Fear

Should we heed our fears, or work to overcome them? Suppress and ignore them, or face them head-on? Do we fight—or should we flight? These books unpack the universal human emotion of fear.

The Lake

by Natasha Preston

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Nostalgia, Mental Health, Death, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Trauma & Abuse

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The Lamb

by Lucy Rose

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mothers, Coming of Age, Daughters & Sons, Conflict, Fear, Guilt, Femininity, Appearance & Reality, Good & Evil, Safety & Danger

Tags Horror & Suspense, Gothic Literature, LGBTQ+

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The Lies of Locke Lamora

by Scott Lynch

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Religion & Spirituality, Death, Childhood & Youth, The Past, Coming of Age, Language, Family, Teamwork, Social Class, Community, Politics & Government, Nation

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Crime Fiction

The Lies of Locke Lamora, written by Scott Lynch and published in 2006, is the first entry in the Gentleman Bastards series. These novels mix caper stories and fantasy stories and include adventure, violence, dark humor, and intimate friendships. The Lies of Locke Lamora is an international best seller and was nominated for multiple awards. The other entries in the series are Red Seas Under Red Skies, The Republic of Thieves, and The Thorn of... Read The Lies of Locke Lamora Summary

The Life She Was Given

by Ellen Marie Wiseman

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Disability, Coming of Age, Animals, Place, Mothers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Beauty, Fame, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Drama, Animals, World History, Dramatic Literature

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The Light We Carry

by Michelle Obama

Publication year 2022

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Self Discovery, Friendship, Family, Marriage, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Conflict, Gratitude

Tags Politics & Government, Social Justice, Self-Improvement, US History, Race & Racism, Diversity, Parenting, Relationships, Inspirational, Biography

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The Lottery Rose

by Irene Hunt

Publication year 1976

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, Environment, Plants

Tags Realistic Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Irene Hunt’s 1976 middle grade novel The Lottery Rose focuses on a young boy named Georgie who hides the evidence of his abuse and neglect at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, Steve. After Georgie wins a rosebush at his local grocery store, he becomes attached to the shrub and passionately cares for it. Georgie’s life changes when the court system places him in an all-boys Catholic school, where he meets adults who... Read The Lottery Rose Summary

The Lover

by Marguerite Duras

Publication year 1984

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Siblings, Family, Memory, Guilt, Community, Shame & Pride, Love, Forgiveness, Fear, Hope

Tags Relationships, American Literature, French Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Romance, Classic Fiction

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The Love Wager

by Lynn Painter

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Family, Fate, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Hope, Loneliness, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Self Discovery

Tags Romance, Humor, Contemporary Literature

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The Madness of Crowds

by Louise Penny

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Fear, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Disability, Appearance & Reality, Death, Family, Teamwork, Community, Politics & Government, Good & Evil, Justice, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense

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The Mad Wife

by Meagan Church

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Guilt, Loneliness, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Midlife, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Family, Marriage, Mothers, Community, Equality, Science & Technology

Tags Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Domestic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Horror & Suspense

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