Top Ten Tuesday: Monster Book Recommendations

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Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday! Today, I'm recommending "Monster" books. Not all of these books are scary, but they all feature monstrous creatures (or humans who behave like monsters). I loved every book on this list and think you'll love them too.

👽  Monster Book Recommendations  👾

The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood

Middlegrade Fantasy

Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.

Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.

But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?

Why I love it: This is book #1 of a completely addictive 6-book series. Even though I'm a very serious grownup, I loved reading about the "wolf children" and their quirky young governess. The series is packed with hilarious writing and mysteries to solve. Were these orphans really raised by wolves? And why did grumpy Lord Ashton agree to take them into his fancy home? And what are these rumors about a curse? This series will make you smile and keep you turning pages.

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Smoke And Mirrors: Short Fictions And Illusions by Neil Gaiman

Adult Speculative Short Story Collection

In Gaiman's first book of short stories, his imagination and supreme artistry transform a mundane world into a place of terrible wonders: a place where an old woman can purchase the Holy Grail at a thrift store, where assassins advertise their services in the Yellow Pages under "Pest Control," and where a frightened young boy must barter for his life with a mean-spirited troll living beneath a bridge by the railroad tracks. Explore a new reality, obscured by smoke and darkness, yet brilliantly tangible, in this extraordinary collection of short works by a master prestidigitator. It will dazzle your senses, touch your heart, and haunt your dreams.

Why I love it: People, this is how you write fantasy short stories! They're dark and weird and bloody and magical. The author is amazing at weaving the mundane with the fantastical. The stories start out ultra-realistic, but then there's suddenly a demon or troll or something. It catches you off-guard, but it still feels entirely plausible in the story's setting. Of course there's a troll under a bridge or a demon attacking stray cats. As soon as I finished one story, I started another because I wanted to know what horrifying thing Neil Gaiman would think of next. He has a perfectly twisted imagination.

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The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey

Adult Horror

Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius."

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.

Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn't know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad.

Why I love it: I knew my fear of mushrooms wasn't irrational! They're creepy! They have a nefarious plan to take over the world. It's all detailed in this book! On the surface, this is a zombie novel, but it has more depth than a typical zombie story. It's about the power that teachers have over the lives of their students and how a good teacher can transform a kid's whole existence. It's about found families and standing up for people who can't protect themselves. I recommend this book if you're looking for a story that will restore your faith in humanity while also giving you nightmares.

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Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Young Adult Science Fiction

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

Why I love it: It's about a murderous spaceship AI. Who can resist a story about a murder robot? I can't. I love the book because it's fast-paced and hilarious. You'll never forget these characters. I've read it multiple times and recently decided to check out the audiobook because it's written like a radio play. There are sound effects and a big cast of narrators. If you're searching for a unique audiobook, I recommend this one! It will definitely hold your attention.

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The Year Of The Witching by Alexis Henderson

Young Adult Horror

In the lands of Bethel, where the Prophet’s word is law, Immanuelle Moore’s very existence is blasphemy. Her mother’s union with an outsider of a different race cast her once-proud family into disgrace, so Immanuelle does her best to worship the Father, follow Holy Protocol, and lead a life of submission, devotion, and absolute conformity, like all the other women in the settlement.

But a mishap lures her into the forbidden Darkwood surrounding Bethel, where the first prophet once chased and killed four powerful witches. Their spirits are still lurking there, and they bestow a gift on Immanuelle: the journal of her dead mother, who Immanuelle is shocked to learn once sought sanctuary in the wood.

Fascinated by the secrets in the diary, Immanuelle finds herself struggling to understand how her mother could have consorted with the witches. But when she begins to learn grim truths about the Church and its history, she realizes the true threat to Bethel is its own darkness. And she starts to understand that if Bethel is to change, it must begin with her.

Why I love it: I've read a few books recently where the "witches" aren't actually witches. That isn't the case with this novel. These witches are terrifying! This book is brimming with tension and atmosphere. The cover perfectly matches the mood of the novel. There is blood rain, a creepy villain, an oppressive Puritan society, and a badass main character who is determined to find out what the heck is going on. I can't believe this is a debut novel. It's so polished. Please pick it up during spooky season!

