Erie Reader

Thursday, Oct. 15 Molly McNett's debut novel, Child of These Tears, was named in The New Statesman as one of the best books of 2025 by the critic Rowan Williams. She is the winner of the John Simmons Prize for the story collection One Dog Happy (Iowa UP), and her stories have appeared in The Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, and other journals.

SUNDAY, OCT. 25 The Erie Reader Book Club will be reading and discussing Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin in conjunction with the Halloween issue of the Reader. Each October, it is an absolute treat to get to choose a book that fits our spooky theme – from witchy vibes to horror classics, each year we decide on a story that fits the Halloween mood.

One thing I remember hearing from people when I moved here was how Erie could one day serve as a region that could attract climate refugees. A climate refugee is someone who moves from an area that has been heavily impacted by climate change into an area that is more protected from climate change-related weather events. Think someone moving from drought-plagued California to the Midwest for cheaper and better access to water.

Hangin' Out at the South Pier

It's time to get spooky, Erie. Residents and visitors alike can now plug into one place that promotes county-wide fall fun throughout the month of October. From family fun to eerie lore and tours, and even the inaugural Erie Playhouse Ghostlight Halloween 5K through downtown on Halloween – there are tricks and treats for everyone loving this season and this great space on the lake.

The Reader Beat aims to cover city and county council meetings as well as other important government and community-related meetings. The following is a summary of each meeting for the month of September. City Council Sept.

What's better than taking an evening stroll in Downtown Erie on a clear, 60 degree night? Taking that stroll while learning about historic deaths and spooky ghost stories. Enter Tour Erie, the brainchild of mother/daughter team Heather and Lauren Cass. The walking tour features our city's unique landscape and history, along with tales of ghosts, apparitions, battles, shipwrecks, and gruesome deaths – all just in time for spooky season.

4.5 stars out of 5 Bursting with alt-rock urgency, the debut album from Erie's Lanternflies hits all the marks. The depth of this recording is so rich and dynamic that you notice new details every time you listen to it. Elements like the echoes of a backing vocal track, the chime of an acoustic guitar fluttering against overdriven chords, or a harmonized guitar solo provide gorgeous color commentary to 11 memorable tracks.

Local horror buffs share their childhood gateway scares and current favorites

BEGINNING SATURDAY, OCT. 10 The Erie Philharmonic presents unmissable concerts in both its Symphonic and Pops series this October. Up first is a symphonic performance titled Cinematic Splendor, which is built around pieces that are "incredibly vivid and colorful, creating pictures in your mind," according to Erie Philharmonic Executive Director Bobby Pape.