What are you currently reading?

[RonClinton]

Currently reading a good one...I don't often read debut novels from unknown authors as they seldom have the polish and depth I need these days -- but this one proves there's an exception to any rule. I posted on X: SAFECRACKER by Jesse DeRoy is one of the best debut crime novels I’ve read in years. With touches of Stark’s Parker series and Steve Hamilton’s coming-of-age THE LOCK ARTIST, DeRoy’s and his young antihero protagonist unlocked my recent reading rut with explosive talent.

[brlesh]

Finished A Christmas Carol. Timeless classic.

After that, finished the Bound in Blood anthology. Not a timeless classic.

Just started Bruises on a Butterfly by Chad Lutzke.

Just 10 - 12 pages in, and so far, so good.

This will be the second thing I’ve read by Lutzke.

The first was Of Foster Homes and Flies, which I enjoyed, so high hopes for Bruises.

B

[dannyboy121070]

I was happily surprised to see a story by Smith in there, and it did not disappoint! The ending was excellent.

[RonClinton]

Good to hear, Ron!

And it has a story from the distinctly unprolific Scott Smith, which, for me, was a very special treat, a cherry on the top of this otherwise still-great anthology.

[dannyboy121070]

One of those rare anthologies where nearly every story hits it out of the park.

Good to hear, Ron!

[RonClinton]

. Also, I'm two stories into the anthology HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SCREAM, and both stories have been winners.

One of those rare anthologies where nearly every story hits it out of the park.

[dannyboy121070]

I'm wrapping up Kim Newman's latest, A CHRISTMAS GHOST STORY, which started slow, but is really hitting my sweet spot now. Good stuff. Also, I'm two stories into the anthology HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SCREAM, and both stories have been winners.

[brlesh]

Doing something I haven’t done in probably 40 years.

Reading Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Of course, I’m also drinking Jameson, so I guess technically it’s not the same as the last reading!

B

[brlesh]

Finished Gone South by Robert McCammon, which was a great read.

This morning read Trapped by King & Chizmar.

It was an entertaining, though preposterous, story.

Tonight, started Ghostly Tales, a collection of 7 classic Victorian ghost stories.

Nothing like some old time ghost stories around Christmas.

So far I’ve read ‘Oh Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad’ by MR James and ‘The Old Nurse’s Story’ by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Up next, ‘The Signalman’ by Charles Dickens.

B

[Sock Monkey]

I've been trying to work my way through Cronin's The Twelve and I was really hoping to finish the trilogy this year, but I'm in the last week of finals for school this semester and time has dwindled down to zero. Frankly, I shouldn't even spending time posting on the forum right now, but I need a little bit of a break. After the 18th, I'm on winter break so the plan is to get through The Twelve during that time. We'll see, though.

On a different note, has anybody read Danielewski's House of Leaves? It's been on my radar for the last 20+ years and my wife bought it for me for my birthday (in addition to the new J-Horror Rising boxset from Arrow) and I was just wondering if anybody had any thoughts about it in general (I know it's pretty divisive) and any approaches to reading that bad boy. It'll still be a while before I get to it, but it's sitting on the table next to me so I figured I'd open up the conversation while it was on my mind.

[sholloman81]

Finished up You Like It Darker by Stephen King.

Another solid collection from the master!

B

Glad to hear this as it's sadly still sitting in my tbr pile!

[RonClinton]

Philip Fracassi’s SARAFINA.

[brlesh]

Finished up You Like It Darker by Stephen King.

Another solid collection from the master!

Taking a break from Bound in Blood and started Gone Soth by McCammon last night.

50 pages in and really enjoying this story, as I figured I would.

McCammon never disappoints!

B

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Laurel Hightower's "The Day of The Door". This was my first read by Hightower and definitely won't be my last. Went into it blind and was completely blown away. Reminded me a little of Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts but taken in a very different direction. Highly recommended!

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of Hailey Piper's "The Work and His Kings Saga", another first-time author for me.

[Sock Monkey]

These books HAVE turned me on to a lot of obscure movies, for better or for worse, lol. The books do, if I remember correctly, list all of the pertinent movies in the back, but I never peeked....I like being surprised by who turns up. The chapter in TWILIGHT'S LAST SCREAMING concerning the adult Regan MacNeil had more cameos than you could shake a stick at.

I see the point in regards to the element of surprise. My proposed approach could potentially lead to the feeling of constantly waiting for certain characters to appear. Some good food for thought.