What are you currently reading?

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the hardback LE of Aron Beauregard's "Wet Market and Other Stories". This was my first read by Beauregard and will not be my last. This book was five or six short stories along with an essay, and each story had one illustration to accompany it. Like most collections, the stories were a mixed bag, but all of them were solid and a few were fantastic. My favorites we're "A Muffin in the Oven"- a mean little take on the UFO visitation/pregnancy troupe, "Carla's Conundrum"- a story about a women's obsession with hand-puppets and her slip into madness, & the title story "The Wet Market"-which might have the single most disgusting/messed-up scene that I have ever read in it, and I've read pretty much everything by Edward Lee & other extreme horror masters. Overall, I'm glad to have finally read something by Beauregard and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys extreme horror or is a fan of authors such as Edward Lee or Wrath James White.

Am now reading the LE pocketbook of Aron Beauregard's "A Life of Crime".

[sholloman81]

About halfway through Screams From the Dark stories, and I agree with others that these stories have been a slog to get through. I'm mainly listening to these on audio, and each story is roughly an hour long and meander a lot. Maybe three stories so far have been memorable and something I'd recommend, but the rest haven't worked too well. There's still some great authors left on the TOC (Lansdale/Ballingrud/SGJ/Langan), so I'm holding out hope for the rest.

Currently reading Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, really enjoying this one. It's my first Malerman book and it's creepy as hell! I like the unique writing style through the perspective of a young child.

I'm also reading through some stories in Joe Lansdale's collection By Bizarre Hands. I've read a good chunk of these in other collections already, so I'm kinda skipping around. Some of his best work is in here.

I'm really looking forward to reading that Malerman book at some point.  I've been hoping that SST or someone else would announce an LE version so I could avoid purchasing  duplicate copies but I may break down and buy a trade copy soon.

[Boggle Champion]

About halfway through Screams From the Dark stories, and I agree with others that these stories have been a slog to get through. I'm mainly listening to these on audio, and each story is roughly an hour long and meander a lot. Maybe three stories so far have been memorable and something I'd recommend, but the rest haven't worked too well. There's still some great authors left on the TOC (Lansdale/Ballingrud/SGJ/Langan), so I'm holding out hope for the rest.

Currently reading Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman, really enjoying this one. It's my first Malerman book and it's creepy as hell! I like the unique writing style through the perspective of a young child.

I'm also reading through some stories in Joe Lansdale's collection By Bizarre Hands. I've read a good chunk of these in other collections already, so I'm kinda skipping around. Some of his best work is in here.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Ross Jeffery's "I Died Too, But They Haven't Buried Me Yet". While I usually enjoy Jeffrey's writing, if I'm being honest, this one was a miss for me. It's the definition of a grief-horror book and was very well written; however, I'm not sure that it's a story that I would ever want to revisit. There's just not much fun in this book and the main character is extremely caustic and hard to root for in any way which made the overall story a slog to get through. This book also had a twist ending of sorts that I just wasn't buying. Overall, while not a bad book by any means, I think this story just wasn't meant for me.

Am now reading the hardback LE of Aron Beauregard's "Wet Market and Other Stories".

[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.