A writer's journey with the fan bases of Phish and Insane Clown Posse describes his unexpected discovery of how both groups have tapped the human need for community, a finding that coincided with his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Fourteen-year-old John creates alternative realities in his mind as he tries to deal with his mother's abusive boyfriend, his crush on a beautiful, but shallow classmate, and other problems at school.

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't. Lauren Oliver astonished readers with her stunning debut, Before I Fall. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it "raw, emotional, and, at times, beautiful. An end as brave as it is heartbreaking." Her much-awaited second novel fulfills her promise as an exceptionally talented and versatile writer.

All eyes were on Suzy. She was wavering between making a dash to their safe room (a cement bunker located behind a hidden door in their downstairs guest bathroom that she had insisted on constructing when they fi rst moved in, after all, everyone knows that the suburbs are rife with crime) with Guido clutched to her breast or trying to beat Guido to the front door so that she could be the fi rst to see what I had in store for my next trick. She leaned over and softly whispered in my ear Just so you know; if you hurt him I personally will hunt you down! There will be no police, no FBI, no lawyers, no jury, no arrest, no appeal, just me! The Bible says that vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. I say that if it is good enough for God then it is good enough for me.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

He’s hiding a dark secret ... But so is she A stunning new thriller about the burden of shame from blockbuster author Sara Foster Lizzie Burdett was eighteen when she vanished, and Noah Carruso has never forgotten her. She was his first crush, his unrequited love. She was also his brother’s girlfriend. Tom Carruso hasn’t been home in over a decade. He left soon after Lizzie disappeared under a darkening cloud of suspicion, and now he’s back for the inquest into Lizzie’s disappearance—intent on telling his side of the story. As the inquest looms, Noah meets Alice Pryce on holiday. They fall for each other fast and hard, but Noah can’t bear to tell Alice his deepest fears. And Alice is equally stricken—she carries a terrible secret of her own. Is the truth worth telling if it will destroy everything?

short stories