Here are October’s picks for our favorite books for business, for fun and for kids — and this month, the theme is FEAR.

I recently got a Scholastic book order form from my daughter’s teacher, and on the front page was a book that I remember from childhood: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

Why do I remember it? Because it scared the shit out of me. 

(Any other mamas out there traumatized by this series?)

I’m not good with scary stories. Once I read them, I can’t get them out of my head. I weave them into my anxieties. They seep into my dreams. So I mostly steer clear of them. (Scary movies too. No thanks, Saw franchise!)

So although the theme this month is FEAR, we’re going to approach it in a different way for our book picks. As in, no horror allowed. Ok, let’s get into it.

For Business: DOTCOM Secrets

WHY is this book a pick for fear? Because while I’ve heard that it is one of the best books of its kind to help you grow an online business, it scares me. 😬

I’ve started and stopped reading this playbook by Russell Brunson* many times, and I DO have plans to finish it … when I’m ready. But my hangups on creating sales funnels and developing better systems shouldn’t deter you from reading it, my friend. If you dare … mwah ha ha ha …

For Fun: The Handmaid’s Tale

“Freedom, like everything else, is relative.”

Ok, so again my fun pick isn’t necessarily FUN, but this book is a must-read … especially in today’s political climate. Written by Margaret Atwood in 1986, this dystopian tale* feels a little TOO relevant right now. It’s moving, scary, beautiful … and a dire warning. (It’s also now an amazing show on Hulu.)

For Kids: The Monster at the End of This Book

I LOVED this book as a kid, and my kids loved it when they were younger. (They actually STILL love it at 5 and 7 years old.) It’s such a fun and cute “scary” story with everyone’s lovable, furry pal Grover — and it even comes in board-book form.* If you haven’t added this to your bookshelf yet, do it.

So that’s what’s on our MotherHustle bookshelf this month. What’s on yours? Share your favorite picks in the comments below, or over on Facebook or Instagram. 

*Links in this post are Amazon affiliate links to books we’ve read and loved on. 

Emily Cretella is the founder of MotherHustle.com, as well as the copywriting and content marketing firm CursiveContent.com, where she helps clients create + share stories their audiences love.

She adores being mom to her two little ladies and drinking obscene amounts of coffee from mugs with pithy sayings. Find her on Instagram, and learn more about ways you can collaborate with MotherHustle.