What are you currently reading?

[RonClinton]

Currently reading a good one...I don't often read debut novels from unknown authors as they seldom have the polish and depth I need these days -- but this one proves there's an exception to any rule. I posted on X: SAFECRACKER by Jesse DeRoy is one of the best debut crime novels I’ve read in years. With touches of Stark’s Parker series and Steve Hamilton’s coming-of-age THE LOCK ARTIST, DeRoy’s and his young antihero protagonist unlocked my recent reading rut with explosive talent.

[Ben Staad]

Awesome news. I've been in a rut as well. Hoping to find my very own rut buster.

Currently reading a good one...I don't often read debut novels from unknown authors as they seldom have the polish and depth I need these days -- but this one proves there's an exception to any rule. I posted on X: SAFECRACKER by Jesse DeRoy is one of the best debut crime novels I’ve read in years. With touches of Stark’s Parker series and Steve Hamilton’s coming-of-age THE LOCK ARTIST, DeRoy’s and his young antihero protagonist unlocked my recent reading rut with explosive talent.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Hailey Piper's "The Work and His Kings Saga". Always love these omnibus collections and this one was no different. Enjoyed the way the author was able to work their social commentary into each novella without beating you over the head with it and the ways in which it actually benefited the story. Always nice when an author can land that correctly. If I had one complaint with the novellas it would be that they aren't really that scary, more of a "scary ideas" book. That being said, the ideas are quite horrific in a Lovecraftian way, and each novella does have at least one scene guaranteed to creep you out. Overall, I'm glad that I gave this book/author a chance and will probably ready another of her works in the future should I run across one. Overall, a C+ to B- read for me.

Am now reading the Subterranean Press LE of Martha Wells' "System Collapse", a Murderbot book. I really enjoy the Murderbot series and have been looking forward to reading this one for a while.

[brlesh]

Finished Bruises on a Butterfly by Chad Lutzke, which I liked a lot.

Lutzke does coming of age stories very well.

After Bruises, finished up Ghostly Tales, an anthology of seven classic ghost stories, which was great.

Up next, leaning towards a reread of The Grownup, which was in my mailbox this afternoon.

B

[brlesh]

Just finished The Grownup.

What a great story.

I had forgotten just how funny this story was!

And the ending keeps you guessing.

Wish Flynn would get back to writing books again.

Next up, back to some classics with The Vampyre and Other Macabre Tales

B

[sholloman81]

Finished Bruises on a Butterfly by Chad Lutzke, which I liked a lot.

Lutzke does coming of age stories very well.

After Bruises, finished up Ghostly Tales, an anthology of seven classic ghost stories, which was great.

Up next, leaning towards a reread of The Grownup, which was in my mailbox this afternoon.

B

Glad to hear the Lutzke book was good as I have that in my TBR pile!

[brlesh]

Just finished The Witch Tree, a chapbook by Philip Fracassi.

A quick and entertaining story that I enjoyed quite a bit.

And now I can say I have a book signed by Jeff Terry in my collection!

B

[brlesh]

Glad to hear the Lutzke book was good as I have that in my TBR pile!

Yes, I enjoyed Bruises quite a bit.

Similar to Of Foster Homes and Flies, it was a well told and fast paced coming-of-age story.

Also similar to OFHAF, I thought the ending was bit anticlimactic, but not enough to take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

B

[Chuggers]

Started through Night Visions The Hellbound Heart last night, still working my way through Ramsey Campbell's selection of stories and so far extremely impressed. Might need to read more of his short stories this year

[brlesh]

Just about to start Heavy Oceans by Tyler Jones.

This will be the first thing I’ve read by Jones, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about Heavy Oceans, so have high hopes for this one.

B

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Subterranean Press LE of Martha Wells' "System Collapse", a Murderbot book. Really enjoy the Murderbot series as a whole and this was another fun entry. Can't wait for the next installment!

Am now reading the Lividian LE of W.H. Chizmar's "Them". This was a pure impulse buy as I had never heard of the author prior to the Lividian book announcement. Hoping it lives up to Lividian's/Brian's standards, fingers-crossed!

[brlesh]

Just finished up a reread of Girl on the Porch by Richard Chizmar.

An effective little thriller about suburban paranoia.

Up next, starting Cold, Black & Infinite, a short story collection by Todd Keisling.

B

[Sock Monkey]

Just finished The Twelve by Justin Cronin. This is my second time reading the middle part of the Cronin's trilogy. I remember liking it the first time around, but I have grown to appreciate it so much more on this readthrough. Clearly there's a third part, but I was amazed at how well Cronin crafts this novel to feel almost like a second half of the first book. I also gleaned a lot more this time around in the connections between characters. To be honest, the cast is incredibly expansive so it is hard to keep up if you take extended breaks between novels. I know that there are some critics of the books that feel that they are a little boring, but Cronin has this detailed manner in regards to worldbuilding that it all feels so lived in, and that these coincidences of plot don't feel so forced as they would if time and care had not been taken in weaving together the strands beforehand. Frankly, it is a level and scope of worldbuilding we don't see too often in the horror genre. All that is to say, I loved this book, maybe not as much as the first one, but very close to it. I'm also going to break from some of my rules and move directly into the third and final book. I've heard some are quite disappointed in it, but I'm keeping my mind open.

[sholloman81]

Just finished The Twelve by Justin Cronin. This is my second time reading the middle part of the Cronin's trilogy. I remember liking it the first time around, but I have grown to appreciate it so much more on this readthrough. Clearly there's a third part, but I was amazed at how well Cronin crafts this novel to feel almost like a second half of the first book. I also gleaned a lot more this time around in the connections between characters. To be honest, the cast is incredibly expansive so it is hard to keep up if you take extended breaks between novels. I know that there are some critics of the books that feel that they are a little boring, but Cronin has this detailed manner in regards to worldbuilding that it all feels so lived in, and that these coincidences of plot don't feel so forced as they would if time and care had not been taken in weaving together the strands beforehand. Frankly, it is a level and scope of worldbuilding we don't see too often in the horror genre. All that is to say, I loved this book, maybe not as much as the first one, but very close to it. I'm also going to break from some of my rules and move directly into the third and final book. I've heard some are quite disappointed in it, but I'm keeping my mind open.

Love The Passage trilogy and am very happy to have the CD editions on my shelf. Each book is a wonderful journey (and I actually liked the third book and its' ending quite a lot). Was honestly surprised that his most recent standalone, The Ferryman, didn't garner more attention. Pretty sure that Lividian might be doing that book in the future, and if so, I'll happily grab a copy!