Cutest Halloween Read: Pumpkinheads

I just want to live this book.

Name: Pumpkinheads

Author: Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

Published: 2019

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world (not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is). They say goodbye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September. But this Halloween is different – Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last goodbye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: what if instead of moping, they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

When I told my dad this was the first proper graphic novel I’d read – I don’t think Tintin counts – he made some hilarious joke about it being a book with loads of kissing. Whilst Pumpkinheads (really) wasn’t the sort of book he had in mind, there was some kissing. And pumpkins. And heads. And so much autumn 🥺

I just wanted to live it myself. The book (Graphic novel? Comic?) follows two friends working their last night at a pumpkin patch, featuring a runaway goat, Josiah’s stalked-from-afar crush of three years™ and so many American snacks I hadn’t heard of lol. Um, what’s succotash?

But do you know what it didn’t feature? THERE WERE NO CAMEOS! None at all. Nada. It was such a wasted opportunity – how hard is it to put Eleanor and Park walking through the patch? I can see why Rainbow Rowell might want to keep the two worlds separate, but Simon has wings and it’s halloween! I feel very strongly about this (don’t know if you can tell). I saw an interview where Rowell said that her and Faith are in it somewhere… but I’m still looking.

But apart from that, Pumpkinheads was so fun and happy. Really cuteeee; got me in a great mood for autumn (not fall. sorry.). I can’t really put a quote in but Deja had some great lines about how fate doesn’t push you to people, you have to do it yourself. Which I really liked.

Predictable? It kind of was … but in the best possible way. I read it in literally one sitting (and all of the drawings were gorgeous). A couple of weeks ago, I predicted the lots of a few of my TBR (find it here). have to say I didn’t do too bad…

Here’s another cover I should have looked at more closely. After falling in love with Carry On and Eleanor and Park, I was looking for some more of Rainbow Rowell’s stuff. I then came across Pumpkin Heads and bought it… not realising it was a graphic novel. But, I’m really excited to give it a try – I’ve never read a graphic novel before. By the cover (and the blurb oops), I’m guessing that the two friends reminisce over their years working together, then realise they’re in lurvee just before they have to leave? I’ve got high expectations, but I’m really liking the autumn vibes and hoping it will get me in the spirit for Halloween.

Like I said, Deja was the best. She was so cheerful, and the illustrations properly brought her, and Josiah, to life. There was one weird bit where she threatens to beat up this kid… but we’re not going to dwell on that. I’m left feeling a bit like I wanted more romance… but I’m not sure where? I’ve just been feeling this a lot from romance books lately. I don’t know. But, Pumpkinheads just made me smile – I’d recommend it if you’re feeling down, or want to get in the mood for halloween.

Someday, I can see it becoming a favourite (who am I kidding, it’s Rainbow Rowell. Of course it’s going to become a favourite). Not yet, but someday.