Halloween is my favorite holiday and I will boldly claim that many queer folks would choose it too. Halloween is also a great time to dive into a book. For a holiday that we use to explore other identities and associate with other realms, books in general can certainly parallel that. Below I have crafted a list of Queer and Jewish books to get you in the mood for this spooky holiday!
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks:
It's Deja and Josiah's last day working their local pumpkin patch, but they've decided to blow off their duties for a mission! Josiah has a crush on a coworker he never talks to and Deja wants to try out all of the food offered at their patch. As they set off to track these two hopes down, Deja and Josiah reminisce on their time together, wishing it didn't have to end. With this graphic novel you'll get beautiful visuals, great representation, and all of the Halloween vibes!
Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa:
Taking place around Samhain, this story features Eleanor, a teen living in modern Salem with a problematic past. When a guide to tarot arrives at the tourist shop she works at, Eleanor starts to learn about the cards and about magic in general. She meets Pix (a local witch) who pulls Eleanor into her world. As Eleanor begins to heal from her past, the audience sees those events through the lens of The Major Arcana. Eleanor has gone through a lot and has done a lot of things she regrets, but her future can be what she makes it. Learn more about it in my review:
The Unfinished Corner by Dani Colman, Rachel Petrovicz, Whitney Cogar, and Jim Campbell:
Miriam is a talented artist and preparing to become a Bat Mitzvah. When a school trip takes an unexpected turn, Miriam and 3 other classmates end up on a journey through Jewish mythos. The hope is that this group will finish the Unfinished Corner that was left for demons to reside in. Each student brings something to the table. There's David, a musician with a lot of compassion. There's Avi, a nervous scholar practicing taking care of his needs. While these three are friends, it's Judith who helps them understand beauty, inner and outer. You can read more about this graphic novel in my review:
The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism: Second Edition by Geoffrey Dennis:
This encyclopedia is great for both light reading and deep-diving. There's so much in Jewish mythos that's fitting for a holiday about spirits and the dead. You can learn about golems, necromancy, magical phrases, demons, and more! Treat yourself to the second edition as the author has added both new entries and to old ones. Perhaps it can serve as a guide as you write your own Jewish Halloween book!
Through the Woods by Emily Caroll:
Warning, this book is truly horrific, art and stories. From a queer author/illustrator, find a short story anthology told in graphic novel form. Each of the five stories will draw you in and leave you freaked out. Although this features a reprinting of "His Face All Red", the book debuted 4 stories, "Our Neighbor’s House", “A Lady’s Hands Are Cold", “My Friend Janna", and “The Nesting Place". Discover what lurks in the woods and hope to get back out again!
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