Whether youâre going trick or treating yourself, doing the olâ âone for me, one for youâ while handing out the goods or, ahem, âhelpingâ 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 â Are they salty? Sweet? A little sour? â to the plot, overall vibe and even spice level (romance and romantasy fans know what weâre talking about).
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
Read on for our totally opinionated, deeply unscientific Halloween candy and book pairings and this year. Feeling inspired? Share your own in the comments!
âIntermezzoâ and Dark Chocolate with Raspberry
Sally Rooneyâs 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 supernovaâs newest hit.
âA Court of Thorns and Rosesâ and Snickers
Snickers has a lot going on: thereâs salty nuts, sweet caramel, that soft nougat layer all encased in chocolate â and just like setting out to read Sarah J. Maasâ ACOTAR, youâll probably indulge in more than you planned before turning out the lights.
âLong Island Compromiseâ and 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 patriarchâs kidnapping is also a delicious slow burn, just like the iconic boardwalk treat.
âThe Paradise Problemâ and 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 wonât spoil whatâs at the bottom of the bag.
âFangirlâ and 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. Itâs sweet and just like the sometimes-divisive candy, has a dedicated cadre of fans all its own.
âDown the Drainâ and Fun Dip
If you havenât dipped into this fun and wild ride from pop culture icon Julia Fox, what are you waiting for? Itâs vulnerable, complicated and more than a little messy.
âBig Swissâ and Bit Oâ 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 coachâs notes. This book will get stuck in your head the same way this throwback candy might loosen a molar or two.
âThe Idea of Youâ and 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 â just like the classic candy got a fall branding update just in time for Halloween.
âFourth Wingâ and Lindt Dark Chocolate with Chili
Anyone whoâs read Rebecca Yarrosâ 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 â on the page and your palate.
âA Visit From the Goon Squadâ and Nerds Clusters
With its colorful cast of characters, Jennifer Eganâs 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 wonât be able to put it down.
âPride and Prejudiceâ and Wertherâs Original
Even though Wertherâs isnât quite as old as Jane Austenâs Pride and Prejudice â they came out in 1909 and 1913, respectively â both are timeless classics. And just like the butterscotch candies beloved by grandparents everywhere, everything Austen writes deserves to be savored.
âBeach Readâ and Reeseâs Peanut Butter Cups
Emily Henryâs 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 â which just got a sparkly, stained-edge new edition â often ranks high on readersâ favorites, too.
âSpareâ and Candy Corn
On the other hand, candy corn brings out the haters, the lovers and the online discussers, often ranking high as trick or treatersâ least favorite candy despite its iconic association with Halloween. Prince Harry, whoâs 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.
Never miss a story â sign up for PEOPLEâs free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer , from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Â
Read the full article here
