Tomes of Terror: Haunted Bookstores and Libraries

by Mark Leslie

Throughout history, books have inspired, informed, entertained, and enriched us. They have also kept us up through the night, thrilled us, and lured into their endless depths. Tomes of Terror is a celebration and an eerie look at the siren call of literature and the unexplained and fascinating stories associated with bookish locations around the world.

Mark Leslie's latest paranormal page-turner is a compendium of true stories of the supernatural in literary locales, complete with hair-raising first-person accounts. You may even recognize a spectre of your local library lurking in these true stories and photographs. If you have ever felt an indescribable presence hanging about a quiet bookshop, then you’ll enjoy these fascinating and haunting tales.

Genres: Nonfiction, Paranormal, Horror, Ghosts, Books About Books, Short Stories, Reference

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Mark is a writer, editor and bookseller who was born and grew up in Sudbury, spent many years in Ottawa and Hamilton and currently lives in Waterloo, Ontario.

When he is not writing, he tacks "Lefebvre" back onto his name and works as a book industry consultant, having been a bookseller since the 1992, the same year his first short story was published.

Apart from publishing novels and non-fiction paranormal explorations under the name Mark Leslie, having works occasionally appearing on his mother's refrigerator door under the name Mark Lefebvre, and podcasting and consulting about the book industry under the name Mark Leslie Lefebvre for his Stark Publishing/Stark Reflections brand, Mark is a lover of craft beer.

When he's not enjoying craft beer or playing around with his three given names, he can usually be found wandering, awestruck through bookstores or libraries.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book about bookstores and libraries that are haunted. Nothing scary though within the pages as it was just general information about different bookstores and libraries around the world that are haunted. Some of the stories have pictures, but they were not very clear on the kindle.

There are quite a few stories within this book - 59 to be exact. I will just list what stories I really liked.
The Eerie Elevator, Ghosts in the Attic, The Rocking Chair Ghost, Spectres in the Stacks, The Portal, The Ghost of Harriet Haskell, The Many Lives of Carnegie Library, A Ghost Called Lola, The Curse of Old Lady Gray, Things That Go Ding In the Night, The White Lady of the Haunted Bookshop, A Treasure of Infinite Haunts, and The Restless Librarian. The other stories were good, but I liked those listed above the best. Three stars for this one.

[Reese Copeland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found that this book didn't quite meet the expectations of what I thought it was. I'm not sure exactly what I thought it would be, but I guess I thought it would be more along the lines of something more than vinuetes and summaries of experiences with the supernatural in libraries and bookstores. Some were pretty interesting, others, they were just there. It's a good book, but a little disappointing.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a fun quick read. And to my surprise, I realized that I have actually been in one of the "haunted libraries," to wit, the Terryberry library, which is a branch of the HPL (Hamilton Public Library). It was practically around the corner from my grade school, and I went there quite frequently, both on school expeditions and on separate Saturday morning visits. My mom, who worked in nursing at one time, knew part of the history behind the Inuit soapstone carvings. But in my day, I never detected the slightest trace of paranormal phenomena there. Sigh.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 4 out of 5]

One night, while I was browsing the online catalog for my library, I came across this book. It combines three things I love: bookstores, libraries and the paranormal. I just needed to read this book.

The book has three sections: Canada, United States of America and International. All three sections have plenty of spooky stories about ghosts haunting bookstores or libraries.

From reading Tomes of Terror, I found some places I'd love to visit. The Willard Library located in Evansville, Indiana is one thing. The cool thing about them is that they have ghost cams -which I now know thanks to this book - and with a quick search on Google, you can find them and watch them for a chance to see some paranormal activity.

The Haunted Bookshop in Melbourne, Australia is a bookstore I'd love to visit one day. Apparently, they have lots and lots of paranormal books and a ghost tour.

A few of the stories I really enjoyed were the one about the man who bought a military book and its former owner came home with him. And also, the one about R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike books ending up in piles on the floor.

