“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving

Ichabod Crane is a nervous, bookish schoolteacher who arrives in the sleepy Dutch village of Sleepy Hollow, New York. The place is full of old stories, and the locals love to tell them. The most famous is about the Headless Horseman, a ghostly soldier who rides through the woods at night looking for his missing head.

Ichabod is easily spooked, and he has more to worry about than ghosts. He has his eye on Katrina Van Tassel, the prettiest girl in town, and so does Brom Bones, a loud, confident local who is happy to play a trick or two on a rival. Then comes a late night, a dark road, and a ride home Ichabod will never forget.

Irving published it in 1820, and it is one of the first great American ghost stories. It is also funny, with sly jokes about the characters, and it is short enough to read in a single evening. The ending leaves you guessing, so you’ll want to talk about it with someone afterward.

This paperback is in good condition, and you can find it at Dead Tree Dreams. Read it with the lights low.