Six Great All Hallows Reads to Give for 2012

Bestselling author Neil Gaiman (Coraline, Graveyard Book) was on a flight home when it occurred to him: "There aren't enough traditions that involve giving books." Halloween was a week away, so he figured, "Why not give each other scary books?"

And poof! "All Hallows Read" was born.

It's pretty simple: Find scary books to freak out adults, and scary books appropriate for kids. Choose a book that is new or used. Exchange scary books. (Or just give someone a scary book.)

Personally, I think "All Hallows Read" takes Halloween up a notch. Sort of puts the scary back into the holiday, instead of being only about the sweets. Keep the candy, but add: "Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good to Read!'

Scary books. Candies. Giving. Kind of makes Halloween double sweet, don't you think? I'm definitely going to try it out this year!

What do you think?

Here's the man himself—Neil Gaiman—talking about All Hallows Read. If you need some ideas to get started, below is a list of a few favourite scary books for kids and teens.