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31 Days of Spooky: Ghastly Ghost Stories to Send a Shiver Down Your Spine
Calling all ghosts and ghouls! Venture into 31 Days of Spooky—a fully illustrated, delightfully scary collection of short stories that will send a chill down your spine every day of the Halloween season.
When it's not lurking on your nightstand, this beautiful book is perfectly designed to sit alongside your fall decorations or tablescapes. With its one-of-a-kind daily format, 31 Days of Spooky includes. . .
A month of eerie short stories featuring ghosts of all kinds—helpful, harmful, and even canineAn iridescent foiled cover sure to attract a spirit or two and complement your spooky holiday decorFun and fantastical illustrations that bring every ghostly tale to life
Whether you're reading under the covers (just because it is fun!), cozied up with a cup of cocoa, or with friends around the campfire, 31 Days of Spooky is your essential short story collection for a ghostly good time—all October long.
When it's not lurking on your nightstand, this beautiful book is perfectly designed to sit alongside your fall decorations or tablescapes. With its one-of-a-kind daily format, 31 Days of Spooky includes. . .
A month of eerie short stories featuring ghosts of all kinds—helpful, harmful, and even canineAn iridescent foiled cover sure to attract a spirit or two and complement your spooky holiday decorFun and fantastical illustrations that bring every ghostly tale to life
Whether you're reading under the covers (just because it is fun!), cozied up with a cup of cocoa, or with friends around the campfire, 31 Days of Spooky is your essential short story collection for a ghostly good time—all October long.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published June 24, 2025
5 people are currently reading
3793 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
July 18, 2025
What a fun and thrilling book for the kids! And the illustrations are a nice touch to give it a scary edge! 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!
July 11, 2025
Nothing groundbreaking but entertaining enough. If you want a fast read this is perfect. The art was super fun tho!
July 17, 2025
31 Days of Spooky
by Harper Celebrate (no authors given)
Middle School Ghost Stories
NetGalley Camp NetGalley
Pub Date: Jun 24, 2025
Harper Celebrate
Ages: 10+
A short book with thirty-one short ghost stories. The blurb suggests these stories be read one a day for the Halloween season, or even read around a fall campfire. And while it claims to be for teens and adults, I disagree. These lack depth, so they fall into the early middle school age range.
Disclaimer, I selected this book from NetGalley's limited 'required' book selection for their badge achievement during their summer event of Camp NetGalley.
The blurb's suggestions to read out loud I agree with because these stories are not very descriptive and really do need a talented storyteller to give these tales life, because these short stories are mostly telling and not showing. This book is a great example of why I am not a fan of stories this short... the plots are simple, the stories are quick and to the point; lacking descriptions, character and world development
Yes, some of the stories are 'cute' and a few have a mini 'creepy' factor, but nothing scary. The illustrations are a nice touch, though they would be hard to 'see' when the only light is a campfire.
While most of the stories have adult MCs, and some younger readers may not understand the entire meaning of those stories, I still feel that readers ten and older would like these, though an older audience, especially teens, would enjoy a storyteller instead of reading these themselves.
Because these were telling and not showing (a few words sprinkled here and there would give them some life), I can only give this...
2 Stars
by Harper Celebrate (no authors given)
Middle School Ghost Stories
NetGalley Camp NetGalley
Pub Date: Jun 24, 2025
Harper Celebrate
Ages: 10+
A short book with thirty-one short ghost stories. The blurb suggests these stories be read one a day for the Halloween season, or even read around a fall campfire. And while it claims to be for teens and adults, I disagree. These lack depth, so they fall into the early middle school age range.
Disclaimer, I selected this book from NetGalley's limited 'required' book selection for their badge achievement during their summer event of Camp NetGalley.
The blurb's suggestions to read out loud I agree with because these stories are not very descriptive and really do need a talented storyteller to give these tales life, because these short stories are mostly telling and not showing. This book is a great example of why I am not a fan of stories this short... the plots are simple, the stories are quick and to the point; lacking descriptions, character and world development
Yes, some of the stories are 'cute' and a few have a mini 'creepy' factor, but nothing scary. The illustrations are a nice touch, though they would be hard to 'see' when the only light is a campfire.
