What are you currently reading?

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Rebecca Rowland's "White Trash & Recycled Nightmares", a first time read and author. For me, this collection was solid but not special. You can tell that the author really knows her craft as all of the stories were put together well and were interesting; however, none of them ever rose to the truly special level for me. Some readers may also not like that the majority of the stories' endings tended to happen "off screen" requiring your imagination to fill in the blanks.

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of Tim Waggoner's "Like Death", a first-time read for me.

[Ben Staad]

I've stopped reading JH novels. I haven't liked any in many years.

- 20th Century Ghosts (One of my favorite collections ever)
- HSB (Very good and I liked this a lot)
- Horns (Okay and enjoyable)
- NOS4A2 (Hated it but read it)
- The Fireman (DNF)
- Strange Weather (DNF)
- Full Throttle (DNF)
- King Sorrow (Didn't purchase)

So you are not alone. I so very much want to like him but it just isn't working for me.

Ended up -- as I suggested I might earlier in this (?) thread -- DNFing KING SORROW by Joe Hill at around page 250. Just couldn't do it anymore. I can objectively see why many (most?) folks are digging this one since Hill can obviously write, but there were too many issues that ran counter to the type of story I enjoy at the moment and it became abundantly clear that that wasn't going to change, so I finally threw in the towel. Given how much I enjoy Hill's other work, I'm still really looking forward to his next release (a historical horror novel) and just calling KING SORROW a one-off disappointment (well, if one forgets about THE FIREMAN, I suppose).

Read a couple very short novellas to counter the massive tome size of Hill's book: DISPLACED PERSON by Lee Harding and THE STAR OF THE SHOW by Kealan Patrick Burke. The first -- a 1979 novella written, I believe, for the Australian YA market -- was a bit meh and certainly didn't rival Bentley Little's THE IGNORED as the final word on the theme, though it had some interesting scenes. Kealan's novella was, of course, great...each time I read him I'm reminded how his work sings.

[RonClinton]

Started CITY HALL by Bentley Little.

[brlesh]

Finished up Little Horn by Gemma Files. I liked more than I disliked in this uneven collection.

After Little Horn, I read the first novella (Storms) in Windhaven by George R. R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle. A fantasy coming-of-age story about a young girl who cannot be a flier, but falls in love with flying anyways. A rather predictable plot line, which I enjoyed nonetheless.

This morning I started Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Want to read this before the upcoming movie opens. This is the first thing I’ve ever read by Weir. I have high hopes for this one. My last couple of science fiction reads have not gone very well.

B

[RonClinton]

Ended up -- as I suggested I might earlier in this (?) thread -- DNFing KING SORROW by Joe Hill at around page 250. Just couldn't do it anymore. I can objectively see why many (most?) folks are digging this one since Hill can obviously write, but there were too many issues that ran counter to the type of story I enjoy at the moment and it became abundantly clear that that wasn't going to change, so I finally threw in the towel. Given how much I enjoy Hill's other work, I'm still really looking forward to his next release (a historical horror novel) and just calling KING SORROW a one-off disappointment (well, if one forgets about THE FIREMAN, I suppose).

Read a couple very short novellas to counter the massive tome size of Hill's book: DISPLACED PERSON by Lee Harding and THE STAR OF THE SHOW by Kealan Patrick Burke. The first -- a 1979 novella written, I believe, for the Australian YA market -- was a bit meh and certainly didn't rival Bentley Little's THE IGNORED as the final word on the theme, though it had some interesting scenes. Kealan's novella was, of course, great...each time I read him I'm reminded how his work sings.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Lividian LE of Justin Cronin's "The Ferryman", a first time read for me. Absolutely loved this one! While I was able to figure out the mystery aspect of the plot fairly early, it didn't detract one iota from my enjoyment of the story. I truly loved the ideas and philosophical musings enmeshed in the plot, and pretty much all of the characters felt fully fleshed out and real to me. I also really loved the ending and how full of hope and joy it was while still tinged with the bittersweet. Totally had me in my feelings. Overall, while not as groundbreaking as The Passage, this book still totally rocked and will be one that I reread in the future for sure. Very happy to have this edition on my shelf!

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of Rebecca Rowland's "White Trash & Recycled Nightmares", a first time read and author for me. Hope I like it!

[brlesh]

Finished up ITCH! by Gemma Amor.

ITCH! had an interesting beginning and I liked the ending, but the story lacked the character development to carry a slow middle portion.

Next up, starting Little Horn, the latest short story collection by Gemma Files.

B

[brlesh]

I have yet to finish The Passage trilogy, so I can't speak to it as a whole. However, I have read the first book three or four times and the second book at least twice. I think The Passage is a fantastic book and feels like it while one is reading it. The second book does stumble as a middle chapter, but is much better on a reread when those pesky preconceived "way too high expectations" are out of the way. I will also add that, at least for me, the books are best read with little time between them because various characters or plot points are brought up with little help from Cronin to re-establish them, leading to a less than satisfactory experience when there is too much time between reads. This is what has stalled me out on the series every single time I've tried to tackle them. All that being said, one of my goals this year is to do a full and complete readthrough of the the whole series...or die trying!

I hold The Passage trilogy in the highest regard. For me it’s right up there with King’s The Stand and McCammon’s Swan Song.

I think all three books are great. The first tells a great story while establishing the characters for the rest of the trilogy.

