Whether you’re going trick or treating yourself, doing the ol’ “one for me, one for you” while handing out the goods or, ahem, “helping” the kids with their haul, we all love a good Halloween candy pairing. This spooky season, get your bookshelf in on the fun.
We challenged PEOPLE staffers to match their recent favorite books with a Halloween candy based on, well, any criteria from how the characters behave — Are they salty? Sweet? A little sour? — to the plot, overall vibe and even spice level (romance and romantasy fans know what we’re talking about).
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Read on for our totally opinionated, deeply unscientific Halloween candy and book pairings and this year. Feeling inspired? Share your own in the comments!
‘Intermezzo’ and Dark Chocolate with Raspberry
Farrar, Straus and Giroux ; Ghiradelli
Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo is a little sultry, a little sweet and totally decadent. An intense dark chocolate bar with raspberry strikes just the right tone for the Irish supernova’s newest hit.
‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ and Snickers
Bloomsbury Publishing ; Snickers
Snickers has a lot going on: there’s salty nuts, sweet caramel, that soft nougat layer all encased in chocolate — and just like setting out to read Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR, you’ll probably indulge in more than you planned before turning out the lights.
‘Long Island Compromise’ and Laffy Taffy
Random House; Laffy Taffy
This one works on two levels. First, the obvious: Long Island Compromise was written by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, also the brains behind Fleishman is in Trouble who shares a name with the candy. But this novel about the fallout from a patriarch’s kidnapping is also a delicious slow burn, just like the iconic boardwalk treat.
‘The Paradise Problem’ and Starburst
Gallery Books; Starburst
Not only do the candies and the cover of The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren look absolutely adorable together, but the story has its sweet, sour and slightly habit-forming elements as the chewy treats. It follows a free spirit artist and a grocery store heir embroiled in a ruse that may all come crashing down. But we won’t spoil what’s at the bottom of the bag.
‘Fangirl’ and Almond Joy
VIZ Media LLC; Almond Joy
Sometimes you feel like a nut … you know the rest. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is all about twin sisters Cath and Wren, an obsessive fandom, family drama, relationships, the works. It’s sweet and just like the sometimes-divisive candy, has a dedicated cadre of fans all its own.
‘Down the Drain’ and Fun Dip
Simon & Schuster ; Fun Dip
If you haven’t dipped into this fun and wild ride from pop culture icon Julia Fox, what are you waiting for? It’s vulnerable, complicated and more than a little messy.
‘Big Swiss’ and Bit O’ Honey
Scribner ; Bit O Honey
First of all, the friends at the center of the hilarious Big Swiss by Jen Beagin live in a house full of bees. And then things get a little, shall we say, sticky when one of them becomes obsessed with a woman she knows only from transcribing a sex coach’s notes. This book will get stuck in your head the same way this throwback candy might loosen a molar or two.
‘The Idea of You’ and Kit Kat
St. Martin’s Griffin; Kit Kat
Not only is The Idea of You by Robinne Lee a great way to take a break from your real life, the book also saw a whole new audience discovering it through the refreshing screen adaptation this year — just like the classic candy got a fall branding update just in time for Halloween.
‘Fourth Wing’ and Lindt Dark Chocolate with Chili
Entangled: Red Tower Books; Lindt
Anyone who’s read Rebecca Yarros’ smash hit Empyrean series is probably also familiar with the chili pepper scale popularized by Booktok. In brief: The more chili peppers, the spicier the romance. Pick up this one for a hot treat — on the page and your palate.
‘A Visit From the Goon Squad’ and Nerds Clusters
Vintage; Nerds
With its colorful cast of characters, Jennifer Egan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel A Visit From the Good Squad fits right in with one of the hottest candies of the year. And much like the bag of crunch-coated gummies, you won’t be able to put it down.
‘Pride and Prejudice’ and Werther’s Original
Fingerprint! Publishing; Werthers Original
Even though Werther’s isn’t quite as old as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — they came out in 1909 and 1913, respectively — both are timeless classics. And just like the butterscotch candies beloved by grandparents everywhere, everything Austen writes deserves to be savored.
‘Beach Read’ and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Berkley; Reeses
Emily Henry’s books are as beloved as the peanut butter cups that often hit the top spot in favorite Halloween candy surveys. Her breakout 2020 hit Beach Read — which just got a sparkly, stained-edge new edition — often ranks high on readers’ favorites, too.
‘Spare’ and Candy Corn
Random House; Brachs
On the other hand, candy corn brings out the haters, the lovers and the online discussers, often ranking high as trick or treaters’ least favorite candy despite its iconic association with Halloween. Prince Harry, who’s weathered life under a microscope and the associated media scrutiny over every aspect of his existence, might know a little something about that. And in this stunning memoir, you can read all about it.
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