While most of the stories have adult MCs, and some younger readers may not understand the entire meaning of those stories, I still feel that readers ten and older would like these, though an older audience, especially teens, would enjoy a storyteller instead of reading these themselves.
Because these were telling and not showing (a few words sprinkled here and there would give them some life), I can only give this...
2 Stars
March 27, 2025
These Halloween stories were interesting and entertaining. However, It felt more like a children’s spooky stories book, minus the illustrations in it. The illustrations were spooky and gory! This short book includes 31 different stories in it. I think the illustrations are excellent. The stories are good too, but they did not give me the extra spooky vibes I was wanting. I was unable to download it to my Kindle, so I ended up using the NetGalley app on my iPad to read it and it worked perfectly! Overall, I found this to be a reasonable read, especially during Halloween season! I give this a 3 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate Publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book is set to be published on July 8, 2025!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate Publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book is set to be published on July 8, 2025!
July 7, 2025
Calling all ghosts and ghouls! Venture into 31 Days of Spooky—a fully illustrated, delightfully scary collection of short stories that will send a chill down your spine every day of the Halloween season.
Totally disappointed 😞
2 stars simply because one of the stories in this book was actually very good, and touching.
I did not want to be mean, but I wanted this to be like a Manga novel. Sadly, it wasn't fully illustrated at all. Did it have illustrations? Absolutely. But when you read fully illustrated, one tends to think the way a children's book is fully illustrated. No?
It could be just me.
Unfortunately, I could not go further and DNF'd at about 30%.
Thank you, NetGalley/Harper Celebrate, for the opportunity to view this eARC and give my honest review.
Totally disappointed 😞
2 stars simply because one of the stories in this book was actually very good, and touching.
I did not want to be mean, but I wanted this to be like a Manga novel. Sadly, it wasn't fully illustrated at all. Did it have illustrations? Absolutely. But when you read fully illustrated, one tends to think the way a children's book is fully illustrated. No?
It could be just me.
Unfortunately, I could not go further and DNF'd at about 30%.
Thank you, NetGalley/Harper Celebrate, for the opportunity to view this eARC and give my honest review.
October 23, 2025
Not what I was expecting. The stories were not scary at all. If this is geared towards a younger reader. They may enjoy it as their story to get into the Halloween spirit. The images were very well done. Thank you for letting me read this.
July 4, 2025
I was one of the lucky winners of a copy of this book for review from a Goodreads giveaway. It's a collection of thirty-one very short spooky stories, presumably one a day for October, each accompanied by very nice illustrating paintings. It's a nice mixture of morality plays and odd happenings or quirky coincidences. For example, in Quiet, Please, Maya is yelled at by a ghost librarian for making too much noise and she hits him with a book and resolves not to return to that library. Or, in All That Glitters, Sonia is the manager of a hotel that has a haunted reputation and one of the guests complains that her jewelry has been stolen. The hotel has a portrait of the original owner and his daughters in the dining room, and she determines the youngest daughter of the original owner is the ghost thief, so she leaves her own earrings in the room and later sees the portrait of the founding family with the youngest daughter now wearing them. None of the stories are particularly gory or gruesome, and I think the book would be appropriate for a pre-teen reader. (I have a granddaughter in mind for this copy.) There is no author credited on the cover or copyright page, which led me to wonder if the text were AI generated. The narratives are all pretty direct accounts, with little description or characterization, and there are occasional word choices I thought unusual. It's an attractive, sturdy, and fun book, appropriate for youngsters.
July 15, 2025
2.5⭐️
First I’d like to address the fact that no author is actually listed anywhere on this book; no author per story and no author listed anywhere online. The author is only referred to as Harper Celebrate which is a branch of Harper Collins. This concerns me for a multitude of reasons I won’t get into in this review. The main reason this book is receiving a 3⭐️ is due to the stories- they are advertised as being for teens and adults, however, they came off as more middle grade. I’ve read Goosebumps books that are scarier than this. The art was really cute and I enjoyed that. I couldn’t find the artist information anywhere on or inside the book either, however.