Overall, it was a really great book of true ghost stories.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literary Haunts


In Tomes of Terror, the author takes us on a spooky literary vacation around the world. Focusing on libraries, bookstores, and other places of literary interest, the author lets us in on the ghost stories that surround them - and even introduces us to a famous ghost or two!

While some of the tales are more of the urban legend variety, most seem very specific to their literary 'haunts' and provide some delicious little chills.

While there's a heavy focus on US locations, the book does take us to some international bookish hauntings as well.

I was thrilled to find a library that I've frequented in these pages. Aside from the ghost stories of this library (none of which I'd ever heard), the author gave an in depth history of the location, piquing my interest and making me want to visit the place soon - and maybe after dark!

I would have liked more photos in the book (there are some), but this makes a great spooky read for the book lovers out there!

*ARC provided by Net Galley for review purposes.

[P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some stories were interesting but not enough for me to give it more stars.

[Alan Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of ghost stories, situated in bookstores and libraries across North America and beyond. A spooky read for this time of year!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

While searching through the titles available for review at NetGalley, I found this gem of a book and had to request it. Not only did the book cover the supernatural, but it also visited a wide variety of both bookstores and libraries. Those places have always held a special place in my heart and probably will continue to do so for as long as I'm alive. After reading through this book, there's hope for my love of books to continue even after my physical years are through.

Whether your love extended to either books, the paranormal, or both, this book explored many places within Canada and the United States which have plenty to offer patrons. Each library or bookstore received its own section or chapter, filled with details such as the building's history as well as some of the ghostly occurrences that were reported by owners and patrons alike. One difference between this particular book and others like it was the author's inclusion of more recent information. I could tell that the author did a lot of research into the histories of the libraries or the bookstores and included the changes in management or location and whether the store is still operating. Many of the chapters ended with the library or bookstore's present contact information.

I liked how the author gave enough information about the paranormal experiences to spark my curiosity, but not enough that it overwhelmed the history or legacy of the area. The reader can visit these places for themselves with some foreknowledge, but their experiences can still be their own. There seemed to be a more personal, conversational feel to the mini-biographies. While I knew that many of the places mentioned in the book, there were a lot that were surprises. It brought to mind that saying I've heard a number of times about walking in the footsteps of another wherever we go on this earth. Bob's Beach Books in Oregon was one of my favorite stories because it's not necessarily a ghost story, but it's still on the creepy side. Of course, the Willard Library in Indiana was one of the stories that I've known about for years. Each time I see the story, it brings back wonderful memories for me. Odd for a ghost story, of course, but I've had some good times looking into the supernatural.

Overall, I liked this book because it did combine two of my favorite things. I also liked it because I could tell the author put his heart into the work. That made a big difference in the style of writing for me, making it much more than just a collection of dry facts and already known legends or myths. The author's enthusiasm came through in the chapters, especially those in which he personally had visited a place that was mentioned. Pictures of the libraries or bookstores helped to frame the information in reality for me, making it seem as though anything could be possible. I have added quite a few of these places on my list to visit one of these days. If you're a lover of either the supernatural or literary treats, this book is the perfect combination.

[Vince Darcangelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://ensuingchapters.com/2014/10/11...

There are two things I like to do anytime I come to a new town:

Visit the local book shops

Take a ghost tour to learn about its haunted legends

So you can guess my excitement to read Mark Leslie’s Tomes of Terror, a collection of hauntings set in libraries and bookstores.

Leslie’s first two nonfiction books explored the haunted legends of Hamilton and Sudbury in Canada. This time he travels the globe recounting stories of specters who re-shelve library books, peruse the remainder pile or just want to sit in a quiet corner and enjoy a good book.

I can relate. My ideal afterlife would be spent on the top floor of the Boulder Book Store (with occasional sojourns along Pearl Street to Illegal Pete’s, of course).

