Month: October 2023

The Spooky Western

Why did the western cross the road? To get to the other genre. These books will have you feeling the grit of westerns with the suspense, spooks, and shrieks of horror. Saddle up on these arid plains and see what wild monsters lurk in the shadows.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle

Adelaide Henry moves west to Montana to start a homestead and acquire land, but the dark secrets of her past have a way of catching up with her. Set in 1915, this new title plays with conventions in horror and western genres in an innovative way that discusses what it’s like to be on the fringes of society.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle Book

Lone Women by Victor LaValle Large Print

Lone Women by Victor LaValle eBook

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

Set in Texas in the 1850s, this story follows a Tennessean teenager, “the kid”, in a harrowing tale of a gang involved in torture and carnage. Considered one of McCarthy’s best works, this is a great read for anyone interested in the unsettling aspects of the western and how we characterize the humanity of “heroes” and “villains”.

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy Book

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy eBook

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy eAudiobook

In the Valley of the Sun by Andy Davidson

Travis Stillwell preys on the women of the honky-tonks until one strange encounter leaves him bloody and with no memory of the previous night. Annabelle Gaskin and her son ask that Travis to do maintenance of the motel Annabelle owns and quickly discover that Travis is not what he seems. Fans of Joe Hill and Anne Rice will enjoy this supernatural thriller set in West Texas.

In the Valley of the Sun by Andy Davidson Book

In the Valley of the Sun by Andy Davidson eBook

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

Néstor and Nena are childhood sweethearts separated by a tragic supernatural experience. Both are drawn into the conflict of the Mexican-American War in 1846, this book crosses many genres: supernatural romance, horror, and historical fiction.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas Book

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas eBook

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

From New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones comes a chilling horror novel for fans of Jordan Peele. The story follows four Blackfeet Nation friends who are haunted by an illegal elk hunt ten years ago. The disturbance from the hunt eventually leads to violence and a struggle for each friend’s survival.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Book

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Large Print

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones eBook

Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz

Set in the late 1800s on the Texas/Mexico border, this novel plays with many genres: western, magical realism, horror, and mystery. Solitario Cisneros, a grieving, retired lawman, is confronted with murders and kidnappings in his town, Olvido, TX, and is compelled to fight the darkness devouring his community and himself.

Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz Large Print

Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz Spanish

Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz eBook

Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz eAudiobook (in Spanish)

When the Night Bells Ring by Jo Kaplan

Modern-day climate refugees, Mads and Waynoka, are making their way east crossing the Nevada dessert when they decide to explore an abandoned cave to find water. When the ladder breaks, they find themselves trapped with only their flashlight and a mysterious 1860s diary of Lavinia Cain. This fast-paced novel set in the western dessert is psychologically captivating and disturbing.

When the Night Bells Ring by Jo Kaplan Book

When the Night Bells Ring by Jo Kaplan eAudiobook

The Gunslinger by Stephen King

The first book in King’s Dark Tower series, The Gunslinger combines fantasy with the classic western quest and imagery in a battle of good and evil between the gunslinger and the man in black. Looking for a suspenseful western that is on the lighter, adventurous side? Try out one of King’s best-loved series.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King Book

The Gunslinger by Stephen King eAudiobook

The Hunger by Alma Katsu

An occult reimaging of the iconic, true story of the cannibal Donner Party, the novel follows a wagon train party as they face a string of misfortunes and mysterious tragedies. Paranormal and witchcraft set the stage for a suspenseful retelling of the journey west to California in 1846. A perfect novel for fans of historical fiction, the supernatural, and horror.

The Hunger by Alma Katsu Book

Unbury Carol by Josh Malerman

For fans of Stephen King and Cormac McCarthy, this novel has all the hallmarks of weird western horror: a quest, a rescuer, suspense, and unexplained phenomena that results in an intense fight to not being buried alive. This atmospheric, creepy novel will have you on the edge of your seat in an old-fashioned, wild West race against time!

Unbury Carol by Josh Malerman Book

Studio Ghibli Vibes

If you want Studio Ghibli vibes without watching a movie, this list is for you.

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever Aftercomes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill Book

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

Deadly storms have ravaged Mina’s homeland for generations. Floods sweep away entire villages, while bloody wars are waged over the few remaining resources. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them with death and despair. In an attempt to appease him, each year a beautiful maiden is thrown into the sea to serve as the Sea God’s bride, in the hopes that one day the “true bride” will be chosen and end the suffering.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh Book

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh eAudiobook

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

Sophie, a young witch with uncertain powers, faces pressure from her mother and grandmother to attend the esteemed Royal Magic Academy. Sent to unfamiliar relatives for exam preparation, she finds little magical guidance from Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lan. In a desperate solo attempt, Sophie’s spell intertwines her magic with Lir, a young water dragon marooned on land without his memories. While Lir possesses the talents Sophie lacks, helping her excel at the exams, it hinders his quest for recollection. Torn between right and wrong, Sophie must navigate this delicate balance to prove herself.

