Tag supernatural

The book cover depicts a door handle surrounded by colorful flowers in pastel shades of blue, yellow, pink, and white. There are also six old-fashioned turnkeys mixes in with the flowers, surrounding the doorknob and its plate.

Escapism in Science Fiction & Fantasy

elianahcls Leave a comment
The book cover shows a group of nine blue birds with yellow beaks flying in formation outside of a golden bell-shaped cage.
The book cover depicts a door handle surrounded by colorful flowers in pastel shades of blue, yellow, pink, and white. There are also six old-fashioned turnkeys mixes in with the flowers, surrounding the doorknob and its plate.
The cover image shows a koi fish moving through deep space, almost as if it were a rocket. There are stars and mist in the background.
The book cover depicts a fanciful skull surrounded by flowers.

by Eliana H.

In the summer of 2022, I had the privilege of attending the American Library Association Annual Conference, which took place in Washington, DC. It was an exciting experience and gave me the chance to meet colleagues from across the country, discover new titles, and expand my professional skills. One of the sessions I attended at that conference has been coming to mind recently. It was called “Finding Joy: Escapism in Science Fiction and Fantasy and Its Impact on How We Approach Our Reality,” and it consisted of a moderated discussion with a group of four women authors of science fiction and fantasy books. The description read: 

You can’t advocate for a world you can’t imagine. Genre fiction has long been a go-to for escapist reading. What makes science fiction and fantasy stories natural places for our hopes and dreams? Can we imagine a world where wishes come true, prejudices are not baked in, and the sky is the starting point and not the limit? We will discuss the worlds of pure imagination and those fueled by a dream for a better tomorrow. 

The authors speaking at this panel were Sarah Addison Allen, Alix E. Harrow, Ryka Aoki, and Susan Dennard, and attendees had the opportunity to meet the authors and ask them to sign books after the conversation. How exciting! I will admit that I have not yet made it through all of the books that I picked up at that session – my TBR list takes on a life of its own, and priorities and moods shift over time – but I have read at least one title by each of the authors who participated. 

Even without having read the specific titles they were highlighting, hearing from these authors was impactful. I am a fan of the science fiction and fantasy genres overall, and the focus of this dialogue particularly spoke to me. Being able to imagine a different future for ourselves and our loved ones is powerful. We cannot move toward a reality that we cannot envision. One of our Adult Reading Challenge prompts this summer is to read a book that has supernatural or magical elements. In addition to the titles suggested in our reading journal (stop by any branch to pick one up if you haven’t yet!), books by these authors would be a great fit to complete that challenge. 

Current events can be overwhelming, to say the least. Books provide an opportunity for readers to transport themselves elsewhere, and genre fiction lends itself especially to such departures from everyday life. Even if science fiction and fantasy are not your preference, other genres offer similar getaways. There is a book out there that will provide just the right escape for you. Of course, if you are struggling to find the right title, our staff are happy to share recommendations. Visit one (or more) of our branches this summer and discover exactly the book you need to read right now. 

Eliana is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Elkridge Branch and co-chair of the HCLS Equity Committee. She loves reading, even if she’s slow at it, and especially enjoys helping people find books that make them light up. She also loves being outside and spending time with friends and family (when it’s safe).

The dark cover shows a pattern of birds in purples holding a variety of golden keys.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Kristen B. Leave a comment
The dark cover shows a pattern of birds in purples holding a variety of golden keys.

by Kristen B.

A good Gothic novel practically requires a spectacularly weird house with supernatural tendencies. Starling House might be the main character of its own novel – not quite but close. Our actual main character, Opal, routinely walks the long way home from her going-nowhere-fast job just to wander past the house. She dreams of it and its mysterious amber light. Opal is an unlucky high school dropout trying to make ends meet for herself and her academically talented younger brother, Jasper. They live in a room at the local motel, subsisting on Pop-Tarts and bad pizza. Their mom died in a car accident on a cold night when the mists rose off the Mud River, which is when bad things happen in Eden, Kentucky.

The Starling family is one of strays and orphans, who take the name and the ownership of the house. Arthur is the last in a long line of Starlings, although his parents raised him in the house before he ran away looking for a more normal life. The only major employer in Eden is the Gravely Power company and their coal mines, and the Gravelys and Starlings have a long, complicated history. When Opal finagles a high-paying housekeeping job from the anti-social Arthur, she finds a decades long domestic disaster. As Opal cleans, she realizes that the house has its own sort of sentience – and that it seems to like her. But rooms rearrange and corridors form mazes, and sometimes the space seems to move her to where she needs to be (like Casita in Encanto, but not as friendly).