As for Leslie’s collection, it’s a great read for any fan of ghost literature. It’s also a mixed bag, with some anecdotes chilling, some sweet, some silly.

There is one shortcoming in this book, but it is no fault of Leslie’s. It’s the medium. Sadly, the written word can’t compete with a spook story shared in hushed whispers around a campfire, so truly visceral frights are few.

Case in point: As much as I enjoyed both installments of Roz Brown and Ann Alexander Leggett’s Haunted Boulder series, their stories truly come to life when performed by master tour guide Banjo Billy. (I highly recommend both the books and the ghost tour, if you happen to be in Boulder, Colo.)

Despite the limitations of the printed page, I love any well-written and –researched book of hauntings. What I like most about them, I think, is that the tales turn out to be more historical than horrific. I’ve come to view ghost books (and tours) more as historical documents than anything else, but the kind that infuse a town with a lot of personality.

For me, it’s hard to truly love a place until I’ve explored its ghostly geography.

Fittingly, some of the most fascinating parts of Tomes of Terror are not the ghosts, but the histories of the libraries and stores themselves.

A sad postscript is that a fair number of the bookstores mentioned in this collection are now closed, becoming a different kind of ghost. And that’s truly terrifying.

But the stories never die, and in that sense, the shuttered stores live on in their own haunting way. Like ghosts, their spirits persist in the pages of Leslie’s collection.

Long may they haunt.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful, entertaining, quirky book that anyone who loves books, ghost stories or both should definitely check out!

I discovered this book at a local book fair. Walking across an aisleway towards a small cafe table holding the books, it was the full-sized skeleton sitting on a stool behind the table that initially got my attention. But when I got close enough to see the title of the book, that was all I needed to grab a copy immediately. As bookstores and libraries are two of my favourite places in the world, I knew this would be a book I'd enjoy reading, and I was absolutely right. As the author was standing at the table, I was fortunate to chat with him about the book, and get my copy signed and personalized, which, while it has nothing particular to do with my review, did make me feel a tad bit special!

Back to the book. The book is organized by location, which sections on purportedly haunted libraries and bookstores located in Canada, the U.S.A., and then other international places. The stories are brief, entertainingly presented, and offer the reader a free trip around the world, in addition to some spooky stories about why and how the various libraries and bookstores are haunted, and by whom.

This is a fast, easy read, and can be read in either short stints between which it is put down, or, as I did, start to finish with no stopping. I found the stories about the various ghosts to be well-told, with respect for both the places and the people. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this is an entertaining book that's lots of fun to peruse. I definitely recommend it!

[Avery Olive · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might think twice about entering a used bookstore, or library, after reading Tomes of Terror. Or you might just run straight for the nearest one in hopes of garnering your own ghostly interaction. Whatever the case, Tomes of Terror is full of eerie reads that will have you a little spooked, laughing or even welling up with a few tears.

But there is so much more to this book than the stories themselves—than ghostly encounters, books being pulled from the shelves by unseen hands, or that odd chill you get when you know you’re being watched. As per what I’ve come to expect from Mark Leslie, this book is written flawlessly. His passion is bled onto the pages from the personal anecdote, the stories themselves, or the added bonus of getting even more history about the locales he takes you to in this book.

My only complaint would have been not enough, but Mark has that covered too, having painstakingly took the time to compile an extensive list of other bookish haunts to visit on your travels.
A well rounded read, Tomes of Terror is the perfect addition to any bibliophiles collection, something to curl up with on a late night, or be read aloud to the next generation.

After reading this, I have no doubt, Mark Leslie will continue to share his passions by pacing the halls of bookstores, or maybe frightening library staff, by pulling this timeless tome from the shelves in hopes of inspiring a few more readers.

