A taut, twisty novel on the vortex of grief that we must navigate, and the devastating consequences of obsession. Darkly compelling, Rabbit Hope showcA taut, twisty novel on the vortex of grief that we must navigate, and the devastating consequences of obsession. Darkly compelling, Rabbit Hope showcases the ways in which true crime sensationalism, social media, and societal pressures place more stress on victims of loss and trauma, and how uncertainty is fueled by the whims and discretions of others. It is a chilling reminder that the subjects of theories, chat threads, video essays, were real people with real friends and families, who often push themselves to extremes in the pursuit of answers, justice. Hauntingly sad with a faint core of hope, this novel is a winding trip into the whirlpool of coping mechanisms, the chase of information, the peeling back of layers, an examination of hard truths, of crossroads. ...more
A harrowing, yet strangely endearing critique of late-stage capitalism and the ultimate price people pay to say they’ve “made it.” With genre-bending A harrowing, yet strangely endearing critique of late-stage capitalism and the ultimate price people pay to say they’ve “made it.” With genre-bending dream journeys and an enticing mix of bleak and funny, this novel is an expertly woven waking nightmare that asks: what does it mean to be successful, and who gets to decide? What is the cost, and is it worth it? What matters at the end of a life, and how do we shape a truly meaningful legacy? And why do we attach our and others’ worth to our earnings, assets, our capacity to be a model worker? A poignant look at corporate exploitation, the national debt crisis, and all the ways in which we pass life by waiting for it to begin, Jonathan Abernathy is a uniquely heartfelt social commentary that reminds us that behind every service, every good, every convenience, there is a human behind it struggling to get by. ...more
A riveting family saga that follows generational trauma and the cycles of destruction that ensue. Unflinching and candid, Mother in the Dark is a discussion around the complicated bonds between mother and children, the steadfast love and jealousy between sisters, and the ways in which we cling to shreds of the past, for better or worse, as we face an uncertain future. Gorgeously written, this novel is not just a story, it is a window to the hearts of so many, who hurt and hurt in turn, who love fiercely, uniquely, who are turn between the familiarity of how things are, no matter how stagnant, and the fear of risking everything for the way things could be. It is a whispered memory, a cry of recognition, an olive branch among ashes. Honest and raw in its depiction of mental illness and the slow ways in which a life can unravel, this is one heartrending read on a family who runs against the current to each other time and again. Searing and relatable, this is a truly effective read....more
A heartbreaking modern classic on trauma, culture, and healing. Ceremony is an all-encompassing journey of redemption, a raw look into the cost of warA heartbreaking modern classic on trauma, culture, and healing. Ceremony is an all-encompassing journey of redemption, a raw look into the cost of war, and the hard truths of living with trauma and grief. It is an exploration of the ways in which we try to break our own cycles of hate, pain, guilt, the paths we follow towards healing, self acceptance. It asks: what is medicine? Who determines our identity? How can we surrender to the realities of our world while finding the beauty in it? This novel is an ode to the never ending power of stories, of dreams, a testament to the fluid mirages of memory and the destructive tendencies of men. A gorgeously nuanced story within a story, filled with the magic of emotions and beliefs passed on with the times. ...more
A stunning meditation on compassion, grief, love, and survival. A contemporary trip into Wonderland, Death Valley is equal parts funny, heartbreaking, and surreal. It confronts the nuances of anticipatory grief, loss, and the sense of familial obligation head on; it asks: what should grief look like? What is it like to accept our own mortality? What does it mean to die, and what does it mean to truly live? Are the best stories based in our own experiences, or the ones that stem from the depths of our imaginations and hearts? It is an expert exploration which affirms that there is no blueprint for the ways that we process heartbreak, the ways that we grieve not only the dead, but the living who are no longer the ones we remember, we idolize. It is an ode to the evolving, complicated beauty of love, of service, of inspiration, and a call to endure, to survive, even when the void looms just around the corner. Vivid, mesmerizing, and full of painfully, gratifyingly relatable feelings....more
