The Dexter Novels

What came first? The chicken or the egg or in this case, the novel or the show? Jeff Lindsay's rule oriented serial killer first appeared in novel form. If you've watched all of the Showtime series and are afraid you'll just be re-reading what you've already seen; don't. Although the first book and the first season are very similar, the endings are quite different and the two depart and go their own way. The novel version of Dexter is more sinister and the voice of the Dark Passenger constantly reminds the reader, Dexter is not compassionate, he's not a good guy- he's a serial killer.  If you're having Dexter withdrawal or just hate the way the tv series ended, pick these thrilling novels up. Dexter is now appearing in graphic novels too!

Doctor Sleep By Stephen King

Stephen King has never been a sequel kind of guy. A series kind of guy? Maybe. A master storyteller of great length, when needed? Absolutely. But sequels? As a long time fan of his books (I can still remember walking into a bookstore and asking for Different Seasons, my stepmother standing behind me, waving to the clerk to tell me they didn't have so she could have it for me, wrapped under the Christmas tree) I never really considered that King would revisit any of his chilling tales. I have a few characters of his that drift into my mind from time to time, wondering what ever became of them, if they would ever suffer or rise again from his pen. Then I heard a rumor that Danny Torrence would live again- that we would find out what happened to the little boy from The Overlook Hotel, fatherless and haunted. Then the rumor turned to truth and I had the book. I devoured Doctor Sleep. Haunting, twisted, delightful and unyielding in all the ways only Stephen King can be. I don't want to give anything away. Not even a morsel but if you loved The Shining, you'll love Doctor Sleep. I hope you'll take the chance to revisit Danny. He's a friend worth checking in on.

A Man Came Out of a Door in the Mountain

A Man Came Out of a Door in the Mountain By Adrianne Harun

The scenery and landscape described in this novel will make you feel like you are deep in the damp forests of the Pacific Northwest. Will amazing storytelling  and an eye for detail, Harun paints a sinister plot that will keep you up at night. This is not a horror story but it does have 'keep you up at night' moments. Follow Leo and his four friends as they confront life in this dead end town and what happens when it seems like the devil himself has appeared.

“Mythical, magical, and chillingly real…Adrianne Harun’s writing can hold you breathless.”
—Jess Walter, author of Beautiful Ruins

Jesus' Son- Fiction

This gritty and sharply written short story collection remains not only my favorite book but what I believe to be Denis Johnson's greatest piece of work. I first read this linked collection as a recommendation from my professor and started it sometime during the night and found I could not put it down. I was mesmerized by the prose, the flow of sentence and emotion invoked. I finished the book, flipped back to the front and started again. I will be surprised if a book ever pulls at me the way this one does.