[Jenn C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with 1-4 page encounters with the paranormal in libraries and bookstores (plus an art gallery and a couple castle libraries) across the globe, Tomes of Terror: Haunted Bookstores and Libraries is an interesting, quick read. The first third of the book highlights Canadian locations, the second third goes through American institutions, while the last third is divided between international locations (mostly the U.K.) and appendices (Eberhart's list of haunted libraries, recommended reading, and bookseller associations).

While some of the entries include not only the eyewitness accounts but also a short history of the location, not all of the entries do - something that, IMHO, would have been nice to have.

On a sad (but unrelated to the paranormal) note, however, I noticed that of all the bookstores mentioned, a little less than half had closed their doors.

[Spidermonkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent a copy from via netgalley in exchange for a review.

I was interested in reading this book, having had a Saturday job in a very spooky library when I was growing up - echoes of footsteps that shouldn't be there and so on! This book recounts stories of hauntings and ghostly goings-on from bookshops and libraries around the world. It is divided into geographical sections - Canada, America and Rest of World. The stories are short and very easy to read. I found it got a little samey towards the end, but that is probably because I read it in one sitting. I think it would be ideal for someone to dip in and out of the book (perhaps on a bus/tube ride to work).

There are some formatting issues with the copy I was sent - mostly lines split in two - but there were no typos that lept off the page and the prose 'read well'.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a love of books and an interesting in other worldly encounters!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read for the Halloween season. With short segments detailing ghostly encounters at bookstores and libraries in Canada, the US, and other locations around the world, it was entertaining to read in snippets. Many sites experience similar phenomenon, especially books flying off the shelves. Some have individual identifiable spirits connected to them. I wish there were more pictures, and some of the hauntings were mildly redundant, but it was an intriguing read just the same.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about haunted bookstores, libraries, and universities. Each chapter is a short story of a different haunted place where books reside. I've always been a fan of books like this, since I was young, and this was just the icing on the cake. What better than a haunted bookstore?

I would highly recommend this book to those interested in hauntings and books.

I received this book for review purposes via NetGalley.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and must say that it was a lot of fun. I am so used to paranormal books being about traditional hauntings, such as the ones about highways, castles, homes, or schools. This book was very different and offered a lot of new information. I enjoyed both the historical facts and personal experiences that were shared throughout the paranormal tales. It made the book very easy to read and I would recommend this paperback to anyone who enjoys the ghostly side of life.

[Ehbooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books. I love libraries. I love ghosts. Plus the chapter titled "The Rocking Chair Ghost" on page 45 is about my own little haunted library! A wonderful book full of spooky ghost stories. Read it...if you dare.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

All-too-brief capsule histories (or legends) of various ghosts said to haunt a wide range of libraries or atheneums.
The first section covers sighting in Canada, the second covers those in United States, and the last segment cover sightings around the world, mostly in the United Kingdom but also Australia, Mexico, South Africa, and Ireland.
Most are only a couple pages, but notable is a relatively long one at about 11 pages, and that is only because the entry includes the full story as told by Nathaniel Hawthorne, you know the one, the guy who told us all about the rather haunted House of the Seven Gables. So he had something of an affinity for the material.
It may amuse or entertain some of you readers to learn that reports of ghosts in the Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana have been so numerous and persistent that you can now check in with the various live cameras situated around the library, and see if you can catch The Gray Lady in action yourself. (just go to LibraryGhost.com and click on cameras -- keep your screenshot button ready to go in case you do spot anything!)
The appendices are rather good for locating titles of novels, short-story collections, and general spooky reading for your continued enjoyment of the genre.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of ghost stories (true or supposedly true depending on your word choice) centered around bookstores and libraries.  The book is split into three sections  - Canada, USA, and International.  It should be noted that the International Section pretty much is from the English speaking world (there is one chapter on a place in Mexico.  Otherwise, it is all Great Britian, Australia, and New Zealand.  Also only one story from Quebec.  Hmmm).

The best story is about  the bookstore, Smithbooks, in a town in Ontario.  Apparently the Goosebump books would stack themselves in the center of the floor every night.  Then, one night, the Christopher Pike books joined them.

