The Midnight Library

Tonight! The story so many of you have been asking to hear: The Birth of Irma! Just how did this little Sugar Booger come into being? From whence did she come? How did we all become so possessed by her? Join us tonight to hear the heated story of her Underworld origin! Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

CALLING ALL SPOOKY LOVELIES! We have an announcement about Season 10 for you! We also have a question- Are you one of our beloved missing ones? Find out in this short message from Miranda!

Greetings, My Dear... Lone... Guest, I thought I'd have you in for tea on this beautiful, early fall evening... to discuss... MURDER. But, not just any murder... a slow, plotting, gentle murder... at least at first. The clueless victim didn't even realize he was being murdered, so that's better, right? We think so. Please, make yourself comfortable alone here with me and... enjoy your treats and tea. And everything... will be just fine... eventually. Love, Miranda ps. wear gloves if you have them... for... reasons. Thank you for visiting and... I'm sorry Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

RAVENOUS RAPTOR FANS REJOICE! Tonight, by special request, we celebrate OWLS!-- and all that they are amazingly capable of! Even if you have a fear of owls, we invite you to cozy up in The Reading Room to hear of their luscious history and alluring lore... and even what they're hungry for. Keep your eyes peeled for our Miss Harlow... if you have no fear... yet. Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

My very dear guest, we have a rather unique and meaningful story as tonight's offering here in The Reading Room. It will undoubtedly pique your morbid interest, as the subject is "The Victorian Obsession with Shrunken Heads" But more than this, I believe it will touch, or even awaken, something with in you that will cause you to think differently about this dire subject- and the two groups of people and the victims of the process whom the story is about. It's my honor to share their story with you. Please make yourself at home to listen. Sincerely, Miranda Merrick Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Welcome in Dear Guest! We know that some of you have been waiting for another visit to this beloved topic for quite some time, so tonight, we have a spritely telling of Fairies in Art! These enchanting creatures live in the hearts and minds of people all over the globe, and thanks to some magically gifted artists, now everyone can see them!... not just us. Your ethereal host will describe for you, 2 paintings, Midsummer Eve, by Edward Robert Hughes, and Spirit of the Night, by John Atkinson Grimshaw. And, several fabulous fairy beings in the astoundingly popular book, Faeries, by Brian Froud and Alan Lee. Now, find your favorite seat... and we'll all have a nice break from boring reality! Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Do we "not" have a surprise for YOU, Dear Guests! Tonight your bewitching host has for you- the amazing story of Romulus, Remus, & Lupercalia, the ancient feast day, and in-the-buff frenzied frolic that brought romance and fertility to lovers for perhaps thousands of years... and we're totally "not" reviving the wild tradition...nor will we tell you exactly where and when ...and what to wear to the celebration, so "don't" listen closely (wink, wink) Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

All Aboard Dear Guests! Tonight, we are off on a dire and dreary seafaring adventure! First, there will be rumors of sightings of the Famous Ghost Ship, The Flying Dutchman. This ethereal ship has emerged out of the mists to strike fear and bestow doom upon its many beholders... and we are so here for it! Then, we will witness the building, sinking, and astonishing raising of Sweden's colossal warship, Vasa... including her dead, that you can visit today. Please join us! (Lifeboats will not be provided.) Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Step right this way, Spooky Lovelies! Have we got just the thing for YOU! No matter what ails you, we have... something ...that will make you feel... differently than you do currently... perhaps... forever! Tonight, your Divine Host, Miranda Merrick, will tell you all about those shifty, snake-boiling sellers from days of yore! Where did they come from? Exactly what were they really selling? And is there any left on the shelves at Grimm's Grocer's? You bet there is! (No returns, of course) Please take your spot in The Reading Room. It's about to get strange. Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Welcome to Part 2 of The Midnight Market, Spooky Lovelies! We promise this will be a night for you to remember… however, we cannot promise that you will be able to. Come as you are or dress in your finery! Bring your children… we insist. You’ll see your friends and meet new ones– Oh! and the goods we will have on offer are sure to charm you… forever. Thank you for permitting us to hold this unusual sale…those of you who so kindly voted in our favor. We’ll never forget you… Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Come one! Come all! To: The Midnight Market! 100% safe and enjoyable food & fun for your entire family! Our permit was secured via YOUR VOTE at The Village Council meeting, and we Thank You for making it all possible! After your evening… rest, visit our cheery marketplace just beyond the county line in the huge clover field at the edge of The Village. All of your Midnight Library favorites will be there- PLUS a few new ones that you’re bound to be just as fond of! (This is Part 1 of this enchanting, long reading. Part 2 will be posted Oct.29th) To fully enjoy your own personal experience at The Midnight Market, headphones or earbuds are highly recommended! Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

