What are you currently reading?

[jeffingoff]

Only about a quarter of the way in Gothic, but so far, so good! I do have a trade hardcover of Boys in the Valley in my TBR pile, but I keep grabbing other books from the pile instead. I think the petty collector in me is still mad at myself for passing on the Earthling edition before it sold out and became a smash book for collectors. I'm sure I'll get around to it at some point soon...

I've done that with so many books. They just sort of bob near the top of the pile forever. More often than no I regret waiting on those. But there are just sooooo many books!

And yeah the Earthling Fracassi's are expensive on the secondary. I'd stay tuned in case there's another one . . .

[sholloman81]

Gothic was a lot of fun. If you like it, then read Boys in the Valley for something that hits the heartstrings. There's really no bad Fracassi. I've loved everything.

Only about a quarter of the way in Gothic, but so far, so good! I do have a trade hardcover of Boys in the Valley in my TBR pile, but I keep grabbing other books from the pile instead. I think the petty collector in me is still mad at myself for passing on the Earthling edition before it sold out and became a smash book for collectors. I'm sure I'll get around to it at some point soon...

[jeffingoff]

Just finished reading the Centipede LE of Shelley Katz's "Alligator", a first-time author & read for me. Wasn't sure what to expect going into this one and ended up enjoying it way more than I had hoped. The characterization was top-notch. Also loved the atmosphere and setting, felt like you were right there in the swamps with them. If I had one (small) complaint, it would be that I was hoping for more Alligator action, but that being said, when the gator does show up, it's loads of fun. Really, this book isn't about the gator at all but about the main characters journey to understanding his need to catch it. The reviews compare this one to Jaws, and I can see why, but I was reminded much more of Moby Dick. Also loved the production by Centipede. Pretty much everything works. The cover art is very cool, as are the interior illustrations. The forward by the author is also very illuminating. Overall, I'm very happy to finally have read this book, and even more happy to have it in such a sweet edition.

Am now reading the Earthling LE of Philip Fracassi's "Gothic", a first time read. I have high hopes for this one as I adore Fracassi's collections, but this will be his first novel length work for me.

Gothic was a lot of fun. If you like it, then read Boys in the Valley for something that hits the heartstrings. There's really no bad Fracassi. I've loved everything.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Centipede LE of Shelley Katz's "Alligator", a first-time author & read for me. Wasn't sure what to expect going into this one and ended up enjoying it way more than I had hoped. The characterization was top-notch. Also loved the atmosphere and setting, felt like you were right there in the swamps with them. If I had one (small) complaint, it would be that I was hoping for more Alligator action, but that being said, when the gator does show up, it's loads of fun. Really, this book isn't about the gator at all but about the main characters journey to understanding his need to catch it. The reviews compare this one to Jaws, and I can see why, but I was reminded much more of Moby Dick. Also loved the production by Centipede. Pretty much everything works. The cover art is very cool, as are the interior illustrations. The forward by the author is also very illuminating. Overall, I'm very happy to finally have read this book, and even more happy to have it in such a sweet edition.

Am now reading the Earthling LE of Philip Fracassi's "Gothic", a first time read. I have high hopes for this one as I adore Fracassi's collections, but this will be his first novel length work for me.

[Ben Staad]

No problem. I can already tell it's not going to be one of my favorites but it's not looking like a DNF.

Hope you post a review at the end. That book has been on my radar for a while as it has gotten tons of praise from authors and reviewers that I respect. That being said, it also seems like I keep finding reasons to pass on it for something else. Not sure why. The only other book that I've read by Kraus was the Romero collab "The Living Dead" which I did enjoy.

 

[fanatic]

I agree with Ron. I don't think you can go wrong with anything he writes.

[sholloman81]

I'm a huge Peter Heller fan as well, and have read them all. THE DOG STARS remains my favorite and I was thrilled that Lividian did a limited of it as it was immensely deserving of the honor. But he has several others that are tremendous as well; the only one I didn't really care for was CELINE, but it's very atypical of his work and themes, so that's not surprising, perhaps. In order of my preference, I'd recommend:

1). THE DOG STARS
2). THE PAINTER
3). THE RIVER
4). THE LAST RANGER
5). THE GUIDE (a sequel of sorts to THE RIVER)
6). CELINE

Thanks! That gives me a great place to start. Now I'll have to look these ones up and choose!

[RonClinton]

Do you have one that you especially enjoyed? Wouldn't mind reading more Heller, but he has so many and I'm not sure where the gold might be among them. Amazingly, Dog Stars was only 3 & 1/2 stars on Goodreads; so, I'm not sure that I trust their reviewers when it comes to his other books!

