genius! 🤣

[@maddymoonslibrary]

I have the same black spiderweb sweatshirt!!!

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Twinsies!!! I hunted it down at multiple target sites because I needed a specific size. I was determined 🤣🤣

[@fiberartsyreads]

Such a fun vlog! Those drinks look delicious. Yum.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Thanks, Crystal!!! When I go to a pop up bar, I don’t mess around 🤣🤣

[@britnijadediy]

Definitely have the Winchester House on the travel bucket list, it was so cool to see decorated for Christmas! Loving all your holiday festivities and will have to look in to the book recommendations you made! I’m so happy to be subscribed to your wonderful channel, thanks ghoul!🖤

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Winchester Mystery House is one of my favorite places in my local area. It’s definitely hyped up and is much smaller than how people describe it but with that being said, it’s still massive compared to the area’s properties. I couldn’t be happier to have found your channel, fellow creepster! 👻❄️ wishing you a cozy rest of your december!!

[@TheBookubus]

I'm glad you enjoyed Candy Cain Kills! The festive events you went to all look fun and those cocktails look amazing! 🍸

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Thanks so much for watching, Alex! 👻 do you have plans to get to CCK this holiday season???

[@TheBookubus]

@@happyhauntslibrary I did and I enjoyed it too! It was a fun one!

[@spicykatzreads]

Had no idea that there was a sequel to Yuletide Invasion! I also DNFd abominable snowman 😂 love your vlogs Lauren! 🎄🎄🎄

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Great minds DNF alike 🤣 Such a boring and convoluted story!

[@wednesday06]

I just started reading Christmas and Other Horrors today! I’m enjoying it so far. Im also currently reading Krampus by Brom. I’m reading a mix of holiday horror books and cozy holiday books. Around my home I have mixed in some Christmas decor with my spooky/horror decor! And I love it, just the right amount of both! My kids and I also watch Krampus during the Christmas season, it’s become a little tradition. We have also added Violent Night. 🎅🖤

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I am really loving Christmas and Other Horrors. I am taking my time going through it and not rushing! I really love all the folklore elements sprinkled throughout the stories. I need to get to Violent Night -- I almost forgot it. Thank you so much for the reminder!!

[@the_creepy_geek]

I would LOVE to go to the Winchester Mystery House!! That's a bucket list place to visit for sure!!

[@happyhauntslibrary]

It’s one of my favorite local haunts! 👻 a huge reccomendation from me!!

[@michellesmelancholia]

Aw, you're having such an awesome holiday season! Sad to hear the Abominable Snowman book was not so good but Yuletide Invasion is staying on my list!

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Michelle!!!! I wanna know what you’ve been reading! (I miss you!! 💜💜💜) also, let’s do sprints together soon! Or another buddy read of the what moves the dead sequel!

[@michellesmelancholia]

@@happyhauntslibrary I haven't started reading anything Christmassy yet! I'll be in Mexico over the holidays, let's sprint some time! Also I'm soo in for buddy reading that sequel!

[@AmyNoelleReads]

Such a bummer about the Hark The Harold Angels Scream collection 'cause that cover is so good!!! I dnfed it too. You always go the the most thematic fun things during holidays!! I love it! The pop up bar looked so fun 🐨🎄

[@happyhauntslibrary]

You DNFed Hark!, too??? 😮 Was it for the same reasons as myself?

[@AmyNoelleReads]

@@happyhauntslibrary I tried reading it last year. I read a handful of the stories and I remember thinking they were kinda goofy but not in a good way and felt very meh about them. I couldn’t be bothered to continue after that.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

@@AmyNoelleReads I couldn’t agree more!

[@SlimeAndSlashers]

The footage with your mom was so cute! I am finally coming back to comment but im sorry it is so late! Your Krampus earrings are on point 🎉 i wish i had a cool arcade bar near me like that - so cool!!

[@happyhauntslibrary]

OF COURSE you loved the Krampus earrings!! haha. So on-brand!

[@WickedScorpio]

Aw you and your mom are so cute. LOVE all the krampus gear!! Bummer that Hark the herald angels scream wasn't great bc that cover is fantastic. Good for you for dnfing. You're stronger than me lmao The mugs at the popup were so fun omg The vibes are immaculate as always 🎄🎁✨️

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Weren’t the bugs so cute??? They check everyone’s bags as they leave the bar just incase people slipped them inside 🤣

[@WickedScorpio]

@happyhauntslibrary lmaoooo yeah that makes sense 😂😂

[@happyhauntslibrary]

@@WickedScorpio 🤣🤣🤣

[@midnight-tomes]

I am STILL reading House of Earth and Blood lol but I can't wait to get into my Christmas horror! The oddities market and arcade bar looked super fun, I'm definitely inspired to do some digging and see if I can find any spooky Christmas events near me

[@happyhauntslibrary]

This is why I wish I had creepy friends like you close by!! I would drag you to all these things 🤣 I hope you find some in your area!!!

[@mikalareads]

You are seriously inspiring me so much with this video Lauren!!!🎄🎄☃☃ It takes a while for me to get into the xmas spirit but I think this is the first year we may actually get a christmas tree (Ive never had a tree as an adult so its been like 10 yrs since Ive decorated one) but we may get one soon! ALSO I really enjoyed Snowball!! (I read it a few weeks ago and the ENDING omg😱😱😬😬😭😭)

[@happyhauntslibrary]

THAT ENDING 😮😮😮😮 It made me sideeye all these damn Elf’s on a Shelf 👀 Like what are they really up to???? 😂 And I hope you find joy in December no matter how you celebrate (or not) the holidays. Maybe get a tiny little fake tree? The best part about being an adult is that you can do whatever you want!! The world is our pumpkin patch 👻

[@daisyreadshorror3701]

I love your vlogs! I’m reading My Darling Girl right now and it is creepy! 😱 hoping to read Candy Cain Kills next 🎄

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Thank you so much Daisy!!!! You are THE SWEETEST! And I’m curious, who’s the author? I searched it up and found many books with that title!

