Kelly Murashige

Monika can''t bring herself to celebrate her last summer before college. Instead, she''s still grieving the loss of the one classmate who didn''t make it to graduation, a boy named Shun with whom she had a complicated relationship. Then, during her final Japanese Club meeting, Monika hears about the Yomigaeri Tunnel, a local urban legend. Those who venture into this mythological passageway undergo harrowing trials to confront their hidden secrets and worst fears. According to the lore, anyone who makes it through the journey is rewarded with the ability to resurrect one soul from the dead. Monika jumps at the chance to bring back Shun, but she soon discovers she''s not alone. Sharp-tongued and fierce Shiori is hell-bent on reviving her mother and won''t let anyone stop her. As Monika and Shiori confront the ghosts of their pasts, they have to decide: Are they friends, or foes? This emotional, offbeat book about hope and healing is an essential read for anyone who''s ever needed a friend in the darkness.

''I wish to become one of those round vacuum cleaner robots.'' That''s what Machi prays for at the altar of Japanese goddess Benzaiten. Ever since her two best friends decided they want nothing to do with her, Machi hasn''t been able to speak. After months of online school and a carousel of therapists, she can no longer see the point of being human. She doesn''t expect Benzaiten to hear her prayer, much less offer a different prayer on Machi''s behalf - that Machi discover the beauty of humanity, ultimately restoring her to her previous self. Benzaiten is enamoured with the human world and, as she''s the goddess of love, humanity is enamoured right back. Being second-best once again isn''t helping Machi move past her trauma, and with each adventure they share, Machi is reminded of everything she''s lost. It isn''t until Machi starts interacting with the souls of the dead - which tends to happen around Benzaiten - that she starts to rediscover her place among the living. From an author to watch, The Lost Souls of Benzaiten is a highly original debut about the nature of happiness and the potential for healing.