It's also sad how many of the bookstores are now closed.

Lesile also includes an Appendix with a list of books about books.




Fun read.

[Belinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover is interesting. The back cover description is pretty darned good. The title is killer.
And with a title like that, you'd best bring it .... and this book did NOT. It was BORING.
The only interesting part of the book was the fact that I was familiar with some of the places discussed in it. The stories however were told in such a bland and emotionless manner it was hardly worth reading. I actually quit halfway through the book. Yawn.

For suggestions on books that are interesting, check out my Youtube channel BELINDA's BOOK CLUB VLOG. I'm also on facebook.

[Jo Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always up for good books, great libraries, bookstores and the possibility of a ghostly presence! Canadian author, Mark Leslie, brought all of these elements together in this book. The suppositions were interesting, the (few) photos were somewhat uninspired (with the exception of the one on page 194!) and the focus on "bookish" locations kept me reading to the end. Once started, I very, very rarely fail to finish book. (2.5*, rounded up)

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took me WAY too long to finish. Loved the idea, wasn’t a fan of the execution. A lot of tales were very brief, as if they were a struggle to stick in and almost an afterthought. Still cool that there are so many haunted bookstores and libraries (and that our own local bookstore Haslam’s was featured!!)

[Tabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worldwide short stories, mostly from the USA and Canada, focused on library and bookstore stories of hauntings. Sometimes ghosts are attached to specific books or furniture pieces, and will move when the business moves buildings. Some stories are deeply rich in history of the location, others are more typical ghost stories. All are enjoyable reads.

[Christine (KizzieReads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not was I was hoping for with this book. I was wanting spooky stories, revealing pictures and stories that stuck with me. Instead, there were barely any pictures, in fact there was only 1 that comes to mind with an apparition in it, even though the author mentions photographs in almost every story. Both the title stating terror, I was really hoping for more, instead it fell flat for me.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fun read delving into all sorts of spooky goings-on in libraries and bookstores. Reading several stories in a row did start to feel a bit repetitive, but only due to the shared nature of the collected stories; Leslie picked such entertaining choices! I especially loved the accounts of Harriet Haskell and Willard's Grey Lady Ghost.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were very short, and I wished for some more detail/intrigue. The premise was very interesting, as I love a good library ghost!

[ReadinIt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a little more... meat? oomph? than what it gave. A bit too lacking for 3*.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are wonderful some are a little unique but still great stories to read.

[Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile]

A quick-read collection of ghostly and paranormal vignettes. Perfect for the Halloween season. Appropriate for whether you believe in spooky or not...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like ghost stories? What about ghost stories that are supposed to be true? I do. Tomes of Terror: Haunted Bookstores and Libraries by Mark Leslie is full of such reported hauntings. Many of the stories have first person accounts of encounters.

I can easily believe that a library or bookstore could be haunted. I worked in one bookstore where the general consensus was that we had a resident ghost with no idea who or why it was there. Many of the occurrences attributed to ghosts in this volume are similar to what we experienced: books that fall onto the floor for no reason, alarms that go off when they shouldn't, doors that swing open or shut with no one there. Others have more intricate hauntings including footsteps and even apparitions. One haunting even seemed to be specifically for a particular book.

Mark Leslie covered bookstores and libraries in both Canada, the United States and a few abroad. There are footnotes and appendices backing his information. In particular I enjoyed the Further Reading and Additional Resources for the Bookish at Heart.

If you enjoy reading about things that go bump in the night, then this book might be for you. The only thing I might have changed in the book would be to group the hauntings further by geography. For example, all the hauntings that take place in a particular city or state grouped together instead of just by country. That way it would be useful for people who might want to visit the spots close to where they will be.

Otherwise I think that Tomes of Terror is an excellent book on accounts of hauntings in bookstores and libraries. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. I like it very much and would share it with my fellow bookish people.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.