Fortnight of Fright 2015

Fortnight of Fright

Fortnight of Fright

Guys. Can you believe it’s almost time for Halloween? For the cool, crisp nights, and the scary stories, and the pumpkin spice…mmm. All good things, as far as I’m concerned. I LOVE fall and I do enjoy a good scare every now and then. I’m so excited to be hosting my second, but the actual fourth, Fortnight of Fright with Alyssa (Books Take You Places) and Brittany (The Book Addict’s Guide)!

For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about (hello, and welcome!) Fortnight of Fright is a time in which we host and share different posts related to fall and Halloween! We work with you guys and some amazing authors to showcase some creepy books, interviews, movies, and SO MUCH MOAR! There is no limit on what you can post about! Do you have a signature Halloween or Autumn cocktail recipe? Pinterest board filled with DIY decorations? A book recommendation for those of us who love to be scared? We want it all!! JOIN US!!

Also don’t forget about All Hallow’s Read and the giving of books in lieu of candy!

All Hallows Read
Wondering what we had going on from years past? Check it out:

Sign ups will be open from 9/9 – 9/20 and you will be notified the following week to confirm your post topic, and so on. We are going to ask that all posts get to us the week of 10/12 as we will be hosting you during the event which runs from 10/19 – 10/31! As always, the more the merrier, so scroll on down to our Google Doc and sign up to help us out! Sign up for your Fortnight of Fright post below and follow the hashtag #FortnightofFright!

*If you have trouble filling out the form below, you can fill it out in Google Forms.

Fortnight of Fright | Books and Salem, Massachusetts

Fortnight of FrightDo you guys love witches like I do? Yes? SUPER. Ever since I first saw HOCUS POCUS, that magical movie about three witch sisters in Salem, MA (I don’t need to say any more, right?), I’ve been fascinated by the Salem witch trials. I wrote papers about it in high school and college, watch tv shows and movies about it, and of course, I read books about it. So of course, I had to share some of them with you guys. I’ve read a few of these, but not all of them. I’m pretty sure, though, that they’re all worth a read! HAPPY HALLOWEEN, FRIENDS!!!

Salem Massachusetts

Book cover Trial By Fire Josephine AngeliniTrial By Fire: Worldwalker #1 by Josephine Angelini

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily’s other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can’t hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.

Book cover Conversion Katherine HoweConversion by Katherine Howe

It’s senior year at St. Joan’s Academy, and school is a pressure cooker. College applications, the battle for valedictorian, deciphering boys’ texts: Through it all, Colleen Rowley and her friends are expected to keep it together. Until they can’t.

First it’s the school’s queen bee, Clara Rutherford, who suddenly falls into uncontrollable tics in the middle of class. Her mystery illness quickly spreads to her closest clique of friends, then more students and symptoms follow: seizures, hair loss, violent coughing fits. St. Joan’s buzzes with rumor; rumor blossoms into full-blown panic.

Soon the media descends on Danvers, Massachusetts, as everyone scrambles to find something, or someone, to blame. Pollution? Stress? Or are the girls faking? Only Colleen—who’s been reading The Crucible for extra credit—comes to realize what nobody else has: Danvers was once Salem Village, where another group of girls suffered from a similarly bizarre epidemic three centuries ago . . .

Inspired by true events—from seventeenth-century colonial life to the halls of a modern-day high school—Conversion casts a spell. With her signature wit and passion, New York Times bestselling author Katherine Howe delivers an exciting and suspenseful novel, a chilling mystery that raises the question, what’s really happening to the girls at St. Joan’s?

Book cover Witch Child Celia ReesWitch Child: Witch Child #1 by Celia Rees

Enter the world of young Mary Newbury, a world where simply being different can cost a person her life. Hidden until now in the pages of her diary, Mary’s startling story begins in 1659, the year her beloved grandmother is hanged in the public square as a witch. Mary narrowly escapes a similar fate, only to face intolerance and new danger among the Puritans in the New World. How long can she hide her true identity? Will she ever find a place where her healing powers will not be feared?

