BONUS: Steve Interviews the Railroad Man Yuri Lowenthal

John Darnielle's "Wolf in White Van" is a captivating novel that delves into the psyche of Sean, a young man grappling with the aftermath of a suicide attempt. The narrative unfolds through interwoven timelines, exploring Sean's childhood obsession with fantasy games and his creation of a mail-order role-playing game called "S. T. A. R. S. " The story intertwines Sean's troubled past with the tragic deaths of two children who played his game, raising questions about responsibility and the blurring lines between reality and fantasy. Darnielle masterfully portrays Sean's complex character, revealing his vulnerabilities and the lasting impact of trauma. The novel's exploration of mental health, the power of imagination, and the consequences of our actions makes it a thought-provoking and unforgettable read.

The Passage is set in a near-future world where a government experiment involving a virus from a South American bat species leads to an apocalyptic outbreak. The virus transforms people into superhuman, vampire-like creatures known as 'virals'. The story follows FBI agent Brad Wolgast and six-year-old Amy Harper Bellafonte as they navigate this new world. The novel spans over a century, beginning with the origins of the virus and its immediate aftermath, and then jumping forward 93 years to follow a colony of survivors in California. The narrative is rich in character development and uses various storytelling devices such as emails, journal entries, and newspaper reports to paint a vivid picture of a world in collapse and the resilience of its survivors.