Day 3: Let’s Get Cozy | Spooktacular 2023

BySarra Cannon

Day 3 is here!! We have a fun weekend ahead, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Today is all about getting COZY. I’m in Texas and we are in what some people like to call “Hotumn” instead of Autumn, but I still love vibes of fall. I’ll be live for our daily livestream at Noon eastern.

Our special feature today is a family fall and Halloween vlog that I can’t wait for you guys to see, so make sure you’re following my YouTube channel at 4pm EST to see it! More details below.

DAY 3 LIVESTREAM: Cozy Fall Plans

DAILY GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today’s giveaway is a gift set for your autumn or “hotumn” nights. What’s better than cozying up with a good book, a warm blanket and a sweet-smelling Scentsy bundle.

This giveaway will close on October 22nd at 11:59 PM EST and all you need do is to enter the rafflecopter above.

Good luck!

PREMIERE AT 4PM: Cozy Halloween Vlog

I’m excited to share this fun day as a family. We took the kids to trick or treat at the Farmer’s Market, then off to a pumpkin patch, and then home to bake cupcakes and have some fun building a fort and watching a spooky fun movie. Sit back and relax with us as we have a fun cozy family halloween day.

This vlog will premiere on YouTube at 4PM Eastern, so if you can make it, join me in the live chat on YouTube here. Or, you can watch the replay below or click through to watch over on YouTube at any time.

SCAVENGER HUNT CLUE #3

Follow the clue below to find today’s word. For a reminder on how the Scavenger Hunt works, click here.

At the end of the day on October 31st, I’ll provide a Google Form for you to fill out (I’ll post it in the Coven on Facebook and on Discord for those of you who aren’t on FB, as well as a link in the blog post for that day). You’ll have ONE WEEK to submit the form (it will be turned off on November 7th) and I will contact the winners via email.

Here is your third clue

Book – Sacrifice Me Season 2, Part 2

Chapter – “Lost Forever”

14th paragraph

9th word

PARTY FAVOR

Just for showing up, we want to give you guys a party favor! Today’s is a reading tracker bookmark. Just save the photo and print to use and keep track of your spooktacular reading.

COMING UP TOMORROW

Our daily livestream will take place at Noon Eastern, and I expect it to be about 15 minutes long. Also…

Who’s ready for a WATCH PARTY!? We had so much fun last year watching Hocus Pocus 2 together, and I knew I wanted to do this again this year.

It was particularly challenging to find a not-too-scary movie to watch this year that’s available in several countries, so instead of a movie, we’re going with a couple episodes of a fun TV show! Come back tomorrow with plans to watch the first two episodes of Season One of WEDNESDAY with me!

We’ll gather together on Teleparty to watch and chat together at 3PM Eastern, so be sure to check out tomorrow’s vlog for all the links and info on how to join. If you haven’t used Teleparty before, head to this blog post from last year and watch the video at the top of the post. I’ll walk you through exactly how to use Teleparty so you can be ready to party with us tomorrow as we watch Wednesday. I haven’t actually seen this show yet, so I’m excited to start it!

You can find the full details of our daily schedule here on this post. And don’t forget to enter the Grand Prize giveaway here.

SEE YOU TOMORROW!

142 Comments

  3. As a teenager I enjoyed Christopher Pike and Diane Hoh and now the shadow demon saga is a favourite

  5. I can’t say it really have a favourite spooky season book. I just sort of read whatever I feel like at the time. But I guess, Practical Magic falls under that category so that, even though I’ve never actually completed it. Or other wise, if Shadow Demons counts then absolutely that without any competition.

  12. I love fall, but I don’t like what comes after it–the cold and snow. I’m really enjoying Spooktacular so far. The true crime story yesterday was awesome!

    1. And I didn’t answer your question…I used to read Stephen King but not anymore. I did enjoy Hidden Pictures–lots of suspense.

  13. Death Awakens is my favorite spooky season read. I don’t have the stomach to read Stephen King and unfortunately when I was younger never heard of Christopher Pike.

