NOS4A2

Written by: Joe Hill

First line: Nurse Thornton dropped into the long-term-care ward a little before eight with a hot bag of blood for Charlie Manx.

Why you should read this book: Another powerhouse of a novel from author Joe Hill, with a strong but troubled female protagonist, a worthy villain, and a fresh new take on vampires, the theater of the imagination, and the determination of the human spirit in the face of the worst kind of physical and emotional pain. Vic has a talent for finding things, as long as her beloved bicycle can carry her to the magic bridge that takes her where she needs to be while Charlie Manx uses a similar skill to locate unhappy children and suck their essence out of them through the medium of his 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith. A rich landscape (inner and outer) along with a fantastic cast of supporting characters, combined with the fascinating depictions of protagonist and antagonist bring this gristly horror novel to life.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You're dreaming of a white Christmas.