This book is perfect for a 9-12 year old that loves Halloween.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Harper Celebrate Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
First I’d like to address the fact that no author is actually listed anywhere on this book; no author per story and no author listed anywhere online. The author is only referred to as Harper Celebrate which is a branch of Harper Collins. This concerns me for a multitude of reasons I won’t get into in this review. The main reason this book is receiving a 3⭐️ is due to the stories- they are advertised as being for teens and adults, however, they came off as more middle grade. I’ve read Goosebumps books that are scarier than this. The art was really cute and I enjoyed that. I couldn’t find the artist information anywhere on or inside the book either, however.
This book is perfect for a 9-12 year old that loves Halloween.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Harper Celebrate Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2025
There is something off about this book. There is not a single author credited anywhere in its pages, nor an illustrator. This leads me to believe that Harper is messing with the idea of printing a book all done with the use of AI, and if that is the case they need to disclose this to their readers.
I see lots of people commenting about how this is great for kids and honestly I find that insulting. I have read middle grade horror books that are leagues better than whatever these half-baked stories are trying to tell. They all read the exact same way, there is not a single ounce of atmosphere built into any of the stories, And don't say its because they are short stories because it absolutely is possible to create atmosphere in a short story, just look at "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" by Alvin Schwartz. The stories are lifeless, and there is zero work done in building up the characters. The writing is extremely poor and does nothing to elevate the tales. And that's not even touching on how some of them don't even have a "scary" edge to them, they are more heartfelt..?.. Which again makes me wonder if some prompts were fed to an AI and this is the drivel it produced.
This book is not worth anyone's time or money, and I do not see kids who love horror and scary stories enjoying this at all.
I see lots of people commenting about how this is great for kids and honestly I find that insulting. I have read middle grade horror books that are leagues better than whatever these half-baked stories are trying to tell. They all read the exact same way, there is not a single ounce of atmosphere built into any of the stories, And don't say its because they are short stories because it absolutely is possible to create atmosphere in a short story, just look at "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" by Alvin Schwartz. The stories are lifeless, and there is zero work done in building up the characters. The writing is extremely poor and does nothing to elevate the tales. And that's not even touching on how some of them don't even have a "scary" edge to them, they are more heartfelt..?.. Which again makes me wonder if some prompts were fed to an AI and this is the drivel it produced.
This book is not worth anyone's time or money, and I do not see kids who love horror and scary stories enjoying this at all.
September 1, 2025
I have to begin by saying that it is really weird that no credit is given to the authors of these stories. No illustration credits either, which is particularly disappointing because the illustrations are the best part of the book.
Most of these stories are okay, though there’s a mismatch between the text and the illustrations. The stories aren’t particularly scary, probably best suited to the younger end of the middle reader audience or as a family read. But the illustrations are more in line with what I would expect to accompany adult or YA Horror. It feels a bit like the publisher didn’t want to commit to a demographic in terms of target audience, so as a result we end up with what is essentially a kids book that has not been marketed that way.
Some of these stories are more clever than others, though none really feel like anything we haven’t seen before. The tone is going for a Goosebumps/Stinetinglers feel, but the quality isn’t quite there for most of them. Regardless, it still bothers me that the authors did not get credit for their work, and it bothers me even more that the illustrator didn’t, as their work was notably good.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Most of these stories are okay, though there’s a mismatch between the text and the illustrations. The stories aren’t particularly scary, probably best suited to the younger end of the middle reader audience or as a family read. But the illustrations are more in line with what I would expect to accompany adult or YA Horror. It feels a bit like the publisher didn’t want to commit to a demographic in terms of target audience, so as a result we end up with what is essentially a kids book that has not been marketed that way.
Some of these stories are more clever than others, though none really feel like anything we haven’t seen before. The tone is going for a Goosebumps/Stinetinglers feel, but the quality isn’t quite there for most of them. Regardless, it still bothers me that the authors did not get credit for their work, and it bothers me even more that the illustrator didn’t, as their work was notably good.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
July 18, 2025
31 Spooky stories - you can read one per night for the whole month of October, just like an advent calendar!
This was a fun set of middle grade stories. They were typically fast, short stories with absolutely gorgeous and really compelling illustrations. Most of the stories were left a bit vague, letting the reader draw conclusions and decide what the ultimate conclusion of the story was. Others gave a definite ending. Some were just eerie and spooky while others a bit bloody. It had a mix of stories. The images are really what brought it over the top.
