Mysterious & Supernatural: April 2022 Reading List
Spring has sprung - and as you may have noticed, I will use any excuse to read some chilling mysteries and supernatural-focused books! So, with that, I’d like to introduce you to this month’s reading list. We have for us two fiction novels, a nonfiction biography, and a collection of short (fictional) stories. I hope you enjoy them! Also, Happy Diversity Month and Earth Day, everyone!
Squad
By: Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Illustrated by: Lisa Sterle
Details: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Mystery, 2021
ISBN-13: 978-0062943149
Synopsis: When the new girl is invited to join her high school’s most popular clique, she can’t believe her luck—and she can’t believe their secret, either. Squad is a fast-paced and feminist horror story for every girl who’s ever felt like prey, and asks how far a girl should go to hunt the hunters.
My Thoughts: This book came to me highly recommended - and based on how often it was checked out at my local library - I could see that it was very popular with many others as well! I found it to be an easy read with very dynamic illustrations, especially the dramatic lighting in several scenes. It felt like a mix of Mean Girls and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with a more serious twist - so if those are things you like, I definitely think you’ll enjoy this book!
The Twilight Man: Rod Serling and the Birth of Television
Written and Illustrated by: Koren Shadmi
Details: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Biography, Historical Fiction, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-1643375717
Synopsis: We recognize him as our sharply dressed, cigarette-smoking tour guide of The Twilight Zone, but the entertainment business once regarded him as the “Angry Young Man” of Television. Rod operated in a dimension beyond that of contemporary society, making him both a revolutionary and an outsider.
My Thoughts: I used to watch The Twilight Zone every chance I could growing up and I probably recognized Rod Serling better than most modern movie stars at that time. It was very interesting to learn about his life and struggles and how that worked its way into his work and the shows he wrote. I am delighted to now know some of his life story, along with his famous sci-fi stories.
The Case of the Missing Men (Hobtown Mystery Stories #1)
By: Kris Bertin, Illustrated by: Alexander Forbes
Details: Graphic Novel, Adult, Mystery, Series, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-1772620160
Synopsis: The Case of the Missing Men is the first part of an ongoing mystery thriller set in a strange and remote East Coast village called Hobtown. The story follows a gang of young teens who have made it their business to investigate each and every one of their town's bizarre occurrences as The Teen Detective Club (a registered afterschool program).
My Thoughts: I love a good mystery and saw this series was described as a cross between Nancy Drew and Twin Peaks - so I was immediately sold and it did not disappoint. If anything, it was more Twin Peaks-like than I had assumed. I fear that saying anything else might give this wild story away, so I will just leave you with a note that The Case of the Missing Men is definitely one I would read when you are in the mood to be unnerved and unsettled.
The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe
By: Edgar Allan Poe, Illustrated by: Various
Details: Manga, Young Adult, Horror, Historical Fiction, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1772940213
Synopsis: The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe is a brilliant collection of some of his best-known stories: The Tell Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Mask of the Red Death, and the most famous of all his poems: The Raven.
My Thoughts: I was a big fan of Poe growing up (an edgy teen classic), so it was nice to revisit some of his works that I hadn’t read in a while - especially as a manga! You’ve probably heard or read some of these in school, but, at least for me, The Fall of Usher and The Mask of the Red Death were both ones I wasn’t very familiar with. I definitely recommend these for lovers of horror, as well as those who want to try out reading horror and see what they think - Poe is a great place to start.
