My Spooky Season TBR (What I'll Be Reading in October)

[@sarahmcdonald9624]

Glad you made it back from the trip! I read The Troop. It went to places I didn’t expect. Definitely recommend. Ooooo and Something Wicked this way Comes has such an atmosphere.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

A few people have mentioned The Troop now. It seems like a bit of a favourite. I'm excited for Something Wicked This Way Comes too.

[@Chasing.therain]

I love that you mentioned Easnest Scared Stupid!! 😂😂 I love that movie...and it doesn't vet mentioned enough!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I used to love all those Earnest movies as a kid. They were perfect because he was like a big kid himself.

[@GypsyWolfGina]

The Exorcist scared the crap out of me, and I don't scare easily. I LOVED it.

[@rammelbroadcasting]

Something wicked this way comes is truly amazing. This year, I'm focusing on The great and secret show and House of leaves.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

House of Leaves? That book messed with my head in the best way possible. Good luck with it, you’re in for a mind-bending experience! Keep me posted on how you find them!

[@rammelbroadcasting]

@@PaperbackJourneys I will.

[@valliyarnl]

I can’t believe you haven’t read Carrie yet!!! Also super curious about your thoughts on Something Wicked This Way Comes. … 👀

[@SteppingStone445]

I just finished I Am Legend, very quick and VERY good.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

@@SteppingStone445 Yeah, I read it and I really enjoyed it. I'm glad you did too.

[@hollyc4624]

Brother is one of the most gruesome horror novels that I have ever read. Be ready when you eventually get to it! Great list!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Oh when you say that Holly, it makes me really want to read it! 😂

[@theoriginaledi]

So, so, SO excited to see your Stephen King ranking! You and I don't always agree 100% on which books are better than others, but I think that's probably just because they ALL have some measure of greatness in them. Plus it's just always so much fun to hear the thoughts of another fan. Hooray!

[@theoriginaledi]

Ooh, PS I just realized I forgot to answer your "big question". I'm running a bit behind and not into the "spooky" yet (currently reading Around the World in Eighty Days) but in a few days I'll be reading Coraline for my book club (still not super spooky, but getting closer). After that I'm not completely sure yet but I'm looking at Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and/or The House of the Seven Gables. I do love the classics.

[@ExponentialAnger]

Good month, very good month. And cannot wait for a Stephen King tier list. 🤘🏻

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thanks so much! It really was a great month of reading. A Stephen King tier list is definitely coming soon-there’s so much to rank, it’s going to be a fun one! What would be at the top of your King list?

[@ExponentialAnger]

@@PaperbackJourneys that’s a big question lol. Gun to my head I’d have to probably say 11/22/63. But tbh if it were me I’d have to separate the list into 3 groups, dark tower, short stories, and all other novels. Top short story maybe hearts in Atlantis or the Mist, dark tower - drawing of the three

[@kristinestaples7607]

I recently read The Haar and it was actually quite a beautiful love story believe it or not. Never thought I'd cry over a horror book.

[@FrankieB217]

Great video! Can't wait to see your reviews on them and also I'm here for any Stephen King tier list. Currently I'm reading Interview with the Vampire and The night circus (not really spooky just some vibes to get me out of reading slump) and I'm listening to the southern book clubs guide to slaying vampires which is a good mix of fun and gruesome as all Grady Handrix books are

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed the video! And with the tier list for Stephen King, there’s definitely one in the works, so stay tuned for that! Your current reads are solid! Interview with the Vampire is such a classic, and The Night Circus definitely has those magical, atmospheric vibes to pull you out of a slump.

[@michellesmelancholia]

All the books you got in the spins are awesome! The Exorcist is particularly great for the Halloween season! You should definitely add some Sodergren though! His books are such a great time!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

It's funny you should say that, Michelle I'm actually reading The Haar right now. I mean enjoying it but it seems strangely wholesome. I'm really excited to get started with the exorcist.

[@Talking_Story]

Dude the wheel treated you right!!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

YES! I'm really happy with the 4 books. I'm going to try a few others from the list once I'm done with them though.

[@booklover6963]

We used to clean up on Halloween. We would get a big brown grocery bag full of candy then run home, dump it out then work the neighborhood in the opposite direction. Man what a haul we had enough candy for a month of course you ate the good stuff first !!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

That’s the way to do it! You had a whole strategy down-get the first round in, dump it out, and hit the neighborhood again. I bet by the end of the night, that grocery bag was like a treasure chest of sweets!