Book cover The Sacrifice Kathleen Benner DubleThe Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble

In the year 1692, life changes forever for ten-year-old Abigail Faulkner and her family. In Salem, Massachusetts, witches have been found, and widespread fear and panic reign mere miles from Abigail’s home of Andover. When two girls are brought from Salem to identify witches in Andover, suspicion sweeps the town as well-respected members of the community are accused of witchcraft. It isn’t long before chaos consumes Andover, and the Faulkners find themselves in the center of it all when friend turns themselves in the center of it all when friend turns against friend, neighbor against neighbor, in a desperate fight for the truth. At the heart of this gripping story are Abigail and her sister, Dorothy, who together must find a way to persevere during a period marked by terror, adversity, and ignorance.

Told from Abigail’s point of view and based on actual events in the author’s own family histoy, The Sacrifice offers a unique perspective of the Salem witch trials by delving into the devestating effects the trials had not just in Salem but throughout Massachusetts.

Book cover The Witch of Blackbird Pond Elizabeth George SpeareThe Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Orphaned Kit Tyler knows, as she gazes for the first time at the cold, bleak shores of Connecticut Colony, that her new home will never be like the shimmering Caribbean island she left behind. In her relatives’ stern Puritan community, she feels like a tropical bird that has flown to the wrong part of the world, a bird that is now caged and lonely. The only place where Kit feels completely free is in the meadows, where she enjoys the company of the old Quaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, and on occasion, her young sailor friend Nat. But when Kit’s friendship with the “witch” is discovered, Kit is faced with suspicion, fear, and anger. She herself is accused of witchcraft!

Book cover The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane Katherine HoweThe Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin needs to spend her summer doing research for her doctoral dissertation. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie’s grandmother’s abandoned home near Salem, she can’t refuse. As she is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the family house, Connie discovers an ancient key within a seventeenth-century Bible. The key contains a yellowing fragment of parchment with a name written upon it: Deliverance Dane. This discovery launches Connie on a quest–to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact of singular power: a physick book, its pages a secret repository for lost knowledge.

As the pieces of Deliverance’s harrowing story begin to fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of the long-ago witch trials, and she begins to fear that she is more tied to Salem’s dark past then she could have ever imagined.

Written with astonishing conviction and grace, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane travels seamlessly between the witch trials of the 1690s and a modern woman’s story of mystery, intrigue, and revelation.

What books about Salem do YOU love?

Fortnight of Fright | Origins of Halloween

Fortnight of FrightHalloween is creeping ever closer, friends, so today is a perfect day to talk about the origins of that most excellent day! Stepping right up to the plate is Annie! Time for a lesson in holidays!


Hi, my name is Annie from over at SincerelyAnnie.com! I’m a YA author and editor, and I’m here today to share a little about the origins of Halloween!

Now, let me warn you, I’ve always had a dodgy relationship with Halloween. My beef with the holiday dates back to when I was a toddler and my mom had to take her beloved “Halloweenies” to Grandma and Grandpa’s house because they terrified me so much that I couldn’t be in the same house as them.

witch
Who could sleep with this in the house?!

But, I always appreciated it for was it was: the motherlode of candy! So, recently, when my boyfriend (born and raised in County Mayo, Ireland) proudly claimed the Irish were the geniuses behind Halloween, I said,

Ron_BurgundyWell, it’s not the first time I’ve been wrong.
Turns out, Halloween is thought to have come from the ancient Celtic festival Samhain which was celebrated in Ireland and Scotland as early as the 10th century.

(There were some similar, concurrent Celtic festivals in Wales and Brittany but I don’t know as much about those because I’m not dating a Welshman.)

Samhain was the celebration of the end of the harvest season, and the coming of the dark part of the year. And, get this, it’s pronounced “sow-in” (rhymes with cow-in).

Does_not_make_sense
This in-between time of year was thought to be when it was easier for fairies – as well as the souls of departed loved ones – to enter our world through ”fairy mounds” or ring forts, which were supposed to be open at this particular time of year.

fairy_mound

Like these I visited last year.

It’s said that people resorted to dressing up (or “guising”) to either imitate or confuse the spirits prone to mischief. However, some historians claim our version of trick-or-treating came from later Christian influence.

bunny

Whatever, man, I still don’t wanna dress up!

