What are you currently reading?

[sholloman81]

Well, I did something that I haven't done in YEARS: I DNF'd a book. I tried hard to get into Robert Ford's The Dead Pennies and was sure this going to be a sure-fire winner since it was published by both Thunderstorm (limited) and CD (paperback), but I struggled with it and after 75 pages, I called it a day. I almost always finish books as I think it's important to see the author's vision all the way through before making a decision on the work, but I just couldn't power my way through this one. The characters and their banter just didn't work for me. I haven't read any of Ford's work prior to this one and I'm still open to giving his work a chance, but this one was not for me.

Man, you're making me feel so much better about having to pass on the Thunderstorm LE when it was offered. I remember having to choose between Dead Pennies and another book and feeling like I'd totally regret it since it was a first-time collab between CD/Thunderstorm which probably meant the story was awesome. I'd still like to read it to judge for myself, but your review has definitely tamped down my expectations.

[Sock Monkey]

Well, I did something that I haven't done in YEARS: I DNF'd a book. I tried hard to get into Robert Ford's The Dead Pennies and was sure this going to be a sure-fire winner since it was published by both Thunderstorm (limited) and CD (paperback), but I struggled with it and after 75 pages, I called it a day. I almost always finish books as I think it's important to see the author's vision all the way through before making a decision on the work, but I just couldn't power my way through this one. The characters and their banter just didn't work for me. I haven't read any of Ford's work prior to this one and I'm still open to giving his work a chance, but this one was not for me.

[brlesh]

I’m about 1/3 of the way through Clickers Never Die by Stephen Kozeniewski & Wile Young.

First time read from both authors.

So far, on the fence with this one as there are pros and cons to the story.

B

DNF’d Clickers Never Die at the half way point.

The book was way too long for such a preposterous story line.

Currently half way through Sacrifice Island, a novella length story  by Kristin Dearborn.

So far, really enjoying it.

B

[dannyboy121070]

I did not.

Didn’t even realize there was an adaptation, as I don’t do Netflix.

Is it worth tracking down?

B

It was an episode of GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, which was, IMO, a very mixed bag. There were a few very good episodes, and THE AUTOPSY was one of them. Since Netflix originals really can't be seen anywhere BUT Netflix...I guess if you were to subscribe for a month and binge-watch, it might be worth your while. I thought the series as a whole was just OK.

[brlesh]

I hope you saw the adaptation on Netflix!

I did not.

Didn’t even realize there was an adaptation, as I don’t do Netflix.

Is it worth tracking down?

B

[brlesh]

I’m about 1/3 of the way through Clickers Never Die by Stephen Kozeniewski & Wile Young.

First time read from both authors.

So far, on the fence with this one as there are pros and cons to the story.

B

[RonClinton]

when you have a few years between reading books by him, you forget just how much of an incredible talent Robert McCammon is. . . . In a just world, this man would sit atop the bestseller lists all year long, every year. One of the best writers out there.

Amen to that.

[dannyboy121070]

I just started Doug Stanhope's DIGGING UP MOTHER: A LOVE STORY, and I'm already halfway through...cannot put it down. Brutally funny, vile, heartbreaking...just a great read.

Still slooooowly making my way through Josh Malerman's SPIN A BLACK YARN. The last of the five stories is the best one, at least so far, but this has been a real struggle.

I know it already, but when you have a few years between reading books by him, you forget just how much of an incredible talent Robert McCammon is. SEVEN SHADES OF EVIL is, as always, amazing. I was going to skip the story NIGHT RIDE, as I had just read it a year or two ago, but I got sucked right back in. In a just world, this man would sit atop the bestseller lists all year long, every year. One of the best writers out there.

And I'm savoring Werner Herzog's EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF...AND GOD AGAINST ALL. This is less an autobiography than a rambling stream-of-consciousness series of recollections, and it doesn't really make you want to read it in big chunks, but small nips here and there. I hear Herzog's extraordinary voice in my head as I read, lol.

[Boggle Champion]

Finished Cold, Black and Infinite by Todd Keisling. Really enjoyed this collection, and I look forward to reading his novel Devil's Creek.

Just starting Out by Natsuo Kirino for a book club. I know nothing about this one going in, other than the bookstore owner telling me it was brutal.

[sholloman81]

Finally finished Fracassi’s CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS. Pretty good, a solid read. I’m starting A HALF LIFE, a non-fiction memoir, one described by its publisher as: “In this powerful, unforgettable memoir, acclaimed novelist Darin Strauss examines the far-reaching consequences of the tragic moment that has shadowed his whole life. In his last month of high school, he was behind the wheel of his dad's Oldsmobile, driving with friends, heading off to play mini-golf. Then: a classmate swerved in front of his car. The collision resulted in her death. With piercing insight and stark prose, Darin Strauss leads us on a deeply personal, immediate, and emotional journey—graduating high school, going away to college, starting his writing career, falling in love with his future wife, becoming a father. Along the way, he takes a hard look at loss and guilt, maturity and accountability, hope and, at last, acceptance. The result is a staggering, uplifting tour de force.”

Glad to hear Child Alone with Strangers was good. It's high on my TBR pile.

[adman75]

I just started Robert McCammon's SEVEN SHADES OF EVIL, and while I'm thrilled to be reading another Matthew Corbett book the typeface in the trade hardcover is SO....SMALL...as to be almost unreadable. If this is what Lividian is planning for the last book in the series, I'll probably wait for the e-book.

The font was small in the previous book as well. THE KING OF SHADOWS, I believe. I had to stop reading it because it was killing my eyes, which is a shame since I love those books. I imagine the font size is to keep the page count down and reduce costs. However, I'd gladly pay a few extra bucks to have a better reading experience.

[RonClinton]

Finally finished Fracassi’s CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS. Pretty good, a solid read. I’m starting A HALF LIFE, a non-fiction memoir, one described by its publisher as: “In this powerful, unforgettable memoir, acclaimed novelist Darin Strauss examines the far-reaching consequences of the tragic moment that has shadowed his whole life. In his last month of high school, he was behind the wheel of his dad's Oldsmobile, driving with friends, heading off to play mini-golf. Then: a classmate swerved in front of his car. The collision resulted in her death. With piercing insight and stark prose, Darin Strauss leads us on a deeply personal, immediate, and emotional journey—graduating high school, going away to college, starting his writing career, falling in love with his future wife, becoming a father. Along the way, he takes a hard look at loss and guilt, maturity and accountability, hope and, at last, acceptance. The result is a staggering, uplifting tour de force.”

[Boggle Champion]

I'm a huge Don Winslow fan and agree with you in regard to the "City trilogy", good not great. IMO, his best stuff occurred after he was done writing the Neal Carey series of books but before The Force in 2017. IMO, from The Force on, his stuff has been good but not special. I would definitely read Power of the Dog if you haven't done so. Savages is also very fun and is a somewhat newer title from his backlog.

Thanks for the recommendations!

The City books were my first Winslow reads...I have a copy of Power of the Dog from the used bookstore, I'll give that one a try next.

[dannyboy121070]

About to start The Autopsy, which is the last story in Michael Shea’s collection Polyphemus.

Looking forward to it, as The Autopsy is one of my all time favorite stories.

B

I hope you saw the adaptation on Netflix!

[brlesh]

About to start The Autopsy, which is the last story in Michael Shea’s collection Polyphemus.

Looking forward to it, as The Autopsy is one of my all time favorite stories.

B