What are you currently reading?

[Sock Monkey]

Am about halfway through Bentley Little's BEHIND, and it's been a struggle. Thus far there's been two storylines that he keeps trying to merge, but if feels like two magnets that are pushing apart...maybe things come together better in the second half. The first few pages were a oddly shoehorned and embarrassingly shallow sociopolitical diatribe *and* the entire novel revolves around the Covid era, so it all feels a bit stale in a way that already feels dated. I'll give this one a few more dozen pages, and if things don't improve will skim the rest and call it a day, and instead look forward to his next/new one, CITY HALL.

I find Little's work to be very hit-or-miss. There was a time where I was reading a decent amount of his stuff, but the quality varied so much from book to book I was kind of put off. I think this was around the time I read The Ignored and I thought Little might actually breakthrough to something truly compelling, then it sort of just gave it all up and reverted back to standard fare. (It's been awhile since I've read this--like ten to fifteen years--but this is the feeling that has continued to linger with me all this time). I haven't read any of his new stuff, so I can't speak to it, but your review only makes me even more gun-shy at this point.

[RonClinton]

I find Little's work to be very hit-or-miss. There was a time where I was reading a decent amount of his stuff, but the quality varied so much from book to book I was kind of put off. I think this was around the time I read The Ignored and I thought Little might actually breakthrough to something truly compelling, then it sort of just gave it all up and reverted back to standard fare. (It's been awhile since I've read this--like ten to fifteen years--but this is the feeling that has continued to linger with me all this time). I haven't read any of his new stuff, so I can't speak to it, but your review only makes me even more gun-shy at this point.

I loved THE IGNORED as well, and think it's one of his absolute best. Why that one has not received deluxe treatment when others of, in my opinion, lesser worth have (and are) puzzles me. As far as BEHIND, I got to the 2/3 point and called it a day, skimming the rest briefly and reading the last few pages...what I read suggested I didn't miss much, a definite misfire for me, and, for me, Little is definitely more hit than miss. Looking back fifteen years, Sock Monkey , to see if there was any gem that you may have missed was (and I've read them all) was a bit sobering...I'd really only recommend THE CONSULTANT and THE HANDYMAN, in 2016 and 2017, respectively, with THE BANK an honorable mention.

[dannyboy121070]

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of Clay McLeod Chapman's "Kill Your Darling", a first time read and new author for me.

I am about halfway through an ARC of his new collection, ACQUIRED TASTE, my first exposure to his writing. All I can think is "THIS is the guy I keep hearing all the raves about...?" The stories range from childish and idiotic to "That was a mildly interesting concept that went nowhere." Another "new" author that just is not clicking with me.

[brlesh]

Finished The Long Walk by Stephen King.

A reread from at least 30+ years ago.

An interesting concept and the story still holds up even though it was published over 45 years ago.

It was longer than I remember, and it did drag at parts.

Also, would have liked for it to have had a more concrete ending.

Overall, certainly not top tier King, but still an interesting & engaging read.

Up next, I’m 70 pages into White Pines by Gemma Amor.

Going in blind on this one, but the description of folk / cosmic horror definitely got my interest.

B

[brlesh]

I am about halfway through an ARC of his new collection, ACQUIRED TASTE, my first exposure to his writing. All I can think is "THIS is the guy I keep hearing all the raves about...?" The stories range from childish and idiotic to "That was a mildly interesting concept that went nowhere." Another "new" author that just is not clicking with me.

I’ve had a similar experience with Chapman’s work.

I’d read a few short stories here & there, and nothing stuck out.

Earlier this year I read Kill Your Darling which, frankly, I thought was awful enough to the point of probably never trying his work again.

B

[dannyboy121070]

I’ve had a similar experience with Chapman’s work.

I’d read a few short stories here & there, and nothing stuck out.

Earlier this year I read Kill Your Darling which, frankly, I thought was awful enough to the point of probably never trying his work again.

B

Ouch. Good to know, before I decided to give him another chance. Just about done with the collection, and there have been a few stories that kept me interested, but he managed to ruin those with terrible endings.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Clay McLeod Chapman's "Kill Your Darling", a first time read and new author for me. This one falls in the grief horror genre and was a somewhat disappointing read. There was some strong character work done, but the story itself was pretty boring and exactly what you think it's going to be from the get-go. I kept waiting for some kind of twist or for something exciting to happen and it just never does. Not sure I'd recommend this one.

Am now reading Aron Beauregard's "Playground: Child of Divorce", a first time read and prequel to his infamous novel Playground.

[Sock Monkey]

Yikes. Due to all the praise, Chapman's been on my "need to check out" list and I've been circling a few of his books. With all these reviews from trusted sources, I'm thinking of holding off, and when I do try something, it will most definitely be a paperback, preferably used. In this case, I'm glad I passed on the Thunderstorm book. There's an extra sting to it when you've not spent a chunk of time on a not-so-great book, but then also dropped $100+ on it. (Nothing toward you in this comment, sholloman, I'm just talking from my own experience here. I'm very much thinking of Thunderstorm's The Collected Work of the Faceless God by Erik Williams, here.)