At this point, if you had any Catholic influence in your upbringing (as I did), you may be thinking, “Wtf, Annie? Halloween comes from the November Christian holidays All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Everybody knows that.”

But here I must call BS! Turns out, when All Saints’ Day was established in 609 … are you ready for this? … it was in May.

Fact. Later, the Pope switched the holiday to that creepy time of year that Samhain was already runnin’ around scaring people. Copycats!

And then there’s All Souls’ Day, which was originally celebrated around Easter. Sometime during the Middle Ages it was mashed up with All Saints’ Day for one great Hallowtide. (Seriously, that’s a word. Google it.)

Lord_testing_me
As the different traditions mixed in Europe, it wasn’t until the 19th century that Halloween celebrations appeared in the United States, brought over with the mass immigration of the Irish and Scottish.
dogs_trick_or_treatingThere are many different theories about how trick-or-treating came about, but it seems to be clear that the earliest reference to the practice as being “common” in the U.S. wasn’t until as late as the 1930s. Can you believe it? My grandparents were alive then! Mickey Mouse is older than that!
So, there you have it. Halloween is messy mix of pagan Celtic traditions and Christian ones. And I learned not to argue Irish history with an Irishman!
Sincerely_Annie

Fortnight of Fright | Guest Review | Zombies Don’t Cry

Fortnight of FrightBig thanks to today’s guest reviewer, Shanae from Reading and Reviews 3000! I hope you’re in the mood for some zombies, friends!


Book cover Zombies Don't Cry Rusty Fisher

Title: Zombie’s Don’t Cry
Author: Rusty Fischer
Year: 2011
Chapters: 32
Pages: 371
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Fiction
Format: ARC from the publisher
Sources: Medallion Press
Publishers: Medallion Press

ABOUT THE BOOK

Maddy Swift is just a normal girl-a high school junior surviving class with her best friend hoping the yummy new kid, Stamp,will as her out. When he finally does, her whole life changes. Sneaking out to meet Stamp at a party one rainy night,Maddy is struck by lighting. After awaking, she feels lucky to be alive. Over time, however, Maddy realizes that she’s becoming the thing she and everyone else fear the most:the living dead.

REVIEW

As you can see above I really love this book. I have never read a zombie story in my life, (gosh I need to explore more books often). Rusty Fischer’s book was amazing. A good tale about a normal high school student turing into a zombie. He really got my attention on that. Only reading the synopsis I was hooked. I am glad that I can read the other two in the series. This is a wonderful fiction book for YA lovers out there. It reminded me of “My Babysitter Is A Vampire Movie”. I love Maddy’s character which sort of reminds me of me.♥. Its hard to adjust to a new life when you turn into a monster screaming “BRAINS”. LOL gets me all the time. Storyline (5/5), book cover(5/5), author(5/5). This is a highly requested book I will indeed recommend to you all. If monster books and zombies are your favorite you won’t be disappointed. Lets just talk about how the chapters have amazing titles(I must add). They added to the storyline and were very indeed creative.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rusty Fischer, a former high school teacher, has worked for the best – selling educational magazine The Mailbox, Learing, and Bookbag. As a full – time free writer, he has had his work for teens and young adults published in Seventeen, Stories fir a Teen Heart, and Soup for the Preteen Souls.

Fortnight of Fright | Tortured Souls Excerpt

Fortnight of Fright

Who doesn’t love a good host hunt story? Show of hands. I don’t know about you all, but my hand is high in the sky right now. Well, look no further, ghost hunt-loving friends. Today for Fortnight of Fright, author Kimber Leigh Wheaton is sharing an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from her book, TORTURED SOULS!

Before we get to the excerpt, a little background for you:

Fortnight of Fright Tortured Souls

Fortnight of Fright Tortured Souls

Fortnight of Fright Tortured Souls

Oooooh, I’m intrigued!!! Now it’s excerpt time!


 

I’d like to share an exclusive excerpt from my paranormal romance, Tortured Souls, chosen especially for Fortnight of Fright. In this scene, main character Kacie Ramsey experiences her first official ghost hunt with the Orion Circle.

Excerpt from Chapter Nine ~ Ghost Hunt

Opulence drips from every detail in this magnificent hotel lobby. The chandeliers alone are worth staring at. Dangling crystals send beams of colored light dancing all around. Plush red furniture with gold accents that should appear garish just helps create the turn of the century look. Our tour guide describes the grisly history of the Red Majestic Hotel, but I turn a deaf ear. So much tragedy—I can feel the icy tendrils of energy pulling at my mental block.

“Now we’ll head to the kitchen so you can see the spot where Chef Andre killed his sous chef with your own eyes,” the guide says in a dramatic, booming voice as he ushers the tour members to the back of the hotel.

“This is where we leave you, Jeff,” Daniel says, passing a twenty dollar bill to our guide. “We’re heading up to room 208.”

“Always good to see you guys,” Jeff says, tipping his cowboy hat. “Y’all be careful up in 208. You never know what might happen in there.”

“No need to worry,” Logan says. “Keep us up to date on anything strange.”

“You’ll have to be a bit more specific than that,” Jeff replies with a grin. “Did you see that brunette cougar in the group? The one with the chest out to here,” he says, gesturing with his hands. “She actually squeezed my ass. Twice.”

“Let’s keep the reveal to the supernatural, Jeff,” Rebecca says through her laughter. “What you do with your tour groupies is your own business.”

“Sounds dreadfully dull,” Jeff says before heading off to his tour group. “Have fun in room 208, newbie,” he says over his shoulder.

“What’s in room 208?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

“A very temperamental ghost,” Daniel says, in a deep, spooky voice. “Kinda reminds me of that green slime ball in Ghostbusters.”

“We want you to try to convince this ghost to move on,” Logan says, taking my arm and leading me toward a bank of gold elevators. “Okay, now turn around and face the lobby.”

I turn and gaze at the empty lobby. Everything is quiet with the tour group gone. My eyes roam across the turn of the century décor. I wonder what Logan wants me to see.

“Now lower your wall,” Logan says in an excited murmur.

The moment my barrier is lowered I gasp in amazement. Spirit energy fills the large room—men, women, children, and even a dog. It’s residual energy, an imprint left behind all those years ago. I’ve never seen anything like this… ever. In a way it’s so beautiful watching the wispy white forms go about their business, oblivious to the passing of time.

“It’s amazing,” I murmur to Logan. “Are any of them aware?”

“No, I think it’s all residual down here now,” Logan replies with a grin. “It’s like the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World.”

“I’ve never been,” I reply, watching the ghostly image of a hotel clerk pass through the man at the bell desk. He shivers and his head darts around before he shrugs his shoulders and returns to working. “I can see why so many people have experiences here. How did we manage to walk through the lobby without running into one of the spirits?”

“I didn’t,” Daniel says, crossing his arms. “I felt one pass right through me earlier.”

“I wish I could see them,” Rebecca says, her voice filled with yearning.

“Ready for the next surprise?” Logan asks.

When I nod he pushes the up button for the elevator. The car arrives and we step inside the mirrored box. A ghostly form hovers near the control panel. He’s wearing what appears to be a uniform with a small pillbox hat.

“Floor two, please,” Logan says to the spirit.

“Cool!” Rebecca says as the number lights up. “Did the ghost push it for us?”

“Yep, this one seems to be aware,” Logan says, eyeing the spirit. “Are you happy here or would you like help moving on?” The specter tips his hat before disappearing.

“I guess he’s happy here,” Logan says with a sigh. “I wonder how long he’s been operating this elevator.”

“Probably since the hotel opened and an operator was necessary,” Daniel says, running his hand over the control panel. “Hmm, he’s quite content here. I don’t think he really notices the passage of time.”

“That’s good,” Rebecca says shaking her head. “I can’t imagine spending both life and death operating a stupid elevator.”

A bing sounds inside the elevator, and the doors slide open. I follow my friends down a long, dim hallway. Each door we pass is painted bright red to match the ornate red and gold carpet. Electric sconces hang on the walls at even intervals. If they flickered just a bit, I could almost imagine it being one hundred years ago. We stop in front of a door with 208 on it in gold numbers. Before Daniel can put the key card in the lock, a maid appears rushing down the hall toward us.

“Oh, I think you have the wrong room,” she says, her breathing ragged from running just a short distance.

