Monday is the first  of October—I know, I can’t believe it either—which means I’ll post the first of five spooky North Carolina ghost stories next Wednesday. I really enjoyed sharing these with you all last year, so I thought I’d make it a Halloween tradition.

Do the dead always sleep quietly?

According to a 2009 CBS News poll, 48% of Americans believe in ghosts. 22% believe they’ve had a ghostly encounter. Widespread belief or not, there’s no denying ghosts have enjoyed a certain popularity lately, with a plethora of TV shows about hauntings, ghost hunters, and the paranormal. Movies also have a long tradition of relying on ghosts for scares, from the class Poltergeist to the more recent The Ring.

What about you? Do you believe in ghosts? Ever had a ghostly encounter? What are your favorite movies, books, or TV shows featuring ghosts?