There's 'The Monstrumologist' by Rick Yancey. It's about a young apprentice who studies monsters. The descriptions are gory and spooky, great for Halloween. 'The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein' by Kiersten White is an interesting take on the Frankenstein story, adding a new perspective. Also, 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children' by Ransom Riggs. The strange children and the time - loop setting make it a fun Halloween read.
Consider 'A Head Full of Ghosts' by Paul Tremblay. It's a modern horror story that plays with the idea of possession and reality. 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters is set in a decaying English manor and has a sense of unease throughout. And 'Bird Box' by Josh Malerman, where the unseen threats outside create a lot of tension, making it suitable for Halloween reading.
Well, there's 'Florida' by Lauren Groff. Some of the stories within it subtly explore the lives of women in different situations, often dealing with themes of oppression and the struggle for self - identity, which are relevant to feminism.
Well, there's 'The Chattahoochee Review'. It features some really fine short fiction, especially from local and regional writers that add a unique flavor. 'The Missouri Review' is also a good bet. It has a mix of traditional and contemporary short fiction. And 'The Southern Review' is known for its in - depth short fiction pieces that often explore complex themes and emotions.
Thirteen Reasons Why' by Jay Asher. This book deals with the serious topic of teen suicide. It tells the story through cassette tapes left behind by a girl who took her own life, explaining the thirteen reasons why she did it. It's a powerful and thought - provoking read that raises awareness about the importance of kindness and understanding in high school environments.
A lesser - known but great EMP prepper fiction book is 'Surviving the Collapse' by James Wesley, Rawles. It offers a different perspective on post - EMP survival with some unique survival strategies. Another one is 'EMP: End of the Grid' by Mark Goodwin. It has an interesting plot that keeps you engaged while also teaching some valuable prepping lessons.
One that's not as well - known but really good is 'The Mahabharata Secret' by Christopher C. Doyle. It combines the Mahabharata with modern - day mystery. Also, 'My Gita' by Devdutt Pattanaik is an interesting take on the Bhagavad Gita in a more accessible and fictionalized form. And 'Ahalya' by Kavita Kane, which tells the story of Ahalya in a very engaging manner.
I'm not aware of any other widely used abbreviations for science fiction apart from 'sci - fi' and 'SF'.
'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. It's set in 1896 New York City. A team of investigators, including a psychologist (the alienist), is on the hunt for a serial killer who preys on young male prostitutes. It's a great blend of historical fiction and a serial - killer thriller.
One is 'The Darling'. It's a complex story about a woman's journey through different political and personal landscapes. Another is 'Lost Memory of Skin', which is an interesting exploration of a young man's life on the fringes of society.
The anime 'Run with the Wind' features an underdog story. Kakeru, who has a troubled past, joins a university's running team. The team itself isn't made up of star athletes. They face many difficulties and stronger rival teams. But they train hard and support each other. Kakeru, in particular, has to overcome his inner demons as well as physical challenges. They strive to compete in the Hakone Ekiden, which is a huge goal for them as underdogs.
Yes, there's 'spec - fic' which is sometimes used as an acronym for speculative fiction, which includes science fiction as a major part.