What are you currently reading?

[brlesh]

Finished The Devil’s Pocketbook by Ross Jeffery.

An engaging and genuinely creepy first half that was marred by an increasingly ridiculously second half.

After TDP, started back on The King in Yellow by Robert Chambers.

Took another break from TKIY and started Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank this morning.

Thirty pages in and really enjoying it so far.

B

[RonClinton]

Ron, what was the podcast you mentioned? I’m always looking for something to listen to on my rather long commute.

Hmm, I *think* it was This Is Horror. Hendrix has been on two or three times, so I can't tell you which particular episode it was (Googling it it's probably episode 251 or 501), but he talked briefly about how WE SOLD OUR SOULS did not come easy nor did it do well (and, again, this was my least favorite so I can't say I am surprised by either admission) and that it tanked his career streak at this point and that he was unsure how to rebound. Something like that. But clearly he found his way, and like Koontz, has since done one type/tone of story but it's a type of story he does well. SOULS was far too indulgent and serious, and -- at least based on that book -- that's not what he does particularly well. Then again, I'm not much of one for the horror / rock-'n-roll mashup thing, so I probably wasn't the correct target audience anyhow.

[dannyboy121070]

Ok, confession time, I've yet to read anything by Hendrix. How would you describe his stuff?

At this point, I'd be hard-pressed not to number him high up on my list of favorite authors. I've loved everything of his that I've read, even his Kung-Fu movie book. (Haven't read the new one or FINAL GIRL yet.)

[sholloman81]

Light horror, often with touches of humor. Very readable. That description suggests lightweight, and in a few books he bumps against that qualification, but in others those features work in tandem to create something very heartfelt and immersive, as in MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM. He has a particular lane in the road, and he drives it well, but if you're looking for something more graphic and edgy, you're not going to find that in Hendrix's stuff.

I've read them all, and would list recs in this order:

1). MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM
2). THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES
3). HORRORSTOR
4). THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP
5). HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE
6). WE SOLD OUR SOULS (my least favorite, and the one that in a podcast Hendrix said almost torpedoed his career)

I don't know where WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS will fall, since I haven't read it yet, but reviews and comments suggest it will probably replace the #3 slot, if I had to guess.

Btw, his non-fiction guide to '70s and '80s mmpb horror, PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, is absolutely essential reading.

Thanks for this info! I'm sure that I will read him sometime soon and am definitely aware of who he is via the Paperback from Hell Book, I've just always held off reading his actual novels as I've always been under the impression that they would be jokey, which isn't really my thing; however, your usage of "light humor" has me much more intrigued.

[Sock Monkey]

Light horror, often with touches of humor. Very readable. That description suggests lightweight, and in a few books he bumps against that qualification, but in others those features work in tandem to create something very heartfelt and immersive, as in MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM. He has a particular lane in the road, and he drives it well, but if you're looking for something more graphic and edgy, you're not going to find that in Hendrix's stuff.

I've read them all, and would list recs in this order:

1). MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM
2). THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES
3). HORRORSTOR
4). THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP
5). HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE
6). WE SOLD OUR SOULS (my least favorite, and the one that in a podcast Hendrix said almost torpedoed his career)

I don't know where WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS will fall, since I haven't read it yet, but reviews and comments suggest it will probably replace the #3 slot, if I had to guess.

Btw, his non-fiction guide to '70s and '80s mmpb horror, PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, is absolutely essential reading.

Ron, what was the podcast you mentioned? I’m always looking for something to listen to on my rather long commute.

[Martin]

Light horror, often with touches of humor. Very readable. That description suggests lightweight, and in a few books he bumps against that qualification, but in others those features work in tandem to create something very heartfelt and immersive, as in MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM. He has a particular lane in the road, and he drives it well, but if you're looking for something more graphic and edgy, you're not going to find that in Hendrix's stuff.

I've read them all, and would list recs in this order:

1). MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM
2). THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES
3). HORRORSTOR
4). THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP
5). HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE
6). WE SOLD OUR SOULS (my least favorite, and the one that in a podcast Hendrix said almost torpedoed his career)

I don't know where WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS will fall, since I haven't read it yet, but reviews and comments suggest it will probably replace the #3 slot, if I had to guess.

Btw, his non-fiction guide to '70s and '80s mmpb horror, PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, is absolutely essential reading.

Agree with Ron's points, definitely horror with humor infused. Not lightweight but not gore either. And yes, Paperbacks from Hell is a treasure trove of information about the pinnacle of mass market paperback horror. I want limited edition of that book so bad. I believe the price would be prohibitive due to the sheer number of images and the cost in paper and printing that it would need. If you are familiar with the CD 'Fangoria Cover to Cover' on steroids!

