Tag: Halloween

Ghostbusters be gone!

7 people sitting on the steps of a house made of brick. house has a balcony spreading the width with white columns holding it up over the patio below.

Halloween is just days away, and people are prepping with costumes, decorations and movies featuring all kinds of spooky creatures like witches, monsters, vampires and, of course, ghosts. Ghosts are largely associated with Halloween, but unlike many of the other supernatural creatures mentioned, they also stand on their own as a prominent aspect of cultural curiosity. Movies, books and shows — many of which claim to be based on true stories — share tales of hauntings by ghostly beings. And so, the question remains: are ghosts real?

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The USD Vista staff’s picks: spooky books

The USD Vista staff’s picks: spooky books
Scary stories for the Halloween season
SALENA CHACON

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

With Halloween right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get into the holiday spirit by reading a scary book. Mysteries, horrors and paranormal stories are ideal for embracing the spooky season.

The USD Vista staff put together their picks for must-read scary books for the Halloween season. (Just don’t read them at night.)

“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley — Jessica Mills / Arts & Culture Editor

In the novel, Dr. Frankenstein successfully creates a monster from human corpses. Today, Frankenstein is a Halloween icon and popular costume.

“I read this book many years ago and the quote, ‘Beware; for I am fearless and therefore powerful’ has always stuck with me,” Mills said.

“The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides — Olivia Synek / Associate Editor

Published in 2019, this book follows a therapist searching for the reason why a woman suddenly and brutally murdered her husband.

“[As a mystery and thriller] this one had me on the edge of my seat,” Synek expressed.

“Verity” by Colleen Hoover — Karisa Kampbell /Editor-in-Chief

Although not explicitly a scary book, “Verity” still harbors an eerie vibe, as it tells the story of a Verity, a famous author unable to finish her thriller book series, who hires a struggling writer to complete the work for her. The main character discovers shocking secrets, leading to many plot twists.

“It’s not super scary, just a little spooky and also a really easy read,” Kampbell said. “It’s a super unique concept. Verity makes a really great weekend read.”

“The Amityville Horror” by Jay Anson — Maria Simpson / Opinion Editor

The scariest thing about “The Amityville Horror” is that it is supposedly based on a true story.

The book chronicles a family who moves into a house recently owned by a murderer. The family moves out after a horrifying 28 days, positive that the house is haunted.

“It’s really interesting and it has made me forever terrified that I will accidentally buy a haunted house one day,” Simpson confessed.

“The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” by Grady Hendrix – Abigail Cavizo / News Editor

Another thriller, but with a supernatural twist. This book has the quintessential component of the perfect Halloween read: vampires. The story follows a women’s book club who suspects an attractive newcomer of being a vampire, all set in a 90s Southern town. Although written by a male, Cavizo was impressed by how well he wrote a female perspective.

“It has some mystery, some horror aspects, and all around was a great paced read!” Cavizo said.

“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” by Alvin Schwartz — Haley Jacob / Feature Editor

This haunting collection of short stories was collected from folklore, and it contains both creepy and comical stories. It doubles as a picture book as well, with illustrations by Stephen Gammell.

“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” is a short but spooky read sure to get you in the Halloween spirit.

“This book scared me so much as a kid. The stories are super short but so creepy,” Jacob said. “It’s a very nostalgic book, and it was my first real experience with horror.”

“The Collected Works of Edgar Allan Poe,” by Edgar Allan Poe — Colin Mullaney / Copy Editor

Known for his tormented and dramatic narratives, Edgar Allan Poe wrote many famous stories in the gothic genre such as “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Both detail the circumstances of cold-blooded murders but are unique in their execution.

As a Maryland native, Mullaney has an affinity for the poet and writer, who died by mysterious circumstances in Baltimore.

“In high school, we read a lot of Poe, because he was so prolific in our area. My favorite was probably ‘The Raven’ which is about a man who’s tormented by his lost love.”

The “Nancy Drew” Series, by Carolyn Keene — Mei Flory / Managing Editor

The beloved teenage detective began solving mysteries in the 1930s, when the first “Nancy Drew” book, “The Secret of the Old Clock” was published. Drew conducts interviews and solves various mysteries.Known for her many movie and television adaptations, Nancy Drew is the perfect character for those who love a good mystery.

“I read the first book when I was probably ten, and coming back to the series almost a decade later still satisfies my craving for a not-so-scary read. I’m not a huge fan of horror, but I love spooky mysteries like ‘Nancy Drew,’” Flory said.

Scary books can feature elements of mystery, monsters and psychological thrill.

No matter what spooky title you decide to read, the USD Vista staff hopes you enjoy their recommendations, and that they don’t scare you too much this spooky season.

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Honoring all of fall’s special holidays 

table with orange flowers in front and colored paper decorations behind it. differently colored frames with peopels faces and skulls on table

Many people anticipate the fall season for the popular and widely celebrated holiday of Halloween — a night that consists of spooky decorations and fun costumes. However, many other celebrations take place during the fall season which hold important cultural and religious value to people worldwide. Holidays such as Day of the Dead — also known as “Día de los Muertos” — All Saints’ Day and Diwali bring unique forms of comfort, hope and inspiration into the lives of those who celebrate. 

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