Vancouver Public Library and V.I.A. have teamed up to help you discover new reads, hidden book gems and surprising literary finds. Check back every couple of weeks for the latest reading recommendations from the experts at Vancouver’s library.
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Excitement is heating up for this week's movie release of The Dark Tower, based on Stephen King's popular book series. For fans looking for more of this mix of western, fantasy, science fiction and horror, VPL's reading experts share this list of must-reads:
The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson
This epic fantasy is a treat for fans of Brandon Sanderson's bestselling Mistborn series. Explore the Cosmere universe and follow best friends Wax and Wayne, as they search for the Bands of Mourning – magical bands that give power to the wearer.
The Cold Eye by Laura Anne Gilman
This sequel to Laura Anne Gilman’s Silver on the Road follows Isobel, the new left hand of the Devil. Traveling to the west of the Mississippi with her mentor, Gabriel, they come across unrest and danger. It's a fantastical story where magic and spiritual worlds collide.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Jason Dessen is taken at gunpoint and wakes up to a completely different life. His wife is not his wife, his son was never born, and he's a celebrated genius – but which world is real? Jason must journey to the deepest part of himself while fighting off new (or possibly old) enemies to find the truth.
Dead Man's Hand edited by John Joseph Adams
Welcome to the Weird West! This anthology of short stories brings together the Wild West, science fiction and fantasy. You'll come across everything from gunfights with vampires, steampunk bordellos, aliens, sorcery and more.
El Diablo by Brian Azzarello and Danijel Zezelj
This graphic novel features a small-town sheriff named Moses Stone, who is trying to escape his past. Hot on his heels is El Diablo – a gunman bent on retribution after discovering Stone’s dark secret.
The Half-Made World by Felix Gilman
In this magical reimagining of the Wild West, the world is caught in a war between two groups of demonic spirits. Meanwhile, a young psychiatrist tries to uncover a secret weapon to bring peace and stop the mass destruction.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
This story is told through the eyes of an artist, who returns to his childhood home and recalls early memories of mystical and magical forces. There, he is drawn into a world of evil and faces unexpected sacrifices.
Pretty Deadly by Kelly DeConnick and Emma Rios
This is the origin story of Death's daughter, Ginny. It's a tale of retribution that combines beautiful illustrations, a generous cast of characters and raw brutality. You'll enjoy how this graphic novel series fuses together magical realism and a common western theme – revenge.
Saint Odd by Dean Koontz
In this final instalment of Dean Koontz's popular Odd Thomas series, the likeable character is given a hero's send-off after being at odds with society for so long. Having travelled far to strange and mysterious places, Old Thomas returns to where it all began to face one last challenge.
The Six-Gun Tarot by R.S Belcher
Golgotha is not your average cattle town. Strange things happen here and the town is shrouded with unnatural secrets: a sheriff bearing a mystical mark of a noose around his neck, a half-human deputy who runs with coyotes, and a darkness that stirs in an abandoned silver mine on the edge of town.
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