Fairy Tale, by Stephen King (Scribner), is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.

As the pandemic descended, King asked himself: “What could you write that would make you happy?” Here’s the result, inspired by a sudden vision he had of an immense but empty, shattered city, with life pulsing just beneath the surface. His protagonist is Charlie Reade, whose mother died in a hit-and-run when he was ten and whose father subsequently disappeared into drink. At 17, self-sufficient Charlie befriends a dog named Radar and his crusty, reclusive master, Howard Bowditch, for whom he starts doing odd jobs. A cassette Bowditch leaves for Charlie at his death shares a secret: that funny shed at the back of his house contains a portal to another world, where a battle between good and evil is roaring. Boy and dog pass through the portal for the adventure of their lives. With a 1.5 million copy first printing.—Barbara Hoffert

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward (Tor Nightfire; LJ starred review)

Appeared on the September 2021 LibraryReads list

“In a boarded-up house on a remote street live recluse Ted, his daughter Lauren, Dee (sister of a long-missing girl), and Olivia, a Bible-quoting cat. Wonderfully eerie and twisted psychological horror, with an ending you’re sure you’ve read before (until you realize you haven’t). For fans of Stephen Graham Jones and Shirley Jackson”. —Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX

No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull (Blackstone; LJ starred review)

Appeared on the September 2021 LibraryReads list

"As creatures from myth and legend reveal themselves to be real, we’re reminded that people often are the actual monsters. Turnbull’s prose is gorgeous and lush, using contemporary fantasy as a lens to examine real-world oppression and injustice. For fans of Victor LaValle, Tade Thompson, and Marlon James."—Carol Ann Tack, Merrick Library, Merrick, NY

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky (Grand Central)

Appeared on the October 2019 LibraryReads list

"Christopher and his mom run from an abusive boyfriend and seek peace and quiet in a new town. Instead, Christopher becomes agitated and sneaks out at night, doing anything a "nice man" tells him to do. This is pure horror, a classic battle of good and evil, and a must for fans of Stephen King, Joe Hill, and Paul Tremblay.”—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX