13 Spooky Book Events in Boston this Halloween

The weather in Boston has cooled and it’s the perfect time of year to cozy up with a new (or favorite) book. Luckily, Boston is quite the literary city and there are plenty of ways to enjoy your books while making new friends and embracing spooky season.&nbsp; by Celina Colby 1) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/woman-owned-fantasy-inspired-bookshop-side-quest-bow-market-somerville-1005565">Side Quest Fantasy-Inspired Bookshop</a> When: Open daily Where: Union Square Info: This woman-owned fantasy-centric bookshop sells everything from magical books to indie role-playing games and all things nerdy. It’s the perfect spot to pick up your otherworldly Halloween read.&nbsp; 2) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/all-she-wrote-books-october-breakfast-club-somerville-1007103">All She Wrote Books: October Breakfast Club</a> When: Sunday 10/20 Where: Somerville Info: Gather at All She Wrote Books for their monthly breakfast book club meeting. October’s book “It Came From the Closet,” edited by Joe Vallese, is a collection of essays in which queer and trans authors reflect on the horror movies that impacted them.&nbsp; 3) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/all-she-wrote-presents-tarot-readings-with-heronkind-somerville-1005687">Tarot Readings at All She Wrote Books</a> When: Sunday 10/20 Where: Somerville Info: For one afternoon only, Heronkind Stories and Healing will pop-up at All She Wrote Books for tarot reading sessions. Be sure to snag your 15-minute appointment in advance and prepare to have your cards read.&nbsp; 4) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/the-alibi-club-a-mystery-thriller-book-group-reads-when-no-one-is-watching-mattapan-1007227">The Alibi Club: A Mystery &amp; Thriller Book Group reads When No One is Watching</a> When: Tuesday 10/22 Where: Mattapan Info: Thriller and murder mystery lovers congregate monthly at the Mattapan Branch of the Boston Public Library. This month they’ll discuss ‘When No One is Watching’ by Alyssa Cole. All are welcome.&nbsp;&nbsp; 5) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/horror-book-fair-with-trident-booksellers-boston-1006351">Horror Book Fair with Trident Booksellers</a> When: Wednesday 10/23 Where: Downtown Info: Trident Booksellers is bringing the Horror Book Fair back to Sam Adams’ Downtown Taproom. Peruse novels, graphic stories, and more ranging from spine-chilling to witchy. You can also get an on-site tarot reading.&nbsp; 6) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/boston-book-festival--7-boston-1002836">16th Annual Boston Book Festival</a> When: Friday 10/26 - Saturday 10/26 Where: Back Bay Info: The Boston Book Festival celebrates all literary genres, but there are sure to be some horror and mystery authors there to whet your seasonal appetite. More than 200 authors will gather in Copley Square for panel discussions, presentations, book signings, and more.&nbsp; 7) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/all-she-wrote-x-juliet-book-club-maggie-thrash-s-rainbow-black-somerville-1007104">All She Wrote x Juliet Book Club: Maggie Thrash's RAINBOW BLACK</a> When: Sunday 10/27 Where: Union Square Info: This murder-mystery entwined with a gay love story and an international fugitive sublot is the perfect thrill for October reading. Gather at Juliet to chat about the novel with likeminded new friends.&nbsp; 8) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/fright-night-a-celebration-of-horror-novels-and-the-authors-behind-them-boston-1003522">Fright Night: A celebration of horror novels and the authors behind them</a> When: Monday 10/28 Where: Brookline Info: At WBUR CitySpace, Here &amp; Now associate producer Kalyani Saxena will interview a series of horror novelists about their books and the way the genre is evolving over time. Afterwards you can buy books and have the authors sign them.&nbsp; 9) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/lovestruck-books-presents-practical-magic-author-talk-and-film-screening-cambridge-1006009">Lovestruck Books Presents: Practical Magic Author Talk and Film Screening</a> When: Tuesday 10/29 Where: Harvard Square Info: Lovestruck Books is hosting a screening of ‘Practical Magic’ at the Brattle Theatre followed by a Q&amp;A with the author Alice Hoffman. Your ticket includes a signed copy of the book and a special edition tote.&nbsp; 10) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/author-talk-with-deborah-blom-the-poisoner-s-handbook-and-ghost-hunters-boston-1007813">Author Talk with Deborah Blom, “The Poisoner’s Handbook” and "Ghost Hunters"</a> When: Wednesday 10/30 Where: South End Info: Join Deborah Blom, the head of the science journalism program at MIT, for a spooky season discussion of two of her books, 'The Poisoner's Handbook' and 'Ghost Hunters.' After the talk enjoy refreshments and get your book signed. 11) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/psb-boston-edition-night-of-the-living-books-a-halloween-party-boston-1006570">Night of the Living Books (Halloween Party)</a> When: Thursday 10/31 Where: Seaport Info: Porter Square Books is going all out for Halloween with spooky movie screenings, author talks with horror writers, tarot readings, and a creepy costume contest. Costumes must be book themed.&nbsp; BONUS: These bookish events may not be specifically horror themed, but they happen during spooky season and they’re sure to satisfy your literary cravings.&nbsp; 12) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/brewery-book-fair-by-bookworm-boston-1006153">Brewery Book Fair By Bookworm</a> When: Saturday 11/2 Where: Dorchester Info: Head to Dorchester Brewing for a flash back to the Scholastic Book Fair days. Bookworm will be popping up a used book fair so you can grab a brew and peruse novels, nonfiction, and fun bookish products.&nbsp; 13) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/hooks-and-books-boston-1001445">Hooks and Books</a> When: Tuesday 11/5 Where: Back Bay Info: If you’re a crafter as well as a booklover, this group is for you. Upstairs at Trident, a group meets every month to knit, crochet, weave, and more in the comfort of stocked bookshelves.&nbsp; 14) <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/tales-from-the-crips-reimagining-fairy-tales-with-a-disabled-lens-boston-1006723">Tales from the Crips: Reimagining Fairy Tales with a Disabled Lens</a> When: Friday 11/8 and Saturday 11/9 Where: Dorchester Info: Watch your favorite fairy tales take on a new life in this dance performance by Abilities Dance, an inclusive company for professional dancers of all abilities.&nbsp; YEAR-ROUND LITERARY FUN <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/6-places-in-boston-where-you-can-read-grab-a-drink-boston-378952">7 Places in Boston Where You Can Read &amp; Grab a Drink</a> When: Daily Where: Around Boston Info: It’s hard to beat a book and a cocktail for a relaxing evening. At these bookstores, libraries, and restaurants around Boston, you can find the best of both.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/14-independent-bookstores-around-boston-boston-396315">15 Independent Bookstores Around Boston</a> When: Daily Where: Around Boston Info: There are many incredible Indie bookstores around Boston. In addition to buying new reads, they offer cafes, cool events, unique products, and a community of fellow book lovers here in The Hub.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/the-6-most-unique-libraries-in-boston-boston-397332">The 6 Most Unique Libraries in Boston</a> When: Daily Where: Around Boston Info: Whether you’re looking for a beautiful and historic place to crack open a new book or a quiet setting to get some work done, Boston is chock full of unique libraries that meet all your needs.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/unique-book-clubs-to-join-around-boston-boston-444734">9 Unique Book Clubs to Join in Boston</a> When: Daily Where: Around Boston Info: One of the easiest ways to meet fellow book lovers is by joining a book club. These meet a range of interests from queer stories to science themes.&nbsp;

Boston

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Meredith 

Juju

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Manda

Fatimah Mahdee

Audrey

Emma

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

13 Spooky Book Events in Boston this Halloween

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