The story trades points of view between Opal and Arthur, both of whom are disillusioned and suspicious of each other and the entire situation. The book intersperses their hostile encounters with different versions of the town’s past – about Eleanor Starling, her children’s book The Understory, and the house she built. There’s also a set of unscrupulous business consultants with an unwholesome interest in the Starling property and mineral rights, and they target Opal. Untangling the nest of rumor, legend, and sordid tales holds the key (literally) to resolving the tragedy that haunts the town, Opal’s family, and Starling House.

The book has a powerful engine of a plot, along with its engaging characters. I couldn’t help but root for Opal, despite her ingrained need to keep the world at arm’s length. Her carefully guarded heart sometimes misses the loving connections in her world in its desperation to remain stoically independent. Arthur isn’t much different, and these two lost souls truly need each other. The supernatural elements are just creepy enough to give the entire proceedings a sideways edge, which kept me wondering if the author was going to be able to pull it all off. I thought this was her best book yet (although I also loved Once and Future Witches) – it’s a lean, mean, twisty tale, where all the components are necessary to make the story work.

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow is available in print, e-book, and e-audiobook.

Kristen B. is a devoted bookworm lucky enough to work as the graphic designer for HCLS. She likes to read, stitch, dance, and watch baseball (but not all at the same time).

A half and half cover of two apartment windows shows a man all in black upside down and a young woman in a shirt and green pants in sunshine on the other.

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Angie Engles Leave a comment
A half and half cover of two apartment windows shows a man all in black upside down and a young woman in a shirt and green pants in sunshine

by Angie E.

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine is a fang-tastic blend of humor, romance, and supernatural charm that leaves you thirsting for more. From the very first page, this novel sinks its teeth into you with witty banter and irresistible characters. Our protagonist, Cassie Greenberg, is an artist struggling to make ends meet in Chicago. Just when her situation seems dire, she stumbles upon an unbelievable Craigslist ad for a rent-free apartment. The catch? Her new roommate is Frederick J. Fitzwilliam, a suave and sophisticated vampire who’s been asleep for a century. 

Levine does a magnificent job weaving modern-day struggles with age-old vampire lore. The chemistry between Cassie and Frederick is electric, with their playful interactions and evolving relationship keeping readers hooked. Cassie’s vibrant personality and Frederick’s old-world charm make for a delightful contrast, and their journey from strangers to something much more is heartwarming and full of surprises. The novel’s humor shines through in every chapter. Whether it’s Cassie teaching Frederick the wonders of modern technology or Frederick’s awkward attempts to fit into the 21st century, the laughs come naturally and frequently. The supporting characters add depth and color to the story, each bringing their own quirks and perspectives. 

My Roommate is a Vampire isn’t just a lighthearted romp; it also explores deeper themes of acceptance, adaptation, and finding one’s place in an ever-changing world. Levine’s writing is sharp, clever, and full of heart, making it easy to get lost in Cassie and Frederick’s world. Perfect for fans of paranormal romance and anyone looking for a feel-good story with plenty of humor, this tale makes you believe in love that transcends time. 

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine in print and as an e-audiobook. And you can continue the fun with My Vampire Plus-One.

Angie is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Her ideal day is reading in her cozy armchair, with her cat Henry next to her.

The DVD cover depicts a man and a woman seated side by side on an orange couch with cushions, wearing professional dress; a skeletal hand is reaching up between them from behind the sofa. The background is dark and there are papers scattered on the floor in front of them.

Evil

Angie Engles Leave a comment
The DVD cover depicts a man and a woman seated side by side on an orange couch with cushions, wearing professional dress; a skeletal hand is reaching up between them from behind the sofa. The background is dark and there are papers scattered on the floor in front of them.

by Angie E.

Evil is like someone threw The X-Files, The Exorcist, and a dash of CSI into a blender and hit the ‘puree’ button. The result? A show that’s part supernatural, part procedural, and completely binge-worthy. Our trio of audacious investigators includes the skeptical psychologist Kristen Bouchard, the believer David Acosta, and the tech whiz Ben Shakir. Together, they’re like the Ghostbusters of the ecclesiastical world, but with fewer proton packs and more holy water. 