  15. I don’t have a favorite read for the season probably because I don’t usually reread books. But I have been having a blast this year reading more horror and thrillers in the month of October 🙂

  17. I don’t have a specific favorite Spooky Season fall read, but I do love to read all things witches and ghosts at this time of year!

  18. The coziness of fall is also my favorite thing. Today it’s grey and raining outside so I’m ready to curl up with a blanket, hot chocolate, and to finish reading The Ninth House and then hopefully start on Six of Crows.

  20. I don’t think I have a specific read but I do love my paranormal. IAD by kresley cole is one of my favorites, and for spooks a book called Come Little Children always gives me the creeps

  21. I don’t have a specific spooky season read, but I am reading Practical Magic for the first time right now, and it is full of all the things I love!

  22. I having been reading A Life After Magic Mystery (Fanged After Forty) by Lia Davis and LA Boruff.

    1. My favorite spooky season read is a great question! I usually end up reading The Cask of Amontillado with my students but am seeking alternatives. I’ll definitely be looking at other people’s answers for my own inspiration . This year, I am going to offer an R.L. Stein short story called “Skin”. “Lamb to Slaughter” by Roald Dahl is another good spooky season read.

  25. I love The Tell Tale Heart. Also for us non spooky readers, Harry Potter is always fun. Personally I find Shadow Demons a great autumnal read.

  26. I love paranormal cozy mysteries, right now I have been reading some books by Erin Johnson. Currently reading Winter Witches of Holiday Haven series.

  27. Right now I’m reading A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and I love it so far! I love any spooky, Halloween book..I’m not picky!

  28. It’s hard to choose just 1. We love reading anything with witches, ghosts, werewolves and vampires. Pretty much any horror or mystery. Right now I’m re-reading the Harry potter books and beautiful demons with the kids.

  29. I love all things fall and cozy this is my favorite time of year honestly besides winter that is lol

  33. My current favorite would have to be My Best Friend’s Exorcism or Beautiful Demons (I just read it for the first time and loved it!)

  35. I always read Dracula on October. I did my thesis on it, so I get out my special copy (the one with all my notes and is falling apart—not my good copy that people other than me can read) and I read.

    Being cozy has all the feels for me right now! The leaves are changing colors and I am here for it!

  36. Here in Arkansas we sometimes have “Hotumn” too but nothing is better when it is cold outside, getting a fire started in the fireplace, grabbing a cozy blanket and your favorite book and reading on the couch with my dog. It’s so relaxing and peaceful.

  38. I don’t have a specific favorite, but in October I like to stick to thrillers, light horror, and books that have Vampires, witches, werewolves etc.

  39. My favourite spooky read would probably be Pet Semetary by Stephen King! And this year I’m going to be reading Frankenstein for the first time and re-reading Coraline as I loved it when I was a kid!

  41. I love in North Dallas and totally understand the Hotumn state of mind! It’s feeling much nicer tho. My husband and I every October watch a scary movie everyday. Usually on a pre determined theme. We have lots of fun with that! I usually love a good southern haunt to ready in Hotumn and this year I picked Interview with the Vampire.

  44. I don’t have a favorite book for this season but I am reading”You did this” by Jami Millen. It is a murder mystery. It is nice weather in Georgia, I lived in the southeast portion. I am loving the spooktacular and can’t wait for all the events.

  47. My favorite spooky season read is “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. Halloween wouldn’t be the same without it!

  49. I am reading quite a bit of true-crime for Spooky Season, “American Mother” is the one I am reading now, and if it wasn’t true crime I would consider it unbelievable!

  51. Day 3! Super excited. I am reading a number of books. One being The Stand, by Stephen King. But I do have a collection of Horror stories that I am looking forward to reading with my daughter.

  52. “What’s your favorite Spooky Season read?”

    I don’t really have a favorite read but my favorite Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus.

  55. Hi Sarra!
    I’m loving that I actually get to participate this year. I’m making mini keto brownie cupcakes tomorrow with a keto buttercream frosting. I’m also posting a list in the file section of some of my reward suggestions for Preptober. Creepy Creative Blessings!

