Reading With the Seasons: Another Halloween Edition

Remember that little thing I used to do called Reading With the Seasons? The last one I did was for Mother's Day. I didn't do any over the summer--not because I was giving up on the series, but because I didn't have any books that were whispering "summer" or "Independence Day" or "Back to School" to me. And I'm not about to force anything on this blog for the sake of a post.

But now that fall has arrived and pumpkins are gracing doorsteps and my kids are talking constantly about their costumes, my reading list has filled up with books that I feel I absolutely must read this month because they simply won't be as good if I save them until November.

Topping the list is The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. I've had this book saved for October since January. Yes, January. I'm weird like that. I'm about a third of the way into it, and while I was hoping for more of a Gothic feel (like Rebecca, which was my October read last year), it is still deliciously creepy and speculative.

Besides this one, I've also been wanting to read The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. For some reason, I have it in my head that it is more eerie than her other books, but am I totally making that up?

I also have my eye on several mysteries. I know I won't get to all of them, and even if I had the extra time, I'm pretty sure reading that many mysteries in a row would do me in, but here are a few that I have my eye on:  

• A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle--I've only been trying to get to this book for the last year.
• Pumpkin Roll by Josi Kilpack--I know that, once again, I'll probably be dissatisfied with the ending, but it's called Pumpkin Roll for crying out loud.
• Peril at End House by Agatha Christie--I've only read one of Agatha Christie's mysteries, and that was more than 10 years ago. I loved the one I read, so I have no idea why it has taken me so long to return to her.
• The Moonspinners or Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart--here is another author I've been meaning to read for far too long.

I guess from the looks of this list, it's probably pretty obvious that I stay away from anything that's too terrifying or gruesome, but I still like a good book that will keep me reading with fearful suspense. What do you have on your bookshelf this month? Please share! (Seriously. I mean it.)

Oh, and if you are looking for a few more ideas, check out the roundup list of ideas from last October.