Books Like...

'Remember Me' by Christopher Pike is a young adult book that follows the story of Shari, an eighteen-year-old girl who tries to prove that she did not commit suicide after her untimely death. As a ghost, she investigates her own murder, trying to uncover the truth behind her death. The plot is a mix of murder mystery and metaphysical musings, with supernatural elements woven into the narrative. The writing style is engaging, with a limited viewpoint from the protagonist, Shari, as she navigates the afterlife and uncovers the events leading up to her demise.

The book explores themes of life after death, friendship, betrayal, and the quest for justice. It keeps readers engaged with its suspenseful plot and unexpected twists, making it a compelling read for both young adults and adults alike who enjoy mysteries with a supernatural twist.

'We Ride Upon Sticks' by Quan Barry is a humorous and nostalgic novel set in 1989 Massachusetts, following a high school girls' field hockey team as they turn to witchcraft in hopes of winning the state championships. The story revolves around the team members' individual journeys, their struggles with identity, and the consequences of their rituals and sacrifices to maintain their winning streak. Barry's writing style is described as witty, sarcastic, and filled with pop culture references, seamlessly blending 17th-century history with 1980s nostalgia to create a tale of collective and individual coming of age.

In Discount Armageddon, the story follows Verity Price, a cryptozoologist and ballroom dancer, who is tasked with protecting the cryptids residing in New York City. The book introduces a mix of humor, action, and romance as Verity navigates her dual life, uncovering mysteries surrounding the disappearances of sentient cryptids. The writing style is described as fun, light-hearted, and fast-paced, with a focus on quirky characters, cryptid biology, and witty dialogue.

Verity's adventures involve teaming up with Dominic, a member of an organization that opposes her family, to investigate the threats to the city posed by the cryptids' disappearances. McGuire's unique approach to urban fantasy, blending elements of science fiction with fantasy, creates a rich and engaging world filled with colorful characters, cryptid creatures, and themes of acceptance and adaptation in a world where humans and cryptids coexist.

The Ghosts of Thorwald Place by Helen Power is a gripping paranormal mystery that follows the story of Rachel, a ghost trapped in the building where she was brutally murdered. Through her perspective, readers uncover the dark secrets and mysteries of her neighbors, as well as her own past leading up to her death. The novel seamlessly weaves between the present and the past, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they delve deeper into the eerie and intriguing world of Thorwald Place.

The book is a unique blend of ghost story, murder mystery, and detective narrative, offering a fresh and captivating take on the genre. The author, Helen Power, skillfully crafts a suspenseful plot filled with twists and turns, intricate character dynamics, and a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page is turned. Readers are taken on a thrilling journey alongside Rachel as she navigates the afterlife, unravels the mysteries surrounding her death, and uncovers the hidden truths of those around her.

Indexing by Seanan McGuire is a unique take on fairy tales brought to life in the modern world. The story follows Agent Henrietta Marchen and her team as they work to prevent fairy tale characters like Frog Princes and Sleeping Beauties from activating and causing chaos. The narrative weaves together elements of folklore and fantasy, creating a world where fairy tales are real and dangerous. The book is structured in a serial format, with chapters released episodically, which adds a layer of suspense and anticipation to the storytelling. McGuire's writing style is described as intelligent and dense with layers of meaning, balancing between being a suspenseful thriller and a thought-provoking exploration of the power of stories.

The central concept of Indexing revolves around the Aarne Thompson folklore classification system, serving as a guidebook for the characters to navigate through the challenges presented by living fairy tales. The characters, including the lead protagonist Henry, are intriguing and not easily predictable, adding depth to the narrative. The book delves into larger themes of identity, power, family, and friendship, offering a fresh perspective on how stories shape our reality and our place within them.

'Elsewhere' by Gabrielle Zevin is a young adult novel that follows the story of fifteen-year-old Liz Hall who wakes up on an ocean liner in the afterlife after dying in a hit-and-run accident. In Elsewhere, the dead age backward until they are infants and sent back to Earth. Liz must come to terms with her death, let go of her past life, and navigate her new existence in Elsewhere. The book explores themes of life, death, grief, acceptance, and the concept of starting anew in the afterlife.

The writing style of 'Elsewhere' is described as imaginative, thought-provoking, and engaging. The author, Gabrielle Zevin, presents a unique perspective on the afterlife, creating a world that is both familiar and different from our own. The plot unfolds with a mix of humor, touching moments, and deep reflections on life and loss, making it a compelling read for young adult readers.

After Elspeth's death from leukemia, her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina, move into her flat in London where Elspeth herself is trapped as a ghost. They take up with the other residents including Elsepth's boyfriend, Robert, downstairs, and Martin, gripped by OCD upstairs. Everyone begins to come undone. The characters are completely engaging but what kept me reading was the deft handling of the plot twists and turns and the teases the author hands out that hint at Elspeth's secret, the reason she's estranged from her identical twin sister for more than 20 years. The story immerses the reader into the lives of a family and their friends that include two sets of identical twins. Most of the action takes place in London near Highgate Cemetery where we meet very English characters who are juxtaposed with the American twins who have been brought up in the United States.

'Being Dead' by Jim Crace is a unique and unconventional novel that delves into the lives and deaths of an elderly couple who are brutally murdered after a picnic at the beach. The author intricately weaves scientific descriptions of decomposition with the couple's past, including their strained relationship with their daughter. The narrative shifts back and forth in time, exploring the couple's meeting, their marriage, and the grim reality of their bodies decaying on the beach.

The book is characterized by a blend of science and storytelling, offering detailed accounts of physical decay and the natural world's reaction to death. While some readers find the story bleak and the characters unlikable, others appreciate the author's unsentimental approach to death and the unique perspective he brings to the subject matter. Overall, 'Being Dead' is described as a thought-provoking and haunting exploration of life, death, and the inevitable decay that follows.

"The Ghost Bride" by Yangsze Choo is a historical fantasy novel set in 19th-century Malaysian society. The story follows Li Lan, a young woman who is asked to become a ghost bride for the deceased son of a wealthy family. As Li Lan delves into the supernatural world to uncover the truth behind her potential groom's death, she navigates through Chinese folklore, ghost cities, vengeful spirits, and the mysterious Chinese afterlife. The narrative blends elements of romance, mystery, and cultural traditions, offering readers a unique and immersive reading experience.

The book is praised for its rich and intricate storytelling, blending historical fiction with urban fantasy elements seamlessly. Yangsze Choo's writing style is described as hauntingly beautiful, drawing readers in with its vivid descriptions and engaging narration. The novel explores themes of family, tradition, and the supernatural, providing a captivating glimpse into Chinese culture and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife.

'Smoke and Key' by Kelsey Sutton is a Gothic tale set in the late 1800s and early 1900s, taking place in a mysterious realm called Under where the dead awaken to remember their living lives. The story follows Key as she unravels the secrets of her past, encountering eerie memories and uncovering the dark side of her existence. Through a blend of suspense, historical romance, and magical elements, the novel delves into themes of death, lost love, walking corpses, and the intricate world of Under.

The book is characterized by a unique and imaginative plot that captivates readers with its morbid yet beautiful setting. Kelsey Sutton's writing style weaves together elements of mystery, fantasy, and Gothic themes, creating a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of the afterlife and the journey of self-discovery for the characters trapped in the haunting realm of Under.