An equally disturbing and devastating story of possession and madness. Hypotonic, seductive, and shocking, Come Closer is a modern classic which experAn equally disturbing and devastating story of possession and madness. Hypotonic, seductive, and shocking, Come Closer is a modern classic which expertly explores: what happens when we can no longer trust our own minds? What forces do we unknowingly invite inside, and is it possible to ever evict them? Matching unforgettable horror with dark humor, this novel produces such a powerful, multilayered story in its short runtime; it is no surprise that it’s listed as one of the best horror novels of all time. A wholly chilling, thought provoking read that must be experienced to be believed. Go on, open the pages…come closer… ...more
A deliciously gruesome fever dream of contemporary life in LA. Maeve Fly is a wild ride of the shocking, the sensual, and the downright brutal. It offA deliciously gruesome fever dream of contemporary life in LA. Maeve Fly is a wild ride of the shocking, the sensual, and the downright brutal. It offers a feminist spin on the usual slasher genre, and also a surprisingly impactful commentary on mental health, loneliness, and the need for fame or infamy, especially in urban society. Filled with black comedy, cringe worthy gore, and electric prose, this is a sucker punch of a debut perfect for fans of both classic social horror and for those who recognize that it’s time for feminine rage to enter the slasher scene. ...more
An atmospheric journey into the dark corners of society. Moody and dark, Carnality addresses topics such as social media dependency, illness, and whatAn atmospheric journey into the dark corners of society. Moody and dark, Carnality addresses topics such as social media dependency, illness, and what it means to love someone, with or without conditions. It explores the questions: Who gets to decide what is good and what is evil? Which evils are deserving of punishment? What happens when we blur the lines of our own morality? Do we define our stories or do our stories define us? Gritty but with the essence of a daydream, this is a novel for those who see the world not as black and white, but as a kaleidoscope of greys in which we are forever searching for someone with the same vision. ...more
An uncomfortable, intimate look into grief and artistic expression. Filled with dark humour and unflinching honesty, Mostly Dead Things is a glimpse aAn uncomfortable, intimate look into grief and artistic expression. Filled with dark humour and unflinching honesty, Mostly Dead Things is a glimpse at a family destroyed by loss and years of alienation; it is a raw account of a life lived with yearning, secrets, resentment. But it is also a story of the catharsis of art, which can say all of the things we never quite dare to: our deepest desires, our darkest secrets, our most disturbing or authentic inner thoughts are laid bare. This novel is in many ways a parallel to so many people who have gone so long with toxic cycles or stagnation that the fear of starting over is almost greater than the fear of going on forever in misery. A quirky but evocative read that is worth working through the discomfort for. ...more
A gorgeously crafted debut on the connection between love, memory, grief, and art. This magical coming of age examines the ways in which loss and love shape us; it is a bridge between worlds, fusing time and memory to create a heartbreakingly powerful journey towards closure. The Astonishing Color of After opens universal reflections on loss: the people in our lives who we love most are sometimes the ones we understand the least; so often our minds are crushed with the musings of “what if” or “I should have;” our experiences are tightly woven within those to whom have sacrificed so much for our ability to create, to fail, to try again. This debut is expertly done; it is so believable, relatable, and bursting with heart, possibility....more
Pizza Girl is a compelling look into loneliness, obsession, and the lengths we go to to feel seen. This novel captures the terror of uncertainty when Pizza Girl is a compelling look into loneliness, obsession, and the lengths we go to to feel seen. This novel captures the terror of uncertainty when faced with sudden adulthood and responsibility, as well as the bittersweet experience of motherhood in stunning detail; it is a story from the perspective of those on the outside looking in, wanting to be everywhere and nowhere at once, wanting connection but feeling the burden of vulnerability. Though short, this novel packs a punch, delivering a deeply moving portrait of mental health, grief, and facing responsibilities....more
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