Spooky Book Recommendations for Fall 2023

Leaves are falling, the weather is getting colder and we can find pumpkin spice flavoured things everywhere; a sign that Halloween is fast approaching! With Spooky Season upon us, now is the perfect time to cozy up with a horror book.

Here are just a few spooky book suggestions that you can borrow from the McGill Library Overdrive to keep you entertained (and scared) this Halloween!

Holly by Stephen King

Holly Gibney, one of Stephen King’s most compelling and ingeniously resourceful characters, returns in this thrilling novel to solve the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town.

In King’s new novel, Holly is on her own, and up against a pair of unimaginably depraved and brilliantly disguised adversaries. Holly must summon all her formidable talents to outthink and outmaneuver the shockingly twisted professors in this chilling new masterwork.

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

 Lynette Tarkington is a real-life final girl who survived a massacre. For more than a decade, she’s been meeting with five other final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, working to put their lives back together. Then one woman misses a meeting, and their worst fears are realized–someone knows about the group and is determined to rip their lives apart again, piece by piece. But the thing about final girls is that no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never, ever give up

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

Out on the Yorkshire Moors lives a secret line of people for whom books are food, and who retain all of a book’s content after eating it.

Devon is part of The Family, an old and reclusive clan of book eaters. Her brothers grow up feasting on stories of valor and adventure, and Devon-like all other book eater women-is raised on a carefully curated diet of fairytales and cautionary stories. But real life doesn’t always come with happy endings, as Devon learns when her son is born with a rare and darker kind of hunger-not for books, but for human minds

The House Across The Lake by Riley Sager

Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars and several bottles of bourbon, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple living in the house across the lake. They make for good viewing–a tech innovator, Tom is powerful; and a former model, Katherine is gorgeous.

One day on the lake, Casey saves Katherine from drowning, and the two strike up a budding friendship. But the more they get to know each other–and the longer Casey watches–it becomes clear that Katherine and Tom’s marriage isn’t as perfect as it appears. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey immediately suspects Tom of foul play. What she doesn’t realize is that there’s more to the story than meets the eye–and that shocking secrets can lurk beneath the most placid of surfaces.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

A monster assembled by a scientist from parts of dead bodies develops a mind of his own as he learns to loathe himself and hate his creator.

A New Addition to the McGill Library Team!

The McGill Library would like to give a warm welcome to our newest Liaison Librarian for East Asian Studies Studies and Political Science, Hye-jin! In honour of this new addition, we spoke with Hye-jin to get to know her a bit more!

Q: What is your history with libraries? What inspired you to become a librarian?

Hye-jin Juhn (HJ): At the time I first thought about becoming a librarian, I was a Korean language professor at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. As beautiful as the environment was, the place I felt most comfortable in was the library. I wanted to be part of the system that collects, stores, and disseminates information. I wanted to contribute to education in ways other than teaching, for example, by helping people with their self-education.

Q: Why did you choose to come work at McGill?

HJ: After more than a decade as the East Asian Studies Librarian at Notre Dame, I wanted new opportunities for growth. McGill seemed to be an ideal new environment to seek such opportunities in. Not only that the University is internationally renowned, the McGill Library is also reputable, especially among the East Asian librarians, for its innovative project, Ming Qing Women’s Writings. More than anything, I was impressed with the services and professional activities of the HSSL librarians that I learned from their publications and the library website. I had no doubt that this was a group I wanted to be part of.

Q: Do you have any interesting facts about yourself that you’d like to share?

HJ: I have important educational experience that doesn’t appear on my CV. After dropping out of my Ph.D. program, I considered becoming a carpenter. I consulted an administrator at a community college about whether it would be suitable for someone like me, who couldn’t do much heavy lifting, to pursue such a career. She told me that carpenters work collaboratively and there was room for every size and body weight in the carpentry world. In my beginner carpentry course, I learned to carefully plan and follow a sequence of actions for the best outcome. I also learned, in each action, to leave plenty of room for readjustments and mistakes. Even though my dream to become a carpenter never materialized, the skills from the experience have become important assets that I apply in everything I do at work and, of course, at home.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

HJ: I’m grateful to have the opportunity to serve the McGill Community as a member of the group of talented and dedicated library colleagues. I’m looking forward to contributing to all the library initiatives (such as the Fiat Lux Project). I’m also looking forward to the many celebrative moments ahead of us.

The Library is excited to have Hye-jin join the team of Liaison Librarians, a full list of which can be found here.

Chill in the Air, Thrills on the Screen: 5 Must-Watch Horror Movies for a Spine-Tingling Fall

With autumn leaves falling and the air getting crisp, there’s no better time to cozy up with some chilling horror movies. Whether you’re a horror aficionado or just looking for a few scares to get into the Halloween spirit, this list has something for everyone. We’ll rank these films from least to most scary to help you decide just how much you want to raise your heart rate this fall. 

5. “Frankenstein” (1931) – Classic Horror Icon: 

The classic “Frankenstein,” this film brings you the iconic tale of Dr. Frankenstein’s creation of a monstrous being. Directed by James Whale, it’s a vintage horror gem that captures the essence of Gothic horror and the fear of man playing god. 

4. “Crimson Peak” (2015) – Elegantly Eerie: 

Guillermo del Toro’s “Crimson Peak” combines stunning gothic visuals with a dash of romance. While it’s not the scariest on our list, it excels in creating a haunting atmosphere. The eerie mansion and its secrets will keep you captivated, making it a great choice for those who appreciate an artfully crafted, slightly eerie tale. 

3. “A Quiet Place” (2018) – Tense and Thrilling: 

“A Quiet Place” takes the horror genre in a unique direction, emphasizing silence as a means of survival. This tense thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as a family tries to evade mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. The film’s innovative premise and suspenseful execution make it a thrilling choice for fall. 

2. “The Conjuring” (2013) – Classic Haunting: 

If you’re in the mood for a classic ghost story with a modern twist, “The Conjuring” is a top-notch option. Based on the real-life investigations of paranormal experts Ed and Lorraine Warren, this film expertly combines jump scares with a sense of dread. It’s a perfect choice for those who love a well-crafted haunted house story. 

1. “Hereditary” (2018) – Terrifying and Unforgettable: 

For the bravest souls seeking a horror film that will leave a lasting impression, “Hereditary” is the ultimate choice. It’s a slow-burning, psychological nightmare that delves into the horrors of family and grief. This film is sure to send shivers down your spine and stay with you long after the credits roll, making it the top pick for a truly hair-raising experience this fall. 

 So, grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready for a thrilling cinematic journey this autumn. 
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