Five chilling reads to get you in the Halloween spirit
Autumn’s in full swing.
The nights are getting darker, the days colder, and Halloween is just around the corner.
It’s the perfect excuse for something spooky, so make a hot drink, get cosy and dig into some chilling reads.
From ghosts to zombies and everything in between, we’ve curated a spooky new collection of free-to-access titles from our Kortext Open Resources Collection.
We’ve picked out five titles to get you started:
1. Lancashire Folk-lore by Thomas Wilkinson and John Turner Harland
Renowned for its tales of the Pendle witch trials, Lancashire has a rich and varied folklore tradition. This title delves into the centuries-old beliefs, customs, practices and superstitions from across the region. From everyday rituals to stories passed down through generations, it captures how people once made sense of the strange and unexplained.
By tracing these origins, the book shows how fear, faith and imagination have always been deeply intertwined in society. Perfect for anyone curious about how old beliefs and local customs shaped communities, and the tales that linger long after.
2. Ghosts – or the (Nearly) Invisible by Maria Fleischhack and Elmar Schenkel (eds.)
Whether you believe in them or not, ghosts and the supernatural have long been part of human history and culture. From the works of Oscar Wilde to the spiritual traditions of Haitian Vodou, our fascination and beliefs take many forms.
This collection of essays explores ghost stories across literature, film, and psychology, examining why these tales endure and what they reveal about human fear and imagination.
A fascinating read for anyone curious about why ghost stories never quite fade, and what they say about us.
3. Zombies in Western Culture by John Vervaeke, Christopher Mastropietro and Filip Miscevic
The zombie is one of the defining icons of modern horror, but what makes it such a powerful symbol?
This title examines the evolution of the zombie from early myth to modern culture, tracing the creature’s transformation as a reflection of twenty-first-century anxieties. The authors discuss its visual and behavioural traits, revealing its symbolic links to themes of societal collapse and faith.
This is a great pick for readers who enjoy horror with depth or those interested in the cultural and philosophical meanings behind the undead.
4. Silent Hill: The Terror Engine by Bernard Perron
Silent Hill is a Japanese horror franchise that burst onto the survival horror scene, becoming one of the most influential horror video game series of all time. Set in a fog-shrouded town, it follows characters haunted by their past and forced to confront literal and psychological forms of guilt and grief.
This book takes a closer look at the series’ first three games, analysing how sound, story and design work together to create lasting tension and emotional depth. If you’re a horror fan or gamer, this read breaks down how Silent Hill reshaped the horror genre and earned its place in gaming history.
5. Horror Noire by Robin R. Means Coleman
From early cinema to modern film, horror has long reflected the evolving representation of race in film. This book explores horror through the lens of race, examining how the genre mirrors racial bias in society.
Drawing on films such as Night of the Living Dead and Get Out, Coleman further explores how Black filmmakers, characters and audiences have been shaped by the genre and, in turn, influenced it. It’s an essential read for anyone studying film and how representation, history and horror intertwine.
To access our new collection, please contact your Kortext Account Manager for more information.
You don’t have to be an existing Kortext customer to benefit from our Open Resources Collection. To find out more, talk to us today.