“Nope, 208 is the room we’re looking for,” Rebecca replies in a cheerful tone. “We’re paranormal investigators. It’s been cleared with management.”

“Oh, I see,” she says, shaking her head as though she disagrees. “I tried cleaning in there earlier and the TV remote flew across the room and hit me in the head.” She glances around the hallway. “Where’s your camera crew? Am I going to be on TV?” she asks while fluffing her graying hair.

“I’m terribly sorry but we are academic investigators, not entertainers,” Logan says with a hard edge to his voice. “These spirits are people just like you and me and don’t deserve to be exploited.”

“It threw a remote at me!” the maid says with her hands on her hips.

“We’re here to try to convince the spirit to move on to the next plane,” Daniel says as he swipes the keycard through the lock. “With any luck, you’ll never have to deal with her again.”

When he opens the door, a musty, stale smell wafts out. After one last fearful glance at the room, the maid scurries away in silence. I take a deep breath, choking a bit on the heavy air. Even without entering the room I can tell a spirit is here. An unhappy spirit based on the vibes rolling out the door.

“Wow, the hairs are standing up on my neck,” Rebecca whispers. “Is that the ghost?”

“Yeah, she’s not happy to be disturbed,” Logan replies before crossing the threshold. “Rebecca, you can stay out here if you prefer.”

“No way in hell am I missing this,” Rebecca says, her body shaking in excitement or fear, maybe both.

Logan holds his hand out to me. My stomach does a little flip as I place my hand in his. He laces our fingers together and pulls me into the room. Static electricity crackles around us, making my hair fly in all directions. Through the veil of hair, I see an apparition so solid she looks alive. Her yellow sundress is in tatters, torn at the shoulder and hem. Vivid red stains mar the sunny expanse of ripped cloth across her stomach.

Blood.

“Do you see her?” I ask in a breathless whisper.

“Yes,” Logan replies, squeezing my hand. “Talk to her. Maybe she’ll listen to you. I think you two have something in common.”

“Okay,” I murmur, my eyes never leaving the girl.

Energy thrums along my arms, raising every hair. Releasing Logan’s hand, I walk toward the girl, watching in fascination as her long, dark hair flies around her. Her eyes are inky pools with no white visible. All in all, I think she’s one of the most terrifying apparitions I’ve ever seen in appearance. And yet, I sense only intense sorrow coming off her in undulating waves. This spirit is suffering terribly. She watches me as I lower my body to sit on the edge of the king-size bed. I fold my hands in my lap, trying to appear as innocuous as possible.

“Tell me your story,” I say to the spirit girl. “You’re suffering. I can help. Please share your story with me.”

“You would never understand the pain I have experienced at the hands of the woman who was supposed to provide care and nurture,” the spirit replies, turning away.

“You might be surprised,” I say in a calm, even tone. “Did your mother hurt you?”

“Yes.” Though she doesn’t elaborate, she does turn back to face me.

“My mother hurt me deeply,” I tell the ghost. My nose begins to burn which means the tears aren’t far behind. “Maybe not physically but mental anguish can be bad too. Just three days ago she reopened old wounds. My heart hurts just thinking about it.”

“Truly?” the girl asks, tipping her head to the side as though she’s contemplating my words.

“I know what betrayal feels like,” I reply with a deep sigh. “Tell me your story. You don’t belong here anymore. There’s no need to suffer like this. Please, let me help you.”

“My mother wed my stepfather when I was thirteen,” she says in a soft voice. The energy in the room spikes then dims when her shoulders sag. “Within a fortnight he was visiting me in the dead of night. He did things to me. Things that should only occur between a husband and wife. Horrible things—”

She shudders, crossing her arms over her chest. I don’t say anything… just wait for her to continue her tale. Her eyes meet mine, filled with tears, and I want nothing more than to hold her, to soothe her. She couldn’t be any older than I am. Without thinking I reach out to touch her shoulder, but my hand passes through her phantom image. I snatch my hand back, cradling my freezing fingers against my stomach.

“He visited me weekly for two years—threatened me with violence if I ever told a soul. Threatened to kill my m-mother.” She chokes the words out through gut-wrenching sobs. “One night my mother walked in while he was using my body…”

“What happened?” I ask when she remains silent.

