Completed 7 Reads in August.
Billy Summers by Stephen King:
This one starts with a story about a hit man on his last job. There is much more depth to the story as King gradually explains the events of the protagonist’s life that created the man he is. At the midway point the story changes dramatically. King writes a story without any supernatural elements. The closest it comes is some strong ties to The Shining and a passing nod to The Stand. This one has made it into my top King reads and I am hoping the story is continued in some way.
5 Stars
Kin by Kealan Patrick burke:
This is a re-read of a classic horror story about a murderous family and a survivors attempt at revenge.
5 Stars
Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar:
I will start by saying that maybe my expectations were to high going into this one. I absolutely loved all the stories in ‘A Long December’. Fiction that reads like true crime is right in my wheel house. While I enjoyed the story elements did not work for me. The story is based on a fictional 22 year old Richard Chizmar’s interest in a string of killings in his small town. I think two elements reduced my enjoyment of this story. The first was, having the story narrated by a person whose only connection to the events was proximity and his interest in being a horror writer. The second was that the background details about the narrator’s life had nothing to do with the crimes. Decent read but I expected more.
3 Stars
Sympathy for the Devil by Kent Anderson:
This is a tale about a man who joins the Green Berets right out of college and serves two tours in Vietnam. The story covers his decision to serve, the brutality and dehumanization of serving and the difficulties of returning to life as a civilian after the experiences. Overall a very well told story.
4 Stars
Dark Across the Bay by Ania Ahlborn:
A family of four, each experiencing their own crisis, finds a vacation home on a private island in a bay. The weekend is supposed to bring them back together. The narration of the story is very unique. Each chapter is from the view of a member of the family. The author does a great job of telling a linear story while jumping between viewpoints. I previously read Brother and Seed by Mrs. Ahlborn and felt they were basically the same story told with modifications. This story showed a range from the author. My only criticism would be that some elements were predictable.
4 Stars
Born Standing Up: A Comics Life by Steve Martin:
Steve Martin tells a compelling story of his life. From his childhood working at Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm, his struggling to succeed in stand up, his success and then the decision to walk away. Very entertaining and informative.
4 Stars
Station Two by Jack Ketchum:
This story was published as a chapbook. The story tells of one dinner shift in a restaurant where madness unfolds. The story kept making me think about Stephen King’s Lunch at the Gotham café. To be honest Gotham Café is a better story.
3 Stars
Billy Summers by Stephen King:
This one starts with a story about a hit man on his last job. There is much more depth to the story as King gradually explains the events of the protagonist’s life that created the man he is. At the midway point the story changes dramatically. King writes a story without any supernatural elements. The closest it comes is some strong ties to The Shining and a passing nod to The Stand. This one has made it into my top King reads and I am hoping the story is continued in some way.
5 Stars
Kin by Kealan Patrick burke:
This is a re-read of a classic horror story about a murderous family and a survivors attempt at revenge.
5 Stars
Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar:
I will start by saying that maybe my expectations were to high going into this one. I absolutely loved all the stories in ‘A Long December’. Fiction that reads like true crime is right in my wheel house. While I enjoyed the story elements did not work for me. The story is based on a fictional 22 year old Richard Chizmar’s interest in a string of killings in his small town. I think two elements reduced my enjoyment of this story. The first was, having the story narrated by a person whose only connection to the events was proximity and his interest in being a horror writer. The second was that the background details about the narrator’s life had nothing to do with the crimes. Decent read but I expected more.
3 Stars
Sympathy for the Devil by Kent Anderson:
This is a tale about a man who joins the Green Berets right out of college and serves two tours in Vietnam. The story covers his decision to serve, the brutality and dehumanization of serving and the difficulties of returning to life as a civilian after the experiences. Overall a very well told story.
4 Stars
Dark Across the Bay by Ania Ahlborn:
A family of four, each experiencing their own crisis, finds a vacation home on a private island in a bay. The weekend is supposed to bring them back together. The narration of the story is very unique. Each chapter is from the view of a member of the family. The author does a great job of telling a linear story while jumping between viewpoints. I previously read Brother and Seed by Mrs. Ahlborn and felt they were basically the same story told with modifications. This story showed a range from the author. My only criticism would be that some elements were predictable.
4 Stars
Born Standing Up: A Comics Life by Steve Martin:
Steve Martin tells a compelling story of his life. From his childhood working at Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm, his struggling to succeed in stand up, his success and then the decision to walk away. Very entertaining and informative.
4 Stars
Station Two by Jack Ketchum:
This story was published as a chapbook. The story tells of one dinner shift in a restaurant where madness unfolds. The story kept making me think about Stephen King’s Lunch at the Gotham café. To be honest Gotham Café is a better story.
3 Stars
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