Spooky reading recommendations

With Halloween sneaking just around the corner, we here at Aura Libraries decided to put together a list of spooky reading recommendations. From vicious vampires to ghastly ghosts - we've got your Halloween reads covered!

All of our Halloween recommendations are available to borrow as either e-books or audiobooks on Borrowbox. As an Aura library member, you can access digital library resources such as e-books and audiobooks for free on Borrowbox and RBdigital. These resources can be downloaded straight from Borrowbox or RBdigital to a PC, laptop or Mac. Alternatively, you can download the Borrowbox and RBdigital apps directly to a smartphone or tablet.

To access most online library resources you will need to enter your library membership number and pin. If you do not have this then you can join up as a member online via the Aura website for instant access. All links and further details about our digital library resources can be found on our website: www.aura.wales/libraries

The Leader:

Let's start with a couple of classics: none other than Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. If you have already come across these titles before (perhaps whilst studying them in school or watching the various films and TV adaptations), we recommend trying out the audiobook versions this autumn. For those who perhaps have not come across these titles before, these two reads are a brilliant insight into the gothic canon of literary texts and should be on any book lover's reading bucket list!

Our next two recommendations have been very popular recently after being adapted into TV series: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson and You by Caroline Kepnes. If you enjoyed either of these titles on screen, we recommend giving the books or audiobooks a go to see which you prefer. We are in favour of the books, of course!

For a classic ghost story, you can't go wrong with The Turn of the Screw by Henry James and The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. Again, these two titles fit nicely into the Gothic canon and keep you hooked right until the end. Both of these titles are full of supernatural suspense and intrigue: perfect choices for Halloween.

Next on our list we've got two books that have been very popular recently: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager and The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James. Much more contemporary, these two recommendations are full of secrecy and suspense. We apologise in advance if you are put off staying at a hotel/motel after reading either of these.

And lastly: for a creepy dystopian read, we recommend The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood which might not be full of ghosts and monsters in the traditional sense, but is certainly haunting and terrifying in its own way. We recommend having an extra dose of Atwood by following The Handmaid's Tale with its sensational sequel The Testaments.

• We want to hear from you. What is your favourite scary book? Share your spooky reading recommendations with us on social media! Find us on Facebook @LlyfrgelloeddAuraLibraries or Twitter @LibFlintshire

Half term fun

We are hoping to be able to offer fantastic activities again very soon in our library buildings. In the meantime, we will be sharing lots of great activities to enjoy from home on our social media pages. During this half term, we will be posting fantastic Halloween inspired craft sessions and an extra special Story Time session with the glorious Mama G, who has visited our libraries in the past to share stories about being who you are and loving who you want. Whilst we are missing seeing everyone in person for our weekly Rhymetime sessions, we are glad to be able to share weekly videos on social media and will be posting a brand new Rhymetime session on our Facebook page during half term. All of our Rhymetime sessions can be found on our YouTube page (aura wales).

Join a Zoom Reading Group

Here at Aura Libraries, we believe sharing a love of reading and discussing the wonderful world of books is a great way to stay connected during difficult times. We encourage all book lovers and book club fanatics to join our online 'Reading Friends' Shared Reading sessions via Zoom, which take place on every second Tuesday of the month between 11am-noon. We are also launching a new monthly Children's Reading Group via Zoom on the last Thursday of the month beginning on October 29 at 4pm. Both of these sessions are perfect for book lovers who enjoy sharing stories and discussing their favourite books. For more information, or to register for one of our reading groups, please email susannah.hill@aura.wales

• From everyone here at Aura Libraries, happy Halloween and happy reading! Stay safe and we hope to hear from you or see you soon. Whilst we may be facing difficult times, remember: we are always united by books!

Aura is a charitable, not-for-profit, organisation responsible for managing the majority of leisure, libraries and heritage services in Flintshire. Aura is owned by its employees and operates for the benefit of local communities.