What are you currently reading?

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Nick Robert's "Anathema Legacy", a first time read for me. I really enjoyed the first book and the sequel lived up to if not surpassed it. The were a few moments where you had to suspend your disbelief, but otherwise, the plot was tight and dread inducing, including a few truly hair-raising scenes. Also loved the way the author was able to keep me guessing as to if the main antagonist was truly evil or just mentally unhinged. The author also managed to nail the ending while leaving room for more story should he choose to return to it. Overall, am glad to have read these two books and will definitely seek out more of the authors work in the future.

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

[Ben Staad]

I have always struggled with his work. Let us know if you were able to breakthrough on this one.

I'm currently reading Goblin by Malerman. It's okay, not his best, and I've started to skim through parts.

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.

[RonClinton]

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.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm Screaming Cacti LE of Christine Morgan's "Homebody". This was a blind read and fell completely flat for me. The writing was solid, but beyond that, I disliked pretty much everything else, from the whinny and dislikeable characters whose actions made no sense, to the plot that really never went anywhere, and to the supernatural elements that were nonsensical and felt shoehorned into the story. I also hated the ending. I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them, but this was just not the book for me! I hope others out there get more milage from it than I did because I truly hate leaving negative reviews!

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of Nick Robert's "Anathema Legacy", a first time read for me. I enjoyed the first book and am hoping the sequel lives up to it!

[RonClinton]

Currently reading a Jonathan Carroll novel from couple years ago, MR. BREAKFAST. It has a classic Twilight Zone setup, with a man being able to see the three different lives he could have led and has to choose. These kind of books always appeal to me in a big way (but rarely deliver), so I hope it lives up to my expectations.

[brlesh]

Finished up The House on the Borderland, the weird fiction classic by William Hope Hodgson, which quite frankly, I ended up hating.

Moving on.

Next up, starting The Long Walk by Stephen King.

Want to get a reread in before the movie opens.

It’s been probably 30+ years since I’ve read this one, but I remember it as being the best in the Bachman Books collection.

B

[brlesh]

Took a break from a couple of short story collections to start The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson.

Halfway through and so far it’s an interesting read.

I’ve only read a couple of stories by Hodgson, and these have all been nautical in nature (and very good), so THOTB is a completely different vibe. Terrestrial setting, swine people, and astral projections to another dimension / galaxy.

It will be interesting to see how the second half plays out.

B

[dannyboy121070]

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE Screaming Cacti of Christine Morgan's "Homebody". Going into this one completely blind!

Curious to hear your thoughts...I got HOMEBODY in one of their grab-bags a few years back, and it's still sitting on my shelf, waiting....A good review could get me to finally crack it open.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Jushua Chaplinsky's "Letters to the Purple Satin Killer, a first time read and author for me. Enjoyed this one a bunch. The format of the story (epistolary) worked perfectly for this tale. Loved how you never hear from the killer himself, and yet in a way you do via the letters that are sent to him. So many potential plot points are between the lines of what's being said in the letters and how the killer may have responded (assuming you trust the letter writer). Also, because most of the letters are no more than a few pages, they almost force you to keep reading. Some of the letters were funny, some gross, some sad, and many completely messed up. May be a while before I reread this, but I am glad to have added it to my collection!

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE Screaming Cacti of Christine Morgan's "Homebody". Going into this one completely blind!

[brlesh]

Finished up Memorials by Richard Chizmar, which I found to be a mixed bag.

The first 2/3 read like a mystery / thriller. The last third went full on satanic panic (the story is set in 1983), and was rather chaotic and disjointed, and (I think), unintentionally humorous at times.

After Memorials, I finished up A Little Blue Book of Civil War Horrors by Ambrose Bierce. Bierce’s fiction tends to be dark and at times unrelenting, and the stories in this short collection didn’t disappoint.

After the Bierce collection I read ‘Fitted Sheet’, a chapbook by Ian Rogers. Liked this short story a lot. It had a very strong Bradbury-esque feel to it.

B