Reading scary book in library/Shutterstock
Vancouver Public Library and V.I.A. have teamed up to help you discover new reads, hidden book gems and surprising literary finds.
The days are getting darker and it’s the perfect time to sink your teeth into some good ol’ monster stories.
This month, you can vote for your ultimate Halloween monster from literature with the #LitMonsterBracket on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. And to get you into the mood for things that lurk in the dark, VPL’s reading experts have rounded up this list of top book picks for all monster fans.
If you dream of being a White Walker:
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
Game of Thrones fans will love this dark fantasy novel that features necromancers and undead hordes ruled by the mysterious Dead King. The book also has warring factions, lots of gore and a ruthless hero.
If you need to unleash your inner Orc:
An Orc on the Wild Side by Tom Holt
This is a fun and satirical look at the lives of Orcs, Goblins and other ‘evil’ folk. Tom Holt’s take on the Lord of the Rings army flips convention on its head. If you wanted to know more about the day-to-day lives of the evil-doers in a Tolkeinesque setting, look no further!
If Dracula just gets you:
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Like Stoker’s Dracula, Anne Rice’s Lestat de Lioncourt has helped shape how we view vampires today. Among other similarities, they’re both wealthy nobles, handsome and charismatic – all of which help them hide their true nature.
If Twilight is your jam:
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Twilight fans will like Lissa, a mortal vampire also known as a Moroi princess. With her part-human-part-vampire best friend, Rose, they go about their high-school lives with a cast of supernatural creatures.
If you can’t get enough of Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang:
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Just like Jacob Two-Two, the Baudelaire children end up trapped. But instead of a dreaded Hooded Fang as their captor, their monster is the evil Count Olaf, who is plotting to steal their fortune. In the face of endless unpleasant adventures, they must find their own way out of their unfortunate situation.
If you want to hang with the Wild Things:
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
Where the Wild Things Are is a staple for parents and kids alike. Fans will fall in love with The Gruffalo – a rhyming story about a clever mouse who scares off predators with tales of a horrifying monster, and then comes face-to-face with a hungry Gruffalo.
If Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is more your vibe:
Mort by Terry Pratchett
Death is looking to hire some help with work so he can (ironically) start living life a little. In comes Mort, and he discovers it’s an absurd world with a lot of perks. That is, until you fall for the boss’ daughter.
If you’re the biggest fan of It:
The Pilo Family Circus by Will Elliott
Jamie is just a regular guy who finds himself thrown into the terrible alternate universe of the Pilo Family Circus, a place filled with psychotic clowns. Fans of It will get a thrill out of looking beyond the white face paint at the monstrous truth that lies beneath.
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