Fun, quick, read - I enjoyed it and could see sharing these horror stories with a younger kid who loved to be spooked!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was a fun set of middle grade stories. They were typically fast, short stories with absolutely gorgeous and really compelling illustrations. Most of the stories were left a bit vague, letting the reader draw conclusions and decide what the ultimate conclusion of the story was. Others gave a definite ending. Some were just eerie and spooky while others a bit bloody. It had a mix of stories. The images are really what brought it over the top.
Fun, quick, read - I enjoyed it and could see sharing these horror stories with a younger kid who loved to be spooked!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
August 20, 2025
I think it’s a really book for children to read before Halloween. It’s spooky, the stories are really great and easy to read. I think I was a bit too old to read it but I still enjoyed my reading. The illustrations are really pretty and fit the vibe soo well. I recommend for a public of maybe 10 years old, if they like this kind of short stories they will enjoy it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving a free digital copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving a free digital copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
August 26, 2025
Each of these were short, quick ghost stories (a few pages each). Some of them were scarier due to the illustrations! A few that stuck out to me were the guard playing pacman, the grim reaper in the graveyard, and the kids playing hide and seek in the woods. Would recommend as an October read, and you could read one for every day of the month!
August 1, 2025
This collection of 31 spooky stories is perfect for middle schools or adults that enjoy reading a quick PG-13 spooky story. Each story is different some are better than others. Some are creepier than others. This is a great book to read during spooky season. One of my favorites is The Night Nurse. You hear about haunted hospitals all the time so this one isn’t too far out of the imagination but still very creepy to think about.
July 25, 2025
A fun and quick spooky little read! Perfect for children. Something to read to your kids while sitting around a campfire and eating s’mores.
31 stories for each day of our favorite creepy month, October! All urban legend type stories. Some stories were a bit predictable and others you wish were so much longer. My favorite inclusion were the color illustrations. So beautifully done and give the perfect spooky touch.
I wasn’t able to download this to my Kindle, but my iPad worked just fine. It showed off the illustrations better anyway.
Thank you to NetGalley for this fun little read!
31 stories for each day of our favorite creepy month, October! All urban legend type stories. Some stories were a bit predictable and others you wish were so much longer. My favorite inclusion were the color illustrations. So beautifully done and give the perfect spooky touch.
I wasn’t able to download this to my Kindle, but my iPad worked just fine. It showed off the illustrations better anyway.
Thank you to NetGalley for this fun little read!
August 2, 2025
I think this is a fun little book for those looking for a little spook. As someone who’s willing to dive head first into horror, I found myself wanting more from some of the stories, but many others left me satisfied and encouraged me to continue so I could get my next chilling dose.
In a similar way, I felt that some of the stories in intensity. For example, one may feature the ghost of an old family dog and the next a murderous girlfriend.
In a similar way, I felt that some of the stories in intensity. For example, one may feature the ghost of an old family dog and the next a murderous girlfriend.
July 16, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ I don’t like that there isn’t an author listed for any of the stories but besides that I think the stories are good for ages 7-15. They weren’t my cup of tea BUT I tried to keep an open mind for what a mid grade reader would enjoy. I think this would be a good spooky story for them to enjoy either reading or it being read to.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
July 7, 2025
This was a really neat and sometimes bizarre collection of stories. It reminded me a lot of the books that I used to read as a kid mixed with some urban legend. I really enjoyed every single one of the stories and thought they had their own version of spookiness. I can't wait to re read this again one story every day in October!
July 10, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley & Harper for the ARC!
This was a cute little spooky treat! 31 YA-ish stories ( I don't think it's designated as YA, but it definitely is--if not younger). Most are pretty well written, and a few are downright eerie. 3.5 stars
This was a cute little spooky treat! 31 YA-ish stories ( I don't think it's designated as YA, but it definitely is--if not younger). Most are pretty well written, and a few are downright eerie. 3.5 stars
October 28, 2025
Some of the stories were hit or miss. I feel it’s towards teens more than anything. Some stories were just sad…or made no sense. Others were interesting!
