Happy Halloween, my fiendish, book-loving friends! Today is a special day. In fact, today may be my favorite day. Today is All Hallow’s Eve. Most of you might think today is about monsters, candy, and outright creepiness, but I like to think of this macabre holiday in a different light. So let me begin again:

Happy “Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character” Day!

Forget the space aliens and sexy bumble bees—it’s time to bust out your sorting hat and celebrate this holiday in style. Here are a few of my favorite ways to have a literary lover’s Halloween:

1. Dress to impress. All cheesy cliché aside, they say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. So, it only makes sense that this Halloween, you would say, “Hey, Super Rad Author. I think you’re neat. I think I’ll wear that stupid hat and those totally outdated glasses just so I can look like that super rad character in your super rad book.” Bust out your dad’s old bathrobe and grab a towel from the linen closet—BOOM! You’re Arthur Dent from Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Or you could slap on a blue wig, a pair of yellow rain boots, and a matching raincoat to emulate the title character of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline.Trust me, it’s the cool thing to do.

Former Oolie, Nicole Guernsey, dressed as her favorite kick-ass character, Katniss Everdeen, from Suzanne Collins’ bestselling YA novel, The Hunger Games.

2. Give yourself Goosebumps. I’m not talking about chill bumps or goose pimples (I know it sounds weird, but that’s what my grandma calls them). I’m talking about the hauntingly humorous ghost stories of middle school years past. If you dig deep enough in those boxes your mom kept of all your report cards and old rollerblades, I bet you could find one of R.L. Stine’s creepy classics. My personal recommendations: Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes and The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena. For those of you with more refined tastes, I’d suggest the classics. Check out Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” or explore the works of Edgar Allen Poe.

3. Watch a movie (in the dark, of course!). Ok, I know what you’re thinking: “But Robyn, I thought we were talking about a literary Halloween.” And to that I would say, “Slow your roll, Bucko! Here’s the twist.” Pick a fright-night film based on a horror classic. With the 2013 adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie in theaters, I’ve already planned my Halloween lineup: read the book (which I’ve never done), watch the 1976 film (which I’ve never seen), and then check out the new release at the theater down the street. Read, watch, repeat.

Fun Fact: Did you know Carrie was made into a Broadway musical in 1988?

For an added bonus, round up a few of your friends and form your own book-to-film adaptation review board. Step one, pick up a copy of Ann Rice’s, Interview With a Vampire for you and all of your horror-loving homies. Step two, host a movie night. Step three, discuss how Brad Pitt is an incredibly good looking vampire *eherm* I mean, discuss the literary merits that found their way onto the silver screen and where they skipped over the good stuff. Read, watch, discuss, repeat.

4. Munch on ghoulish goodies. Enough of the alliterations already! Let’s get down to the heart of the matter—CANDY. Whether you’re celebrating Halloween literary-style or the good old fashion way, you can’t do Halloween without candy. So this year I’m taking a page from my favorite confectionary characters, Willy Wonka and Bertie Botts. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably already stocked up on Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. But if not, be warned! These innocent looking candies are the definition of Trick or Treat! Hidden among the Watermelons and the Tutti Fruitties, you may find any number of nasty surprises, including flavors like dirt, earwax, rotten eggs, and even boogers.

I’m not kidding, people! The California-based company, Jelly Belly, has brought these imaginary sweets to life.

So there you go—now you have no excuse. Go forth and have a literary Halloween like a champ!