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Now that fall is here, we have shorter days, brilliant blue skies and the beginning of the seasonal holidays. Whether you like the costumes, trick or treat or just the vibe of the season, Halloween is one of the most celebrated days of the year. For readers, while scary stories can be read year-round, there’s something about October days that brings out the spookiness of the supernatural and horror genres.

One of the most familiar plot devices in creepy stories is “babysitter horror.” If you grew up on frightening films such as “Halloween” or “When a Stranger Calls” you know what I mean. Emily Ruth Verona has written an homage to those classic tales in “Midnight on Beacon Street.” Even though the story is set in the 1990’s, the young babysitter at the center of the story takes cues from the heroines of those movies when she’s forced to overcome her anxiety disorder to save herself and her young charges from forces intent on harm.

If you are looking forward to the movie version of “Wicked” being released this fall, you know that “The Wizard of Oz” is a story for the ages and one that has been reinterpreted many times. “After Oz” by Gordon McAlpine takes this classic tale in a new, and darker, direction. Set in the small community of Sunbonnet, Kansas.

After being missing for three days, Dorothy Gale’s story of visiting a fantastic land filled with talking animals and wizards and witches is immediately viewed with suspicion. Convinced she is suffering from mental illness, her guardians place her in an institution, while the town deals with an unsolved murder and its own dark secrets.

Terrifying tales are not just limited to fiction, though. True stories can be even scarier because they actually happened. “The Paranormal Ranger” by Stanley Milford, Jr. is a chronicle of his time as a Navajo Ranger, a special unit within the Navajo Nation who are both law enforcement and protectors of cultural sites. Milford’s job brought him face to face with many unexplained phenomena and eerie events that defy traditional explanation. If you enjoy real-life investigations into the unknown, this book is a must-read.

Put aside your fear and celebrate the Halloween season with a terrifying tale (or two!).

Holly Howze is the branch manager for the Ripberger Public Library located in Kenbridge. She can be reached at lcplsbooks@gmail.com.