Finished the last four stories this morning. It was a fun thing to do this month.
Finished the last four stories this morning. It was a fun thing to do this month.
June 24, 2025
Thank you @NetGalley and @HarperCelebrate for the ARC. This book is going to make a good addition to my library. Short spooky stories are perfect for my reluctant readers. The drawings through out the book are well done.
June 14, 2025
Book Review: 31 Days of Spooky: Ghastly Ghost Stories by Harper Celebrate
Rating: 4 Stars
As someone who adores the Halloween season, 31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate was a treat I was excited to dive into. This book offers a unique experience: 31 short ghost stories, one for each day of October, making it the perfect companion to get you into the spirit of spooky season. What I really appreciated about this collection was how each tale featured a different kind of ghost—some helpful, some mischievous, and even a few canine spirits—bringing a fresh variety to the usual ghost story fare.
The book itself is as charming as the stories inside. It sports an eye-catching iridescent foil cover that not only looks fantastic but also fits seamlessly with any Halloween decoration or fall tablescape you might have. I can see it being the perfect touch on my shelf, adding a little extra spooky flair to my autumn setup.
One of the highlights for me was the vibrant and imaginative illustrations that accompany each story. They added an extra layer of eeriness and fun, making the reading experience feel even more immersive. Whether you’re curled up under your blankets, sipping hot cocoa, or sharing ghost stories with friends around a campfire, this book sets the perfect mood.
If I had to give it a little constructive feedback, I’d say that while the stories are engaging and varied, a few could have been a bit more chilling for my taste. However, overall, 31 Days of Spooky hits the mark as a delightful, well-crafted collection that balances spooky thrills with lighthearted fun.
In summary, this book is an excellent addition to any Halloween lover’s collection. It’s beautifully designed, creatively illustrated, and packed with enough ghostly tales to keep you entertained all October long. Definitely a solid four-star read for me!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 4 Stars
As someone who adores the Halloween season, 31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate was a treat I was excited to dive into. This book offers a unique experience: 31 short ghost stories, one for each day of October, making it the perfect companion to get you into the spirit of spooky season. What I really appreciated about this collection was how each tale featured a different kind of ghost—some helpful, some mischievous, and even a few canine spirits—bringing a fresh variety to the usual ghost story fare.
The book itself is as charming as the stories inside. It sports an eye-catching iridescent foil cover that not only looks fantastic but also fits seamlessly with any Halloween decoration or fall tablescape you might have. I can see it being the perfect touch on my shelf, adding a little extra spooky flair to my autumn setup.
One of the highlights for me was the vibrant and imaginative illustrations that accompany each story. They added an extra layer of eeriness and fun, making the reading experience feel even more immersive. Whether you’re curled up under your blankets, sipping hot cocoa, or sharing ghost stories with friends around a campfire, this book sets the perfect mood.
If I had to give it a little constructive feedback, I’d say that while the stories are engaging and varied, a few could have been a bit more chilling for my taste. However, overall, 31 Days of Spooky hits the mark as a delightful, well-crafted collection that balances spooky thrills with lighthearted fun.
In summary, this book is an excellent addition to any Halloween lover’s collection. It’s beautifully designed, creatively illustrated, and packed with enough ghostly tales to keep you entertained all October long. Definitely a solid four-star read for me!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
June 26, 2025
thank you to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the advanced digital copy!
parents, get ready. this book is out now and just primed and ready for you to purchase for little ones this halloween.
