A chilling and true Midwest murder, the mysterious case of 12 sisters with a family curse, and a children’s book about a skull await in this week’s Current Reads.

PRINCETON, Ill — We’re halfway through October and fully in a Halloween mood! Here are three book recommendations to help get you in the spooky spirit.

Every other Wednesday, we check in on a new library, in a new town, on our 4 p.m. show, The Current. This week, for our 32nd stop, we’re heading east to the Princeton Public Library in Bureau County, Illinois.

You can also check out any of our other libraries, including our most recent visits to Monmouth, Wilton, Rock Island, Fulton, Bettendorf, Sterling, and Lost Nation.

This week, our librarians have chosen the true and chilling tale of a Midwest murder, a haunting yet heartwarming children’s picture book revolving around a skull, and the mysterious case of 12 sisters who start dying thanks to a family curse.

“In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote has long been a favorite for readers across the country. Some have called it the most famous true crime novel of all time, and it was one of the first non-fiction novels ever written. 

On Nov. 15, 1959, the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, is forever turned upside down when four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by shotgun blasts. The guns were held just inches from their faces. There were no apparent motives for the crime and virtually no clues. 

Capote carefully reconstructs the murder and investigation that led to the capture, trial and execution of the killers. He also portrays the complex relationship between the killers, Perry Smith and Richard “Dick” Hickock, as they carry out the crime. In fact, Capote gathered his details directly from the killers, creating a gripping and haunting read. 

“The Skull” by Jon Klassen is a #1 “New York Times” bestselling, illustrated picture book for children. It’s a thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. 

We follow a brave young girl named Otilla. She has escaped from danger and ran away, only to find herself lost in the dark forest. That is, until she finds a big abandoned house on a barren hill. She quickly discovers it’s where a skull lives. Her new host kindly welcomes her and shows her around, offering Otilla comfort. 

But the skull is afraid of something too, that comes every night. As the two grow closer, the skull reveals a chilling secret: each night, he’s pursued by a headless skeleton. Can brave Otilla save both of them? Both haunting and heartwarming, Klassen’s story blends gentle spookiness with themes of courage and companionship. 

“The House of Salt and Sorrows” by Erin A. Craig begins with a manor by the sea, and 12 sisters who are cursed. 

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, surrounded by her sisters, their father and their stepmother. But one by one, four of her sisters tragically die young. Each death seems to be worse than the last, from a plague to a plummeting fall, a drowning and then a slippery plunge, and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods. Meanwhile, Annaleigh is disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, and is increasingly suspicious that her sister’s deaths weren’t accidents. The girls have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls. They dance until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, but Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to stop them or join their forbidden trysts. After all… who – or what – are they actually dancing with? Then Annaleigh becomes involved with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own. They must soon join forces to uncover the dark truth behind the family’s curse.


Beyond the Books

The library is expanding and improving its Digital Services to reflect a commitment to making the library accessible beyond the physical walls of the building.

That includes a new library mobile app through the PrairieCat resource sharing group. The new app gives patrons quick access to the online catalog, account information and digital resources the library offers. Users can also place holds, renew items and carry a digital library card on their phone through the app.

Princeton is also excited to offer remote scheduling, so you can register for events, reserve rooms and stay up to date on library program and activities. Additionally, the library has a new streaming agreement with Kanopy, offering thousands of award-winning films, documentaries and educational videos. This is thanks, in large part, to a technology grant received from the Illinois State Library.

The library also has several Halloween-themed events coming up, including:

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6 p.m. – Barry Cloyd: Samhain–The Celtic Roots of Halloween 

Samhain (pronounced SAH-wehn) is the ancient Gaelic/Celtic name for the time between times: a time at the end of harvest when the veil between the world of Men and the other-world of Spirits becomes thin and those Spirits walk the Earth. From ancient times until today, we have celebrated this mysterious and beautiful time of year. We call it Halloween or All Hallows Eve, and you can join award-winning singer/songwriter Barry Cloyd in a step back into ancient Celtic times to revisit and bring to life the tales and songs of this haunting October celebration. A spooky good time is guaranteed for all.

Thursday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m. – Classical Guitarist Peter Fletcher

Music of Four Centuries Peter Fletcher is an American classical guitarist based in Detroit and New York City. With “Music of Four Centuries,” Peter offers an audience-friendly, solo recital including repertoire that runs the gamut from the Renaissance through the 20th Century. Peter’s recordings on the Centaur Records and Towerhill Recordings labels have been critically acclaimed, and he will be promoting a new CD—Peter Fletcher in Concert. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. – Gruesome Twosome: Charles Addams and Edward Gorey

In this fun and riveting presentation, storyteller Tricia Kelly unleashes the stories of two totally eccentric cartoonists who never met, yet whose lives ran eerily parallel to one another. From these twisted geniuses came such devilish delights as The Addams Family and The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Come and enjoy this visually entertaining feast of the macabre humor and brilliant artistry that lurked within the minds of Charles Addams and Edward Gorey. It’s a wickedly wild program for audiences aged eight and up.

Tune into The Current from 4 to 5 p.m. on weekdays to catch live interviews impacting you, your family and your hometown as well as all of the biggest headlines of the day.