[@dannyletcher5873]

The Exorcist is a great book! Also, I really enjoyed the Troop. Great video, and happy spooky season ^_^

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thank you! I’ve heard amazing things about both The Exorcist and The Troop,. What did you love most about them? Happy spooky season to you too!

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

I loved The Haar. Hope you like it!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Oh yeah! I hope I get around to reading it for sure. It sounds great.

[@pattireinheimer5612]

I have a love hate thing with Stephen Graham Jones and Only Good Indians has been my favorite of his so far.

[@AbsintheandInk-j7z]

I read Carrie when I was a teenager and it was enough to know I didn't want to read any more of King's works because it freaked me out! Just give me a good Victorian ghost story or a 19th-century horror classic and I'm good! Be glad you didn't trick or treat as a kid. Some of the costumes, especially the cheap plastic masks were absolute torture!

[@lilymulugeta6824]

You are soooo funnyyy, love you

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Ahh, thanks so much Lily! You just made my day 😄! Love you too! I love chatting about spooky reads-what's on your list this season?

[@MeMyDogAndBooks]

I love I Am Legend and reading the Exorcist for the first time this october too! *new subscriber!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

@@MeMyDogAndBooks I'm so glad to have you along for the journey and I hope that you enjoy the exorcist! Thanks for subscribing.

[@carlstewart7094]

Good to see you back, a great video with a superb list. Love this time of year, exorcist is a cracking title. Planning on working through some works by hp Lovecraft. Happy reading to you guys ☕📖

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thanks so much, it’s good to be back! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. This time of year really is the best for spooky reads, isn’t it? And HP Lovecraft...his stories have such a unique atmosphere.

[@carlstewart7094]

I can certainly hear Frankenstein and Dracula calling me from the bookcase 📖☕

[@MeMyDogAndBooks]

I pretty much read a stephen king book every month too!

[@bretthake7713]

Great little list. Just like you not making it to Carrie until now, I just picked up The Shining to read for the first time. Enjoy your books this month!

[@CarsonDSamson]

I’ll be reading “Heart-Shaped Box” by Joe Hill. I’ve not yet read anything by him.

[@abelsiji2481]

Personally didn't love the troop but if you like body horror then it's a perfect book for you

[@CanalTamarindoBooks]

I WILL be stealing the idea of a roulette for deciding my tbr on my channel lol Looking forward for the reviews

[@PaperbackJourneys]

@@CanalTamarindoBooks YEESSS! It's such a fun way to decide what you're going to be reading. Thanks for the comment.

[@josephstaszczyk409]

Damn wheel! I was really hoping you would read the troop. I read that as a little break from my dark tower journey. I think you will love it. I finished it in 2 sittings.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, right? The Troop has been on my radar, and hearing you finished it in just two sittings makes me even more intrigued!

[@TheBookThing]

Great list, great vid. You’re going to have a good time with Carrie, The Exorcist and I Am Legend, they’re three amazing books. I just finished The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury (only my second after Farenheit 451) didn’t realise how much is aimed towards kids on my way in and wished I’d read Something Wicked instead.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I actually don't know much about Something Wicked This Way Comes except that it maybe has a Stranger Things / IT vibe to it?

[@TheBookThing]

@@PaperbackJourneys that’s as much as I know

[@skunke2290]

I think you’re gonna like Carrie and The Exorcist. Both are 5 stars (in my humble opinion). This spooky season, I plan on reading one short story/poem by Poe on a daily basis, and I also hope to read Nick Cutters Little Heaven, and Clive Barkers Galilee. I’m stoked to see what you’ll think of Carrie and The Exorcist! :)

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Daily Poe poems sounds like a great idea! I'm excited for Carrie too.

[@valliyarnl]

I’ll be reading The King in Yellow 🥰

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I'm so curious what you think of it. It's bizarre. I guess that's why they call it "weird fiction."