--
31 days of spooky isn't breaking new ground, but that's not really the point. this collection offers 31 ghost stories, one for each day of october, pulling from the classic halloween toolbox: haunted mirrors, wailing women searching for lost children, ignored warnings, and eerie artifacts that should have stayed buried. the joy here is in the format, not the originality. it's like a literary advent calendar for spooky season.
these stories are simple, quick, and best suited for kids. older readers won't find anything particularly chilling or unexpected, but for younger children just getting into ghost stories, this collection is a perfect entry point. they're spooky enough to thrill without being nightmare fuel.
for me, the standout element was the art. the illustrations are moody, atmospheric, and in some cases genuinely unsettling - far scarier than the actual text. the visual details make this a beautiful display book for the halloween season, even when it’s not being read.
this is a cozy, family-friendly book for little ones who want to dip their toes into ghost stories during october. if you're looking for a gift or a nightly october ritual, this is a charming place to start.
parents, get ready. this book is out now and just primed and ready for you to purchase for little ones this halloween.
--
31 days of spooky isn't breaking new ground, but that's not really the point. this collection offers 31 ghost stories, one for each day of october, pulling from the classic halloween toolbox: haunted mirrors, wailing women searching for lost children, ignored warnings, and eerie artifacts that should have stayed buried. the joy here is in the format, not the originality. it's like a literary advent calendar for spooky season.
these stories are simple, quick, and best suited for kids. older readers won't find anything particularly chilling or unexpected, but for younger children just getting into ghost stories, this collection is a perfect entry point. they're spooky enough to thrill without being nightmare fuel.
for me, the standout element was the art. the illustrations are moody, atmospheric, and in some cases genuinely unsettling - far scarier than the actual text. the visual details make this a beautiful display book for the halloween season, even when it’s not being read.
this is a cozy, family-friendly book for little ones who want to dip their toes into ghost stories during october. if you're looking for a gift or a nightly october ritual, this is a charming place to start.
July 25, 2025
To be entirely honest, I have no idea who this book is for. It claims to be marketed for Teens and Adults, but other than the fact that the POV in most of the stories are teens and adults and there are some generally adult themes (like drinking wine after a long day of work) which would go right over a child’s head, the stories themselves are so basic and elementary that I can’t envision the target audience enjoying this book. None of the stories stood out as being spooky to me. Maybe that is because they’re so short that the author didn’t have time to successfully bring the spooky elements to life, but I found the stories to be rather dull. The ideas behind the stories are there, certainly, and the premise of a ‘countdown to Halloween” is really cool. But if these stories are really geared towards teens and adults then they should be ‘scare your pants off’ scary, and they’re not, they’re not even close. Even such stories that end with rotting bodies in coffins had no logical progression to that point and I was just left baffled. The endings to many of the stories felt disjointed and rushed, an attempt at a jump scare that was unsuccessful. I hate to give a book a bad review, but I was promised a “ghastly ghost stories to send a shiver down your spine” and it did not deliver.
July 9, 2025
The title, "31 Days of Spooky," grabbed my attention and instantly had me thinking of all the great times my friends and I had spent reading "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" and Goosebumps stories well into the early morning hours when we were kids. Sadly though, the nostalgia disappeared about 2 or 3 stories into this collection. The stories seemed clunky and unfinished with characters that readers just don't get to know or usually care to know. The book is labeled for teens/young adults however, I feel that they would just find it boring and not have any incentives to read the entire thing. To me, this collection read more for the 8-10 years of age group. The saving grace of this collection were the hauntingly beautiful illustrations peppered throughout the book. I wished there would have been more illustrations especially since it is labeled as fully illustrated but, the ones that we do get, do a wonderful job capturing the limited spookiness in the book.
Even though this one wasn't for me, I am still great appreciate NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for allowing me to read this ARC for only my honest opinion/feedback.
Even though this one wasn't for me, I am still great appreciate NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for allowing me to read this ARC for only my honest opinion/feedback.
July 14, 2025
ARC Review
*31 Days of Spooky* by Harper Celebrate is a delightfully quick read—perfect for anyone who wants to count down to Halloween with bite-sized frights. This collection offers 31 short stories, one for each day of October, ranging from mildly eerie to surprisingly creepy (though never crossing into full horror).
The real star here is the artwork. Each story is paired with a moody, gory, and stylized illustration that adds just the right amount of Halloween flair. The visuals do a lot of the heavy lifting in creating atmosphere, especially since the stories themselves are quite brief and direct.
