Prompt Response

Recommendations based on NoveList and Experience

1. The fourth Anita Blake book is titled The Lunatic Cafe, released in January 1996. However, if you are looking for the Anita Blake series of graphic novels - Anita Blake, vampire hunter: the laughing corpse, the fourth book is titled, The Necromancer. Laurell K. Hamilton has many different series. These books listed above match what the patron is looking for. Depending on what kind of book he/she is looking for - novel or graphic novel - these books would fit in that description. They are both listed on NoveList as the fourth book in the series.
2. I would suggest to read Anthill by E.O. Wilson or The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Triglani. Anthill has a similar writing style, lush, lyrical, and richly detailed. It also has a fast-paced storyline, which seems to be more what you are looking for. Anthill is in the ecofiction genre, depicting a modern-day Huck Finn striving to protecting endangered land. If you would like to try a different genre, The Queen of the Big Time may be a good book to check out. It is fast-paced and character-driven. However, this genre is more mainstream fiction or coming-of-age. Depending on what genre you are looking for, both of these books contain a faster pace and stunning storyline.
3. I have a few suggestions concerning Japanese historical fiction. The Garden of Evening Mists by Twan Eng, Child of Vengeance by David Kirk, or The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz. The Garden of Evening Mists takes place after World War II, where Yun Ling Teoh seeks comfort after the war. She discovers a Japanese garden cared by an exiled Japanese royal gardener. As Teoh recovers from the war, she learns more about the garden and the people around her. This character-driven novel not only speaks to Japanese history after World War II, but also offers insight to what people felt during that time. Child of Vengeance takes place in feudal Japan. This novel is based on 17th century warrior-poet Mushashi Miyamoto, who strives to be a samurai after learning about his father’s death. This novel features violence and drama, but gives readers a true picture of what life was like in feudal Japan. The Commoner takes place in 1959 and in the 1980s. This may be too modern, but offers readers a perspective on common people in Japan integrated into royalty. Haruko marries the Crown Prince of Japan, the first commoner to do so. Thirty years later, she has to marry off her son. This book describes the commoners experience in royal Japan.  There are countless others. If any of those sound of interest, let me know. Otherwise, we can look at others.
4. I have a few suggestions for you: A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George, Roseanna by Maj Sjowall, or Still Life by Louise Penny. A Great Deliverance is the first in the series of the books you have read. This is the first of the Thomas Lynley mysteries. If you really liked that novel, you can always stick with the same series. If you want something a little different, Roseanna by Maj Sjowall focuses on a mystery of an unknown body, a girl who was raped. No one knows the identity of the victim or her killer. This character-driven and suspenseful novel keeps the reader going, wanting to find justice for this woman. The ending is compelling. Still Life features a story that is not as grim, but leisurely paced. In a small town, a well-known and loved woman is found in the woods murdered. The Chief Inspector looks for clues that will point to the murder. 
5. If your husband would like something with zombies, I would recommend I am Legend by Richard Matheson. It is a movie that features vampires, but the book focuses on zombies. It’s an excellent book with a fast-paced storyline. If he would like something a little newer, yet classical, there is a novel titled Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith. Grahame-Smith takes on the classic tale of Pride and Prejudice on a whole new level, with Zombies. There is also a graphic novel series of the Walking Dead. Written by Robert Kirkman, turns the TV series to a graphic novel. It gives the series a whole new perspective. 
6. Depending on what genre you like there are a few that I can suggest. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins just became movies. These are excellent thrillers and are set in modern day. They feature unreliable narrators and keep you turning the page. If you would like something more historical, The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman was just released. It takes place in World War II, where a family in Poland hid Jews in their zoo. It’s an excellent story. If you would like a feel-good, family novel, I would check out Wonder by R.J. Palacio. This features a boy named Auggie with a genetic abnormality, which makes his face deformed. It’s his journey of starting school, instead of homeschool. Dealing with bullies, real friends, and boy stuff, Auggie gives readers an authentic and emotional experience. If you would like something a little older, teen fiction, Everything, everything by Nicola Yoon was just released. Yoon depicts a teenage girl, who is literally allergic to everything outside her home, who meets a boy next door. It’s her journey literally and figuratively, outside her home, finding herself. 
7. For a clean thriller/suspense novel, I would suggest The Present Darkness or The Oath by Frank E. Peretti or If You Knew My Sister by Michelle Adams. The Present Darkness is Christian fiction, but is fast-paced and does not contain foul language or any sex scenes. The Present Darkness takes place in a typical small town, where a pastor and skeptical reporter begin to talk about darkness and evil in the town. This leads to a battle between good and evil. The Oath is another Frank Peretti book about a man who investigates his brother’s murder. He travels to the town near where his brother is killed and finds something more unsettling, a town controlled by evil. If You Knew My Sister is a psychological thriller, showing the relationships between two estranged sisters. The characters are twisted and unlikeable, but the storyline is intricately plotted. There’s no mention of any violence, foul language, or sex scenes. This seems like a great novel that brings you in the second you begin to read it.

How I find books to read:

• Student recommendations: Sometimes a student will say, “read this!” or “take a look at this book!” and I will. It’s so great when a student wants you to read what they have held near and dear to their heart.
• School Library Journal/NoveList top books to read: I like to look at the top books of the year or the next best thing! I try and stay on top of all of those, but sometimes I can’t read all the books I want to read. I make a list of all the books I want to read in all different kinds of genres. I want to make sure that I stay on top of those books for my students, but also because I want to read the newest and best!
• Half-Price Books: My favorite used-book store. I love going there and finding a used book - or new book (with a discount) to read! They always have a good book tucked away or a great new book on display to intrigue you to read it. 
• GoodReads: I usually use GoodReads to share which books that I have read, not really to look at other books. But, I do like to use GoodReads when I recommend books to others, even my students. Sometimes I find a book that I want to read, depending on my search techniques.