“He told her I seduced him, that I was possessed by a succubus from Hell,” she says, flinging her arms around. Tendrils of icy wind billow from her fingertips. “She believed him. They locked me up in this very room.”

“I don’t understand,” I murmur, looking at Logan. “Why would they lock her up here?”

“This building was once used as a facility for tuberculosis patients,” Logan replies. He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “It was also used to hide the less desirable people from society.”

“I was with child.”

“Oh, I see. I’m so sorry,” I say as tears spill over my eyelashes.

The monster got her pregnant and locked her away where she wouldn’t be a nuisance. I look at the red stains all over her dress. There’s still more to this story.

“Mother found out about the baby,” she says in a whisper. “She screamed that it was demon spawn and must be removed no matter the cost. She stabbed the baby through my belly. Over and over. Screaming. So much pain.”

“What’s your name?” Logan asks as he approaches inch by inch, like he’s afraid she’ll flee.

“Maria.”

“Maria, you’ve suffered enough,” I say, rising from the bed. “None of this was your fault. You are a victim and did nothing to deserve it. Move on to the next plane.”

“Will my baby be there?”

“I don’t know,” Logan says when I can’t find my voice. “But there’s only one way to find out. I’m sure whatever you find there must be better than the pain you feel here.”

“I can go?”

“Yes,” I say, firm and sure. “Rest in peace, Maria.”

My heart leaps when a tiny smile crosses her face. She stares off into the distance, perhaps seeing something we can’t. Whatever she sees makes her smile grow larger. Her image flickers and begins to fade away. Right before she disappears, she waves goodbye.

“You did it!” Logan says, pulling me into a hug.

Tears flow down my cheeks. Wrapping my arms around his back, I rest my head on his shoulder. I can’t help but smile through the tears. Helping Maria was fantastic. She suffered for so long, and I was the one who was able to get through to her. Right now my ability seems more a blessing than a curse.


Kimber Leigh Wheaton

About the Author

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

Author Links

web | twitter | goodreads | facebook | pinterest | amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortnight of Fright | Halloween Movies & TV Shows

Fortnight of Fright

Guys, I’m SO EXCITED to have Lauren from Bookmark Lit on the blog today as part of the Fortnight of Fright because she’s talking about something super fun: Halloween MOVIES AND TV SHOWS. Get ready to set your DVRs, friends! And try not to get that song from Casper stuck in your head like I did.


Thank you, Amy, for hosting me during Fortnight of Fright!

One of my favorite things to do for Halloween is turn down the lights, light some candles, grab a pumpkin beer, and watch some classic movies or creepy shows. [insert personal picture somewhere around this paragraph]  I generally enjoy horror movies, but don’t have anyone in my life who is willing to watch them with me! As a result, I tend to stick to some of my childhood favorites that aren’t too scary. Today I’ll be sharing some of my recommendations for October and some of the places you can catch them.

Fortnight of Fright

Disney Channel movies are the first ones I turn to when I think of Halloween movies. Halloweentown should be EVERY person’s favorite Disney Channel movie (Halloween-related or not!) You can normally find these movies showing on ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween or on Disney itself in October…. Or you can be aggressive like me and buy them on DVD.

Fortnight of Fright HalloweentownThe Halloweentown movies are absolute classics. Of course, like with most series, the first movie is the best one. If you somehow missed these, the movie is about three siblings who learn that their grandmother is a witch. The kids follow her onto a magical bus that brings them to Halloweentown, where something evil is brewing. They gain their powers and help stop the spirit before it’s too late. There are three other movies in the series: Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High, and Return to Halloweentown.

Fortnight of Fright Tower of TerrorTower of Terror is a Disney movie that is actually based on the Walt Disney World ride with the same name. The movie stars a young Kirsten Dunst and Steve Guttenberg as they investigate a sixty-year-old mystery plaguing the abandoned hotel. It’s certainly a cheesy Disney movie at its finest, but has a pretty cool twist that (maybe) you won’t see coming.