[@daisyreadshorror3701]

@@happyhauntslibrary it’s by Jennifer McMahon.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

@@daisyreadshorror3701 thank you! Have you read The Winter People by her? I liked that one!

[@daisyreadshorror3701]

@@happyhauntslibrary yes I read it a few years ago. I liked that one too. She’s turning into an auto buy author for me

[@M.elissa.M]

I just started Edenville tonight. You have so many cool things to do around you 🎄👻

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I tried Edenville and apparently DNFed before things got juicy (aka HECKA WEIRD). Are you liking it???

[@M.elissa.M]

@@happyhauntslibrary I finished it last night and I have been processing today. I think I am landing on 3.5 stars. It was kind of all over the place at points and I didn’t follow all of the cosmic stuff. I did enjoy it for the most part though.

[@davidsbookreviews4983]

I'm currently reading Christmas and Other Horrors, and it's good, some stories aren't the best. I'm also reading Christmas Carol and Teenage Bloodbath 2.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Thanks so much for the heads up, David! I’m thinking of reading from it every so often but not forcing myself to get to everything. That’s just too much pressure when I have a huge TBR. And anthologies can be so hit or miss 😣 but I do love the folklore aspects of the collection!

[@davidsbookreviews4983]

@@happyhauntslibrary I like the folklore stuff too. Unfortunately all the stories can't be good. I have been reading alot this month so far.

[@ireneeish]

ooouh i have that same tea infuser, i wonder who i gave it to me lol 😜

[@happyhauntslibrary]

It’s wild how much more often I drink tea once the cold weather hits!!

[@adriennelee26]

I would recommend Christmas at Wheeldale Inn, which is new on KU. I really enjoyed it. Another good novella I read this month was a mystery, The Christmas Guest. I'm close to being done with Christmas and Other Horrors. That Christopher Golden story started the collection off on a high note, but overall I'm finding it uneven

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I have the Christmas Guest on Libby from my library. I definitely plan to get to that but it’s tough when the narrator has a non-American English accent. It just throws off my brain. But I’m so glad you liked it!! And thanks for the heads up about C & other H. Which authors’ stories did you really like? I want to prioritize those!! Someone also commented and said the same thing about many stories in the collection being a bit lackluster :/

[@adriennelee26]

@happyhauntslibrary I still have two stories to go, but so far I've enjoyed "The Mawkin Field," "Cold," and "The Lord of Misrule" the most in the collection.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

@@adriennelee26 okay great, I will read those for sure. I feel like we are pretty similar in our tastes. I am really looking forward to the field one because I think there’s a scarecrow in it!!

[@museumgrackreads]

I actually just finished a horror for reindeer readathon and it was my first Grady Hendrix!

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Was it Horrorstor??? Final rating?????

[@museumgrackreads]

@@happyhauntslibrary it was! 4⭐️

[@happyhauntslibrary]

@@museumgrackreads dang that’s really good for that book! I also feel like it was a 4 star. I wish the ending packed more of a punch!

[@museumgrackreads]

@@happyhauntslibrary yeah I had a good time. Overall though it felt like a spin off episode of supernatural but I was not mad at that at all

[@ITCamefromthePage]

Glad you enjoyed Yuletide Invasion, I've been meaning to check it out for a while. I love how you seem to hit the amazing dichotomy of some of the most artistic thought-provoking books ever written....and the most RANDOM amazing sounding KU trash hahaha. I did NOT like 'It's a Wonderful Knife' either it was NOT good and there are some decisions that I felt were super problematic (like showing a city being rundown w/ drug use and addiction). All of the Christmas B-roll stuff is SO cute and amazing! Brian G. Berry is kind of hit or miss. Hahahahahahaha 'Hark The MEHarld MEHgels MEHam'. OH awesome! I love to hear that Christmas and other Horrors is entertaining! Arcade Bars that is amazing. Damn Lauren killin it at Puzzle Bobble!! Amazing vlog!

[@happyhauntslibrary]

Nobody has time for MEHgels!!! 🤣🤣 and didn’t you know, Andrew, it’s garbage day so I just HAD to read some KU trash 🤣🤣🤣 (okay okay I promise to stop with this joke but this is what happens when I watch movies). There’s something about the holiday season that makes me want silly/zaney media ☃️🎄❄️👻🖤

[@brooklinslibrary]

Oh no sorry to hear you had a rough workday! Those are the worst. I am currently reading Eileen. What a wild ride Aww your mom is so cute 😊 It's A Wonderful Knife is a great name! Bummer that the movie was not good! I don't trust Justin Long after the walrus movie 😐 All the stuff you got at the market is so cute!! HoliDATE omg I love that 🥰 The koala 😭♥ All the cups at that bar would somehow find their way into my kitchen cabinet 🤣👀(kidding!!)

[@happyhauntslibrary]

It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE movies so I was really sad to see that this new movie with a similar concept was such a dud for me. And I was so obsessed with the bar’s cocktail glasses 🤣 They knew everyone was so they searched peoples’ bags on the way out just in case someone was a glass napper!! 😂

[@literarylove123]

I've heard so many bad reviews of It's A Wonderful Knife. I wanted to watch it, but now I'm not so sure.

[@happyhauntslibrary]

I would say give it a good 10-15 mins and you’ll know if it’s for you or not 🤣 because I have seen a few positive reviews out there. They are rare but they’re there 🤣