Brave Books, an independent bookstore in central El Paso, celebrated the spooky season with its fourth annual “Little Bookshop of Horrors” event this October.
The store was filled with rare, signed and hard-to-find horror books, attracting local horror enthusiasts and curious readers eager to discover new spine-chilling treasures.
Jud and Laurie Burgess, owners of Brave Books, have made it a tradition to host this event every year in the days leading up to Halloween.
“We’ve been doing this for four years now, and it’s always a highlight,” said Burgess. “El Paso is a horror-loving town. People get really into the spooky season, and we wanted to create something special that brings that excitement to life.”
Burgess spent months scouring the internet and connecting with specialized booksellers to find the most unique horror literature.
“We’ve become known as a place where you can find horror books you won’t see at a chain bookstore like Barnes and Noble,” said Burgess. “I spend months searching online, from eBay to specialized booksellers, to find rare and high-quality pieces for our community.”
This year, his collection included a pristine first edition of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, complete with an untouched dust cover that had, “never seen the light of day.”
Other notable selections featured signed works by gothic author and illustrator Edward Gorey, whose books are renowned for their dark humor and hauntingly whimsical illustrations.
Burgess also showcased the art of Harry Clarke, a celebrated illustrator from the 1920s and ‘30s, known for his detailed, eerie depictions that continue to captivate readers to this day.
The event not only celebrated the spooky season but also continued Brave Books’ mission to serve and uplift the El Paso community.
Live performances took place on the bookstore’s front porch, featuring improvisational songs by musician Cassie Holguin and musician and historian David Romo. The event continued to bring in many, with some browsing for books, others relaxing and enjoying live music and many simply unwinding with a drink.
“We call ourselves Brave Books because we want to encourage people to elevate their quality of life through reading and getting involved in their community,” Burgess explained. “We believe books are one of the best investments you can make in your mind, whether you’re young or old. They have the power to impact you positively and open your world to new ideas.”
Brave Books has long been dedicated to addressing El Paso’s literacy challenges, as the city historically faces big illiteracy rates. Through creative events like “Little Bookshop of Horrors” and an eclectic selection of literature, the Burgesses are building a welcoming space where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect over the love of reading.
“The goal is to create community and make literature accessible and exciting,” said Burgess. “We want to keep people engaged, bring them together, and introduce them to new books and experiences they might not encounter elsewhere.”
As the spooky season continues, Brave Books’ “Little Bookshop of Horrors” continues to be a highlight for El Paso.
Rumi Sevilla is a staff reporter for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]
