Looking for some edge-of-your-seat, hardcore, tried-and-tested mystery novels? Look no farther. Michael Dirda reviews a book packed with a list of crime-and-horrors that, according to him, is definitely not your mother’s.   You won’t find anything less than murderous in this book. These aren’t the kind of books that will pass the time – these are books that will take your time, unwillingly if needed. Only the briefest of time is spent glossing over even the greatest, such as A Conan Doyle, or Rex Stout. Don’t expect a wishy-washy list of whodunit’s – expect gut-wrenching, plain-out murder. Read some more here, and maybe check out the book yourself – you won’t be disappointed.

Do you have a book that you read and reread when you were a kid? Jeffery Brown does. It’s called ‘Small in the Saddle’, and Jeff owns a copy of it to this day. What would you do for the book that sparked your imagination?  In an interview, Jeffery Brown explains the influence of a book he had as a child, and his remarkable, heartwarming journey to finding the book he couldn’t forget, and the book’s intriguing author. Read more about this cartoonist, and his dedicated wife, here.

Movies, video games, smartphones. Are these replacing our books? Technology gives us the world at our fingertips. And between Facebook, Twitter, TV, and Pinterest, reading a book can be an unwanted and time-consuming chore.  At one time, it was the mark of the intellectual to own shelves and shelves of books – but not anymore. Michael Levin talks more here about this tragedy and it’s effect on our lives.

Audio books are a large market, and there’s a lot of money to be earned if you can learn how to best tap into that. Many people enjoy reading, but don’t have the time, and that’s where audio books come in. Construct a plan for your business, hire qualified people to help you as you rise up the ranks,  purchase supplies, and advertise to gain customers. Abby Hall explains in detail how to begin your very own audio book rental business in: “How to Start an Audio Book Rental Business”

Halloween is soon to be upon us and while everyone is excited about candy, costumes, and things that go bump in the night, don’t forget that reading to your children is still important as well. We discussed this topic and many more this week.

• Pippa Middleton is turning heads for more than her picture in the papers these days. Read all about her book deal in: “Pippa Middleton Book Deal Worth Some $640,000.”
• The votes are in and it looks like people around 30 are the biggest E-book supporters at the moment. Read all about it in: “Survey: E-book Use Highest Among 30-Somethings.”
• 10 Halloween books for children will ensure that your children are tickled, not scared, this Halloween season. You can look for the books in: “Halloween Books That Are A Treat For Children.”
• 208 4th Grade students have recently become addicted to reading and have been rewarded for it as well. Read more about it in: “Fourth-Graders Get Hooked On Books.”
• Lemony Snicket is back in renowned author Daniel Handler’s new series. You can read all about the new adventures of Lemony Snicket, and its author in: “Daniel Handler’s New Snicket Series Dives Into Noir.”
• Finally, we ended the week with our very own list of Halloween books for parents to read with their children.

Reading with our kids is a joy for most parents, and Halloween is no different. There are books out there that scare, tickle the fancy, or just spook a little bit. In “Halloween Books Are A Treat For Children”, there are a few books listed that are not spooky, but will have your little ones rolling on the floor laughing. Here are a few more of the most read Halloween books of all time:

Diane Goode’s “Book Of Scary Stories And Songs,” is a must-have for any parent and child. It’s also a great book to use at Halloween parties. The stories are creepy and the songs are magical. The book is designed for children from 5 to 8 years of age.

“Bednobs And Broomsticks,” by Mary Norton is a classic tale that has been handed down for ages. It’s easy for adults and children alike to be dazzled by this 1940’s timeless classic. The book is suggested for children from ages 8 to 11.

For the little ones from ages 3 to 8, “The Humbug Witch” is a delightful tale of a witch who has a problem not only flying her broom, but doing anything else witch-related as well. It’s a cute little story that every child will surely love.

Reading is as important at Halloween as it is any time of the year. Grab one of these classic books, curl up on the couch with your kids, and have a spooky good time reading.

Daniel Handler is releasing his much awaited second installment of the very popular Lemony Snicket series. The original books were a huge hit, and were even made into a Jim Carrey movie. The author of the children’s books is described as Steve Martin funny, and an amazing writer as well. USA Today’s, Marco A Della Cava reports on the interview in: “Daniel Handler’s New Snicket Series Dives Into Noir.”

Fourth-graders in Murrieta, CA were recently rewarded by being able to attend a Grimmer Ball at their school.  The ball was given for the completion of the first book in the “Sisters Grimm” series of books. 208 children completed the first book and seem to have truly become addicted to reading. You can read more about these fourth grade accomplishments in The North County Times. The article was written by Craig Shultz and entitled “Fourth-Graders Get Hooked On Books.”

Little ones would prefer to be made to laugh at Halloween, instead of being spooked. These 10 slightly scary, but really funny stories, will keep your children happy for hours. From “Monster Mash” to “It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse,” you can be sure that every child on your list will have a spooky good time.  You can research these wonderful books in The Seattle Times, see Karen Macpherson’s “Halloween Books That Are A Treat For Children.”