Now that summer has exited and thankfully taken some of its heat and humidity with it, the days get shorter and many Cayman Islands residents start looking forward to Halloween.
For children, Halloween is a fun time of dressing up in a costume and collecting candy while trick-or-treating. For adults, there are costume parties, scary movies and, for many, a little nostalgic candy eating as well.
For those, young and old, who like a bit of magic or spookiness in the written word, Next Chapter sells numerous books that are perfect for some Halloween season reading. In a time of pandemic, where many are deciding how to celebrate Halloween, reading provides a safe — and just as scary — alternative way to enjoy the thrills, chills and suspense of the season.
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
Take a trip to Hogwarts and the wizarding world of Harry Potter with the book that started it all.
This inspirational story of magic, adventure and friendship is perfect for kids in your life, or the kid at heart looking for a little magic.
"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson
Explore the dark side of the human mind in this classic novella. The duality of man and the darkness of self is explored in 141 pages, a quick read for those looking to get their thrills in in a short amount of time.
"The Confessions of Frannie Langton" by Sara Collins
Head a little closer to home with this psychological thriller set on the plantation fields of Jamaica, later moving to Georgian London. Written by Caymanian author Sara Collins, this is an unforgettable story that recounts a fatal attraction between Frannie Langton and her French mistress.
"Doctor Sleep" by Stephen King
Here’s … Danny? The psychological trauma of the events at the Overlook Hotel, the setting of "The Shining," still haunt Danny Torrance. The King of Horror, Stephen King, returns to the story that has stayed in society’s mind — a story of unexpected turns and premonitions that we never saw coming.
"Dracula" by Bram Stoker
One of the most famous books of the 19th century, Bram Stoker's Gothic tale of vampires has inspired numerous other books and films. It is told through a narrative of letters, diary entries and newspaper articles. Although a horror story, "Dracula" has themes of gender, sexuality and seduction, helping set the stage for the more recent vampire books, films and television shows.
About the author
Alanna Warwick-Smith is a senior marketing communications coordinator supporting the business development and real estate marketing team for Dart. Alanna has worked in Dart’s flagship development of Camana Bay for the past nine years, when she began her career working at the town’s bookstore. A lover of the written word, Alanna reads and writes poetry in her spare time, and has written content for a range of platforms in the past, including her own blog and Camana Bay Times. You can find her in line at Foster’s every morning waiting for her large iced coffee with oat milk!