Copies of ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ now available at all library branches.

The Somerville Public Library announces the 2019 “Somerville Reads” events series. Somerville Read is a citywide reading initiative that encourages all Somerville residents to read and discuss the same book to promote literacy and community engagement. Throughout the month of October, the Somerville Public Library will host various intergenerational programs including discussions, book clubs, and more, all related to the themes found in The Haunting of Hill House, the 2019 Somerville Reads selection.

The following series of events and discussions is planned for October 2019:

• Boston in the Golden Age of Spiritualism: a Discussion with Author Dee Morris

Thursday, October 17, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Central Library, 79 Highland Ave.

The Victorians’ fervent desire to communicate with the departed inspired the writing of The Haunting of Hill House. Seances, mediums, and clairvoyants were popular in the last half of the nineteenth century. Dee Morris, author of Boston in the Golden Age of Spiritualism will offer a local insight into this fascinating history. This event is funded by the Friends of the Somerville Public Library.

• Harvest Festival

Saturday October 19, 1:00 – 4:30 p.m., Central Library, 79 Highland Ave.

Celebrate Somerville Reads during our Harvest Festival.

o   1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Library Lawn: Pumpkin carving for adults. Feeling competitive? The carving most inspired by the Haunting of Hill House wins a prize! Supplies are limited so arrive at 1:00 to ensure pick of the pumpkins.

o   1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Auditorium:  Pumpkin painting for children. Spookiest pumpkin of all wins a picture book donated by Candlewick Press.

o   3:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Learn how to harvest late-season produce and put the gardens to bed for the winter! Our Green City Growers farmer will lead this hands on workshop.

• Spooky Somerville: GrownUp StoryTime at Remnant

Tuesday, October 22, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Remnant Brewery, 2 Bow Market Way

What secrets does Somerville hold? Are there places here that share disreputable similarities with the fictional Hill House? In this Spooky Somerville edition of GUST we hope to hear your paranormal, strange, and scary local tales. This program is a collaboration between Boston GUST, the Somerville Public Library, and Community Conversations at Remnant Brewery.

• Escape From Hill House: Teen Edition

Wednesday, October 23, 3 – 4:00 p.m., Central Library Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave.

Can you escape the horror of Hill House? This escape room program is for teens only.

• The Haunting Film Screening

Wednesday, October 23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Central Library Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave.

Get in the October spirit and join us for some cheesy horror fun. Come watch the 1963 film adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House. There will be festive snacks and beverages for you to consume while being entertained, if not frightened.

• Tarot Reading Workshop

Thursday, October 24 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Central Library Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave.

What’s in your cards? What does the future hold?  Learn about the mysterious arts of divination during this Shirley Jackson inspired program.

 • Escape From Hill House

Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Central Library Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave.

All ages are welcome to try their luck in this Hill House themed escape room. Can your team solve the mysteries of Hill House before time runs out?

The Haunting of Hill House Book Discussions

• Books and Brews Club

Tuesday, October 15, 6:15 p.m., Aeronaut Brewery, 14 Tyler St.

• Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club

Monday, October 21, 7:00 p.m., Central Library Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave.

• East Branch Book Group

Friday, October 25, 11:00 a.m., East Branch Library, 115 Broadway

• Books to Movies Club

Monday, October 28, 7:00 p.m., West Branch at TAB, 167 Holland St.

Copies of the book are available for check out at all Somerville Public Library Locations and via the Library’s online catalog. All community members are encouraged to read the book before the end of the Somerville Reads initiative.

2019 marks the tenth year that the Somerville Public Library has sponsored Somerville Reads. Previous titles include Exit West by Moshin Hamid, El Deafo by Cece Bell, The Witches by Stacy Schiff, The Martian by Andy Weir, and Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 by Stephen Puleo.

For more information or questions about e-book and audiobook versions of the book, please call (617)623-5000 ext. 2955. Or, visit the library’s website at: www.somervillepubliclibrary.org.

Please note: Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication or any other reasonable accommodation are invited to make their needs known to the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun.  She can be reached at 617-625-6600 x2323 or nsalamoun@somervillema.gov. The City of Somerville’s disability policy can be found on the City’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities page.