Evil doesn’t just flirt with the supernatural; it takes it out for a fancy dinner and then brings it home to meet the parents. Whether it features demonic possessions or prophetic visions, each episode leaves you wondering if you should sleep with the lights on. Even though it truly can be unnerving,  Evil is also unexpectedly hilarious. It’s got more tongue-in-cheek moments than a dental exam, and the dark humor is so spot-on, you’ll find yourself chuckling in between gasps of terror. 

So, if you’re looking for a series that combines courtroom drama with exorcism (because who isn’t?), then Evil could be your next must-watch. Just maybe don’t watch it alone… or in the dark… or anywhere near bedtime. You should still watch it, though, because Evil blends psychological thrills with supernatural elements to create a compelling story. 

Especially noteworthy is the stellar cast, which includes Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, Michael Emerson, Christine Lathi and Andrea Martin. Michael Emerson, known for his chilling performances in shows such as Lost, plays the kind of villain you just love to hate, making the show all that more deliciously fun to watch. 

Angie is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Her ideal day is reading in her cozy armchair, with her cat Henry next to her.

A girls sits at the end of a long, shadowed hallway, with her back against a door.

Julia by Peter Straub

Angie Engles Leave a comment
A girls sits at the end of a long, shadowed hallway, with her back against a door.

by Angie E.

Hello there, fellow horror enthusiasts! If you’re on the hunt for a bone-chilling, pulse-
pounding read to get you into the Halloween spirit, look no further than Julia by Peter Straub (print and e-audiobook). The author emerged as a rising star in the 1970s alongside his friend and sometimes collaborator, Stephen King. Together, they revitalized the horror genre, redefining its bounds with The Talisman (print and e-audiobook) and Black House (print and e-audiobook).

Despite this early success, Straub and his individual contributions to literature have often taken a backseat to the towering presence of King. However, his unique writing style, masterful storytelling, and depth of character development make him a force to be reckoned with, especially in stories like Julia – about a woman with a haunting past and a dark secret. As the narrative unfolds, you’ll find yourself drawn deeper into the web of her life, unable to escape its sinister grip. Straub’s character development is top-notch; you’ll feel like you know Julia intimately, yet she remains shrouded in mystery, making her all the more compelling.

What makes Julia a standout Halloween read is its ability to mess with your mind. Straub has this knack for creating an atmosphere so thick with dread that you can practically taste it. The line between reality and the supernatural blurs, and you’ll start questioning everything you thought you knew. Is it ghosts, madness, or something even more sinister? The pacing is relentless. The tension keeps ratcheting up, and Straub’s prose is beautifully haunting, painting vivid, unsettling images in your imagination. You’ll be right there with the characters, wandering the eerie, fog-shrouded streets of their world.

The novel is not just about cheap thrills and jump scares. Straub explores profound themes like guilt, redemption, and the nature of evil. It’s a thinking reader’s horror novel that will haunt your thoughts long after you’ve finished it. Julia is the perfect spooky holiday read, as it’s a master class in psychological horror, filled with unforgettable characters, a chilling atmosphere, and plenty of twists and turns. So, grab your favorite blanket, and prepare for a Halloween night you won’t soon forget.

Angie is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Her ideal day is reading in her cozy armchair, with her cat Henry next to her.

The main characters of DeadEndia: The Watcher's Tesst appear against a segmented background of devilish figures.

DeadEndia & Dead End: Paranormal Park

ashbakerhcls Leave a comment
The main characters of DeadEndia: The Watcher's Tesst appear against a segmented background of devilish figures.

by Ash B.

Set in haunted amusement park themed around the life and career of fictional actress-superstar Pauline Phoenix, the world of DeadEndia is full of spooky, supernatural fun. If you’ve got a Netflix account and a kid older than 7, or you’re fan of cartoons with great representation, you’ve probably heard about Dead End: Paranormal Park. The Netflix show was adapted from a graphic novel series called DeadEndia, which you can borrow from the library.

The main characters of Norma, Barney, and Pugsley began as an animated web short for Cartoon Hangover. Creator Hamish Steele used this as inspiration for a new webcomic, which, in turn, became DeadEndia: The Watcher’s Test and DeadEndia: The Broken Halo graphic novels. The third and final book is anticipated to release next year.