[@calebfogler9369]

Recently discovered your channel so sorry if you’ve mentioned that you read it elsewhere. But if you didn’t enjoy Mapping the interior by SGJ, I would recommend reading The Indian Lake Trilogy instead by SGJ. I felt Only Good Indians was very similar to Mapping the Interior and prefer SGJ’s slashers.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I haven’t read The Indian Lake Trilogy yet, so I’ll definitely add it to my list-thanks for the recommendation! Welcome to the channel mate.

[@Realm_of_Words13-zi2jf]

Once again, I added several of your picks to my Goodreads. I always listen to the audiobook of IT in October so I'm 3 days into it already for the 8th year. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Carrie & we definitely need a video on the ranking of the Stephen King books you've read so far. I'm also reading the physical book of The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. I watched the movie so much as a kid & introduced it to my son last Halloween & that was the first time I realized it was based off a Ray Bradbury book.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I’m so glad you enjoyed I Am Legend! It really is a quick read, but it packs such a punch. The way Matheson builds that atmosphere of isolation and dread is incredible. I hop eyou enjoy The Halloween Tree.

[@mtnshelby7059]

This was very clever, thank you. I don't know if I could manage The Exorcist. Religion and horror...I can't. 😂

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thanks so much! I totally get that-The Exorcist is definitely one of those books that can hit a little too close to home for some people. I'm looking forward to it but it's not gonna be for everyone.

[@theoriginaledi]

I'm right with you on that. For me, I don't believe in 99% of the stuff that exists in horror novels so it's all just good fun and I love it. But when you start getting into stuff that I DO believe in, that's a hard pass for me. I have no doubt that it's objectively a good book, but it's most definitely not for me.

[@ra0333]

Picked up amityville horror, (reading this now), hidden pictures and silence in the shadows, Darcy cotes. All set for a fun October

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Looks like you’ve got a fantastic October lineup! I’ve heard Amityville Horror is a classic and perfect for setting the spooky mood.

[@susanburgess820]

Let's do this! Blessings from chicago hon❤😂🎉

[@PaperbackJourneys]

@@susanburgess820 Thanks Susan! I appreciate it. I'd love to go to Chicago someday. I live in Atlanta right now.

[@zacherylong2411]

Man if you have time, you gotta read The Troop. One of my favorites. I loved exorcist and I am legend, Carrie was a miss for me unfortunately..

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I hear you-The Troop is definitely moving higher up on my TBR now. If it’s one of your favorites, it’s gotta be good!

[@zacherylong2411]

@@PaperbackJourneys I’ll be curious on what you think of it! You’ve convinced me to read The Fisherman this month.

[@Tulku]

If I could go back in time, I’d share American Halloween with you. Be warned though, I grew up in Michigan and we had to wear a winter coat over our costumes while we went Trick-or-Treating. At least in the 80’s we had those masks we could barely see or breathe through. Edit: I’m reading The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Graphic Novel Adaptation of The Road (read the book in August) The First Lie Wins and Bram Stoker’s Dracula and will be going into The Girl With All the Gifts and perhaps one of these!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

That's very nice of you. Thank you. I would have liked an America mate to spend Halloween with haha. You've got an incredible reading lineup ahead! The Talented Mr. Ripley is such a gripping story, and The Road as a graphic novel sounds intense after reading the original.

[@b_love09]

I started off a little early, but in the last month I've read 'Salem's Lot, My Best Friend's Exorcism, Needful Things, and The Exorcism. Still have Dracula, Frankenstein, and Pet Sematary left for the month!

[@PaperbackJourneys]

You’ve been on a roll! 'Salem’s Lot and The Exorcist are both fantastic for kicking off spooky season. And with Dracula, Frankenstein, and Pet Sematary still ahead, you’ve got some absolute classics lined up! That’s going to be a perfect mix of gothic and modern horror. Which one are you most excited to read next?

[@Jodi9810]

I've been saving Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman for this month, although I don't think it's horror, per se. Otherwise, mostly just focusing on books I've been planning to read in 2024, as time grows short - The Wager by David Granny, The Trials of Empire by Richard Swan, etc. Some of your horror reads sound like good ones to add to my list - maybe for Oct '25! I also have a collection of short stories called The Haunting Season I've been gradually working my way thru seasonally over the last few years, but I gather that they're traditionally winter-based rather than autumn - a UK thing, it seems?

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I think you could qualify Between Two Fires as horror. It really sounds like there's horror elements to it for sure. I'll have to check out The Haunting season, especially if it's got winter vibes. It might be perfect for December.

