My Year in Books 2023: October

Okay, so it's a very short post today. 31 Days of Halloween doesn't always leave much time for reading. That said, I did read one book, and it was a very good one!

In case you're curious, here are the rest of my reviews for the year so far: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September

Ghostwritten by Ronald Malfi (2022)

There was a lot going on this month, so I knew I wouldn’t get chance to do a lot of reading. But I was keen that any reading I did was right for the season. And I think I made a very good choice! I got Ghostwritten in one of my Abominable Books boxes, and it’s been sitting on my to-read pile since then, just waiting for the right time! It’s a collection of four (almost) standalone novellas, each focused on a book or story that is cursed in some way: an unpublished manuscript, an old book that needs to be delivered to a new owner, a book created by a lonely child, and a choose-your-own-adventure game. I knew that the subject matter would be to my taste, but I was really taken with Malfi’s writing. Although the novellas differ a little in terms of their tone, there’s a distinct style and voice that I found really enjoyable. I was completely immersed in each one, and so I couldn’t pick a favourite (though some of the descriptions of places in The Dark Brothers’ Last Ride were just perfect). I say these are ‘almost’ standalone, as they are set in the same ‘universe’. There’s a very subtle overarching narrative that links them, and I really enjoyed the light touch Malfi uses to create this. There are tiny hints to another story that isn’t told in any of the novellas that was beautifully intriguing and sinister. Overall, this is perfect Halloween reading!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 23

A really nice day today, as it was the start of my big week of events and activities. There's a lot coming up this week, so it was lovely to kick things off with such a successful event.

Bailey’s Wood Halloween Story Walk

Really loved leading the Halloween Story Walk for Friends of Bailey's Wood today! It was AMAZING to see kids of all ages (plus some adults and a very excited dog) enjoying the woods, exercising their legs and their imaginations, and (most importantly) hunting for werewolves. We never did catch one though...

Halloween Donut

After such a full-on Halloween event this afternoon, I treated myself to a Halloween donut afterwards. And yes, it was a Krispy Kreme.

Halloween Presents

More very cute Halloween presents from my bonkers and lovely mum... a Halloween gonk and an autumnal owl!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 22

After the craziness of Pumpkin Day yesterday, it was a bit of a quiet one today. I was at work, and then we just had a quiet night in with a seasonal film.

Spider Brooches

For half term, we've got a spider brooch activity on at the Pankhurst Centre, making badges inspired by the jewellery of Baroness Hale (specifically the brooch she wore when she ruled that the proroguing of parliament was illegal).

31 Halloween Films: Troll Hunter

Our Sunday night film from the Halloween list was Troll Hunter!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 21

It's Pumpkin Day! And given it's the second year in a row we've observed Pumpkin Day, that must mean it's a genuine tradition! Woohoo! It's also our monthly day off together, so we've got lots of (admittedly heavily pumpkin-based) things planned.

Trick or Treat Sweets

I completely forgot I ordered this bag of Halloween sweets from Candy Stack Creations! It's like a Halloween present from past me!

Crumpsall Breakfast

Since we had the day off together, we went out for a lovely breakfast at the Secret Sandwich and randomly met up with friends, before heading out for the afternoon.

Pumpkin Picking

It's Pumpkin Day! We went to Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm to get a big pumpkin to carve, plus some mini pumpkins (because they're so cute).

Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

It wouldn't be Pumpkin Day without some pumpkin spice ice cream, would it?

Pumpkin Patch Cake

It's Pumpkin Day!

31 Halloween Films: You’re Next

An afternoon film from our list... what's next? You're Next!

Special Earrings

I changed my earrings before we went out for the evening... bet you can't guess why.

Saw X

We went to see Saw X tonight. I was a bit nervous about what it would be like, after the disappointment of Jigsaw (and I didn't even bother with Spiral). But it was an absolute joy (and I know that's a weird thing to say about a Saw film). There's so much affection for the franchise, the characters and the fans in this film!

31 Halloween Films: Friday the 13th

Back from the pictures and back to our Halloween list... it was Friday the 13th next!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 20

Another busy day with work and radio show stuff, but still time for a bit of festive fun in the evening!

Uncle Joe’s Caramelised Toffee Apples

What mad alchemy is this? (Also, can you get non-caramelised toffee apples??)

Roasted Patty Pan Squash

Our October Squash Odyssey (with our Groobarbs Autumn Squash Box) continues... tonight's tea was Roasted Patty Pan Squash with Carrots and Shallots served with stuffed mushrooms.

31 Halloween Films: Sleepy Hollow

The random number generator has spoken again... He's got a horse, but he hasn't got a head!

31 Halloween Films: Halloween

I mean, it was obviously going to happen at some point.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 19

Just a quiet day at work today, doing usual non-Halloween things (although there was a bit of planning for a big event next week).

Dried Mummy’s Brains

Tea break at work today. (It's Dried Mummy's Brains - actually Egyptian Camomile - from Monster Mash Teas!)

31 Days of Halloween: Day 18

Busy but nice day today, with some proper seasonal fun. It was autumnal, but lightly spooky, so all-in-all a good October day!

Bailey’s Wood Ghost Stories Walk and Talk

I led a Walk and Talk session for Friends of Bailey's Wood today, with a ghost stories theme. I loved our ghostly walk in the woods, and sharing a few little tales: 'The Grey Lady of Booth Hall', 'The Boggart of Boggart Hole Clough', 'The Lost Knight', and 'The Devil Came to Dam Head'! They're all 100% true as well (maybe). And what better way to finish off a spooky walk and talk in the woods than with a hot Vimto and a Halloween cupcake?

Halloween Fondant Fancies

Exceedingly good (part 2).

Veg Box

It's here! The first pumpkin of the year! And it's teamed up with a kohlrabi! (We also got leeks, carrots, peppers and potatoes, apples, pears and raspberries in our Groobarbs box this time!)

31 Halloween Films: One Cut of the Dead

Tonight we watched One Cut of the Dead. Pom!

Crown Prince Risotto

More fun from our Autumn Squash Box tonight... an excellent Crown Prince Squash Risotto (veg and recipe from Groobarbs, cooking by Rob)!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 17

I had a big event on at work today (not a Halloween one), so only had time for some little bits of festive fun.

How to Sell a Haunted House

Today's tram reading... How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix.

31 Halloween Film: Barbarian

The random number generator has spoken again, so tonight we're watching Barbarian.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 16

Quiet day today, after all the hard work of the weekend. And Rob was on a night shift, so there were no big festivities today.

Abominable Books

I've been saving a couple of things as a treat for when I finished the draft of my book, not least my AUGUST Abominable Book Club box. Still, the draft is done now, so I can finally open it! And I've got Everything the Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca, plus a copy of Black Static. And... Serious Pig cheese snacks, bookmarks, Franken-stan pin and other goodies.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 15

I submitted my manuscript this morning! Woohoo! Can't believe I got the draft done! So the rest of the day was spent doing other things...

Spooky Season Virtual Writing Retreat

In quite odd timing, I spent today running an online writing retreat. But I'd literally just sent 90,000 words to my publisher and had absolutely no words left.

Halloween Pyjamas

My mum has outdone herself with today's Halloween present. She came round and dropped off matching glow-in-the-dark Halloween pyjamas for me and Rob.

31 Halloween Films: Beetlejuice

The random number generator has spoken... tonight we watched Beetlejuice!

31 Halloween Films: Night of the Living Dead

They're coming to get you, Barbra...

31 Days of Halloween: Day 14

Still working on my manuscript today, but I did get out to run a writing workshop (with a special seasonal flavour). And we did have a nice autumnal tea as well, so I guess we did do a bit of celebrating after all!

ParkWrite Spooky Season

Really enjoyed running this seasonal writing workshop for Friends of Crumpsall Park. This was the final workshop in a series I ran in the park throughout summer and autumn this year. This one focused on the changing seasons, but with a bit of a spooky twist. Parks are such great places for inspiring creativity.

Uchiki Kuri Curry

We started on our Groobarbs Autumn Squash Box tonight... Uchiki Kuri Curry, made by Rob and absolutely delicious!