Where to Start Reading David Arnold
Since all of David Arnold's books are standalone works set in their own unique worlds, you can dive in wherever you like. However, depending on your preferred genre, here are the best starting points:
- For the classic contemporary voice: Start with his debut, Mosquitoland. It is a brilliant road-trip story that perfectly showcases his signature style: quirky, highly distinct character voices, offbeat humor, and deep emotional resonance.
- For speculative science fiction: Start with The Electric Kingdom, a post-apocalyptic survival story that swaps contemporary realism for a world devastated by a deadly pandemic of spore-bearing flies.
- For lyrical romance: Start with I Loved You in Another Life, a speculative romance centered on two teenagers who find their souls repeatedly drawn together across different historical eras.
David Arnold Books in Publication Order
Reading David Arnold's bibliography in publication order allows you to follow his transition from writing contemporary coming-of-age fiction to experimenting with surrealism, speculative romance, and post-apocalyptic science fiction.
Standalone Novels
- Mosquitoland (2015) – The story of Mim Malone, a teenager who boards a Greyhound bus from Mississippi to Ohio to find her sick mother, meeting an eccentric cast of characters along the way.
- Kids of Appetite (2016) – A dual-narrative tragicomedy following Vic Leonard, a boy with Moebius syndrome, and Mad, a girl who belongs to a tight-knit group of homeless misfits attempting to scatter a father's ashes.
- The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik (2018) – A surreal coming-of-age novel about a teenager who finds his entire perception of his family, history, and friendships altered after being hypnotized.
- The Electric Kingdom (2021) – A speculative post-apocalyptic novel set in New England, where a group of survivors navigates a world overrun by the deadly "Fly Flu" and a mysterious entity known as the Deliverer.
- I Loved You in Another Life (2023) – A multi-lifetime love story focusing on Shosh and Evan, two modern teenagers grieving personal losses who realize they are bound by a song and a shared history across centuries.
Graphic Novels
- Luminous Beings (2024) – Written by David Arnold and illustrated by José Pimienta (with colors by C.A.P. Ward). This graphic novel takes place over a single day, following friends Ty, Burger, Miles, and Fib as they film a documentary in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by undead, glowing-eyed zombie squirrels.
Anthologies and Contributions
- Behind the Song (2017) – A young adult anthology edited by K.M. Walton. David Arnold contributed a personal essay-style story titled "The Plan (or How Hootie and Alanis Saved My Life)," describing his early days as a musician and his transition to writing.
Deep Dive: What to Know Before You Start
David Arnold's writing style is heavily influenced by his background as a professional musician and songwriter. His prose is rhythmic, lyrical, and filled with musical motifs and references. Key themes across his works include the power of found family, the struggles of teenage mental health, grief, and the beauty of human connection. While books like The Electric Kingdom offer high stakes and survivalist action, his contemporary novels prioritize strong character introspection and voice over fast-paced plotting.