What are you currently reading?

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading Ray Nayler's "The Mountain in the Sea". Glad to have read it, but not sure that I would ever revisit it. In fact, If I'm being honest, I was very close to DNF'ing it multiple times but untimely stuck with it until the end as it does have lots of interesting intellectual and philosophical ideas regarding what first contact/communicating with other intelligent species might look like. It kind of reminded me of the movie Arrival (the one with Amy Adams, not Charlie Sheen); however, unlike Arrival, this book was mostly boring and just not that fun in terms of plot or character. Felt like more of an "ideas" book than a story. That being said, I'm sure that I'll be think about a lot of the ideas in this book for quite a while which may have been the author's point more so than entertainment.

Am now reading Michael Koryta's "An Honest Man". I'm a big fan of pretty much everything Koryta has written so far; so, I have high hopes for this one, especially with the strength of the SK blurb.

[Sock Monkey]

I finished reading The Passage by Justin Cronin for the third time. It took me a while to get through, not just due to its length nor was it due to not being engaged with the book, but rather that I forgot just how dense Cronin's writing is. I have truly enjoyed this book each time that I've read it and even don't mind the time jump that the book takes, a significant hang-up I had the first time around as I was so invested in that first section--almost a kind of 300 page prologue--of the book. The richness of the world(s) that Cronin builds coupled with the careful attention to the various character arcs and subplots lend to the book's epic nature.

I have am terrible at finishing book series, though, and this will be my third attempt at finishing the trilogy. On each previous attempt, I've waited so long between one book and the next that I felt the need to start over. The first attempt stalled between the first and second book and the second attempt stalled between the second and third book. So I'm making progress and maybe this time I'll actually finish it. That being said, I still am slotting a different book to read between each one just for a breather, so I could still be tempting fate.

[RonClinton]

Just finished reading the SST LE of Joe Lansdale's "The Donut Legion". Liked it but didn't love it. Has a fun cast of characters and you get Lansdale's usual solid writing and colorful turns of phrase, but for me, the story ultimately felt a little flat by the end, at least by Lansdale standards . . . Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and would give it a C+ as it is better than average, just not quite as good as I was expecting.

Perfectly said.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the SST LE of Joe Lansdale's "The Donut Legion". Liked it but didn't love it. Has a fun cast of characters and you get Lansdale's usual solid writing and colorful turns of phrase, but for me, the story ultimately felt a little flat by the end, at least by Lansdale standards, especially the "final boss" battle with Cowboy. I also thought the way Lansdale described some of the sex scenes between the main character and Scrappy were a bit cringy. I do think that Lansdale nailed the ending, and I also do think it would be fun spending time with some of these characters again, even if it were a guest appearance. Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and would give it a C+ as it is better than average, just not quite as good as I was expecting.

Am now reading a 1st hardcover of Ray Nayler's "The Mountain in the Sea". Have no idea what to expect, but the book has a bunch of blurbs from author's whom I enjoy; so, my fingers are crossed! 

[brlesh]

Currently about a third of the way through A Bright and Beautiful Eternal World by James Chambers.

So far, thoroughly enjoying this collection of Lovecraftian stories.

B

[brlesh]

Finished The Girl on the Porch by Richard Chizmar.

I thought it was a fast paced, interesting read, mining most of the same suburban paranoia themes Chizmar touched upon on in The Longest December.

The ending was rather abrupt and left me feeling I had missed something as a reader.

B

[brlesh]

Finished up Stories for the Next Pandemic by Brian Keene.

I’ve kind of fallen off the wagon as far as Keene’s novels go, but still generally enjoy his short fiction, and this small collection holds true to form.

A quick, short read that I really enjoyed.

B

[brlesh]

Finished Where They Wait by Scott Carson.

Thought it was a mixed bag.

While I enjoyed the historical ghost story angle, I found the tech-noir
app and mental manipulation angle to be convoluted and vague.

If you are new to Carson, I would recommend trying The Chill first.

B

[RonClinton]

Am now reading the SST LE of Joe Lansdale's "The Donut Legion". I've seen mixed reviews online for this one, but I'm a huge Lansdale fan; so, my fingers are crossed!

I’m a huge Lansdale fan, but just didn’t click with this one, unfortunately. I can recognize the strengths it does have, but as a total package it just didn’t work for me, which is unusual when it comes to Lansdale. Hope you dig it more than I did.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Brennan LaFaro's "I Will Always Find You: The Complete Slattery Falls". This was another first-time author for me. Based on these stories, I will definitely be reading more LaFaro in the future as I was completely blown away by how good each of these novellas were and the progression of the story and characters from book to book. LaFaro's definitely got a gift for characterization. I know this is a bit cliched, but reading these novellas reminded me a bit of reading 80's Stephen King, strong characters mixed with an everyman's voice for the storytelling that seems to make pages fly by. The author also left enough room to continue the story if he chooses, and personally, I wouldn't mind another trip to Slattery Falls at all! Overall, these stories are very recommended and I'm beyond happy to have added this to my Thunderstorm collection.

Am now reading the SST LE of Joe Lansdale's "The Donut Legion". I've seen mixed reviews online for this one, but I'm a huge Lansdale fan; so, my fingers are crossed!

[Sock Monkey]

Just getting started onThe Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert for a book club. A different type of horror book!

I'm not a big non-fiction fan, but this sounds interesting...and frightening.

[Boggle Champion]

Finished Savages by Don Winslow, loved the book. Already checked out the prequel The Kings of Cool from the library, looking forward to starting it. Has anyone who read Savages read that one as well?

Also finished Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay...unfortunately, I didn't really care for it. I liked the premise, but the pacing was too slow and the 'Horror Movie' itself was uninteresting to me. At one point, a character who read the screenplay comments that it doesn't sound like a movie they'd like to see, and I agree! (Unless I'm misremembering and that didn't happen in the book...now I'm doubting myself. Tremblay ambiguity!) This was only my second Tremblay book, and I do like his writing style so I'll pick up more in the future.

Just getting started onThe Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert for a book club. A different type of horror book!

[dannyboy121070]

I bought the first volume of PS Publishing's SOLAR PONS OMNIBUS series on a whim, and I'm cracking that open this morning. My first exposure to Basil Copper. I wanted to dig into this fast before I committed to the other two volumes.

[mhatchett]

Currently reading Savages by Don Winslow, based on a recommendation from this thread. About halfway through so far and really enjoying it, much more than Winslow's "City" trilogy. Thank you for the recommend!

Also starting Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, reading the b&n edition with the red sprayed edges. Only about 20 pages in, but I like the setup so far. I'm going to Tremblay's event at Vortex Books this weekend, so I'm hoping to get through the book by then!

Don Winslow is Great!
 

[sholloman81]

Currently reading Savages by Don Winslow, based on a recommendation from this thread. About halfway through so far and really enjoying it, much more than Winslow's "City" trilogy. Thank you for the recommend!

Also starting Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, reading the b&n edition with the red sprayed edges. Only about 20 pages in, but I like the setup so far. I'm going to Tremblay's event at Vortex Books this weekend, so I'm hoping to get through the book by then!

Glad to hear that about the Tremblay book.  I've been holding off on the Tremblay hoping a LE version will be announced.  If that doesn't happen soon, I may break down and buy a trade copy.  The story sounds great.