What are you currently reading?

[brlesh]

Finished up Black Wings VII: Tales of Lovecraftian Horror edited by ST Joshi.

A couple of good stories and a lot of filler.

Started Limelight, a collection of sci-fi / speculative fiction stories by Lyndsey Croal.

About 2/3 of the way through and really enjoying this collection.

Croal has a very straightforward & readable style, reminds me of Bradbury, though Croal’s stories are a little more visceral.

That being said, I’m taking a break from the Croal collection and started Into the Wild Green Yonder, a novella by Peter Crowther & Tim Lebbon.

An expectant couple move into a dilapidated house with a large garden that is more than it appears to be.

Thirty pages in & enjoying this one a lot.

Has a definite folk horror feel to it and can’t wait to see where Crowther & Lebbon go with it.

B

[RonClinton]

Aside from handful of stories, I hated that anthology, and found it an endless slog to get through. The Partridge story was one of the better ones.

Now I don’t feel as guilty for reading-not-buying it.

[dannyboy121070]

While I didn't buy this anthology, I had to read Norman Patridge's story when I surprisingly but delightedly saw his name in the ToC, so took it off the shelf and read it right there at the bookstore. Felt a little guilty I didn't purchase it after that, but <shrug>. While the story itself wasn't a stunner, it was solid and it was great to actually see new work from the much-missed Partridge.

Aside from  handful of stories, I hated that anthology, and found it an endless slog to get through. The Partridge story was one of the better ones.

[RonClinton]

Been listening to the Screams From the Dark Anthology, edited by Ellen Datlow. Lots of good authors in the one, with a few stories I've already read in other collections and have enjoyed. This is a chunky collection that should get me well into October.

While I didn't buy this anthology, I had to read Norman Patridge's story when I surprisingly but delightedly saw his name in the ToC, so took it off the shelf and read it right there at the bookstore. Felt a little guilty I didn't purchase it after that, but <shrug>. While the story itself wasn't a stunner, it was solid and it was great to actually see new work from the much-missed Partridge.

[Boggle Champion]

Last week I finished Extinction by Douglas Preston. First Preston book I've read, and I really enjoyed it! One of my favorite thrillers this year. Great blend of science fiction, mystery/thriller and some strong horror elements too...right up my alley. I've been meaning to start Preston&Child's Pendergast series for a while now, and after reading this I'll probably pick up Relic soon.

Almost finished Slow Horses by Mick Herron. Wasn't really getting into it at first when it's introducing all the characters and just explaining how miserable they all are and how much they suck at their jobs, but it picked up in the second half. I'll definitely give the second book a chance, and decide from there if I think the series is worth continuing.

Been listening to the Screams From the Dark Anthology, edited by Ellen Datlow. Lots of good authors in the one, with a few stories I've already read in other collections and have enjoyed. This is a chunky collection that should get me well into October.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading Joe Lansdale's "Sugar on the Bones". Lansdale is one of my favorite authors and Hap & Leonard are some of my favorite characters; so, I knew going in that I was going to like this book, but this one felt special, even for a Hap & Leonard book. As always, the writing and dialogue were top-notch. There were also some character deaths in this one that completely shook me. If you're a fan of the Hap & Leonard series, this is a must-read for sure!

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of Ross Jeffery's "I Died Too, But They Haven't Buried Me Yet".

[sholloman81]

Finished A Child Alone With Strangers by Philip Fracassi.

Great book! Part crime story, part supernatural story, & part creature feature.

Fracassi melds all the genres seemlessly into a very believable story.

B

Man, I need to get around to reading A Child Alone With Strangers! I've had the Lividian LE in my TBR pile for a while and just keep passing on it for some reason which is weird considering how much I loved his collections.

[brlesh]

Finished A Child Alone With Strangers by Philip Fracassi.

Great book! Part crime story, part supernatural story, & part creature feature.

Fracassi melds all the genres seemlessly into a very believable story.

Next up, Black Wings VII, edited by ST Joshi. 

I’ve found the Black Wings series to be one of the more reliable series for Lovecraftian fiction, so hoping the 7th edition continues that trend.