[RonClinton]

Ok, confession time, I've yet to read anything by Hendrix. How would you describe his stuff?

Light horror, often with touches of humor. Very readable. That description suggests lightweight, and in a few books he bumps against that qualification, but in others those features work in tandem to create something very heartfelt and immersive, as in MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM. He has a particular lane in the road, and he drives it well, but if you're looking for something more graphic and edgy, you're not going to find that in Hendrix's stuff.

I've read them all, and would list recs in this order:

1). MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM
2). THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES
3). HORRORSTOR
4). THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP
5). HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE
6). WE SOLD OUR SOULS (my least favorite, and the one that in a podcast Hendrix said almost torpedoed his career)

I don't know where WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS will fall, since I haven't read it yet, but reviews and comments suggest it will probably replace the #3 slot, if I had to guess.

Btw, his non-fiction guide to '70s and '80s mmpb horror, PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, is absolutely essential reading.

[sholloman81]

Currently reading DESOLATION ROAD by Michael Farris Smith. After this one it'll likely be the copy of Grady Hendrix's new one, WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS. His last one, HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE, was...okay, but I hear this new one is a particularly good one, so am really looking forward to it.

Ok, confession time, I've yet to read anything by Hendrix. How would you describe his stuff?

[RonClinton]

Currently reading DESOLATION ROAD by Michael Farris Smith. After this one it'll likely be the copy of Grady Hendrix's new one, WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS. His last one, HOW TO SELL A HAUNTED HOUSE, was...okay, but I hear this new one is a particularly good one, so am really looking forward to it.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the SST LE of Josh Malerman's "Black Mad Wheel". Had previously read this story when it was released as a trade edition and thought it was just ok, but I enjoyed it much more on this re-read. For some reason, the main character just connected with me better this go-round and I was better able to understand what the author was going for with his central mystery. Still, I do wish we had gotten a few more explanations regarding the mystery itself or the Goat character and his background. At points, I felt like maybe I was missing some literary connection. I also did not enjoy the ending at all as it felt farfetched to me, but I get why the author choose it as the band in the book is loosely based on his own and he wanted the happy ending. Overall, while not Malerman's best book, it was still an enjoyable read.

Am now reading the Lividian LE of Philp Fracassi's "A Child Alone with Strangers".

[sholloman81]

Finished up Black Seas of Infinity: The R’Lyeh Cycle Book 2.

Enjoyed all 4 of the stories, and overall I liked this second volume better than the first.

Read the first 4 stories in the collection The King in Yellow by Robert Chambers.

These 4 stories make up the King in Yellow cycle.

Taking a break from the Chambers collection to start The Devil’s Pocketbook by Ross Jeffery later tonight.

My first read by Jeffery, and high hopes for this one, has I’ve read quite a bit of positive reaction to this book.

B

Hope you like the Devil's Pocketbook. It's very high in my trb pile!

[brlesh]

Finished up Black Seas of Infinity: The R’Lyeh Cycle Book 2.

Enjoyed all 4 of the stories, and overall I liked this second volume better than the first.

Read the first 4 stories in the collection The King in Yellow by Robert Chambers.

These 4 stories make up the King in Yellow cycle.

Taking a break from the Chambers collection to start The Devil’s Pocketbook by Ross Jeffery later tonight.

My first read by Jeffery, and high hopes for this one, has I’ve read quite a bit of positive reaction to this book.

B

[brlesh]

Hope I enjoy Anathema more as I have the Thunderstorm edition pre-ordered. It will be my first Nick Roberts read.

Obviously it didn’t click for me, for reasons I won’t get into at this time, but interested in hearing your take on it.

Saying that, now wishing I had read Exorcist House first, which seems to be his consensus best book.

I believe Anathema was his first novel, and it has a lot of ‘first novel’ roughness to it.

B

[sholloman81]

DNF’d Anathema by Nick Roberts at the 3/4 mark.

B

Hope I enjoy Anathema more as I have the Thunderstorm edition pre-ordered. It will be my first Nick Roberts read.

[brlesh]

DNF’d Anathema by Nick Roberts at the 3/4 mark.

Right now almost finished with the third story (out of 4) in Black Seas of Infinity: The R’Lyeh Cycle Book 2 edited by William Holloway.

I’ve liked each of the first three stories (written by Curtis Lawson ((and damn, this one went in some dark places!)), Brett Talley, & Gemma Files) and am enjoying the second volume more than the first.

B