[@Iamthewalruslovechild]

Lovely list. Two short books, so I hope you also get around to reading Rosemary's Baby. It's scarier than The Exorcist in my opinion. I really think you would like all of Levins books (7) by the way. His book This Perfect Day is forever in my top five books of all time.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thank you! Rosemary’s Baby is definitely on my radar, especially with you saying it’s scarier than The Exorcist-that’s high praise! This Perfect Day being in your top five is a strong recommendation, and I love discovering those all-time favorites. I’ll have to bump it up my list! Have you read all of his books, or do you still have any left to explore?

[@Iamthewalruslovechild]

@@PaperbackJourneys I still haven't read Sliver, and for some reason I don't want to....... I have read all of his other books at least two times and I love them. The boys from Brazil is a great story and I would really like to see you do a review of that one AND This Perfect Day. A walrus can ask right......

[@francissookraj3202]

Good book reviews . Carrie was the first book I read of Stephen King. I am Legend is excellent. I should read more Ray Bradbury Something Wicked this way come, I like to read.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thanks Francis. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I'm looking forward to reading Ray Bradbury this month.

[@CliffsDarkGems]

Such a fun video! 😄As a South African, I feel your pain. Unfortunately, Halloween is still very small in this tiny corner of the world. I try to do my part to create awareness 😂Maggie's Grave is possibly my book of the year. An interesting point is that Stephen King wrote The Long Walk at university before Carrie, and it was only published later as a Bachman book. A tier list would be great. I also read Mapping The Interior and felt the same way. I am willing to give him another chance. Yay read Something Wicked This Way Comes on All Hallows Eve, perfect. Happy Reading! 🎃🎃🎃 PS I would still love a live chat with you on my channel, but no pressure.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Wow, Maggie’s Grave being your book of the year is high praise! I’ll have to check it out. I didn’t realize Stephen King wrote The Long Walk before Carrie-that’s a fun fact! and yes... we'll have to arrange something soon. I'd love a bookish chat.

[@CliffsDarkGems]

@@PaperbackJourneys That's awesome! Perhaps you could send me a mail, I can't find an email address in your about section. Would love to have a bookish chat on King, horror and other fun stuff!

[@lissavanhouten6628]

The Exorcist scared the hell out of me when I saw it at the theater as a teenager. I will still never ever watch it again (even though I'm not a Christian). I definitely am not a person who likes horror anyways unless it's a novel by Dean R. Koontz. (I did read I Am Legend, and The Exorcist. The first was so well-written and you really feel for the protagonist.)

[@Millie.C]

I got The Exorcit too on my spooky list and also Salem's Lot. I'm a scaredy cat tbh, but I will try 😅

[@PaperbackJourneys]

That’s an awesome spooky list, even for a self-proclaimed scaredy cat! The Exorcist and 'Salem’s Lot are definitely intense choices, but they’re such great reads for this time of year. Just take it slow, and if it gets too creepy, maybe read during the daytime to ease the chills! You’ve got this-let me know how it goes, and happy (spooky) reading!

[@Millie.C]

@@PaperbackJourneys thanks!!

[@buckfozos5554]

Reading The Omen novels 1-4 this season, hoping to occasionally find differences from the movies. Also, just finished The Only Good Indians, excellent book! The writing style was different indeed but still very readable I thought and quite a unique experience.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

That sounds like an awesome spooky season plan! I’ve only seen The Omen movies, so I’d be curious to hear about any differences you spot in the books. And I’m so glad you enjoyed The Only Good Indians!

[@kcsubotai]

A good selection for the season, a couple of these start kind of slow, but stay the course. Are you going to watch their movie adaptations afterwards?

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Thanks for the heads up. As for the movie adaptations, I’m definitely tempted-there’s something about seeing how they bring the book to life (even if it’s not always perfect). Have you watched any of the adaptations?

