12 Months of Halloween Reading Challenge

[Dani]

Im in...

[Sonia]

Eni wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "Steven wrote: "I am extremely coulrophobic! *shudders*"

Steven and Muffin - have you ever seen the study they did in Britain about how horrified children are by ..."

I hated them. Not as much as I loved you though, so, I just had to endure.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Ashley Marie wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "I'm afraid of pretty much everything, so I wasn't worried about finding books to fill that category!"

Yeah, thrillers probably cover many of m..."

Oh my, Ashley Marie, you sprayed yourself with RAID and ended up in the ER?? Wow. I usually just run away and pretend the spider is going to crawl away and die, LOL.

Oh boy, I know all about irrational degrees of rational fears, hehehe. If I'm the only one awake at night, I am convinced that whenever I see the motion-sensitive light near the garage come on, it's not just a stray cat (most likely it is), it's some random peeping Tom that I've conjured up in my overactive imagination, because you know, we've got tons of them roaming around the neighborhood on any given day. I end up freaking myself out so badly that I jump at the sight of my own reflection when I peek out the window to see who might be skulking about. I go around closing all the curtains (because that creep is peeking in because he just KNOWS I am the only one awake!) and turning off lights and cursing myself for being so crazy because I'm the one keeping myself from being able to read, ha.

So...we'll add Peeping Tom to my list of fears, lol.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

April wrote: "I have a "strong dislike" of spiders. When I was 12 there was a spider in the bathroom. I was going to take a shower so I calmly went to my room to slip on shoes and came back and stomped on the sp..."

OH, ugh... just the image of the baby spiders made me shiver and gag! Bleeeh, now i've got the itchies, lol. I don't kill spiders, I run from them, haha. Stomping them means getting close to them! No thank you. Thankfully, my kitten is a very adept hunter so usually I just find a spider leg or two lying about, heheh.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Sonia wrote: "Well, clowns are scary.

However being stuck does it for me. Closed spaces, feeling trap, movements restraining. Anything on the likes.

See the movies where the heroes sometimes crawl into the ven..."

Oh man, Sonia, being stuck on an elevator is scary. I just hate that loss of control in a situation. If I get onto an elevator that starts acting wonky before the doors close, that is it, I hop off and take the stairs. No thank you.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Ashley Marie wrote: "Steven wrote: "I am extremely coulrophobic! *shudders*"

Steven and Muffin - have you ever seen the study they did in Britain about how horrified children are by clowns? They studied the impact of..."

I have not seen that study but I have heard something about it, I believe. The part about children being scared of them in hospitals rings a bell. Patch Adams? No thank you! Go away with your red squeaky nose, ya freak!

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Jennifer wrote: "April wrote: "I have a "strong dislike" of spiders. When I was 12 there was a spider in the bathroom. I was going to take a shower so I calmly went to my room to slip on shoes and came back and sto..."

Ack!!! Just reading the words is enough to creep me out. Egads...ugh... the visions now...

Unicorns...rainbows...glitter...sunshine..ice cream...fuzzy kittens... must think of good things!

[Steven]

Dani wrote: "Im in..."

Welcome to the parTAY!

[Sonia]

Muffin, remember my bag of tricks? I have something there under construction for a while now and you are filling my bag with ideas....

[Jenn]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "April wrote: "I have a "strong dislike" of spiders. When I was 12 there was a spider in the bathroom. I was going to take a shower so I calmly went to my room to slip on shoes and came back and sto..."

That's what the vacuum is for, at least when I'm home alone. I don't want it to get away - especially if it's big

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Jennifer wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "April wrote: "I have a "strong dislike" of spiders. When I was 12 there was a spider in the bathroom. I was going to take a shower so I calmly went to my room to sl..."

Oh yes, a vacuum is a great spider sucker-upper!

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Sonia wrote: "Muffin, remember my bag of tricks? I have something there under construction for a while now and you are filling my bag with ideas...."

Oh, terrific. I'm sure everyone will thank me when you come up with some kind of warped challenge having to do with all of our fears, irrational or otherwise, LOL!

[Catherine]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "April wrote: "I have a "strong dislike" of spiders. When I was 12 there was a spider in the bathroom. I was going to take a shower so I calmly went..."

NOOOOOOO!!!! just catch them in a glass or plastic cup...slide a piece of paper under..pick up whole thing, and flip it over....carry it to the door...open door and let fly!
spiders are good!!! they kill other insect pests! don't kill them!

I am not a fan of spiders in the house either..believe you me! but I never kill them!

[Barb]

I don't mind bugs and creepy crawlies, and spiders and snakes don't bother me, but stinging insects send me scurrying for cover! And I have an aversion to heights, so suspension bridges and I don't get along well at all.

[Jenn]

I have an irrational fear of tiny people...ever since I saw Puppet Master and Army of Darkness. And I can't sleep with the closet doors open because someone told me that closets under the bed and mirrors are portals to other dimensions/hell. I also look under my bed before I get in it because of the stupid slasher flick where he stabs through the bed to kill the couple copulating on top. UGH! Gotta stop watching scary movies.

[Jenn]

Catherine wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "April wrote: "I have a "strong dislike" of spiders. When I was 12 there was a spider in the bathroom. I was going ..."

It's not like we have a shortage of them here in ARizona. Most of them I let be but if its a black widow or a wolf spider it's gotta go.

[Sonia]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Muffin, remember my bag of tricks? I have something there under construction for a while now and you are filling my bag with ideas...."

Oh, terrific. I'm sure everyone will thank me ..."

Some people will like it. I think.

clowns and spiders, check. Crawlies, check. Peeping tom, check. Shal I continue?

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Catherine wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "April wrote: "I have a "strong dislike" of spiders. When I was 12 there was a spider in the bathroom. I was going ..."

My husband takes care of the spiders here. He is the same way as you -- let them out because they are good pest killers.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Barb wrote: "I don't mind bugs and creepy crawlies, and spiders and snakes don't bother me, but stinging insects send me scurrying for cover! And I have an aversion to heights, so suspension bridges and I don't..."

Eek, I'm afraid of heights, too! I can't stand it when people lean over ledges to look down. If I look down, I feel like I'm going to fall. Suspension bridges? Nooooo, thank you.

[Ashley Marie]

Some people prepare for the zombie apocalypse, but I know better. The world will end when the spiders enact their plot to eat us all like milkshakes.

This pretty well sums up my feelings on the subject (fair warning: adult language): Spiders are Scary

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Jennifer wrote: "I have an irrational fear of tiny people...ever since I saw Puppet Master and Army of Darkness. And I can't sleep with the closet doors open because someone told me that closets under the bed and ..."

Egads, that is a mean thing for someone to have told you about closets/under the bed!

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Sonia wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Muffin, remember my bag of tricks? I have something there under construction for a while now and you are filling my bag with ideas...."

Oh, terrific...."

ROFL! Sure, continue. You've got me curious about what's brewing in that warped imagination of yours. ;)

[Anima]

I've fear of being kidnapped on the street, so every suspicious person "following" me makes me jump or walk faster.

I hate spiders, but cockroaches are even worse, blah. When I see one, I have a panic attack.

I don't like darkness and tend to avoid elevators.

Most probably it isn't the end of my list LOL

[Catherine]

Ashley Marie wrote: "Some people prepare for the zombie apocalypse, but I know better. The world will end when the spiders enact their plot to eat us all like milkshakes.

This pretty well sums up my feelings on the s..."

seen Arachnophobia too many times have you!?!?!? lol

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

[Jenn]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I have an irrational fear of tiny people...ever since I saw Puppet Master and Army of Darkness. And I can't sleep with the closet doors open because someone told me that closets u..."

When I was a kid in the 80s my parents told me all kinds of scary stories. Like the one about the couple breaking down on the side of the road and the scratching on the roof...It's funny how things change because I would never dream of telling my stepkids those kinds of stories.

[Ashley Marie]

Catherine wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "Some people prepare for the zombie apocalypse, but I know better. The world will end when the spiders enact their plot to eat us all like milkshakes.

This pretty well sums up..."

I've actually never been brave enough to watch it, lol!

[Catherine]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I have an irrational fear of tiny people...ever since I saw Puppet Master and Army of Darkness. And I can't sleep with the closet doors open because someone told me that closets u..."

I used to check under the bed when I was younger! and sometimes I even do it now...especially if I'm reading a really scary book! because..you know that's when all the monsters come out, and inhabit the dark corners of your house!!

mostly I leave well enough alone....I have my pets to protect me! :)

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

LOL @ Monk. I'm not crazy about crowds, either. Or traffic. Traffic makes me irrationally anxious.

[Catherine]

Anima wrote: "I've fear of being kidnapped on the street, so every suspicious person "following" me makes me jump or walk faster.

I hate spiders, but cockroaches are even worse, blah. When I see one, I have a p..."

ugh! roaches are the WORST thing! :)

[Jenn]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Barb wrote: "I don't mind bugs and creepy crawlies, and spiders and snakes don't bother me, but stinging insects send me scurrying for cover! And I have an aversion to heights, so suspension bridge..."

When I lived in Florida I was always afraid of getting in a wreck and going over the side of the bridge in the car and not being able to get out....or being able to get out and then having to deal with sharks. I actually saw sharks circling once when I was going over the causeway and another time I saw an SUV go over the side and some brave guy jumped in and saved the whole family.

[Jenn]

Anima wrote: "I've fear of being kidnapped on the street, so every suspicious person "following" me makes me jump or walk faster.

I hate spiders, but cockroaches are even worse, blah. When I see one, I have a p..."

Check out these lovely creatures I just discovered live where I live...they're like a cockroach, spider and scorpion mated and had Rosemary's baby.

[Catherine]

Jennifer wrote: "Catherine wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "April wrote: "I have a "strong dislike" of spiders. When I was 12 there was a spider in the bath..."

have to admit..I've never come upon a black widow, wolf spider or brown recluse myself...and I'm sure I would want them gone too...but all others go out! OUTSIDE with them! and as I'm carting them to the door..I chat with them about the benefits of the great outdoors! lol I tell them..." I live in here...you live out there!" :) not really...but you get the idea! plus I don't touch them!

[Catherine]

Barb wrote: "I don't mind bugs and creepy crawlies, and spiders and snakes don't bother me, but stinging insects send me scurrying for cover! And I have an aversion to heights, so suspension bridges and I don't..."

I don't like the idea of going up! but once I'm there..the view is always spectacular! I have lots of terrific photos from so many HIGH places..The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Empire State Building, The CN Tower(Toronto), Sacré Coeur, the Bell Tower in St Mark's Square(Venice), L'Arc de Triomphe, St Stephen's Basillica(Budapest). you see! and I'm still in one piece :)

I even have a few pics from the widow at my seat..as I'm flying somewhere...taking off, landing...the clouds, etc:)

[Catherine]

Jennifer wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I have an irrational fear of tiny people...ever since I saw Puppet Master and Army of Darkness. And I can't sleep with the closet doors open becau..."

that story floated around at my school when I was younger! boarding school is sooo much fun!

[Catherine]

Jennifer wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Barb wrote: "I don't mind bugs and creepy crawlies, and spiders and snakes don't bother me, but stinging insects send me scurrying for cover! And I have an aversion..."

well..I can't say I'd like to meet a shark up close and personal, but they are quite blind Ithink, and more curious than anything else...if you hit them anywhere near their eyes, you can deter them. the problem is...how do you know where their eyes are when you're above the surface, and they're below! lol :)

[Catherine]

Jennifer wrote: "Anima wrote: "I've fear of being kidnapped on the street, so every suspicious person "following" me makes me jump or walk faster.

I hate spiders, but cockroaches are even worse, blah. When I see o..."

oh! you want to see cockroaches! go to Asia! they are HUGE!

[Ashley Marie]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "LOL @ Monk. I'm not crazy about crowds, either. Or traffic. Traffic makes me irrationally anxious."

Ditto to this. My most irrational rational fear is that someone is hiding behind my shower curtain in wait to murder me horribly.


Also:

[Sonia]

Welcome to the challenge Amanda, Danielle, Tina, Danielle Book Boss, Barb, Muffin, Suzanne, April, Eni, Catherine, Anna, Ruth & Dani



I hope I don't miss anybody between all the sharing&caring of this thread

And I have to thank you for all the ideas I'm stuffing into my bag of treats. I hit a writer's block after the last creation groove. You guys were exactly what I needed to smash that wall down. Even the little people under the beds and portals hidden in closets.

[Catherine]

Ashley Marie wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "LOL @ Monk. I'm not crazy about crowds, either. Or traffic. Traffic makes me irrationally anxious."

Ditto to this. My most irrational rational fear is that someon..."

lol...I think the spider high-tailed it out of there! :)

Spider's safe...and you're homeless! now you're on her territory! watch out!

[Jenn]

I remember after the Urban Legend movie came out I was so afraid that someone was going to be in the backseat of my car (like in the movie) and I always looked before I got in. I was driving home one night and freaked myself out because a shadow just happened to hit my rearview just right. I pulled over screaming and had to look again.

[Anima]

Ashley Marie wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "LOL @ Monk. I'm not crazy about crowds, either. Or traffic. Traffic makes me irrationally anxious."

Ditto to this. My most irrational rational fear is that someon..."

Ashley Marie, you made my day with this picture, this is so me :D

Thanks for all the hints where I shouldn't go not to meet strange, huge, mutated creepy crawles LOL

I also fear apocalyps of any type (zombies, natural disasters, some nukes and staff like that)

[[deleted user]]

12 Months of Halloween Reading Challenge
Duration: Oct. 2, 2013 - Oct. 1, 2014
Level: Monster Collector- 21+ Books

Theme #1:Classic Horror
Read classic horror books like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or Bran Stoker’s Dracula. Or, you can choose the modern revamp of old classics like Pride, Prejudice and zombies. Or books that are based on Classic Horror books like Alice in Zombieland.

Theme #2:Masters of Horror and Fantastic
Read a book from a master of horror and Fantastic like Stephen King or Dean Koontz, or if you prefer a more lighter approach, like Neil Gaiman or Terry Pratcher.

Theme #3:Samhain
Read a book that focus on Celtic/Gaelic traditions like Beltane, Samhain or other rituals, or somehow fit the meaning of Samhain

Theme #4:Trick or Treat (Costume)
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A:
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Theme #5:Face your Fears
Read books about things that scary you - urban legends, ghost stories, spiders, spider webs, murders, even elevators or planes, is all about your fears.

Theme #6:Hallow Places
For this option, is all about the setting - Cemeteries, dark forest, haunted house, the asylum, Dracula's Castle

Theme #7:Halloween Party – (Decorations)
S:
K:
E:
L:
E:
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O:
N:

Theme #8:Supernatural Creatures

Theme #9:Halloween Cover Hunt
Read books with covers matching Halloween colors - black, orange, red - or Halloween themes - pumpkins, skulls, etc.

Theme #10:Special Abilities

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

I'm okay with flying in planes and even looking out the window. I'd rather go down than go up. I don't care how pretty the view is up there, I am not interested. I got to tour the Guinness warehouse in Dublin and at the end, you go up to this pub that sits way up high and is round, with windows all around. Do you think I went TO the window to look out at the city? Nope, I just stood near the bar and admired from afar. I'm glad you are still in one piece, Catherine, hehe. I'm sure I would be physically, but I'm not sure about mentally. I can't even go to the second floor of a shopping mall (with an open floor) without freaking out and keeping myself scaled to the walls.

AM, I love that "I panicked" picture, lol. Burning down the house might be a tad overkill, haha. And, yes, don't you know, "they" always wait until just the right moment to jump out at us from behind the shower curtains? And closet doors! I mean, just because we don't see or hear them go into those places does not mean they aren't there, lol.

Jennifer -- I had to LoL at your "jumping at a shadow in my car" thing because I'm the same way. I scare myself more than anything when I get into one of my irrational moods.

Glad we could help you with your now-heavy bag of tricks, Sonia. :)

[Ashley Marie]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I'm okay with flying in planes and even looking out the window. I'd rather go down than go up. I don't care how pretty the view is up there, I am not interested. I got to tour the Guinness warehous..."

I am hypervigilant about both spiders and situations in which I believe I could be serial murdered. A friend of mine was telling me that she read an article that claimed that people who are afraid of something (like spiders) are more likely to see the thing they're afraid of because of hypervigilance. I totally believe it, because I know I am CONSTANTLY on the lookout for things that I've decided are a danger to me. I scan ceilings for spiders before entering a room!

[Brenda]

12 Months of Halloween Reading Challenge
Duration: 10/3/13 - 10/2/14
Level: Monster Collector ► 21+ books

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Theme #1:Classic Horror

Theme #2:Masters of Horror and Fantastic

Theme #3:Samhain

Theme #4:Trick or Treat (costume)
W ~
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C ~
H ~

Theme #5:Face your Fears

Theme #6:Hallow Places

Theme #7:Halloween Party (decoration)
J ~
A ~
C ~
K ~
O ~
L ~
A ~
N ~
T ~
E ~
R ~
N ~
S ~

Theme #8:Supernatural Creatures

Theme #9:Halloween Cover Hunt

Theme #10:Special Abilities

[Jenn]

Ashley Marie wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I'm okay with flying in planes and even looking out the window. I'd rather go down than go up. I don't care how pretty the view is up there, I am not interested. I ..."

I agree with you on this. I have a fluttery moment of panic every time I come in my bedroom without the lights on as there is a spot of paint on one of the white walls that has been there since my fiance painted three walls purple and I ALWAYS think it's a spider at first.

I always check the bath too, and three times now I've checked, run my bath, and been laying back relaxing and reading and turn my head and to my utter horror there is a spider chilling on the wall right by my face.

[Jenn]

On a side note for all of you agoraphobic people a good face your fears book would be . There are were Hobo Spiders. You read that right, were spiders. And not just any were spiders but Hobo spiders. http://hobospider.org/

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa)]

Why did I click that hobo spider link?? UGH!! EW! *shiver* I meant to click the book link... blech.

[Mave]

Nothing but Reading Challenges
12 Months of Halloween Reading Challenge
Duration: 10/3/2013 - 9/30/2014
Level: Monster Collector 21+ books

Theme 1 Classic Horror


Theme 2 Masters of Horror and Fantastic


Theme 3 – Samhain


Theme 4: Spell It Out



Theme 5 - Face Your Fears



Theme 6 - Hallow places



Theme 7 Halloween Party


Theme 8 Supernatural Creatures

Theme 9 Halloween Coverhunt

Theme 10 Special Abilities