The writing style leans simple, which works well for a younger or more casual audience. Older readers may find the stories a bit tame or predictable, but for kids or nostalgic adults, it's a charming seasonal treat.
This isn’t a book of deep scares or complex plots—but it *is* a fun way to get into the spooky spirit. A great pick for classrooms, read-aloud moments, or anyone wanting to add a little Halloween every day.
Genre: Spooky short fiction | Illustrated | Middle Grade / All Ages
Format: Digital ARC
(3⭐“Originally reviewed on Fable. Cross-posted here for visibility.”)
*31 Days of Spooky* by Harper Celebrate is a delightfully quick read—perfect for anyone who wants to count down to Halloween with bite-sized frights. This collection offers 31 short stories, one for each day of October, ranging from mildly eerie to surprisingly creepy (though never crossing into full horror).
The real star here is the artwork. Each story is paired with a moody, gory, and stylized illustration that adds just the right amount of Halloween flair. The visuals do a lot of the heavy lifting in creating atmosphere, especially since the stories themselves are quite brief and direct.
The writing style leans simple, which works well for a younger or more casual audience. Older readers may find the stories a bit tame or predictable, but for kids or nostalgic adults, it's a charming seasonal treat.
This isn’t a book of deep scares or complex plots—but it *is* a fun way to get into the spooky spirit. A great pick for classrooms, read-aloud moments, or anyone wanting to add a little Halloween every day.
Genre: Spooky short fiction | Illustrated | Middle Grade / All Ages
Format: Digital ARC
(3⭐“Originally reviewed on Fable. Cross-posted here for visibility.”)
July 28, 2025
I grabbed 31 days of spooky by Harper Celebrate as part of Netgalley's Summer Camp Campaign.
With just under 200 pages, it is shipped as "ghostly ghost stories to send a shiver down your spine", which made me think of the Goosebumps Series I read, and watched as a kid.
The Stories included are: Buried Treasure, Down with the ship, Summer party, High score, Late check-out, The closed carousel, the haunted heist, family ties, molly's dolly, married in the morning, jailbreak, the night nurse, the last word, rockabye, "quiet please", all that glitters, beware the reaped, here comes the bride, under the surface, man's best friend, stopped in his tracks, last call, christmas past, all aboard, play me a song, the show must go on, picture perfect, lost and found, the final shot, hide-and-seek, and the curse of the north.
I really wanted to like this collection of stories but found it really disappointing. Not only were they not spooky, even for younger readers but a lot of them felt unfinished, versus leaving them on a cliffhanger.
I received this advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
With just under 200 pages, it is shipped as "ghostly ghost stories to send a shiver down your spine", which made me think of the Goosebumps Series I read, and watched as a kid.
The Stories included are: Buried Treasure, Down with the ship, Summer party, High score, Late check-out, The closed carousel, the haunted heist, family ties, molly's dolly, married in the morning, jailbreak, the night nurse, the last word, rockabye, "quiet please", all that glitters, beware the reaped, here comes the bride, under the surface, man's best friend, stopped in his tracks, last call, christmas past, all aboard, play me a song, the show must go on, picture perfect, lost and found, the final shot, hide-and-seek, and the curse of the north.
I really wanted to like this collection of stories but found it really disappointing. Not only were they not spooky, even for younger readers but a lot of them felt unfinished, versus leaving them on a cliffhanger.
I received this advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
October 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️
31 Days of Spooky is a beautifully packaged idea—a collection of thirty-one short ghost stories designed to be read one per day throughout October. The iridescent foiled cover and whimsical illustrations make this a perfect coffee table or seasonal display book, and I can see it working well as a read-aloud around a campfire. Unfortunately, the stories themselves fell flat for me.
Most of the tales were very short and leaned heavily on “telling” rather than “showing,” with little description, atmosphere, or character depth. They felt more appropriate for younger middle-grade readers rather than the teen/adult audience the blurb suggests. While a few stories were cute or had a hint of creepiness, none truly delivered the chills I was hoping for.
That said, younger readers or families looking for light, spooky fun in October might enjoy this more, especially if paired with a good storyteller to breathe life into the text. For me, it lacked the substance and eerie detail I wanted from a ghost story collection.