[@kcsubotai]

@@PaperbackJourneys I've seen the older adaptations. Sissy Spacek's Carrie (1976), such a classic; the Jason Robards/Jonathon Price "Something Wicked" (1983) its a little slow to start, but its a bit sad and creepy; the Vincent Price (1964 Last Man on Earth) which I feel is more faithful to the book, and the Charlton Heston (1971 Omega Man), versions of "I Am Legend". And, the original, still gives me nightmares, Linda Blair's "The Exorcist" (1973). I like a movie to creep me out, make me question my surroundings. But, when comes to book adaptations, I take the approach of, the book is the prime-verse and the movie is a parallel universe. Each can be enjoyed on their own merits I hope you get shivers and goosebumps with these stories. Happy reading

[@jaimeg819]

Great video. I copied you and do a digital spin. I got The Exorcist, Frankenstein , Let The Right One In and Dracula to read this month. I’ve read I Am Legend last year and it’s nothing like the movie and one of my favorite endings to a book great read.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Oh that's cool that you're using a wheel! It's fun isn't it? That’s an epic lineup for spooky season-classic horror all the way. I’ve read Frankenstein, and it’s one of my all-time favorite books.

[@thomasceneri867]

Rosemary’s Baby takes place In The Dakota, the apartment building of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and unfortunately, where he was assasinated. You must watch the film !! It’s directed by Roman Polanski and stars Mia Farrow, Ruth Gordon (she won the Oscar for it), and John Cassavetes. 9:11

[@carolbresnahan1244]

I'm going in with 2 new authors for me, Joe Hill's Heart shaped box and Christina Henry's Near the bone this spooky season 👻

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Awesome picks for spooky season! I’ve read Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, and it definitely delivers the chills-perfect for this time of year. I haven't read Near the Bone yet, but Christina Henry is on my radar. How are you liking both so far?

[@carolbresnahan1244]

Loving Joe Hill, not sure on Christina Henry at the moment. I visited Iceland twice, a winter and a summer trip to catch the different scenery. Loved it, like visiting a different planet isn't it?

[@nesomai]

Forget the Will Smith movie and watch the 1964 adaptation The Last Man On Earth with Vincent Price

[@kellymcday1256]

The Exorcist is a really good book but crying out of fear is an exaggeration lol. It's creepy and makes you question what's really happening, but I doubt you'll experience an all-consuming fear.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

@@kellymcday1256 i'm reading it right now and yeah, I think you're right. It's definitely scary, but I think I still need to search for the book that really gives me that "little boy" fear.

[@chiefwiggum3131]

What about a rule if u land on one twice u have the option to remove it from your four lol. If your like me I would have the 4 I wanted in mind and would try my hardest to get them 😂

[@PaperbackJourneys]

@@chiefwiggum3131 It's a good idea and would add another fun dimension but I land on the same ones so often that the video would just go on and on haha. I do lean towards certain books but I KNOW that if I ever did anything to favor certain books over others, the whole game would be ruined for me and the wheel REALLY does help me to read more diversely in different genres. Also... there's just no losing when I want to read EVERYTHING on the wheel 😂.

[@chiefwiggum3131]

@@PaperbackJourneysVery good point lol

[@Bucky749]

Never read I’m legend but I love the Vincent price movie they made based on it the last man on earth . I’ve not seen the will smith version want to just haven’t yet . Haven’t seen the omega man either

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I never saw the Vincent Price movie but I liked the Will Smith movie. I'll have to watch the original movie. Maybe I can sneak it in this month.

[@Bucky749]

@@PaperbackJourneysit’s a good I’ve heard omega man is good to it’s also based off I’m legend .

[@OrangeLibrary]

Ooh Rosemary's Baby... I'm reading what might potentially be a knockoff of that book; 'Breeder' by Douglas Clegg but is well reviewed on Goodreads.

[@PaperbackJourneys]

Oh cool! That'll be interesting to see how Breeder compares. If it’s well-reviewed on Goodreads, it sounds promising!

[@kellyshaw7271]

I'm 52 from Manchester. Between the age of five and ten we went trick or treating dressed up. All the kids in the neighbourhood did. We also had fancy dress Halloween parties at the local library.

[@ra0333]

Wait, was Halloween originally only an American holiday???

[@PaperbackJourneys]

I could be wrong about this, but I think it was actually originally from Scotland but, in the form that we know it today, Halloween parties, games, trick or treating, jack-o-lanterns, and songs. That took off in America first I think.

[@allylyes]

Halloween originated from Ireland but all the activities also originated here and even date back to middle aged traditions in Ireland and the U.K. So I don’t know why you didn’t have that tbh but it’s definitely not an American thing.