Iloilo prov’l library recommends free horror classic reading materials

ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo Provincial Library and Archives has recommended worthwhile reading materials from a free public domain in time for Halloween.

“We recommended some books that we got from Project Gutenberg since not many people are aware that these books can be downloaded for free, like the works of Edgar Allan Poe and popular authors whose works have inspired a lot of movies, a lot of other stories,” Provincial Librarian Allana Delgado said in an interview on Thursday.

She explained that the copyright of books in the free public domain has already expired, so they can be downloaded for free.

Those who are interested can download the FREE eBook Reader app: ReadEra from Google Play or the Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1669188337 or download through Project Gutenberg: https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/70652.

“As a reader, I was also excited to share. During this time, a lot of people probably are watching horror movies, so they might be interested in looking for something to read. So, I thought it was the perfect time to share it, especially since there are a lot of very good classic books that are available now online,” Delgado said.

The Iloilo Provincial Library and Archives Facebook page identified among others "At the Mountains of Madness" by HP Lovecraft, a novella blending science fiction and horror, written in the early 20th century; “The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde, a novel written during the late 19th century; "The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition" by Edgar Allan Poe, a comprehensive collection of his literary output, likely compiled in the late 19th century; "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, first published in 1818; "Wuthering Heights," a famous novel by Emily Brontë, published in 1847; and “Dracula (1897), a gothic horror novel by Bram Stoker.

“Some of these are fantasy, some are horror classics that have influenced a lot of books and other stories. But I have also included Wuthering Heights, a romance novel with elements of a ghost story because there is a ghost in the story,” she said.

Project Gutenberg is one of the oldest online libraries, hosting free books.

It is working on digitizing books in the public domain for download, she added.

“We post about free resources regularly on our Facebook page. We frequently share resources relevant to the time,” Delgado said. (PNA)