I may not be using the term “spoopy” exactly right, but looking through the list of five books from October, it sort of fits.

“Spoopy” originated as a typo on a dime-store Halloween decoration. It went viral online (thanks to those who love to sneer at misspellings). And now it’s part of our lexicon.

It means somewhat scary, but not terrifying. Maybe even Halloween cute sometimes, but never full-out shiver-inducing spooky.

Book 1: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

This book is easy to read, yet hard to read. Especially when you study up on the author’s life.

A copy of The Bell Jar followed us from house to house growing up in the 1960s and ’70s. I was curious to read it, but only just this month sat down with a copy.

I’m glad I waited, but wish there was still opportunity to have a good talk about it with Mom.

All I can say is, she – and Sylvia Plath – grew up in a different universe than I did. These women deserve our empathy and our thanks.

Book 2: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

A story of fear, of hope, of love, of loss. Prophecies and pyramids. Trial and truth.

The Alchemist, published in 1988, is a fable that will warm your heart like a crackling campfire on an autumn evening.

Book 3: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Just had to hop on board and try to figure out who made this train ride extra interesting for Monsieur Poirot.

Somehow, I’d never read this mystery before. Nor did I watch even one of the many movie versions.

That made it extra spoopy, right? Dame Christie had me on pins and needles until the very end.

Book 4: Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

When I greet Farmer Gary each morning with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other – ready to read out loud – you know it’s a good ‘un.

He and I chuckled all the way through Cold Comfort Farm, a book from my parent’s Folio Society collection.

The story is a parody, having fun with tropes from the romance novels of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In brief, our young heroine is recently orphaned and, rather than learning a skill to support herself, heads to Cold Comfort Farm to straighten out her kin and learn why they’re all so … peculiar.

What’s not to love about a farm with cows named Feckless, Aimless, Pointless, and Graceless?

And a bull named Big Business:

This book is great fun. Just ask Gary.

Book 5: Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

Have you watched the period drama Call the Midwife? It’s produced by BBC and currently streams on Netflix.

Well, there’s a book series, too. And I’m delighted to report, the television writers and producers did a magnificent job not changing the tone – or even small details – of the original memoir.

The story is set in post-war London, as a group of midwives bring a whole new generation to life under all sorts of desperate circumstances.

Some of the midwives are young nurses, like the author, while others are Anglican nuns (they’re in charge, of course).

My favorite character is Sister Monica Joan:

Both the book and the television series manage to mix the horrors of abject poverty and ignorance with an astounding amount of empathy, care, and love. Gary gifted me all three books in Worth’s series, which I look forward to completing someday.

Now that October is over, it’s time to dip into Dad’s collection of Anthony Trollope novels. Gasp – there are 49 of them! Where to start? I’ll report back in a month.

Please subscribe here, and we’ll send you an email notice with each new story: