Halloween is just around the corner, about six weeks away from the time I am writing this to however long it is from when you are reading it. Halloween is always right around the corner, though. Some of us never stop thinking about it.

So, a couple of quick reviews about a couple of Halloween books we got from the library this past summer, which are due back now.  Country Living Happy Halloween (such promise!) and Halloween : a grown-up’s guide to creative costumes, devilish decor & fabulous festivities.

The “Country living Happy Halloween! : bewitching parties and recipes, enchanting pumpkins and decorations, plus lots of other spine-tingling ideas” seemed like it would be fantastic, even if it had an easily torn cover (not by me).

It was full of the same basic things all Halloween books are full of, with no real surprises or creative inspirations. I lost all faith in the book with the recipe for white spiced coffee. Somebody missed that there is a phantom set (perfect for Halloween?) of spices. Spices are used twice in the recipe body, but only one set is in the ingredients. It may be petty, but an editing snafu like that will make me not recommend the book to you at all.

I did adore the idea of using a gourd as a vase, though. That was not something I have seen a lot.

On the other hand, Joanne O’Sullivan’s Halloween book is exactly like the kids Halloween books you remember drooling over.

There’s sections on making costumes, wigs, masks, decorations, and everything you need for a party, from invitations to goody bags. Only they are for adults. There are ways to turn an old bridesmaid dress into a costume, to create costumes from landscaping material and cheesecloth, ways to make a mask from scratch, or embellish a store bought one. There are recipes for grown up foods, instructions for grown up games, and grown up goody bags. This was a fun book and gave me some ideas for what we can do ourselves.

And I adore the idea of a couples costume being a Queen and a drone…

And, I am embarrassed to admit I looked at the spider vest and thought ‘but it only has six legs! That’s not a spider, it’s an insect!’. Maybe I need to get to bed earlier tonight.

So those are two books you can get from our library. If you know of other books you’d recommend, please let me know!