'I'll Be Gone in the Dark' by Michelle McNamara. While it's a non - fiction account of the hunt for the Golden State Killer, it reads like a thriller. If you want to explore the real - life aspects that can inspire great fictional serial - killer stories, this is a good read.
'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.
'Darkly Dreaming Dexter' by Jeff Lindsay. This book is about Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood - spatter analyst who has a dark secret - he's a serial killer himself. But he only kills other killers. It has a unique take on the serial - killer genre.
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.
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.
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'.
Yes, there's 'spec - fic' which is sometimes used as an acronym for speculative fiction, which includes science fiction as a major part.
The Bebop from 'Cowboy Bebop'. The name just has a cool, jazzy feel to it. It reflects the laid - back yet action - packed nature of the show. The ship is home to a group of bounty hunters, and the name Bebop gives it a sense of being a unique and somewhat off - beat place in the science - fiction world.
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.
Zubaan is an interesting publishing house. It not only focuses on women writers but also on stories that deal with gender issues, family, and society through the medium of fiction. Speaking Tiger has been making a mark in the Indian publishing scene with its carefully curated list of fictional works. They support new and emerging voices. Karadi Tales, on the other hand, has been delighting children with its simple yet charming fictional stories for a long time. It has a great reputation for its illustrated children's fiction books.