B

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading Christopher Buehlman's "The Daughter's War". Was very excited to dig into this book as I loved "The Blacktongue Thief", and this book exceeded all of my expectations. Just truly phenomenal world-building and characters. I could spend all day reading these stories. I rarely do fantasy/adventure books these days except when they are special, and boy does this series of books fit the bill so far. Really hope Buehlman continues this series, and I hope Midworld eventually does an LE for this book like they did with "The Blacktongue Thief".

Am now reading Joe Lansdale's "Sugar on the Bones". Excited to spend some time with Hap & Leonard!

[sholloman81]

I picked up signed 1st HCs of NO SECOND CHANCES and LOLA ON FIRE from VJ Books recent sale...Youers has never blown me away, but for $5 each I figured it was worth it. Guess I won't rush to read CHANCES, but I'll give it its day in court at some point.

That's funny as I picked-up Chances via Book Outlet for $5.  Probably would have passed if not marked down.  I would definitely read Lola first, but Chances was still a solid read whenever you do get around to it.

[RonClinton]

Just finished reading Rio Youers " No Second Chances". Enjoyed it but didn't love it. Has the same high-octane feeling as "Lola on Fire" but wasn't quite as fun a read for me. I think it may have to do with finding the main character/voice of the book a bit boring/unlikable. Luckily, the side characters are great, and the main villain is memorable which kept me reading. Overall, glad to have read this book, even if it never reached the level of some of his best stuff.

Am now reading Christopher Buehlman's "The Daughter's War". Have been looking forward to this one for a while as I loved "The Blacktongue Thief".

I picked up signed 1st HCs of NO SECOND CHANCES and LOLA ON FIRE from VJ Books recent sale...Youers has never blown me away, but for $5 each I figured it was worth it. Guess I won't rush to read CHANCES, but I'll give it its day in court at some point.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading Rio Youers " No Second Chances". Enjoyed it but didn't love it. Has the same high-octane feeling as "Lola on Fire" but wasn't quite as fun a read for me. I think it may have to do with finding the main character/voice of the book a bit boring/unlikable. Luckily, the side characters are great, and the main villain is memorable which kept me reading. Overall, glad to have read this book, even if it never reached the level of some of his best stuff.

Am now reading Christopher Buehlman's "The Daughter's War". Have been looking forward to this one for a while as I loved "The Blacktongue Thief".

[Sock Monkey]

I love The Passage.

I’d rate the trilogy as my all-time favorite read.

Well developed characters, great action, and an incredible story arc told over 2,000+ pages.

Hopefully you’ll finish the trilogy, as I found the ending to be such a satisfying conclusion to this epic story. Typical of Cronin, the ending was both depressing and hopeful.

B

Thanks for sharing your praise for the trilogy. It's got me pumped up to continue on. And I am very committed to finishing this trilogy this time, darn it! I'm actually starting the second book today with plans to finish this month. I typically like to get through books faster, but I'm hitting some of my upper division English literature classes and the amount of reading they pile on takes up quite a bit of my time. I plan on taking October off from the trilogy and doing some more ghostly readings for Halloween and then back on to the final book in November. Fingers crossed.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading Lost Man's Lane" by Scott Carson. Cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you're in the mood for a coming-of-age novel rather than full-on horror. Seems like every horror writer pens a coming-of-age book eventually, and Carson's/Kortya's is top-notch. Boy did the characters feel real to me, and while the main character was enjoyable enough, it's the supporting cast that truly shines in this book. Pretty much loved them all. Definitely looking forward to the next Carson book as they seem to keep getting better and better.

Am going to read Rio Youers " No Second Chances" next. Has been in my TBR pile for a while and I think I'm finally ready to dig-in. I've pretty much loved everything that I've read by Youers; so, I've got high hopes for this one.

[brlesh]

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.

I love The Passage.

I’d rate the trilogy as my all-time favorite read.

Well developed characters, great action, and an incredible story arc told over 2,000+ pages.

Hopefully you’ll finish the trilogy, as I found the ending to be such a satisfying conclusion to this epic story. Typical of Cronin, the ending was both depressing and hopeful.

B