Halloween is just around the corner, so why not get into the spirit by picking up a few eerie reads? You can go with conventional horror, fast-paced thrillers, or, according to Teen Board member Alyssa L., the vampire niche. A huge fan of vampire series, Alyssa breaks down her favorite three, below. Be sure to check them out (but maybe with the lights on).

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Sure, teens talk in the hallways at school and at the back of the classroom, but there’s a lot more gabbing that happens after the bell rings, whether it’s on the phone, through text messages or online. Lauren Myracle decided to explore all of the conversations that happen when friends aren’t in the same place at the same time, and her 2004 novel, TTYL, is the first that’s written entirely in text message format.

While the book has been called “revealing and innovative” and explores some real issues like friendship, dating and underage drinking, it has also appeared on the American Library Association’s Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books list time and again since it’s been published (in 2011, it came in at number one).

Below YA author Linas Alsenas (BEYOND CLUELESS) and Teen Board member Alyssa L. talk about why they loved the book and give all of those book-banners a piece of their minds.

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