When will the Reading Room reopen? What will be on the Hospitality Tray? Can you help me find my other eye? We get SO MANY questions this time of year… there must be something in the air… that makes human people crave the unique atmosphere of The Midnight Library! To put your fears at rest… for the most part, here we have a reassuring Season 9 Announcement for you. To mildly comfort you even further, we have a short story, “Miranda’s Way” that will give you a beyond-the-library-walls peek into your host’s everyday life. Listen carefully… and everything… will be just fine… mostly. Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Greetings My Dear Guest! Maybe you recall ...in our previous reading on Sacred Tattoos, I lamented the fact that there were just too many wonderful tattoo tales to choose from-- and the story of the first tattooed circus performers is one of them! So please join me now to hear about these daring and "colorful" characters! Now, won't you take a seat beside me? Natasha will be along shortly with our tea. Just relax and maybe don't make too much eye contact with her... She's a ... nervous sort of... girl... you know... Welcome to The Midnight Library! Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Greetings, Dear Guest! Please dash in quickly before the crows get you-- I mean before the crows get IN!! They've paid us a completely unexpected visit that's coincidentally collided with your lovely visit! We have no idea how this has happened! Perhaps they heard that they're the star of tonight's reading: As The Crow Flies. Please walk calmly to your favorite spot to hear all kinds of fascinating crow facts and lore. And everything... will be just fine... Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Welcome, Lovely Guest! We hope you're in the mood for romance because tonight's reading is all about ancient and sometimes forbidden love spells and potions! So, why don't you slip into something more comfortable while we pour a little wine … and gather up some sacred rings, various animals,... and a little blood and fingernail clippings, and such. Then let's see if we can make the magic happen! We promise not to kiss and tell... Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Greetings, Dear Guest! You are in for such a colorful treat this evening, as your host, the other Divine Ms. M., tells you all about the little-known art of Hand-Painted Human Skulls! Most of them are ancient, but there are certainly some more recent painted-up dead heads, too. Oh, and the best part is-- many of them are on display for you to see! Find out the fascinating history of how and why this peculiar practice of decorating the dead came to be. Please take your favorite seat in The Reading Room, and let's begin! Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Right this way, Dear Guest! What if we told you that tonight, we're going to be doing a little spelunking or cave-dwelling? And not just so we can pet the bats, but because it is the birthplace of a very famous WITCH: Mother Shipton, "The Yorkshire Prophetess." Ms. Merrick will take you from her humble cave birth, through her eerily dramatic predictions, and finally the close of her life... and, she'll tell you how she lives on in a place that thousands of people visit each year. You'll love the haunting story of Mother Shipton! Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for this episode’s amazing music AND sound design.

Greetings, Dear Guest! In tonight's dire reading, we will reminisce about the many splendid ways people used to kick the bucket... or uh... pass away. There was once so much unpredictable variety! Folks used to be forced to meet their maker by fickle fairies, chancy chickens, and even wily wallpaper! Please curl up in your favorite spot and join us as we visit yesteryear and fondly recall many of the Bygone Ways to Bite the Dust!-- Oh! And we have a famous surprise guest to greet you! (A live one) See if you recognize him! Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Welcome, Dear Guests! Back by popular demand, an art special! This wicked reading will feature 3 hotter than Hades paintings starring His High Hotness: The Devil! Each fiery work of fine art portrays Big D in a distinctly different style, from mild to wild! There's sure to be something to suit everyone's taste. Please make your selections from The Hospitality Tray and cozy up by the fireplace for tonight's... burnt offerings! (If you would like to search for the images of the paintings as you listen- which we highly recommend- The paintings featured are: “Fallen Angel” by Alexandre Cabanel “St. Augustine & The Devil” by Michael Pacher “Mephisto” by Eduard von Grutzner Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.

Welcome Spooky Lovelies! Gather ye, Witches, for this Halfway to Halloween Celebration!! April 30th is Walpurgisnacht, Walpurgis Night, or WITCH'S NIGHT! A Devil's delight like no other! -- With a centuries-old dead nun included that only helps to stoke the fire and fan the flames! If you didn't know before that there 2 wild nights for the wicked each year, NOW YOU DO! Please take your seats! Special Thanks to Sounds Like an Earful Music Supply for the amazing music AND sound design.