👻 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
31 Days of Spooky is a beautifully packaged idea—a collection of thirty-one short ghost stories designed to be read one per day throughout October. The iridescent foiled cover and whimsical illustrations make this a perfect coffee table or seasonal display book, and I can see it working well as a read-aloud around a campfire. Unfortunately, the stories themselves fell flat for me.
Most of the tales were very short and leaned heavily on “telling” rather than “showing,” with little description, atmosphere, or character depth. They felt more appropriate for younger middle-grade readers rather than the teen/adult audience the blurb suggests. While a few stories were cute or had a hint of creepiness, none truly delivered the chills I was hoping for.
That said, younger readers or families looking for light, spooky fun in October might enjoy this more, especially if paired with a good storyteller to breathe life into the text. For me, it lacked the substance and eerie detail I wanted from a ghost story collection.
👻 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 28, 2025
🎃 Book Review: 31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate is an absolute treat for Halloween lovers and spooky season enthusiasts alike. This beautifully designed book is a daily countdown filled with fun, fright, and festivity — perfect for anyone who wants to savor every eerie moment of October.
Each day offers something new: from creepy short stories to terrifying tales . The content strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted fun and spine-tingling suspense, making it accessible for all ages while still delivering that deliciously spooky vibe.
What I loved most was how interactive and creative it felt — like having your own personal Halloween advent calendar. Whether you’re a seasoned witch, a Halloween newbie, or just someone who loves a good ghost story and a pumpkin spice moment, this book wraps it all up with style and seasonal charm.
A must-have for anyone looking to make October magical, mysterious, and memorably spooky. I’ll definitely be pulling it off the shelf year after year! 🕸️🖤🕯️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate is an absolute treat for Halloween lovers and spooky season enthusiasts alike. This beautifully designed book is a daily countdown filled with fun, fright, and festivity — perfect for anyone who wants to savor every eerie moment of October.
Each day offers something new: from creepy short stories to terrifying tales . The content strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted fun and spine-tingling suspense, making it accessible for all ages while still delivering that deliciously spooky vibe.
What I loved most was how interactive and creative it felt — like having your own personal Halloween advent calendar. Whether you’re a seasoned witch, a Halloween newbie, or just someone who loves a good ghost story and a pumpkin spice moment, this book wraps it all up with style and seasonal charm.
A must-have for anyone looking to make October magical, mysterious, and memorably spooky. I’ll definitely be pulling it off the shelf year after year! 🕸️🖤🕯️
July 31, 2025
Thank you NetGallery and the publishers for this ARC.
31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate is a super quick read perfect if you’re just trying to pass some time or want a little something festive to flip through during October. The format is fun, offering one short spooky themed prompt, activity, or tidbit for each day leading up to Halloween. It definitely leans into the cozy side of spooky.
That said, it wasn’t really creepy at all. The stories and ideas feel more suited for a younger audience think elementary school kids or families looking for gentle Halloween fun. As an adult reader, I found myself wishing for a bit more bite. It felt more like Halloween lite than anything haunting.
Some entries were cute or nostalgic, and I could see this working well as a classroom or family countdown. But if you’re a seasoned horror lover or even just looking for a light chill up your spine, this might not deliver what you’re hoping for.
Overall, it’s not bad it’s just not scary. Think pumpkin spice vibes over full on fright night. 🎃
31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate is a super quick read perfect if you’re just trying to pass some time or want a little something festive to flip through during October. The format is fun, offering one short spooky themed prompt, activity, or tidbit for each day leading up to Halloween. It definitely leans into the cozy side of spooky.
That said, it wasn’t really creepy at all. The stories and ideas feel more suited for a younger audience think elementary school kids or families looking for gentle Halloween fun. As an adult reader, I found myself wishing for a bit more bite. It felt more like Halloween lite than anything haunting.
Some entries were cute or nostalgic, and I could see this working well as a classroom or family countdown. But if you’re a seasoned horror lover or even just looking for a light chill up your spine, this might not deliver what you’re hoping for.
Overall, it’s not bad it’s just not scary. Think pumpkin spice vibes over full on fright night. 🎃
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