Boo! The month of October requires at least one or two spooky stories, don’t you think?

My focus in choosing this month’s four books was non-political. Enough, already, right? Presidential election years are always dreadful, but nothing compares to 2020. When you get to the point that you dream about one of the candidates (not the one you support) offering you a job, something’s got to give!

Week 1: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

My dear friend Jeff recommended David Sedaris for some escapism reading, and he hit the proverbial nail on the head.

Described by some booksellers as “a series of essays,” it’s the best kind of memoir, as far as I’m concerned. David Sedaris tells stories from his childhood in North Carolina, young adulthood in New York City, and his move to Normandy, France.

Although he often depicts himself as a talentless loser, Sedaris proves the opposite. He’s a brilliant storyteller and humorist.

Thanks, Jeff – that was just what I needed!

Week 2: The Third Man by Graham Greene

Back to my happy place with post-war Graham Greene novels.

This time around, it’s a creepy who-else-dunnit, with the search for The Third Man. This is a novelette, as our protagonist arrives in war-torn Vienna to reunite with an old school chum, only to find out he’s just died in a car accident.

Or was it? Boo!

The volume in this beautiful Folio Society set includes the short story Fallen Idol and a second novelette, Winner Takes All.

Week 3: Haunted New Harmony by Joni Mayhan

New Harmony is a fascinating community located just a few counties away from us, here in southern Indiana.

Joni Mayhan walks us through New Harmony, with individual stories about her paranormal experiences at both public and private buildings. This book includes the history of the town, once home to two early-American utopian communities.

Week 4: How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen

Book lovers owe it to themselves to read this quick volume. It’s a sweet study of Anna Quindlen’s lifelong love of reading and, consequently, writing.

Since it’s October and we’re looking for “boo” moments, I’ve got to share this story:

In this book, Quindlen mentions that, as a child, she would head over to her neighbor’s house and borrow a book from their personal library.

This brought back memories of weekly library visits to the beautiful Children’s Room in the Pittsfield Public Library back in the 1960s. We could borrow up to six books at a time. We always hit the limit.

Following one visit in particular, I hurried up to my bedroom and suddenly realized I’d finished all six books in one sitting! When I confessed this to Mom, she told me it was time to look for books in a different section of the Children’s Room.

Mom introduced me to what would later be called “chapter books.” One of the first was part of a series. Not Nancy Drew. Not the Little House series. The title was three girls’ names, but thinking about it the other night, I could only come up with the third girl’s name, “Tib.”

Not wanting to rely on Google for things like this, I just gave it time. In another minute, the middle girl’s name came to me: Tacy. And then, Betsy. That’s it! So satisfying to recall those names!

Imagine my shock when I got back to How Reading Changed My Life, turned to the next page and saw a reference to “the Betsy-Tacy” books. I nearly ran down the hall to wake up Gary and tell him. Instead, I was content to whisper, “Thanks, Mom” for the richness she brought to our childhood with the gift and guidance of books.

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