It’s that time of year. And what could be better than curling up with a good book and some equally good music perfectly suited for the creepiness of the season?
1. 1984 by George Orwell
Yes, friends, 1984 qualifies as a Halloween read. Believe me, it’s one of the creepiest books you’ll ever read…
2. “Black Angels” by George Crumb
Ridiculously eerie music from one of my all-time favorite composers. A lot of his stuff is very eerie, actually. Here I’ve only linked to the first “movement” of a larger piece so there’s more where that came from if you’re interested. (Bonus points if you dress like a black angel for trick or treating.)
3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
‘Nough said.
4. “Pierrot Lunaire” by Arnold Schoenberg
Trust me, you don’t need to understand what is being sung in order to appreciate the creepy.
5. Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Cinderella ain’t so happy-go-lucky in these non-Disney tales.
6. “A Haunted Lanscape” by George Crumb
I know it’s more Crumb, but I just couldn’t help myself. This is perfect “haunted house” music.
7. Dracula by Bram Stoker
It’s vampires. So obviously.
What other books and music would you add to this list?
Happy Halloween!
You can find some other creepy music to jog(/run) to here: The Only Exercise Playlist You’ll Ever Need
Twitter: @ifmermaids
The Man Who was Thursday, A Nightmare by G.K. Chesterton. Have you read it? It is literally a NIGHTMARE. It’s amazing. Hilarious sometimes and strange, but always fascinating. Also, maybe, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dark. Creepy.
Also, In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg and Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky because the things that frightened you as a child always remain slightly eerie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
These are all fantastic additions!! I haven’t read A Nightmare but it certainly sounds interesting. And of course you know I love Grieg! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Man Who was Thursday is older and free digitally if you have time. Might make for awesome bedtime reading if you want to give yourself weird dreams, haha. It has a crazy philosophical ending that I still haven’t made up my mind about yet. It’s one of those books that you immediately want to read again after you finish.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds great! Not sure I need help in the weird dreams department and spare time is fleeting these days haha but I’ll definitely keep it in mind!! I can’t wait for some time to read again. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always add Ray Bradbury to October reading. Something Wicked This Way Comes is a great choice.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I haven’t read anything of his yet but I’ve been meaning to pick up Fahrenheit 451 for a while now! I’ll have to check out that one, too, though. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The only thing I would add to this already great list is “Night on Bald Mountain” because it has the best introduction to immediately give you goosebumps. I remember playing it in high school for the little kids in strings in Elementary school and my conductor had this awful look on his face like he wanted to scare the crap out of them. And we did! I remember the looks on their faces like, “Is this what high school is going to be like?!” It was wonderful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hahaha that’s amazing. I forgot about that piece when I was writing this post but you’re absolutely right! (Grieg is amazing in general.)
LikeLike
I’d add any number of Edgar A. Poe short stories or poems because those definitely have the creepy halloween air to them. Now I’ve gotta go dig out my Poe and at least reread “The Raven”!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeeesss that’s such a good idea! Thanks!! 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: If Literary Characters Dressed Up for Halloween | If Mermaids Wore Suspenders