Originally published in the Chillicothe Gazette on Oct. 26, 2025
In elementary school, every Halloween we’d sing a catchy little song about some creepy stuff happening outside. Something groaning in an old oak tree, grinning on the porch, and a broomstick gliding through the air. “I’m not scared, ’cause I’m safe inside, I’m not scared, but I think I’ll hide.”
It captured that perfect kind of “fun scared” — fear that feels exciting and can be cured by ducking your head under a blanket. We giggled our collective nervousness, imagining the things out there. We knew there was no broomstick gliding around, but it was thrilling to imagine.
This Halloween, I asked our incredible library staff to share their recommendations for spooky, scary, and creepy-themed media. They did not disappoint. Some are fun scary, cozy even. But others might have you thinking about more than you bargained for. Feel free to check these out while you’re safe inside, and if it helps, go ahead and hide.
“American Psycho” by Bret Easton Ellis – The most horrifying book I have ever read. That book was so bad I had to stop reading and close it a few times for a break.
Also, I love, love, love the Crime Junkie Podcast with Ashley Flowers. Her voice is fantastic.
– Erin L.
“Cackle” by Rachel Harrison – Not your typical Halloween read, but it hits all the fall vibes and quirky “monsters.” It’s a cozy, spooky read about a 30-something woman finding herself and the power of independence and self-love. All while in the company of a beautiful witch, some ghosts, and a cute sentient spider.
– Jenn C.
“FantasticLand” by Mike Bockoven – It’s a modern retelling of Lord of the Flies in which a bunch of young employees are trapped in an amusement park after a hurricane, and it doesn’t take long for a bad situation to get much, much worse. Although I should warn readers that there is a fair amount of gore, I think it speaks to the skill of the author that the scariest chapter (in my opinion) technically didn’t contain any violence at all. I’m sure you’ll see what I mean if you give it a read!
– Jordan K.
“Never Whistle at Night! An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology” Edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C.Van Alst Jr. – Really good, really recommend!
– Adriana F.
“Pet Sematary” by Stephen King – The most terrifying novel I’ve ever read. I made it about halfway through before putting it under my bed for a year. I finally dug it back out and finished it because I wanted to see how it ended. That book truly shook me because of the horror and the immense sadness. I will never forget how it made me feel.
– Todd G.
“We Live Inside Your Eyes” by Kealan Patrick Burke – A horror anthology with some really creative short stories and a chilling overarching story that they are all wrapped within.
I also just recently watched the new Nosferatu and really enjoyed it. The classic gothic imagery was spot on. It was downright haunting. 10/10.
Still working my way through “Maeve Fly” by CJ Leede, which the library’s Horror Book Club just finished. I’m not done with it yet, but it is already a wild ride, and I’m encouraging others to pick it up. Fun, sassy, and pretty gross.
– Faye D.
“The Woman in the Yard” directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and screenplay written by Sam Stefanak – I was completely blown away by the story. It was a brilliant way to explore grief, guilt, and the trauma of a woman with two young children. This film is vulnerable enough to show us the intrusive thoughts and not so “motherly” or “angelic” struggles mothers might experience.
– Alanna S.
Sheena Brown likes being fun scared and is an Enrichment, Communications, and Marketing Clerk at the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library.
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