  60. I grew up in Florida where it seemed to be hot for 10 months out of the year. Didn’t completely understand cozy until I moved to North Carolina and got a taste of all four seasons. Love the cooler weather. I have been thinking about reading some more mystery, thriller and horror books. I’ve been mainly in the romance and fantasy book mood.

  62. Had my cappuccino ready along with my homemade brownie to watch Day 3’s chat. Loving all the vibes. I am listening to An Enchantment of Ravens at by Margaret Rogerson on Audible and I am loving it, definitely feeling Autumn vibe.

  63. Having so much fun. I have been rereading Eternal Sorrows and my oldest daughter said she wants to start rereading it to.

  64. I love reading Poe stories during spooky season. I read “The Fall of the House of Usher” this year (for the umpteenth time) to get ready for the new Mike Flanagan series on Netflix. We’ve watched three episodes so far and it’s scary good.

  65. I honestly don’t think I have a favorite Halloween / spooky book that I read every year. Christmas – definitely. I’m currently in the middle of The Witching Well by Sarra that I got for signing up for the newsletter!

  66. The last several years I have read the Willow Harbor series in October. I haven’t gotten to it this year yet.

  67. I don’t have a specific spooky season book. I read all different kinds. Shadow Demons is a favorite, but I read that anytime of the year. I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve reread it.

  68. I don’t have a specific book I like to read during autumn, but I do tend to read more witchy books during this time of year.

  69. If I had to choose ONE Spooky Season read, I’d have to go with Harry Potter for the magic and the callback to childhood since Halloween is fun, imaginative, and other-worldly. I haven’t read the books for awhile, but we watch the movies every October. I typically read new thrillers around this time of year for the spooky vibe but couldn’t really pick a favorite.

  71. Every fall I randomly restart 1 of the Shadow Demons books…this year it’s Sacrifice Me. A friend got me hooked on Sahdow Demons in October of I believe 2013 so it’s just tradition now lol

  73. What a great idea to have a cozy fall day! My daughter is super excited to do the cupcake challenge with me and says thanks for including her.

  76. The fun continues! I love fall!☕️ Not so much hotumn here in the Midwest, so the idea of an autumn bonfire and s’mores sounds perfect right now. And I’d love to snuggle up with a good book and inviting autumn scents. Okay, now I really need that bonfire.

  77. I don’t have a favorite spooky season read so I’m starting to read The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher.

  78. Don’t normally get a fall here in Arkansas either! I’m a summer girl tho so not looking forward to the cold. I’ve been loving mystery thrillers recently!

  79. The gift set is a super cool idea, who doesn’t love to get cozy and read. I do this definitely not often enough.
    Anyway, liked the ghost coffee chat yesterday!

  80. My spooky reading season starts in September and goes through to the end of November! My local library kinda does this ‘librarian picks’ and ‘community favs’ section that’s full of the ‘darker side of autumn’ reads! Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Paul Tremblay, and others I can’t recall off hand have been my go-to authors this year! I always try to read something new from someone new every season!

  81. My favourite spooky read is “The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins. It was written in 1859 and is one of the “sensation novels” of its time with gothic elements. If you’re into intricately-plotted mystery/detective novels, I highly recommend!

  87. I love to read local lore and scary stories this time of year. E even have a place called Ax Murder Hollow.

  88. I am loving the Spooktacular. I just realized that you had read several of the early books outloud on YouTube and I keep missing the Spooktakular events because I am in the middle of a great book. I just listened to the end of Beautiful Demons and am looking forward to Inner demons.

  90. Thank you for sharing the family video with us, Sarra. I got emotional watching it. Those years fly by. As for this time of year, I return to Edgar Allan Poe. Happy Spooktacular, everyone!

  91. I tend to read spooky all year round. My read of the year was a short story collection by Premee Mohamed called No One Will Come Back for Us which has a lot of folk horror vibes. I don’t think its that scary a read (its certainly not gory), but I don’t find anything scary so I am not the best judge.

