As part of his entry in the Halloween in America Giveaway, ssflipo13 asked me to create a post where visitors could recommend their all-time favorite Halloween books. I thought he had a great idea, so here’s that entry. Please, feel free to leave a comment listing your favorites–it doesn’t matter if they pertain to Halloween collectibles, home haunt/prop building how-to’s, macabre Halloween stuff, Halloween history and folklore, or even campy Halloween things; I’m interested (and so is ssflipo) in hearing your feedback.

I don’t have a big collection of Halloween books myself, other than a few from my childhood. But I do highly recommend the one I’m currently giving away: Halloween in America. I was looking through it this morning, and it has everything a Halloween lover could want (especially someone who appreciates Halloween’s past). In fact, the spooky images in this post came from that book (page 62 and page 177). Another great book I personally recommend is Halloween Vintage Holiday Graphics. I look forward to reading your list of awesome Halloween tomes!

Update: 7/21/11 – This giveaway has closed. Congratulations to Deena Chapman of Federal Way, Washington! And to Jennifer of Bowling Green, Kentucky! They each won a copy of Halloween In America.

While I thoroughly enjoy everything I do at Season of Shadows, I have to admit one of the most enjoyable things is giving Halloween and paranormal items away to visitors. In fact, I love it so much my dream is to one day be the spooky, male equivalent of Oprah giving away my Favorite Creepy Things. Wouldn’t that be cool, a whole audience filled with Halloween and paranormal enthusiasts, all receiving oodles and gobs of Halloween decorations, trips to haunted castles, ghost hunting gear and maybe a brand new hearse for everyone to take home. Of course, those are all future plans, but for now I can offer up two brand new copies (to be given to two separate winners) of the book, Halloween in America by Stuart Schneider. I don’t own this one, but everyone on Amazon gave it rave reviews.

Here’s a description:

“Next to Christmas, more money is spent on Halloween decorations and novelties than on any other holiday. This wonderful book has been credited with inspiring the Halloween collecting craze, giving its devotees a chance to celebrate the holiday all year round! In addition to color photography and a brand new price guide, there are also many fascinating insights into Halloween. Most people are familiar with the symbols: ghosts, Jack- O’-lanterns, witches, bats, skeletons, and black cats, but few know about Halloween’s past. Why does it exist? What is the origin of trick-or-treating? Why does it fall on October 31st? Through these pages you will experience Halloween celebrations of the past and take a look at Halloween today. For collectors, this is one of the largest collections of Halloween memorabilia.”

The main portion of the book has been described as gorgeous and is devoted to vintage Halloween collectibles, but this one isn’t just for collectors. Other sections delve into Halloween’s history as well as its folklore with essays on the story of Jack of the Lantern, Snap-Apple and Crack-Nut Nights, the veil between worlds, apple bobbing, Cabbage and Mischief Nights, goblins, elves, gnomes, Mexico’s Day of the Dead and much more.

Halloween in America image Source: Amazon

Please, only one entry per household. Duplicate entries from the same IP will be deleted. These giveaways are really based on the honor system, but I do my best to make it as fair as possible for everyone. There’s no catch here, everything is free — including payment of shipping and handling for the Halloween in America books — I cover all costs. To be entered, leave a comment below showing your interest.

Depending upon the volume of entries, comments may only be displayed under this post for a short time. As entries grow, I may remove comments to make it easier for visitors to scroll to the comment box and enter. However, I guarantee all entries will be saved in the order they are received.

When leaving a comment, please be sure to include your correct e-mail address and be certain to keep track of your spam or bulk folder after the drawing closes, just in case. Each winner will be contacted through the e-mail address that’s registered with their comment. I will never share addresses, provided by entrants, with any third parties and you’ll never receive unsolicited mail when entering.

This Halloween in America book contest will end at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on June 28th, 2011. All legitimate entries will then be assigned a number in the order they were received. Two numbers will be randomly drawn to determine the winners.

Both winners will then be notified, via the email addresses they provided, no later than June 29th. If one, or both don’t respond (with their shipping information) within two weeks, then one (or two) more number(s) will be drawn to determine the new winner(s). Upon receiving their permission, the winners’ names will be featured at the top of this post.

If you would like to see your Halloween or paranormal website or business promoted through SOS and you have some appropriately themed items to give away, please contact me.

In The Haunted House is one of those cutesy things that tickle my fancy. These types of stories take me all the way back to Halloweens of my childhood, back to when the obsession with October 31st first began to take hold. Though In The Haunted House wasn’t around when I was a boy, if it weren’t for books like it, my Halloween imagination never would have been quite as overactive as it is today!

Source: YT user, richmarino and In The Haunted House (link takes you to Amazon) by Eve Bunting and Susan Meddaugh

Okay, enough cute stuff. Now I’m off to rip, shred and tear the Angel of Death’s skin for a bit. He’s just starting to take on that sinewy look I love to see in my props.

Halloween just wouldn’t feel right if it weren’t for duct tape. It’s a home haunter’s best friend. After all, you guys have watched the Halloween Haunter’s Reality video in which I’m playing “arm bone’s connected to the shoulder bone” routine. So much of that wouldn’t be possible without the use of duct tape. Until tonight, however, I never realized there was a book dedicated to the gray sticky stuffs use during the Halloween season. The Original Duct Tape Halloween Book features idea after idea for duct tape inspired costumes, and Halloween decor.

While I don’t think this book will reinvent the wheel for dyed in the wool home haunters, nevertheless, the ideas sound pretty intriguing, especially for last minute Halloween decorators.

Big thanks to Uncrate.com for turning me on to The Original Duct tape Halloween Book.