When I first tried to draft this blog, I fell down a dark rabbit hole about Bunnicula. Now that I climbed out, I’m ready to discuss the other books that stuck with me and helped ease me into the spooky and macabre world of horror.

Ever since I can remember, I loved to read, and going to my school library was the best part of the week. Three series stand out from my early elementary school days.

The Royal Diaries is a series of historical fiction featuring royal women from, you guessed it, history (wow). They are written like, you guessed it again, diary entries (you’re so smart). I loved the ones about Maria Antoinette, Cleopatra, and Lady of Palenque. This spurred an interest in history and an early look into how women were treated. And are still treated in comparison to men. I want to get into that here though.

There was also WISHBONE! The series about a dog playing the central role in classic literature. I loved these books and the television show! (What’s the story, wishbone? Can you hear it??) Of course, this was an early introduction to classic horror as well. Sleepy Hollow, Frankenstein, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Perfection~

I also read Animorphs. You know, the ones where the covers feature a kid slowly turning into some animal. Yeah, some of those images are not pleasant. I can only imagine what the transformation process was actually like. Bones, muscles, and skin stretching, tearing and bending into new shapes. No thanks. I’ll save your eyes from those images.

As I got a bit older, I found the holy grail. The gateway drug to the Spooky: Goosebumps

Some of those covers are freaky! And the stories – S H I V E R S! The one that sticks out is the cover with the shrunken head. I might have to join that Goosebumps book club I’ve seen going around to remember more. As great as Goosebumps is, I’m not here to talk about it. It’s so well known.

During this time there was also the scholastic book fair and book ordering forms. I had to get at least one thing from each. Just like I still need to get at least one book from a bookstore when I go in. It feels wrong not to! One book I had to get from the magazine was Skeleton Man. The cover of that skeleton hand reaching for a shoeless foot has been burned into my head ever since. As I thought back on it, I couldn’t really recall much. I just remember the Skeleton Man wanted to eat the main character. So, I went back to reread it. And yeah. It’s a pretty creepy children’s book. the main character is smart and resourceful. I loved rereading it. I also realized the Skeleton Man is based on a Native American myth. Woo! Culture!

As I was searching for the book, I also found its sequel. I was shocked! Though reading the ending of the first it does hint at the Skeleton Man returning. The second book expands more on the main character’s heritage and culture. Which is interesting. There was also a new mythical creature/god introduced into this book. However, it’s not revealed until the very end. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as captivated as this time around as I was during the first. It felt like the main character was in constant danger in the first one. The second one had less of that anxiety.

However, the main character (I’m bad at names, I’m sorry!) thinks someone is watching and following her but has no proof. I did like this aspect as it also highlighted the trauma that still lingers for her from her first encounter. It’s also important for children to know this is normal. You don’t just get over traumatic things. Sometimes they are lifelong.

Finally, my favorite series I read as I was growing up was Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. There were only three or so volumes out by the time I started to read them. So, I had to wait for each release after that. I remember I got the final book from B. Daulton (remember those?). Like the ending of the book, it was bittersweet.

There was never a happy ending. Just the siblings picking up and continuing on, trying to keep hope alive and whatever amount of happiness they have will stay. It’s such a realistic view of how the world is. Bad things happen. Often out of your control. Usually, the only thing that you can do is just keep going on.

Now, as an adult, I explore as many horror books as possible. They give me extra emotions that I don’t seem to get from, say romance or fantasy. Though, I still very much enjoy reading those genres. Especially, when the genres blend.

How about you, dear reader? What was your favorite book growing up? Any that still swirl around in your brain?