I'm a huge Peter Heller fan as well, and have read them all. THE DOG STARS remains my favorite and I was thrilled that Lividian did a limited of it as it was immensely deserving of the honor. But he has several others that are tremendous as well; the only one I didn't really care for was CELINE, but it's very atypical of his work and themes, so that's not surprising, perhaps. In order of my preference, I'd recommend:

1). THE DOG STARS
2). THE PAINTER
3). THE RIVER
4). THE LAST RANGER
5). THE GUIDE (a sequel of sorts to THE RIVER)
6). CELINE

[RonClinton]

I'm currently reading Whalefall by Daniel Krause. I'm about halfway through it and enjoying it so far. It has an odd style where it jumps between present and past however the author has kept each chapter/section very short in order to keep the story moving forward. I'm not in love with this aspect however it's not the worst format I've read.

I read it and generally enjoyed it, but I'm not on the bandwagon that has praised this one as being extraordinarily special. I thought it was...fine and interesting, but like you had some issues in the way it was presented.

[sholloman81]

Glad you loved The Dog Stars, I agree with you. I think his other books (not appocoliptic) are great also. I love his style of writing.

Do you have one that you especially enjoyed? Wouldn't mind reading more Heller, but he has so many and I'm not sure where the gold might be among them. Amazingly, Dog Stars was only 3 & 1/2 stars on Goodreads; so, I'm not sure that I trust their reviewers when it comes to his other books!

[sholloman81]

I'm currently reading Whalefall by Daniel Krause. I'm about halfway through it and enjoying it so far. It has an odd style where it jumps between present and past however the author has kept each chapter/section very short in order to keep the story moving forward. I'm not in love with this aspect however it's not the worst format I've read.

Hope you post a review at the end. That book has been on my radar for a while as it has gotten tons of praise from authors and reviewers that I respect. That being said, it also seems like I keep finding reasons to pass on it for something else. Not sure why. The only other book that I've read by Kraus was the Romero collab "The Living Dead" which I did enjoy.

[Ben Staad]

I'm currently reading Whalefall by Daniel Krause. I'm about halfway through it and enjoying it so far. It has an odd style where it jumps between present and past however the author has kept each chapter/section very short in order to keep the story moving forward. I'm not in love with this aspect however it's not the worst format I've read.

[fanatic]

Just finished reading the Lividian LE of Peter Heller's "The Dog Stars", a first-time author & read for me. Man did I love this book! I've got a soft spot for end of the world/apocalypse stories, and this one shot straight up my list of all-time favorites. The characters felt so real, whether it be their actions or dialogue. Also loved the philosophy that was mixed in as well. And I adored the ending! Would love to know what happens next but in a way, I hope the author never does a sequel. Overall, this is a five-star book for me, and I'm sure that this story will stick with me for quite a while!

Am now reading the Centipede LE of Shelley Katz's "Alligator", a first-time author & read for me.

Glad you loved The Dog Stars, I agree with you.  I think his other books (not appocoliptic) are great also.  I love his style of writing.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Lividian LE of Peter Heller's "The Dog Stars", a first-time author & read for me. Man did I love this book! I've got a soft spot for end of the world/apocalypse stories, and this one shot straight up my list of all-time favorites. The characters felt so real, whether it be their actions or dialogue. Also loved the philosophy that was mixed in as well. And I adored the ending! Would love to know what happens next but in a way, I hope the author never does a sequel. Overall, this is a five-star book for me, and I'm sure that this story will stick with me for quite a while!

Am now reading the Centipede LE of Shelley Katz's "Alligator", a first-time author & read for me.

[Sock Monkey]

Just finished reading the Centipede LE of Michael McDowell's "Cold Moon Over Babylon", a first time read for me. I absolutely loved it! Everything about the book worked for me. And boy was it a lot meaner story than I was expecting! Also liked the production design by Centipede. The color scheme and artwork really worked for me. After reading this and Blackwater, I think I've been converted to a huge McDowell fan. Now if only I could track down a reasonably priced hardcover copy of The Elementals!

Am now reading the Lividian LE of Peter Heller's "The Dog Stars", a first-time author & read for me. Have heard nothing but good things about this book and feel like now is the time to get it off the TBR pile!

THE ELEMENTALS is great.  It's got this great slow, methodical burn.  I'd say that it has a fairly nice mean streak to it as well.  I highly recommend it.  I still haven't gotten around to COLD MOON OVER BABYLON, but I'm looking forward to it when I do.