What are you currently reading?

[RonClinton]

Just finished reading the SST LE of Joe Lansdale's "The Donut Legion". Liked it but didn't love it. Has a fun cast of characters and you get Lansdale's usual solid writing and colorful turns of phrase, but for me, the story ultimately felt a little flat by the end, at least by Lansdale standards . . . Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and would give it a C+ as it is better than average, just not quite as good as I was expecting.

Perfectly said.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the SST LE of Joe Lansdale's "The Donut Legion". Liked it but didn't love it. Has a fun cast of characters and you get Lansdale's usual solid writing and colorful turns of phrase, but for me, the story ultimately felt a little flat by the end, at least by Lansdale standards, especially the "final boss" battle with Cowboy. I also thought the way Lansdale described some of the sex scenes between the main character and Scrappy were a bit cringy. I do think that Lansdale nailed the ending, and I also do think it would be fun spending time with some of these characters again, even if it were a guest appearance. Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and would give it a C+ as it is better than average, just not quite as good as I was expecting.

Am now reading a 1st hardcover of Ray Nayler's "The Mountain in the Sea". Have no idea what to expect, but the book has a bunch of blurbs from author's whom I enjoy; so, my fingers are crossed! 

[brlesh]

Currently about a third of the way through A Bright and Beautiful Eternal World by James Chambers.

So far, thoroughly enjoying this collection of Lovecraftian stories.

B

[brlesh]

Finished The Girl on the Porch by Richard Chizmar.

I thought it was a fast paced, interesting read, mining most of the same suburban paranoia themes Chizmar touched upon on in The Longest December.

The ending was rather abrupt and left me feeling I had missed something as a reader.

B

[brlesh]

Finished up Stories for the Next Pandemic by Brian Keene.

I’ve kind of fallen off the wagon as far as Keene’s novels go, but still generally enjoy his short fiction, and this small collection holds true to form.

A quick, short read that I really enjoyed.

B

[brlesh]

Finished Where They Wait by Scott Carson.

Thought it was a mixed bag.

While I enjoyed the historical ghost story angle, I found the tech-noir
app and mental manipulation angle to be convoluted and vague.

If you are new to Carson, I would recommend trying The Chill first.

B

[RonClinton]

Am now reading the SST LE of Joe Lansdale's "The Donut Legion". I've seen mixed reviews online for this one, but I'm a huge Lansdale fan; so, my fingers are crossed!

I’m a huge Lansdale fan, but just didn’t click with this one, unfortunately. I can recognize the strengths it does have, but as a total package it just didn’t work for me, which is unusual when it comes to Lansdale. Hope you dig it more than I did.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Brennan LaFaro's "I Will Always Find You: The Complete Slattery Falls". This was another first-time author for me. Based on these stories, I will definitely be reading more LaFaro in the future as I was completely blown away by how good each of these novellas were and the progression of the story and characters from book to book. LaFaro's definitely got a gift for characterization. I know this is a bit cliched, but reading these novellas reminded me a bit of reading 80's Stephen King, strong characters mixed with an everyman's voice for the storytelling that seems to make pages fly by. The author also left enough room to continue the story if he chooses, and personally, I wouldn't mind another trip to Slattery Falls at all! Overall, these stories are very recommended and I'm beyond happy to have added this to my Thunderstorm collection.

Am now reading the SST LE of Joe Lansdale's "The Donut Legion". I've seen mixed reviews online for this one, but I'm a huge Lansdale fan; so, my fingers are crossed!

[Sock Monkey]

Just getting started onThe Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert for a book club. A different type of horror book!

I'm not a big non-fiction fan, but this sounds interesting...and frightening.

[Boggle Champion]

Finished Savages by Don Winslow, loved the book. Already checked out the prequel The Kings of Cool from the library, looking forward to starting it. Has anyone who read Savages read that one as well?

Also finished Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay...unfortunately, I didn't really care for it. I liked the premise, but the pacing was too slow and the 'Horror Movie' itself was uninteresting to me. At one point, a character who read the screenplay comments that it doesn't sound like a movie they'd like to see, and I agree! (Unless I'm misremembering and that didn't happen in the book...now I'm doubting myself. Tremblay ambiguity!) This was only my second Tremblay book, and I do like his writing style so I'll pick up more in the future.

Just getting started onThe Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert for a book club. A different type of horror book!

[dannyboy121070]

I bought the first volume of PS Publishing's SOLAR PONS OMNIBUS series on a whim, and I'm cracking that open this morning. My first exposure to Basil Copper. I wanted to dig into this fast before I committed to the other two volumes.

[mhatchett]

Currently reading Savages by Don Winslow, based on a recommendation from this thread. About halfway through so far and really enjoying it, much more than Winslow's "City" trilogy. Thank you for the recommend!

Also starting Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, reading the b&n edition with the red sprayed edges. Only about 20 pages in, but I like the setup so far. I'm going to Tremblay's event at Vortex Books this weekend, so I'm hoping to get through the book by then!

Don Winslow is Great!
 

[sholloman81]

Currently reading Savages by Don Winslow, based on a recommendation from this thread. About halfway through so far and really enjoying it, much more than Winslow's "City" trilogy. Thank you for the recommend!

Also starting Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, reading the b&n edition with the red sprayed edges. Only about 20 pages in, but I like the setup so far. I'm going to Tremblay's event at Vortex Books this weekend, so I'm hoping to get through the book by then!

Glad to hear that about the Tremblay book.  I've been holding off on the Tremblay hoping a LE version will be announced.  If that doesn't happen soon, I may break down and buy a trade copy.  The story sounds great.

[Boggle Champion]

Currently reading Savages by Don Winslow, based on a recommendation from this thread. About halfway through so far and really enjoying it, much more than Winslow's "City" trilogy. Thank you for the recommend!

Also starting Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, reading the b&n edition with the red sprayed edges. Only about 20 pages in, but I like the setup so far. I'm going to Tremblay's event at Vortex Books this weekend, so I'm hoping to get through the book by then!

[brlesh]

Finished up American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

At times a frustrating read, but overall a satisfying read.

Then onto With Teeth by Brian Keene, a novella and two short stories all revolving around vampires.

Keene doesn’t break any new ground here, but these stories were a lot of fun. Good old fashioned horror stories.

Also finished up Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities, and Other Horrors, an anthology about monsters.

Might have been better if some of the stories had actually had monsters in them!

Currently about 80 pages into Where They Wait by Scott Carson.

So far really enjoying this fast paced techno-thriller (??).

B