The Road, Cormac McCarthy, BL 4.0, MY
A father and son struggle through a post-apocalyptic world, pushing their belongings in a shopping trolley along the road of the title, hoping to find a better place. We never discover the cause of the apocalypse but the sun no longer shines and anyone left alive is reduced to scavenging and cannibalism. It’s not very cheery but it is great writing. (It’s also a film staring Viggo Mortensen.)

Dark Calling, Darren Shan, BL 5.0, MY
The latest and ninth in the Demonata series about …well, demons and stuff (as opposed to the vampires with whom Shan populates his other Saga of … series). Any explanation requires knowledge of the themes of the other titles but reviews suggest fans will not be disappointed. Newcomers would probably be better of starting with Lord Loss, the first book in the series.

Ghost Hunter, Michelle Paver, BL 4.6, MY
In the sixth and final book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, Souls' Night is drawing near. Torak must leave the Forest and seek Eostra the Eagle Owl Mage's lair in the Mountain of Ghosts, and Wolf must overcome wrenching grief before the final battle against the forces of darkness. (And if you understood that you must have read the others.)