[sholloman81]

Yikes. Due to all the praise, Chapman's been on my "need to check out" list and I've been circling a few of his books. With all these reviews from trusted sources, I'm thinking of holding off, and when I do try something, it will most definitely be a paperback, preferably used. In this case, I'm glad I passed on the Thunderstorm book. There's an extra sting to it when you've not spent a chunk of time on a not-so-great book, but then also dropped $100+ on it. (Nothing toward you in this comment, sholloman, I'm just talking from my own experience here. I'm very much thinking of Thunderstorm's The Collected Work of the Faceless God by Erik Williams, here.)

No worries at all! I definitely wish I had grabbed a paperback of this one versus the pricey LE. Had been hearing this author's name as one to watch for a while and had been wanting to give something a try. I'm also a huge Thunderstorm fan, and their tastes generally align with mine. Because of that, I thought I'd roll the dice on this. Oh well, my blind buy got me this time! I'll most likely end up trading this book in the future or taking it to my local secondhand store at some point.

[Sock Monkey]

No worries at all! I definitely wish I had grabbed a paperback of this one versus the pricey LE. Had been hearing this author's name as one to watch for a while and had been wanting to give something a try. I'm also a huge Thunderstorm fan, and their tastes generally align with mine. Because of that, I thought I'd roll the dice on this. Oh well, my blind buy got me this time! I'll most likely end up trading this book in the future or taking it to my local secondhand store at some point.

I share the same sentiments regarding Thunderstorm, but I also go through periods of being gun-shy due to the combination of publishing authors I'm not familiar with and the $100-$125 price points. Right now, I'm being very cautious because I have a LOT of unread TSB titles, among others, on the shelf and I want to get the pile under control a bit. From the praise I've heard for Chapman, I figured Kill Your Darling was going to be a slam-dunk purchase, so I definitely understand your decision to pull the trigger. Sorry it didn't work out better.

[brlesh]

Finished up White Pines by Gemma Amor.

After a slow start and a really strange middle, I ended up really liking this story.

I think the folk horror aspects worked better than the cosmic horror,
but everything came together enough for a satisfying conclusion.

I will definitely read more from Amor in the future.

Up next, The End of the World As We Know It.

So will it live up to the hype as one of the most anticipated books of the year, or end up in the dumpster fire that’s been most of the anthologies I’ve read over the last couple of years?

B

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading Aron Beauregard's "Playground: Child of Divorce", a first time read and prequel to his infamous novel Playground. If you're into Splatter horror at all, then this is a must-read! Think I enjoyed it even more than the first book in the series which is a rarity, but you can truly see how much the author has grown as a writer.

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of John Durgin's "The Devil's in the Next Room", a first-time read and a first-time author for me.

[RonClinton]

Currently reading THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MATTHEW SCUDDER (Sub Press S/L HC)...a fictionalized non-fiction biography that is penned as an autobiography. While that description can make one's head hurt, the actual book is a true pleasure, as I'd expect from Lawrence Block, who is one of my favorite crime authors.

[sholloman81]

Finished up White Pines by Gemma Amor.

After a slow start and a really strange middle, I ended up really liking this story.

I think the folk horror aspects worked better than the cosmic horror,
but everything came together enough for a satisfying conclusion.

I will definitely read more from Amor in the future.

Up next, The End of the World As We Know It.

So will it live up to the hype as one of the most anticipated books of the year, or end up in the dumpster fire that’s been most of the anthologies I’ve read over the last couple of years?

B

Very glad to hear that White Pines was a good read! I have an LE copy sitting in my TBR pile that Paul at Thunderstorm sent me to make up for a printing issue with a previous book.

In terms of The End of the World As We Know It, I haven't read it yet. Have been trying to hold out until the LE is announced as I'm trying not to buy duplicate copies of books any longer. It has been getting good reviews, but I'm trying not to get my expectations too high as, much like yourself, the last few anthologies that I have read/[purchased have been very underwhelming. In fact, one of the ones that I was most recently disappointed by was the recent Drive-In Multiplex edited by Brian Keene & Christopher Golden. Since they are also the editors of The End of the World As We Know It, I'm a tad worried. But since The Stand is one of my all time favorite novels, I'm sure that I'll still do everything that I can to place a pre-order for the LE once it has been announced.

[RonClinton]

Very glad to hear that White Pines was a good read! I have an LE copy sitting in my TBR pile that Paul at Thunderstorm sent me to make up for a printing issue with a previous book.

In terms of The End of the World As We Know It, I haven't read it yet. Have been trying to hold out until the LE is announced as I'm trying not to buy duplicate copies of books any longer. It has been getting good reviews, but I'm trying not to get my expectations too high as, much like yourself, the last few anthologies that I have read/[purchased have been very underwhelming. In fact, one of the ones that I was most recently disappointed by was the recent Drive-In Multiplex edited by Brian Keene & Christopher Golden. Since they are also the editors of The End of the World As We Know It, I'm a tad worried. But since The Stand is one of my all time favorite novels, I'm sure that I'll still do everything that I can to place a pre-order for the LE once it has been announced.

Exactly my thoughts as well, except for THE DRIVE IN: MULTIPLEX, which while I have the S/L, I haven't actually read it yet...lukewarm reviews really tempered the buzz I had about it, and I haven't circled back on it yet. But I will.