What to expect at the Halloween-themed Books on Toast event

Navigate a maze blindfolded or attend a workshop on fighting supernatural forces: here’s why you need to visit a Halloween-themed event this weekend

Updated on: Oct 20, 2016, 17:26:12 IST

Hindustan Times | By Soma Das, Mumbai

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Navigate a maze blindfolded or attend a workshop on fighting supernatural forces: here’s why you need to visit a Halloween-themed event this weekend

An earlier session of Books on Toast (Photo: The Hive)

Stand-up comedian Rohan Joshi (33), a member of comedy troupe, All India Bakchod, is a self-confessed Stephen King fan. He was introduced to the horror genre at age 13, when he read King’s novels — Carrie, and The Tommyknockers.

“I was equal parts thrilled and terrified. Apart from The Hound of the Baskervilles [by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle], these were the only books that managed to scare me. It was my gateway to adult books: the fantastic and the paranormal,” says Joshi. He recalls how his mother would gift him King’s novels for his birthday, “Those hardbound novels still sit on the top shelf of my bookcase.”

Read: Comedian Sorabh Pant on why we make such a big deal out of Halloween

This weekend, Joshi is set to host a Stephen King Quiz at The King’s Screech — A Books on Toast Halloween Weekend.

Launched five years ago by Anuya Jakatdar, Books on Toast (BoT) is inspired by a book sale fundraiser she attended as a journalism student at Syracuse University, New York, in 2008. When it turned into an annual event earlier this year, Jatakdar tied up with the cultural venue, The Hive, Khar. BoT events are now held periodically: its previous event — a Harry Potter special — was held on July 28.

With a week to go for Halloween (October 31), the two-day event features an aural maze where you travel blindfolded using sound cues, and a workshop on defence against paranormal entities by stand-up comedian Kaneez Surka. There are movie screenings of The Shining (1980) and Carrie (2013), and a horror book sale. There will also be a panel discussion with authors Kiran Manral and Sukanya Venkat on what inspires Indian horror fiction.

Costumes, too, are encouraged. Don’t be shy to dress up as a pop culture horror character. Just steer clear of anyone in a hockey mask.

The King’s Screech - A Books on Toast Halloween Weekend is on October 22 and 23
At The Hive, 50-A, Huma Mansion, Chuim Village Road, Khar (W)
Call 96199 62969
Tickets: https://goo.gl/nb37tv
Follow @HT48Hours on Twitter and answer 5 questions on Friday to win tickets to the BoT event

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soma Das
Soma is an Assistant Editor for the weekend supplement HT 48 Hours. She writes on lifestyle, art and culture.

Explore Lifestyle stories on Fashion,Health, Relationships, Festivals, Travel, recipe Fitness and Happy Eid 2026 Wishes. Get expert tips, trending updates, and practical ideas to improve your daily routine on Hindustan Times.