What are you currently reading?

[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.)

[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.

[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!

[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!

[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]

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.

I enjoyed Playground but actually thought the sequel, Playground: Child of Divorce was better. If you get a chance, you should give it a go. The author has gotten better as a writer, and it shows between both books.

[Ben Staad]

Thanks for the heads up and recommendation. These type of books are a nice break from some of the other things I read.

I enjoyed Playground but actually thought the sequel, Playground: Child of Divorce was better. If you get a chance, you should give it a go. The author has gotten better as a writer, and it shows between both books.

[brlesh]

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.)

The typos were pretty much limited to the first two stories. The rest of the collection was pretty clean (though the first two stories were pretty bad).

After the Blackwood collection I read the third novella in the Kevin Lucia collection. Giant spiders in Clifton Heights! This one was a blast.

Plan on starting Dark Carnival by Ray Bradbury next. It’s been a while since I’ve read any Bradbury, so looking forward to this as a Halloween read, though I’ve probably read all the stories at least once before.

B

[sholloman81]

I read the third novella in the Kevin Lucia collection. Giant spiders in Clifton Heights! This one was a blast.

B

That does sound awesome! Hopefully someone will put out the collection as an LE!

[brlesh]

That does sound awesome! Hopefully someone will put out the collection as an LE!

Yeah, I’ve finished 3 of the 4 stories in We All Go Into the Dark and they’ve all been very entertaining.

Lucia really seems to excel at the novella length.

After publishing his debut novel last year, I’m surprised that Thunderstorm hasn’t done another project with him, especially given Paul’s predilection for doing novella collections.

B

[brlesh]

Taking a break from Dark Carnival to start The Widows of Winding Gale by Kealan Patrick Burke.

Going into this one with high hopes!

B

[RonClinton]

Taking a break from Dark Carnival to start The Widows of Winding Gale by Kealan Patrick Burke.

Going into this one with high hopes!

B

Conversely, I'm taking a break from Kealan Patrick Burke's new string of work to read Philip Fracassi's new one THE AUTUMN SPRINGS RETIREMENT HOME MASSACRE. Only twenty percent in thus far, if that, but really enjoying it...this book is a reminder of the way Fracassi has with characterization, really great stuff.

[dannyboy121070]

Conversely, I'm taking a break from Kealan Patrick Burke's new string of work to read Philip Fracassi's new one THE AUTUMN SPRINGS RETIREMENT HOME MASSACRE. Only twenty percent in thus far, if that, but really enjoying it...this book is a reminder of the way Fracassi has with characterization, really great stuff.

I read this earlier in the year, and really enjoyed it. Curious to hear your thoughts when you're done, Ron.

[Ben Staad]

Starter reading The North Woods by Douglass Hoover. I'm a few chapters in and it's okay so far. There is a little bumpiness in the writing but it's certainly readable at this point.

This was a completely random purchase. We shall see.

Amazon Blurb:

Over three million acres of dense woodlands make up the North Maine Woods. There are no major towns. No public roads. Nothing but forest for as far as the eye can see.

When two Marines and their Corpsman reunite after a decade apart, they find themselves caught up in the mystery of their former squad leader’s disappearance. With little more to go on than a handful of disturbing charcoal sketches and the whispers of a local legend, they plunge into the depths of one of America’s last truly wild places.

But the trees themselves begin to whisper dark secrets. Secrets of trafficking and violence. Of rotten science and blood. Of something else that lurks in the shadows of the pines — something ancient, savage, and hungry.

[brlesh]

Finished The Widows of Winding Gale by Kealan Patrick Burke, which I liked quite a bit.

A cosmic horror Halloween story set on a nearly deserted island off Ireland in the early 1940’s. What’s not to like?!

Next up, starting The Cold House by A. G. Slatter. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Slatter’s work in the past, so hoping this short novel (novella??) keeps that trend going.

B