Tidesong by Wendy Xu Book

Eva Evergreen, Semi – Magical Witch by Julie Abe

Eva Evergreen, with only a trace of magic, faces a crucial challenge: to attain Novice Witch status before her thirteenth birthday, or lose her powers forever. Landing in Auteri, a town in need of a formidable witch, Eva opens a magical repair shop to prove her worth. Despite her limited abilities, Eva’s “semi-magical fixes” transform lives, but when a monumental magical storm threatens Auteri, she must summon all her courage and cleverness to save the town and her dreams of becoming a witch.

Eva Evergreen, Semi – Magical Witch by Julie Abe Book

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

In the desert, a stranded pilot encounters a remarkable stranger who requests a drawing of a sheep, setting off a profound journey of understanding life’s mysteries. This enchanting fable, “The Little Prince,” imparts timeless wisdom about life’s true priorities, leaving an indelible mark on readers of all ages. With meticulously restored artwork and a new translation, this definitive edition of a beloved worldwide classic continues to captivate hearts around the globe.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery Book

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery eBook

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery CD Audiobook

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

“The Cat Who Saved Books” is a heartwarming tale celebrating the power of books, courage, and compassion. Rintaro inherits his grandfather’s beloved second-hand bookshop, Natsuki Books, finding solace within its towering shelves. When a talking tabby cat named Tiger seeks Rintaro’s aid in a mission to rescue mistreated books, they embark on a series of magical adventures, ultimately culminating in a final, solo rescue mission.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa Book

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

In a New England town, Nova Huang navigates the realms of love, family, and witchcraft while working at her grandmother’s spell bookshop. A chance encounter reunites her with Tam Lang, her childhood crush and a wandering werewolf, battling dark forces. As they face occult rituals and unearth untapped magic, their rekindled connection blooms amidst a backdrop of self-discovery and familial bonds in this enchanting tale.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker Book

Female Rage in Fiction

Female rage has gained popularity across all media in recent years. While women’s anger has been used in storytelling for centuries, it often mirrored gender stereotypes and maladaptive types of rage.

These female rage characters showcase adaptive or constructive types of rage. They’re victims of a larger societal issue and enact vengeance on their oppressor. They are willing to get their hands dirty and be their own savior, even if it means they become the villain or are perceived as one. It can also be a means for the character to stand up for themselves or others and provide a sense of empowerment.

Check out one of these novels to experience these complex female characters and the rage they portray.

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin

Thrilling and suspenseful, this debut novel from Goldin takes place in an elevator. You won’t miss the lack of setting, when four cutthroat financiers recognize the elevator has been set up as an escape room and are forced to work together to escape. As the puzzles grow increasingly personal, they realize this may be more than a poorly designed team-building exercise. How much does this have to do with a recently murdered co-worker?

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin Book

The Escape Room by Megan Goldin eAudiobook

The Power by Naomi Alderman

An award-winning piece of science fiction, The Power depicts a world taken over by a mysterious force that gives women and girls the power to channel electricity as a weapon. Told from the perspective of several characters from around the world, the novel tackles the question, “What happens when the balance of power shifts?” Will these women be kinder, gentler rulers compared to their male counter parts or will they be just as ruthless?

The Power by Naomi Alderman Book

The Power by Naomi Alderman eBook

The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

Set in depression-era Arkansas, blood and power bind three generations of women in the Ozark Mountains. However, so does an evil that’s followed them across the decades. Gracelynn lives with her adoptive granny helping her make cures for their community. When an evangelist arrives and promises prosperity to the town, granny falls into a strange coma. As danger heightens, Gracelynn is forced to choose to flee or confront the preacher whose mission is to destroy her.

The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy Book

Animal by Lisa Taddeo

Joan has experienced a lot of violence at the hands of men. When one of them commits a shocking act of violence in front of her, she leaves New York City in search of a person who can help her make sense of her past. That person is Alice, and in the hills of Los Angeles, she unravels Joan’s horrific trauma which gives Joan the power to finally strike back.

Animal by Lisa Taddeo Book

Animal by Lisa Taddeo CD Audiobook

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Amy disappeared from her Missouri mansion on her 5th wedding anniversary, and it seems her husband Nick is to blame. He was not a model husband, but he proclaims his innocence even though he doesn’t seem to be telling the entire truth. Twisted and intricately plotted, this story is not just one of a disappearance, but of a marriage gone sour and the toxicity that comes with it.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Book

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn eBook

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn eAudiobook

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea Summers

Dorothy Daniels is a successful food writer. After accidently killing a lover with her car, she decides to give in to her cannibalistic urges and eats his liver. She then murders every lover moving forward to satiate her need for the unthinkable and to fight against the male dominated industry she works in. Pick up this twisted and violent tale and watch the horrors unfold as Dorothy tells you of her life from her prison cell. *Content warning – graphic sex and violence*

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea Summers Book

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea Summers eBook