Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Ask a bookseller
Emily Bright

Ask a bookseller, Halloween edition: An apocalyptic read keeps you asking 'what else could happen?'

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Leave the World Behind
"Leave the World Behind" by Rumaan Alam
Courtesy of publisher

This Halloween, Gretchen West of Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, Minn., recommends the novel “Leave the World Behind” by Rumaan Alam, which came out earlier this month. 

It begins with a utopia gone wrong. A family of four is vacationing off the grid at a secluded rental on the East Coast, when they are interrupted by a knock at the door. The owners of the rental (so they say) have fled a mysterious blackout in New York City and would like to come stay. Service and Wi-Fi is down (naturally), and from there, the family notices many happenings that are not quite right: strange animal noises, cracks in the windows, and other chilling sounds.  

West says, “you know there’s something apocalyptic going on, but it’s not this violent, graphic apocalyptic story. It’s just very ominous and unsettling.” As the author reveals details bit by bit, West says she found herself asking, “What would I do in this situation? How would I protect my loved ones when I don’t know what the danger is?...One of the things I’ve constantly been thinking this year is ‘What else could happen? What else could happen in 2020?’ and I found myself thinking the same thing while I was reading the book.” That not-knowing kept her turning pages and then eagerly discussing with friends afterward.