What are you currently reading?

[Ben Staad]

Went on a little extreme horror/splatter type of mini binge. Runts by Daniel J. Volpe & Playground by Aron Bearugard.

Runts is a short read, not much to it, and has some mutant mayhem. There really wasn't much to the story but it passed the time on a short flight.

The other story, Playground, could have been a better read without all of the gratuitous sexual references, which I did not feel added anything to the story. Overall a solid read and I enjoyed the writing style of the author. There are some bumpy parts, chapters which were a little weak, but the narrative moved forward effectively and I would try this author again.

These books are not for everyone with over the top gore and sex but every once in awhile this trash pulls me in.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading Joe Lansdale's "Hatchet Girls". Always love getting to spend time with Lansdale 's Hap & Leonard characters as this is truly one of my all-time favorite series! While I enjoyed this one a lot, it was a bit more on the quiet side as opposed to the last one, Sugar on the Bones. Still a great read, just fewer earthshattering developments and more of a character-building entry. I truly love how Lansdale has allowed these characters to age as the series progresses. Also, as I was reading this one, I kept thinking how much I would love to have a Hap & Leonard collection centered on their adjacent characters as so many of them are a blast to read and I always wish they stuck around longer in the stories. Overall, this was a very fun read, and I can't wait for the next adventure from Hap & Leonard! As a side note if possible, I plan to go see Lansdale at the Poisoned Pen at the end of this month to support this book which should be a fun time!

Am now reading the Centipede LE of Kathryn Ptacek's "Gila!", a first-time read and author. This one sounds like fun for sure!

[sholloman81]

...also recently picked up the new S/L novel from Earthling Publications, THE WIDOWS OF WINDING GALE, and just a few days ago picked up a signed copy of his latest novella THE STAR OF THE SHOW.

Nice haul! THE WIDOWS OF WINDING GALE will be my Halloween read for sure this year!

[RonClinton]

Man, I'm sorry to hear that's still an issue with these books. This is the reason I quit collecting them a few years back, going as far as to email Kim at Camelot to explain specifically why I wanted to end my Little Book number with them in hopes they would pass along the information. If they did, it unfortunately seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Very disappointing. (And, by the way, Kim was, as always, very kind and understanding in our email exchange.)

Yeah, between the barrage of typos in the book -- and sometimes on the cover! -- and their new direction with Set 4, I stopped collecting the series as well, a series I'd been on board for since vol. 1 of Series 1.

Currently reading the KIN prequel novella from Kealan Patrick Burke. I really like KPB's work...also recently picked up the new S/L novel from Earthling Publications, THE WIDOWS OF WINDING GALE, and just a few days ago picked up a signed copy of his latest novella THE STAR OF THE SHOW.

[Sock Monkey]

Next up, started A Little Black Book of Bedevilment by Algernon Blackwood.

Two stories in, and I liked them both, but damn, this has to be one of the worst edited books ever. I can deal with a few typos here and there, but there are so many typos in this book it definitely takes away from the reading enjoyment.

B

Man, I'm sorry to hear that's still an issue with these books. This is the reason I quit collecting them a few years back, going as far as to email Kim at Camelot to explain specifically why I wanted to end my Little Book number with them in hopes they would pass along the information. If they did, it unfortunately seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Very disappointing. (And, by the way, Kim was, as always, very kind and understanding in our email exchange.)

[brlesh]

After The End of the World As We Know It I started the four novella collection by Kevin Lucia, We All Go Into the Dark.

I’ve enjoyed Lucia’s work over the last couple of years, and the first story in this collection ‘Zootown’ was no exception.

After ‘Zootown’ (I plan on spacing the Lucia novellas over the month of October), I started A Little Fuchsia Book of Fears, a small collection of stories by Sheridan Le Fanu. Read the first story last night, a reread of Le Fanu’s classic of psychological horror ‘Green Tea’. I don’t know if Le Fanu’s scientific explanation at the end of the story holds up today, but ‘Green Tea’ is still an enjoyable read.

B

Finished up the Le Fanu Little Book, which I liked quite a bit.

After that, read the second story in the Lucia collection, ‘The Man Who Sits in his Chair’, which I also liked a lot.

Next up, started A Little Black Book of Bedevilment by Algernon Blackwood.

Two stories in, and I liked them both, but damn, this has to be one of the worst edited books ever. I can deal with a few typos here and there, but there are so many typos in this book it definitely takes away from the reading enjoyment.

B

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Chad Lutzke's "How the Skin Sheds", a first time read and a part of the Splatter Western series of books. Man, this book blew me away! What the author was able to accomplish in such a small book was amazing. These characters felt so freaking real and the story was beyond compelling. I literally could not put down this book. My only gripe was that the ending was a bit rushed. Other than that, this was damn near a perfect story. Will be on the lookout for more from this author for sure!

Am now reading Joe Lansdale's "Hatchet Girls". Joe is coming to the Poisoned Pen bookstore near the end of this month to support this book and I wanted to make sure to read it beforehand as I plan to go. Also, I'm a Hap & Leonard junkie!

[brlesh]

After The End of the World As We Know It I started the four novella collection by Kevin Lucia, We All Go Into the Dark.

I’ve enjoyed Lucia’s work over the last couple of years, and the first story in this collection ‘Zootown’ was no exception.

After ‘Zootown’ (I plan on spacing the Lucia novellas over the month of October), I started A Little Fuchsia Book of Fears, a small collection of stories by Sheridan Le Fanu. Read the first story last night, a reread of Le Fanu’s classic of psychological horror ‘Green Tea’. I don’t know if Le Fanu’s scientific explanation at the end of the story holds up today, but ‘Green Tea’ is still an enjoyable read.

B

[brlesh]

Finished up The End of the World As We Know It, the massive The Stand related anthology edited by Golden and Keene the other night, and have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I went into this book with high hopes, as The Stand is one of my all time favorites, but also with a certain amount of trepidation, as I‘ve been disappointed with the edititorship of Golden & Keene in the past (whether working singularly or as a duo).

Good points: TEOTWAWKI is certainly the best anthology of original fiction I’ve read in quite sometime. Of the 34 total stories, most were at least enjoyable, which several of them being very good to great. The stories by Rio Youers & Meg Gardiner were my favorites of the anthology, absolute bangers in my opinion. There were also really good stories by Tim Lebbon, Bev Vincent, Ronald Malfi, Michael Koryta, Alma Katsu, SA Cosby, Poppy Z. Brite (there’s a blast from the past!), Somer Canon, Chuck Wendig, Cynthia Pelayo, Premee Mohamed, and Sarah Langan. There’s a lot of big genre names in there and they certainly brought their A-game to this anthology.

Disappointment: TEOTWAWKI is not a Stand immersive anthology. With this anthology, you’re not getting further stories / adventures of the characters in The Stand. These are stories set at the time The Stand takes place, but not involving the characters from the original story, other than Mother Abigail and Randall Flagg. Hence, a lot of the stories just kind of come off with a generic end of the world / horror story feel to them.

Overall, for the most part I really enjoyed this anthology. Just don’t go into it looking for a The Stand deep dive, as this book isn’t it.

B

[RonClinton]

I just finished WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME by Nat Cassidy, and I really enjoyed it…one of the better horror reads I’ve had in a while. No, it’s not a perfect book, but it’s a compulsive tale with a lot of heart and it walks that balance well. Recommended.

[TacomaDiver]

Ugh, that's not what I wanted to hear.

The last two books in the Corbett series were awful...they ruined the whole series for me. Such a letdown, for a variety of reasons.

[dannyboy121070]

I've said it before elsewhere (here?) but my ready has really suffered since I don't have a stupid commute.

Anyways, this year I decided that was going to read the entire Matthew Corbett saga from Robert McCammon. At the beginning of October, I was mostly finished with the 8th book in the series. I had to take a break a few days ago because this volume was one of my least enjoyed volumes and I wasn't enjoying it very much. I'll probably pick it back up in a few days and then dive into the 9th volume soon.

The last two books in the Corbett series were awful...they ruined the whole series for me. Such a letdown, for a variety of reasons.

[TacomaDiver]

I've said it before elsewhere (here?) but my ready has really suffered since I don't have a stupid commute.

Anyways, this year I decided that was going to read the entire Matthew Corbett saga from Robert McCammon. At the beginning of October, I was mostly finished with the 8th book in the series. I had to take a break a few days ago because this volume was one of my least enjoyed volumes and I wasn't enjoying it very much. I'll probably pick it back up in a few days and then dive into the 9th volume soon.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Ross Jeffrey's " Harvesting the Nightmare Fields". Overall, I'm a big fan of Jeffery's stuff, but I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book yet. I'd be lying if I said that the first half of the book wasn't a chore. The first-person style took a bit to get used to and the lead character has a counting tic/OCD that I found tough to get used to as well. The lead character is also missing his memories for a large chunk of the book so there was a lot of repetitive internal dialogue in that part of the story. That being said, by the halfway point of the book, the story really kicks into overdrive, and the writing style gets clearer as the main character gains his faculties back, and by that point, I found myself completely captivated by the story, even though I had guessed the ending fairly early. I believe this one may grow on me more as I ruminate over it. Overall, another good book by a really good author!

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of Chad Lutzke's "How the Skin Sheds", a first time read and a part of the Splatter Western series of books.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Michael Laimo's "Missed Connection". Went into this one blind and it knocked my socks off! Much better than I remember any of Laimo's early work being. This one had so many twists and turns, real feeling characters, and a truly killer ending! Hope this is a return to more regular publishing for the author. So happy that I took a chance on this one!

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of Ross Jeffrey's " Harvesting the Nightmare Fields". Enjoy this author a lot and am excited to see where this one goes!