Things that go bump in the night

Things that go bump in the night bring lots of people into the library once the days start getting shorter, the shadows grow longer, and pumpkins start taking the place of spring planters on local porches. The popularity of our current display of “Spine Tingling Reads” is proof that aliens, ghosts, and witches, oh my, are great reads for cool October nights.

 The Ghost Whisperer, Mary Ann Winkowski, a local author best know for her character depicted by actress Jennifer Love Hewitt on the television show, has a new book out this month, The Ice Cradle: a Novel from the Ghost Files. The second book in her Ghost Files series deals with a small Rhode Island village and the construction project that has drummed up more than just memories of a tragic accident that occurred there over 100 years ago. You can check out Mary Ann’s schedule of local book signings by visiting her web page or check out one of her earlier books at the library, When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits.

 Consider making it to one of her book group meetings that take place the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Borders Books in Strongsville. The Ice Cradle is the featured book for the upcoming November 18th meeting.

Chris Woodyard has been writing about Haunted Ohio since 1991, releasing five volumes in her popular series as well as her book Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Haunted Ohio that chronicles some of her experiences while researching locations and background for her books.

Chris visited the Amherst Public Library years ago but no photos were allowed to be taken during her presentation. As you’ll see from her books, she never lets anyone take her picture. She continues to work and two years ago she sent a set of books to be used as summer reading prizes. Flip to the back of any of the Haunted Ohio books to access an index by county. Here’s where you can pick out local stories based in Lorain, Oberlin, Cleveland, or check out a county you’re going to visit. I read up on Johnson’s Island just in case I run into any soldiers on my next trip to the islands.

For those who want to read more on the dark side consider horror stories like Dan Poblocki’s The NightMarys where two teens must break a curse that is causing their greatest fears to become realities. For those who like to listen to a book while walking down a spooky, dark, dark path consider checking out a Playaway like Bitten, by Kelley Armstrong. Sure you’re familiar with horror king Stephen King but did you ever read anything by his son? Check out Heart-shaped Box, the first book by Joe Hill, who chose to use a pen name rather than acknowledge his relationship to his famous father in the press. The book took critics by storm and the plot and pacing will remind you of the paternal connection. You also might think twice before buying that next item on ebay.

Take a chance on a tale of horror, it can’t be much worse then reading the daily newspaper. Horror, fright, and things that go bump in the night. Who you going to call?