The second book, IMO, is the darkest of the three. Cronin gets into some seriously heavy shit in The Twelve.

And City of Mirrors is the perfect conclusion. The third book was the only time, I won’t say I got bored, but I definitely got impatient with Zero’s backstory. But then you finish the backstory, and it’s like holy shit!, that just explained the whole story of The Passage.

The ending beyond that I thought was perfect, heart breaking in so many ways (poor Alisha, who literally went through hell in the entire trilogy), yet still ultimately hopeful.

The Passage will always be an all time favorite for me!

B

[Sock Monkey]

Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love The Passage more than The Twelve & City of Mirrors, but I also enjoyed the other books as well and the trilogy as a whole. My main gripe with the trilogy was always the amount of time between each book but never the quality of the writing or where the story went. I also think it didn't help that the 2nd book was the weakest of the bunch IMO. After the wait between the first book and the second, I think a lot of people had way to high of expectations and may have enjoyed the 2nd book a bit more if it had arrived sooner. But I could also be totally wrong about that!

I have yet to finish The Passage trilogy, so I can't speak to it as a whole. However, I have read the first book three or four times and the second book at least twice. I think The Passage is a fantastic book and feels like it while one is reading it. The second book does stumble as a middle chapter, but is much better on a reread when those pesky preconceived "way too high expectations" are out of the way. I will also add that, at least for me, the books are best read with little time between them because various characters or plot points are brought up with little help from Cronin to re-establish them, leading to a less than satisfactory experience when there is too much time between reads. This is what has stalled me out on the series every single time I've tried to tackle them. All that being said, one of my goals this year is to do a full and complete readthrough of the the whole series...or die trying!

[sholloman81]

Interesting...you don't hear that often. Usually folks say something along the lines of, "The first one was great and the series went downhill from there." I'm afraid I have to count myself among that crowd, which is why I sat out on THE FERRYMAN.

Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love The Passage more than The Twelve & City of Mirrors, but I also enjoyed the other books as well and the trilogy as a whole. My main gripe with the trilogy was always the amount of time between each book but never the quality of the writing or where the story went. I also think it didn't help that the 2nd book was the weakest of the bunch IMO. After the wait between the first book and the second, I think a lot of people had way to high of expectations and may have enjoyed the 2nd book a bit more if it had arrived sooner. But I could also be totally wrong about that!

[RonClinton]

With my love of The Passage trilogy,

Interesting...you don't hear that often. Usually folks say something along the lines of, "The first one was great and the series went downhill from there." I'm afraid I have to count myself among that crowd, which is why I sat out on THE FERRYMAN.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of Mona Kabbani's "They're Already Here", a collection of three novellas. Have never read anything by this author before and really ended up enjoying these novellas, especially the last one, For You. Each story had a really unique voice, and the plots felt very fresh, even when mixing in traditional horror elements. In terms of favorites, I would probably rank them as follows: For You, Vanilla, & The Bell Chime. Very glad to have taken a chance on this book and will be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.

Am now reading the Lividian LE of Justin Cronin's "The Ferryman", a first time read for me. With my love of The Passage trilogy, I have been trying to temper my expectations for this one. Hope I end up loving it too!

[RonClinton]

I'm a pre-hype avoidant of S. G. Jones' work. I tried to read a couple of his books a decade or so ago, and they just didn't click with me. I'm pleased to see him receive this relatively recent acclaim since I can objectively see why people could enjoy and appreciate his work, but I'm unfortunately among those that don't quite get it, so I've been able to sit out this recent hype and SST's limited-edition offerings. I almost weakened with a serious case of FOMO with BUFFALO HUNTER HUNTER, but ultimately held fast, with a TBR pile that's already overwhelming, to the point where I don't need to get into reconsidering authors who've already proved not to work for me.

[sholloman81]

For the most part, I enjoyed King Sorrow, but I also struggled to find the characters likeable.

Current read is Stephen Graham Jones's The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.

I think I've seen the man in person more than the number of books I've read by him. His writing has always proven challenging to me - something about the cadence it seems. But the man is an amazing speaker. Probably why I keep going to his events - plus the fact he's local to me helps out a bit.

Only about 100 pages in so far, and I am enjoying it. Took a bit to get into, but now I have the taste and am looking forward to reading more. My wife is interested in this one too so it'll depend on what I think of it before I'd recommend it to her.

I love me some Stephen Graham Jones. As you mention, his writing style is unique compared to others. It usually takes me a few chapters for it to click, but once it does, his stuff usually floors me. I haven't read the The Buffalo Hunter Hunter yet as I'm waiting for the SST LE to be published but expect to love it!

[dannyboy121070]

I attempted to read one Stephen Graham Jones novel, do not even remember the title but I had a visceral response to the writing style and I bailed. The only other writer that I had that type of response to was Ann Rice. I tried several of her books and could never get more than halfway through any of them. That experience has kept me from trying again. The outline of The Buffalo Hunter intrigues me, but I am fairly certain I would not be able to finish it. Glad he as having great success but clearly not for me. Hope it works for you and your wife!

I've read several of his novellas and short stories, and I usually struggle to understand what he is trying to convey, and I'm always disappointed by the endings. A friend on Goodreads reviewed THE BUFFALO HUNTER, didn't like it, and has hundreds of responses basically saying they all couldn't get through the book. I guess he'll be chalked up as another newish-to-me author that I just don't connect with.