Frightfully-Fun Halloween Book Club Ideas for Your Next Meeting
If you’re reading this with glee and a notepad handy to get Halloween book club ideas, then you’ve likely been preparing for Halloween since July 5th, which is the official* start of the Halloween season. And honestly, I’m here for that type of energy. Since stores showcase Christmas decorations as early as September, then Halloween can start early as well. *per the Council of Spooky People
I look forward to this time of the year annually, even if we don’t really get to experience fall where I live. At best, it’s just a brief time of year when it’s slightly less hot than it has recently been. But I live for all the vibes, even if I live vicariously through them through pictures of actual fall, movies, and, of course, books.
Suffice it to say, my book club goes all out around this time of the year. We all enjoy Halloween in various ways and come together to show our love together with a book ready to go. I’m talking horror novels, fire pits, s’mores, pumpkin spice…the works. And this year will be no different, I’m sure, no matter who is hosting.
If you’re also in a book club and looking to throw a Halloween-themed meet-up, here are some items about décor, themes, and recommendations to help make it a fantastic meet-up.
Halloween Book Club Decor
These will help to set the mood from the very start of the meet-up! I could make an entire post about bookish Halloween decor — thankfully, someone else has! Once you peruse the options below, here are lots more ideas for Halloween book decor.
Halloween Book Banner by HasDesignStudio
If you want to set the stage from the moment that your book club walks in, then this banner hanging on an entryway will certainly help to do so. $15
Halloween Book Stack by HasDeisgnStudio
My club and I are leaning more into our witchy roots recently due to the chaotic Thunderdome that is the world right now. So we would definitely want this particular stack of books for our decorations, although the shop does have a variety of other options. $25
Halloween Book Club Party Favors
A goodie bag isn’t just for kids. After all, what’s a party without favors?
Wine Glass Charms by RDDESIGNSbyDeborah
You can have these set out so that your members can pick a charm to go with their wine glass or goblet so everyone knows which drink belongs to which person. I’m confident that there’s a charm that perfectly matches each member’s personality. $12
Death by TBR Sticker by BookishThingsNMore
And who doesn’t love a good sticker? Perfect for some ‘just because’ gifts for the members, and I’m sure this is a sentiment that we can all get behind. $2.50
Blind Date With a Book Scratch-off by TreasuredTropesPaper
If you want to embrace the horror vibes for the next couple of meet-ups, then this can be used to help in picking out the next book. It is also something that can be used as an option for meet-ups where no one knows what to read next. Let the card decide for you! $9
Book Discussion Questions by ArtInspiresTime
At some point between the festivities, you should probably actually talk about the book that was read, and these questions are a good jumping-off point. $5
Halloween Book Club Recommendations
Come on now. Y’all really didn’t think we wouldn’t have some recommendations for the meet-up, right? I have a good mix of possible titles here for your consideration and some links to other posts full of excellent reads for a Halloween book club. Hopefully, at least one, if not all, will catch your attention for this and possible future meet-ups.
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
Years ago, witch Vivi had her heart broken by fellow witch Rhys and cast what was intended to be a silly little hex on him. When the playboy returns years later to recharge the ley lines and starts being the victim of magically related hijinks, she realizes that the hex may have worked all too well. Now, they two must work together to break it before more calamity, and possibly love, occurs.
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
When Gareth broke Emmy’s heart, she left her hometown of Thistle Grove. When familial duty calls her home for the semicentennial spellcasting tournament, she is determined to not stay any longer than she has to. Then she finds out that Gareth also played her best friend Linden as well as the attractive Talia; she conspires with them to get revenge on the playboy. As the plan pans out, the attraction with Talia grows, leaving Emmy to wonder if she really wants to return to Chicago.
A Night of Screams edited by Richard Z. Santos
This is a collection of short stories and poems from some of the most prolific voices in Latino literature. There is a wide variety of terrifying tales here that feature folklore horror figures like La Llorona and the Chupacabra, as well as allegorical horror that highlights the challenges and prejudices that are faced every day.
The Black Guy Dies First by Robin R. Means Coleman, PhD, and Mark H. Harris
I don’t think it can be argued that for most of its history, horror movies were very monochromatic until 1968’s Night of the Living Dead. In this book, the authors do a thorough breakdown of that movie and the tropes and themes that have come out since then regarding Black characters and their roles in horror.
More Halloween Reads
10 Horror Books for Book Clubs
20 Must Read Halloween Nonfiction Books
8 Autumnal (But Not Scary) Halloween Reads
Until Next Time
And that’s all I have for y’all today. No matter what you decide to do for your own meet-up, just remember to have fun. After all, that is why most of us join and keep up with a book club. I’m proud to say that mine has been going strong since 2015 and shows no sign of stopping. As always, happy reading, and stay hydrated.
