Rio's debut novel is a haunting literary thriller that will have you gripping your seat until the final page. In it, a group of theatre students is driven to madness as the world of Shakespeare becomes intertwined with reality, causing love, friendship, and devotion to turn into things far more sinister. Eloquent and beautifully written, If We Were Villains is a must read for any fans of mystery and academia.
A breathtakingly honest exploration of love and identity by a young Mexican-American growing up in 1980's Texas. Exploring themes such as sexuality, family, and mental health, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a phenomenal coming of age story that can (and will) be enjoyed by anyone that picks it up.
Deep, dark, depressing... No Longer Human is a short read but it is one that will leave you questioning your own purpose in life. Dazai's semi-autobiographical Japanese bestseller will take you on a philosophical journey through isolation, suicidal ideation, and just all around degeneracy.
Tender is the Flesh is not for the faint of heart; this book is as jarring and disturbing as one can get before crossing a line. Enter a dystopian world where "ethical" cannibalism becomes the new norm after a strange virus infects the entire animal population. Bazterrica pulls no punches in describing the process in which human beings are farmed for consumption in ruthless detail, making this Argentine novel grotesque in an ugly, unforgiving way. For fans of horror, this is a beautifully written story with a unique premise and solid plot that is almost as good as the shock factor.
I Hold a Wolf by the Ears is an eerie collection of short stories centered around grief and other difficult topics. Expertly weaving surreal, almost magical elements into everyday issues, van den Berg has created a series of ghost stories that will melt into your brain effortlessly, leaving you feeling numb in the best way.
Written more like a folktale than a novel, the simple prose in The Alchemist leaves the door open for everyone to interpret this inspiring story in their own way. Following a boy on a journey to find his "Personal Legend", readers will watch as what begins as a simple treasure hunt turns into something more meaningful when the truth of the world begins to unfold before the narrator's eyes. Dreamers, spiritualists, and those seeking hope and motivation, this book is meant for you.
Sapphic witchcraft and dark academia. Need I say more? But A Lesson in Vengeance delivers on all fronts. It is a stunning portrayal of grief and mental illness expertly turned into a murder mystery. Intensly atmospheric writing combined with an unreliable narrator makes for a sinister, unnerving read that will have you immersed from start to finish.
A perfect bite sized story coined as the origin of vampire literature, Carmilla mixes passion with dread as we watch our protagonist discover that the girl she is so enamored by is actually a monster. Timeless and chilling, this is a must read for any vampire enthusiast.
Beautiful World, Where Are You follows four flawed, almost unlikeable friends as they navigate the end of their 20's. Highly personal and brutally honest, Rooney's newest novel is centered around themes of sex and friendship, also touching on things such as religion, class, and mental health. Witty dialogue and unique storytelling combine to make this an instant bestseller.
Gritty, explicit, and very bloody; Empire of the Vampire is a beast in size but it is engaging down to the very last page. Fast-paced action and intense world building make it easy to get sucked into this world that finally makes vampires scary again.