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The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Adult Fantasy

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

Why I love it: VE Schwab is one of my favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint! In 1700s France, a young woman makes a deal with a mischievous god. She wants absolute freedom. He gives her immortality, but she’s cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. I love how the author examines the upsides and downsides of freedom. Addie can do whatever she wants because she can’t die, and there are no consequences for her actions because people forget her as soon as she leaves their sight. Sounds awesome, right? The author also captures Addie’s crushing loneliness and her struggle to survive. She can’t make meaningful connections with people. She can’t keep a job or own a house. It’s a fascinating and thought-provoking novel that will make you question what you really want from life.

 

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CEMETERY BOYS BY AIDEN THOMAS

Young Adult Paranormal Fiction

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He’s determined to find out what happened and tie up some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave.

Why I love it: This novel helped me escape from life, which made me very happy. It’s fast-paced, unique, and funny. Cemetery Boys is young adult paranormal fiction about a teenage boy who wants to be a brujo and summon the dead. His family won’t let him become a brujo, so of course he does the ceremony behind their backs and accidentally summons the ghost of his school’s recently murdered bad boy. Oops. Chaos ensues. There’s a sweet love story and a compelling murder mystery. It’s all highly entertaining. I flew through this book. I couldn’t put it down.

 

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MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER BY OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE

Adult Literary Fiction

Korede is bitter. How could she not be? Her sister, Ayoola, is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola's third boyfriend in a row is dead.

Korede's practicality is the sisters' saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood, the trunk of her car is big enough for a body, and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures of her dinner to Instagram when she should be mourning her "missing" boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit.

Korede has long been in love with a kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where she works. She dreams of the day when he will realize that she's exactly what he needs. But when he asks Korede for Ayoola's phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and how far she's willing to go to protect her.

Why I love it: The story is set in Nigeria and stars two sisters who are opposites. One is flighty and beautiful and uses her looks to get away with literal murder. The other is plain and responsible and buries the bodies her sister leaves behind. The book is about how society is willing to overlook the bad behavior of beautiful women and how parents have different expectations for their older and younger children. Neither of my sisters are serial killers (as far as I know), but I still saw parallels between our lives and the lives of the characters.

 

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The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Young Adult Fantasy

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice's life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice's grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: Her mother is stolen away--by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: "Stay away from the Hazel Wood."

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother's cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

Why I love it: I enjoyed the heck out of this story. I guess it’s an Alice in Wonderland retelling? The main character is named Alice, and she ends up in a fantasy world full of vicious creatures. If you like Seanan McGuire’s Every Heart A Doorway, you need to check out this book. Alice’s grandmother is an author, and terrible things happen to the people who read her books. When Alice’s mother disappears, she sets out with a friend to confront her grandmother and uncover the mystery of her grandmother’s scary little book. The Hazel Wood is a compelling mystery with tons of twists. 

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SURVIVING THE EXTREMES: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY AND MIND AT THE LIMITS OF HUMAN ENDURANCE BY KENNETH KAMLER, MD

Adult Medical Nonfiction

A vice president of the legendary Explorers Club, as well as surgeon, explorer, and masterful storyteller, Dr. Kenneth Kamler has spent years discovering what happens to the human body in extreme environmental conditions. Divided into six sections—jungle, high seas, desert, underwater, high altitude, and outer space—this book uses firsthand testimony and documented accounts to investigate the science of what a body goes through and explains why people survive—and why they sometimes don’t.

Why I love it: Nature is pretty monstrous. If you’re interested in medical nonfiction, this book is completely captivating. And completely horrifying. It kept me awake for several nights because I couldn’t stop reading. The book is exactly what it says on the cover. The author is an “extreme medicine” doctor who works with astronauts, deep ocean divers, and mountain climbers. The book is about what happens to the human body in environments that are not human friendly. The stories the author tells are simultaneously terrifying and amazing. That’s why I couldn’t stop reading them. I like every chapter, but I think my favorite is the one about Everest. I’m never going to climb that mountain. Nope, nope, not worth the potentially horrific side effects . . . .

 

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Recommend some monster books!