I was first introduced to the world through the graphic novels – so, imagine my excitement when one of my favorite reads became an extremely well-adapted animation! The show diverges quite a bit from the graphic novels in some ways, particularly how the main characters meet and the story begins. From there, the first episode of the show lines up pretty closely with the first chapter of DeadEndia: The Watcher’s Test. The demon king is summoned and possesses Barney’s dog, Pugsley, instead of one of the humans as planned; Norma cleverly figures out how to defeat the demon king; Pugsley is left with magical powers, including the ability to talk. The story continues with a balance of paranormal adventures, such as “monster of the week” style demon-fighting episodes/chapters, along with the emotional rollercoasters of personal identity, mental health, romance, and family struggles.

The novels strongly resonated with me because of the way Barney’s transmasculine experiences were included. In both the comics and the show, we find out that he was primarily interested in getting a job so that he could gain independence from his parents. The show allows for more development of Barney’s relationship, though. I think the cast and crew nailed it, with a family that goes through realistic misunderstandings and growing pains, but makes it through the rough patch to fully embrace the LGBTQ+ kid. 

The graphic novels have a special place in my heart for certain heartwarming details. For example, Barney gives Pugsley a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he learns to read, and Pugsley compares Barney to the titular caterpillar. Pugsley eventually clarifies: “My comparison was due to the fact that we all start off looking and sounding a little different to how we turn out. Some more than others. But that doesn’t change who we are on the inside.” This line, especially in the context of the rest of the chapter (which I won’t spoil here), is so gentle and comforting to a trans reader like me. 

Probably the most notable point of difference between the show and comics is the target audience. The comics are aimed at young adults (ages 14+), with Barney, Norma, and their peers being in their early twenties. When adapted for the small screen, the characters were aged down to be in their teens and the material made suitable for a younger audience. The graphic novels can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike, and you can borrow them in print from HCLS. 

Ash is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Their favorite place to read is spread out on a blanket under the shade of the tree. 

The book cover appears against a pattern of black feathers. The cover itself is black with grey silhouettes of birds and the British Parliament buildings along the bottom.

The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison

Kristen B. Leave a comment
Black background with grey bird silhouettes above the image of British Houses of Parliament. Title appears in red.

By Kristen B.

Sherlock Holmes is a perennial favorite. So many movies and TV shows have delved into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s series of short stories and novellas, from House M.D. to Benedict Cumberbatch on the BBC to Robert Downey, Jr’s movies, that the character has entered the common sphere. You really don’t have to explain him and his particular attention to detail.

Katherine Addison’s new novel, The Angel of the Crows, combines Victorian England, the Sherlock Holmes stories, and Jack the Ripper with a supernatural, steampunk milieu that includes angels, Fallen angels, vampires, werewolves, and hellhounds. Angels operate a little differently here: they are only thinking, rational beings with names when they have a habitation. Without a location (usually a public building) to guard, an angel is Nameless and belongs to the collective hive-mind. In the worst case, when an angel loses its habitation, the trauma can cause it to Fall (capital letter necessary) … which can have an impact like a bomb.

You need to know this to understand our intrepid detectives, Crow and Dr. J. H. Doyle. Crow names itself Angel of London but is really managing to hold onto a name and an identity by sheer force of will. The angel is a maniac for helping the local police solve murders and other crimes (and obsesses over the daily papers to this end). Dr. Doyle has returned home from the war in Afghanistan, where an unexpected attack by Fallen angels left behind an interesting assortment of wounds and complications. The two social misfits become unexpected, but oddly compatible, flatmates.

These two get themselves into – and out of – all sorts of predicaments. The structure of the book is fantastic, with the overarching story of solving the Jack the Ripper/Whitechapel murders carrying throughout. The novel, however, divides into several, shorter parts which work as discrete, individual detective stories about missing persons, foreign treasure, and other mundane mysteries – most of which are direct pastiches of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s originals. The smaller adventures allow the individual characters to come to life and steal into your heart a little bit at a time. Both Crow and Doyle are wrestling the world for their right to live as they choose – and you root for them as well as their superior sleuthing.

While by no means a strict Sherlock equivalency, the book recognizes and honors its source material. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. It may, indeed, spur you to reacquaint yourself with the originals, too.

Kristen B. has worked for HCLS for more than 15 years, and currently hosts the Books on Tap discussion group at Hysteria Brewing Company. She loves reading, Orioles baseball, and baking.