    1. I forgot to add – read this while listening to the band Sleep Token for even more atmosphere.

  93. I don’t have a favorite spooky season read, I’m looking forward to taking note of all the ones listed here!

  95. Not many spooky season reads, but I did enjoy The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. Even though not a spooky ghostly one, THE HOT ZONE was terrifying. It basically tells the origin of ebola, and I definitely needed breaks reading it, lol. & also the One Second After series was good too.

  97. I don’t have a favourite Spooky Season book, but I love to read ghost stories. One of my favourite short stories is Ringing The Changes by Robert Aickman.
    It’s about a newlywed couple who are on honeymoon in a coastal village where the church bells never stop ringing.

  99. I don’t have a read,per say. I have a movie, Practical Magic. Suppose I should read the book, eventually. Tried years ago but it started to spoil the movie for me so I stopped.

  101. The family vlog was so cute! I don’t have a favorite spooky season book of all time, but my favorite one for this year was Cackle by Rachel Harrison. The promo copy says it’s scary, but it really isn’t; it’s a cozy, witchy, feminist supernatural tale.

  104. My fave spooky season read is A Discovery of Witches! And anything by Sarah Addison Allen (even though she’s not spooky, haha)

  107. I enjoyed Christopher Pike books as well as RL Stine. I ended up moving and leaving them behind. Now I read you, my friend Jen & Lidia. I enjoy watching Twin Peaks & the Craft & Practical Magic this time of year.

  108. I love anything Clive Barker! I generally do a reread in the fall and winter months of one of his books. Sometimes I will read the latest King release. ☠️

  109. It’s Spring where I am but the weather has been pretty cool this week (and next) but I love reading all the spooky books. I just read with the block-out blinds down with all the ambience lighting to set the mood 😉

  110. I’m reading a book that was part of my great-grandmother’s book collection (Gothic Romance) called Wyndspelle. This book made me fall in love with books and reading when I was young. It has suspense, but not spooky, yet it’s a Halloween read for me.

  111. Harry Potter is always a cozy reread for fall! Thank you for putting together this Spooktacular. It’s my first time participating, and it’s been so fun!

  112. I can’t say I have a favourite spooky read. I typically read romance. However lately I’ve been reading about history on the Celts and craft books on writing.

  115. Spooky books are my fav so it’s hard to choose! The best one I’ve read recently is Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain.

  118. Hello, Sarra!

    I’m a new follower! I wanted to thank you for all the work you do for writers like me. Your free resources are amazing!

    Loved the vlog! What a sweet family you have 🙂

    Have a nice day~

    1. My favorite spooky book is The Devouring, by Simon Holt. I highly recommend this YA trilogy! 😀

  119. I love to read all of Sarra Cannons books during the spooky season. I don’t think I’d ever been afraid of a flower until I read deaths awakening.

  121. Love the leaves changing colours and the crisp cool air. The leaves crunching is nature’s music.

  122. I don’t think I have a favourite spooky season book but recently I’ve been reading a science fiction written by Brenda Hiatt.

  123. I tend to like witchy books for this season, but don’t really have a favorite. I try to see what is out that is relatively new and read that book.

  125. My favorite Spooky read would probably be The Walking Dead Comics! They aren’t exactly scary but they are creepy! 🙂

  126. Ohhh, I’m all for cozy vibes. It’s very autumnal here in the UK. My favourite spooky reads for Halloween are often books by Darcy Coates, and I love stuff like Ninth House.

  128. My favorite spooky read that I read every year is Dr Franklins island. I first read in middle school but it has stuck with me for 20 years!

  129. I loved the cozy vlog! I can’t believe how fast your kids are growing and Evie looks a lot like you imo

  130. My favourite spooky read is Justin Cronin’s series – The Passage. So creepy. Had lots of dreams while reading!

  131. I can’t handle spooky reads as much now that I’m older But I loved reading the Goosebumps books as a kid!

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