As the crisp air of fall descends upon Akron, the city transforms into a picturesque scene straight out of a seasonal postcard. The vibrant foliage of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (https://www.nps.gov/cuva/) puts on a dazzling display, Szalay’s Sweet Corn Farm and Market (https://szalaysfarm.com/) invites adventurers into its intricate corn maze, and plastic skeletons grin from front porches—all unmistakable signs that Akron is embracing the spooky season. But here’s the real question: Is your reading list ready to match the mood?
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to dive into the chilling worlds of horror and thriller literature. But what makes a story truly horrifying? For me, it’s not just the ghosts or monsters lurking in the shadows. It’s the exploration of unsettling possibilities that could creep into our own lives—those slim-chance scenarios that, once acknowledged, send a shiver down your spine. And this is the part most people miss: Horror isn’t always about the supernatural; it’s often about the all-too-real fears that linger just out of sight.
This month’s Words on the Street isn’t just about haunted houses or unmasking monsters; it’s about confronting the horrors that feel eerily within reach. So, let’s dive into a curated list of spine-tingling reads that will keep you up at night—not just because of the story, but because of the questions they leave lingering in your mind.
‘We Have Always Lived in the Castle’ by Shirley Jackson
‘My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. … Everyone else in my family is dead.’ Thus begins the haunting tale of Merricat Blackwood, a narrator whose voice is as unforgettable as it is unsettling. Merricat’s childlike innocence contrasts sharply with her claustrophobic descriptions of the world, creating a narrative that feels both whimsical and deeply disturbing. The Blackwood family’s rigid routine and isolation from their small town set the stage for a story where the true horror lies not in what’s said, but in what’s left unspoken.
Bold claim: This book will linger in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the last page, much like Jackson’s iconic short story, The Lottery. It’s a masterful exploration of small-town gossip and the chilling power of rumors, leaving you to wonder: Who’s the real monster here?
‘The Honeys’ by Ryan La Sala
Imagine the cultish vibes of Midsommar, but swap the Swedish countryside for a summer camp steeped in generational wealth and laced with subtle critiques of gender roles. That’s The Honeys—a slow-burn young adult horror novel that will keep you guessing until the very end. The story follows Mars, a gender-fluid teen (who uses he/she/they pronouns), as they investigate the mysterious group of girls their late twin sister, Caroline, was involved with before her sudden and violent death. As Mars delves deeper, they risk losing their grip on reality itself.
Controversial question: How far would you go to uncover the truth, even if it meant sacrificing your sanity? This book doesn’t shy away from asking that very question, and the answer might surprise you.
‘We Used to Live Here’ by Marcus Kliewer
For fans of Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, this novel delivers the chilling nostalgia you’ve been craving. Eve and Charlie, a queer couple with a knack for flipping houses, think they’ve scored the deal of a lifetime with a sprawling, dilapidated home in secluded Oregon. But when a strange family shows up claiming they ‘used to live here,’ their dream turns into a nightmare. What starts as a 15-minute visit spirals into something far more sinister, playing on the everyday paranoia we all experience.
Thought-provoking hook: Have you ever found your phone in a place you’re sure you didn’t leave it? Kliewer exploits these small, unsettling moments to create a story that feels all too real.
‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ by Jacqueline Harpman (translated by Ros Schwartz)
What if the scariest stories are the ones that feel just plausible enough to keep you up at night? Originally published in 1995 and reprinted in 2022, this science fiction novel feels eerily relevant today. It follows 40 women confined to an underground cage, their lives monitored by male guards who never speak to them. Forbidden from touching one another and unable to end their own lives, these women cling to fading memories of a world that no longer exists. When escape becomes a possibility, they discover a reality far more terrifying than their captivity.
Bold interpretation: This book isn’t just a dystopian tale—it’s a mirror held up to society’s treatment of women. The sense of dread and helplessness is palpable, leaving you to wonder: How far are we from this becoming our reality?
‘The Monster at the End of This Book’ by Jon Stone
No spooky reading list would be complete without a nod to the classics. Starring everyone’s favorite muppet, Grover, this beloved children’s book takes readers on a journey to discover the monster at the end of the book. Grover’s increasingly desperate attempts to stop you from turning the pages—from nailing them together to tying them to a brick wall—are both hilarious and endearing. The twist? The monster is Grover himself, a revelation that’s as heartwarming as it is thought-provoking.
Final question for you: What if the monsters we fear most are the ones we see in the mirror? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about the horrors that haunt us, both real and imagined.