Fortnight of Fright TwitchesTwitches and Twitches Too, starring Disney’s go-to twins (Tia and Tamara Mowry), is your classic separated-at-birth twin story. These twins meet on their 21st birthday and find that they need to use their powers to save their birth mother and the magical land where they were born. If you’re into any of the other Disney movies I mentioned, you’ll like these two movies as well….even if the only reason you watch them is to reminisce on your younger days.

Fortnight of Fright

There are some classic Halloween movies that you can’t let yourself forget during this time of year. Again, a lot of these are on ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween. A few of these are also on Netflix, so you’ll see that noted for the movies you can catch on there.

Fornight of Fright Nightmare Before ChristmasIs The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? Who cares! Watch it every month between now and the end of the year. This one is on Netlfix, too. Tim Burton delivers as always with his creepy animation, characters, and settings. Jack Skellington is the king of Halloweentown (not to be confused with the Halloweentown I previously mentioned) and discovers a Christmas town. Feeling inspired, he tries to bring some of that holiday spirit to his hometown.

Fortnight of Fright CasperCasper is another Halloween story from everyone’s childhood, no matter how old you are. Casper is probably the cutest ghost you’ll ever meet. A father and his daughter move into an old house to do some paranormal investigating, when they find that there are four ghosts who live there too. Christina Ricci is young and angsty in this one. There are quite a few spin-offs of this one, if you’re in the mood. Those can be found on Netflix, but unfortunately not the original.

Fortnight of Fright BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice is an old-school Tim Burton movie that can’t be missed, either. A couple that has recently passed away is still living in their old house when a new (living) couple moves in. They enlist the help of Beetlejuice (who is creepy and unexplainable) to help scare them off.

fortnight of Fright Addams FamilyThe Addams Family is a movie that can get the theme song stuck in your head just by thinking about it. This creepy family is well-known for having a lot of weird names (Gomez, Fester, Morticia, Wednesday, and Pugsley). Young Christina Ricci appears again as the extremely sarcastic and serious Wednesday Addams, who is pretty much the best part of the movie. This one is on Netflix!

Fortnight of Fright

It’s not too late to get addicted to a creepy television show that you can binge-watch until after Halloween. Some of these are on Netflix, while others are still mid-season. Generally you can find past episodes and seasons On Demand or on Hulu, if you’re in the mood to track these down!

Fortnight of FrightThe Vampire Diaries and Witches of East End are two shows that book bloggers and readers are likely familiar with… because they’re based on books! The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith is the series that sparked the TV show of the same name. The story follows Elena Gilbert, who finds herself torn between two vampire brothers. Witches of East End is the first book in the Beauchamp Family saga by Melissa de la Cruz. This TV show follows the Beauchamp women as the daughters learn they are witches and come to terms with their powers. I’ve been watching both shows for a while now and can definitely recommend them both as Halloween shows to get started with. Both of these shows are on Netflix, except from their current/most recent seasons!

Sleepy HollowSleepy Hollow is a retelling of the classic tale with the same name. Ichabod Crane is resurrected and brought into the future to help solve a mystery with the current police of Sleepy Hollow. I’ve only watched part of the first season of this one, but others (like my parents) have watched all of the episodes and really have enjoyed it. There’s a bit of mystery along with creepiness, which could be a great combination for spooky October TV. You can find Sleepy Hollow’s current season on FOX and past episodes on Hulu or On Demand.

Fortnight of Fright American Horror StoryI’m sure the first TV series think of when they’re looking for Halloween programming is American Horror Story. I watched the previous season, Coven, and was very impressed. The show uses the same characters but highlights a different creepy story each season. Season one featured a haunted house, season two took place in an insane asylum, and season three involved a school of young witches. The current season is only a couple of episodes in (so you can find them on Hulu) and is centered around a freak show. The previous seasons are on Netflix and you can find new seasons each October on FX.

Fortnight of Fright

Netflix can be your friend or enemy, depending on what you’re trying to watch on a given day. It has quite a few horror movies if you’re into something scarier, too. (If you don’t already have Netflix for some reason, you can sign up for a month-long free trial this month to get your scary movie fix.)

Fortnight of Fright Tucker & DaleTucker and Dale vs. Evil is a little different than the others I’ve featured here, but it’s definitely worth mentioning. This is a funny but gory take on traditional horror movies. A group of college kids mistakenly assumes Tucker and Dale are serial killers because they happen to look the part, and lots of crazy misunderstandings happen.

