5 Spooky Facts About Books for National Book Month

Whether it’s the spine-chilling tales of Edgar Allan Poe or Mary Shelley’s classic gothic horror novel Frankenstein, literature is one of the easiest ways to get spooky around Halloween. Sometimes, the creepy elements of books go beyond the sinister stories within their pages. From cursed books to morbid authors, here are five spooky facts about literature to celebrate National Book Month.

1. A Book Bound in Human Skin

Originally held at the Houghton Library, part of Harvard’s library system in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the copy of Arsène Houssaye’s Des destinées de l’âme used to be bound in human skin. The book’s original owner, French physician Dr. Ludovic Bouland, bound the volume with skin from a deceased female patient—without consent.

Given the unethical nature of the binding, the Harvard Library formally removed the human remains from the book in the fall of 2022, eighty-eight years after its donation. The library is also in the process of researching the book, Bouland, and the female patient. It aims to collaborate with appropriate authorities at the university and in France to respectfully lay the woman’s remains to rest.

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2. The Scariest Book Ever Written

According to Goodreads, the “scariest book ever written” is often considered to be It by Stephen King. However, that determination is certainly up for debate; King’s earlier work, The Shining, often battles—and sometimes beats—It for the top spot on the list.

It follows the town of Derry, Maine, as its children are haunted by a terrifying entity that transforms into manifestations of their worst fears. One of these forms, the clown Pennywise, has become an icon of horror pop culture.

Regardless of whether It is truly the scariest book ever written, there’s no denying Stephen King’s impressive career. Known as the “King of Horror,” he’s gone on to publish fifty books, many becoming famous bestsellers. He’s also an avid library supporter, with many of his philanthropic ventures involving library charities.

3. A Lethal, Cursed Book

In 2017, a lost novel detailing the height of imperial Spain was published—four hundred years after it was originally written. However, Historia del Huérfano (The Orphan’s Story) is surrounded by morbid history. After the manuscript’s rediscovery in 1965, attempts to publish it were allegedly thwarted by a curse.

Four people reportedly died while trying to publish the manuscript. One passed away from a mysterious illness, another in a car accident, and the fates of the other two remain unknown. Whatever curse haunted The Orphan’s Story seems to have lifted with its successful publication by the José Antonio de Castro Foundation.

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4. The Grey Lady of the Willard

The Willard Public Library in Evansville, Indiana, has a rich and extensive history dating back to 1876, when Willard Carpenter outlined his vision for the facility in a letter. Today, the library continues to serve patrons, with an expansion added in 2015. Yet what continually draws curious visitors isn’t just its books—but its ghosts.

The Willard is so haunted that it has a special page on its website devoted to ghost cams, paranormal events, and its ghostly history. Among these legends is the Grey Lady, one of the library’s most famous and sought-after spirits. Librarians, patrons, and paranormal enthusiasts have reported many encounters with her, and the library’s annual October ghost tours bring in hundreds of visitors every year.

5. The Ghosts of Charles Dickens

Famous novelist Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, which featured three ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. While many people are familiar with this holiday fable, fewer may realize that Dickens’s fascination with the supernatural and ghosts went beyond the pages of his literature.

Dickens was passionate about mesmerism, the idea that an invisible force compels all living things. If this concept sounds familiar, that’s because it was an early version of hypnotism. His fascination with mesmerism made him interested in the supernatural, which inspired many of his novels.

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National Book Month

Celebrated every October, National Book Month highlights the importance of books, reading, and writing. It also recognizes authors and the country’s current bestsellers.

Alongside October holidays like Halloween, there are plenty of ways to celebrate National Book Month. You might visit a local public library, write a review on Goodreads, or start a book club. Speaking with a librarian can be a great way to discover more ways to get involved.

Interested in reading horror during National Book Month? Visit your neighborhood library—in person or online—to borrow literature that will send shivers up your spine.

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