Fortnight of Fright Blair Witch ProjectI’ll be honest: I’ve only seen parts of the Blair Witch Project. I watched it from behind a pillow when I was an easily-scared nine year old. The plot is simple and the movie is a classic: three film students seek out the Blair Witch in some creepy woods and only their video footage is found.

(As I mentioned before, you can also find The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Addams Family, The Vampire Diaries, Witches of East End, and American Horror Story on Netflix.)

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Thanks again for featuring me on Fortnight of Fright! I hope everyone was reminded of some childhood favorites or found something new to watch this October.

Thank YOU, Lauren!

Fortnight of Fright | Laura Bickle Guest Post & Q&A

Fortnight of Fright

Friends, I am BEYOND excited to host the incredibly fantastic Laura Bickle on the blog today! Laura is the author of the supremely creepy vampire series, The Hallowed Ones, about an Amish girl named Katie who must figure out a way to survive the vampire apocalypse. They’re excellent. Laura was nice and wonderful enough to put together a guest post and answer some bookish and Halloweenish questions. Thanks, Laura! Take it away!

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Fortnight of Fright | Weird NJ

Fortnight of Fright

 Weird NJ

Guys, I’m really excited for this post. I think it’s a perfect thing to post about for Fortnight of Fright, even though it isn’t remotely bookish–Weird NJ. I know that the people behind Weird NJ have since expanded to cover all the weird, creepy local folklore and ghost stories in other states, but Weird NJ is where it all started. My sister and I used to scour the website and the books to find places close to us to go see. Some of them are legit scary as hell, others are just odd places or landmarks. It’s all super fun. But because this is Fortnight of FRIGHT, I’m going to highlight a couple of the creepier places and legends in my home state. WOOT!

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Excuse Me While I Fangirl | Sleepy Hollow

fangirl Sleepy Hollow

 Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy HollowFriends, there’s no better way to start out this year’s Fortnight of Fright than by paying homage to one of my FAVORITE creepy tv shows around right now: Sleepy Hollow. HOLLA, WITNESSES! I legitimately love this show. It appeals to several of my favorite things: American Revolutionary history, biblical prophecies of death and the apocalypse, monsters, men with British accents, an OTP, a small town, humor, witches…there’s probably more. PLUS I get to “watch” it with my besties, and by watch I mean that we all watch it at the same time and text each other when something crazy slash hilarious slash swoony happens. We all know this is THE BEST.

Considering all of this, but particularly the monsters, witches, and biblical prophecies of death and the apocalypse angles, I thought that Fortnight of Fright would be the perfect time to shout my love of Sleepy Hollow from the rooftops. Woot! Come fangirl with me!

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Fortnight of Fright

Fortnight of Fright

Friends, I can’t tell you how excited I am to be hosting Fortnight of Fright this year with my girls from Gals On the Same Page, Alyssa and Brittany! I’ve always loved this feature that highlights all things creepy and Halloweeny and pumpkiny and fallish for the two weeks leading right up to Halloween itself. Brittany and Alyssa hosted Fortnight of Fright like CHAMPS the last two years, but this year we’re hosting it as Gals on the Same Page so I get to join in the fun! Woo Hoo!

If you’re not familiar with Fortnight of Fright, it’s basically two weeks of you guys sharing posts about anything Halloween and fall related. Books, movies, recipes, stories, Pinterest boards, Etsy stores, crafts, WHATEVER YOU WANT. It’s kind of AMAZING. All you need to do is sign up on the Google doc below and then your post will appear on Books Take You Places, The Book Addict’s Guide, or here at Tripping Over Books for everyone to see!

And to top all of this goodness off, the three of us will also be participating in All Hallow’s Read, which is this completely RAD thing that Neil Gaiman sponsors every Halloween where people give out scary books instead of cavity-inducing sweets (although who doesn’t love those, amirite?). If you would also like to participate in this awesome event, check out the website here and get all the details!

Sign up for your Fortnight of Fright post below and stay tuned for all the creepy goodness!! We’ll be tweeting using the hashtag #FortnightofFright!