What are you currently reading?

[TacomaDiver]

Thanks for the offer! I've got a couple of other book-buying irons in the fire right now, so I don't know if I can stretch the budget any further. Maybe I can hit up you later down the line and see if we can work something out.

Sounds good - I'm sure I'll still have them hanging around.

[Sock Monkey]

I have the set as well, and Sock Monkey , for what it's worth and in my opinion, it's a set of diminishing returns. I loved SEA OF RUST, liked DAY ZERO, and didn't really care for the third one, the novella ALL THE ASH WE LEAVE BEHIND. I'm hoping that if there are future installments that he'll return to the vibe of SEA OF RUST with its focus on emotion and humanity-of-many-forms. DAY ZERO lacked too much of that aspect, was too much a (generally entertaining) action-adventure romp, and unfortunately ALL THE ASH was so forgettable that I can't remember what it was about, just a month or so after reading it.

That's a bummer to hear. Thank you for the feedback, though.

[Sock Monkey]

I've got the three books, matching numbers, that I could probably be talked out of if you're looking for a set. Send me a message and we'll talk!

Thanks for the offer! I've got a couple of other book-buying irons in the fire right now, so I don't know if I can stretch the budget any further. Maybe I can hit up you later down the line and see if we can work something out.

[RonClinton]

I've got the three books, matching numbers, that I could probably be talked out of if you're looking for a set. Send me a message and we'll talk!

I have the set as well, and Sock Monkey , for what it's worth and in my opinion, it's a set of diminishing returns. I loved SEA OF RUST, liked DAY ZERO, and didn't really care for the third one, the novella ALL THE ASH WE LEAVE BEHIND. I'm hoping that if there are future installments that he'll return to the vibe of SEA OF RUST with its focus on emotion and humanity-of-many-forms. DAY ZERO lacked too much of that aspect, was too much a (generally entertaining) action-adventure romp, and unfortunately ALL THE ASH was so forgettable that I can't remember what it was about, just a month or so after reading it.

[TacomaDiver]

I am also still kicking myself for not picking up the Sub Press editions of this Cargill series. For a while Sea of Rust was pretty cheap on the aftermarket, but that has changed as of late. I might need to just go the paperback route. On a side note, a few years back at film festival, I found myself standing just a few scant feet away from Mr. Cargill, who was in attendance. He was just chit-chatting with some folks and I was trying to screw up my nerve to say hi when he headed off to someplace or another. Kinda regret not acting sooner.

I've got the three books, matching numbers, that I could probably be talked out of if you're looking for a set. Send me a message and we'll talk!

[TacomaDiver]

Currently on Book 5 of the Six Part collection from Amazon - The Time Traveler's Passport.

I wanted something a little more light-hearted after finishing Octavia Butler's Parable for the Sower. First time reading her, and this book wrecked me. It actually impacted how I slept for a few nights and gave me some mini-nightmares. But damn was that book good. Just hard. Devastating.

[Sock Monkey]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of John Wayne Comunale's "All of Your Dreams Will Come True When You're Dead", a first time read and part of the Splatter Western series. For me, this was a very average read. The elements for something good were there, but they just never coalesced into something special. Also, found the Lovecraftian element to the story to be undercooked and the ending felt very rushed. The author does leave room for a sequel but I'm not that sure that I would give it a chance, at least not in a LE form. While I love the splatter western series of books, this one just wasn't that satisfying of a read for me.

Am now reading the Subterranean Press LE of C. Robert Cargill's "All the Ash We Leave Behind", a novella set in the "Sea of Rust" world. Loved Sea of Rust and am looking forward to this one, even if the volume is very slim.

I have a complete set of these Thunderstorm LEs and I've yet to read a one. I'm thinking of doing a one-per-month required read to get through them.

I am also still kicking myself for not picking up the Sub Press editions of this Cargill series. For a while Sea of Rust was pretty cheap on the aftermarket, but that has changed as of late. I might need to just go the paperback route. On a side note, a few years back at film festival, I found myself standing just a few scant feet away from Mr. Cargill, who was in attendance. He was just chit-chatting with some folks and I was trying to screw up my nerve to say hi when he headed off to someplace or another. Kinda regret not acting sooner.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of John Wayne Comunale's "All of Your Dreams Will Come True When You're Dead", a first time read and part of the Splatter Western series. For me, this was a very average read. The elements for something good were there, but they just never coalesced into something special. Also, found the Lovecraftian element to the story to be undercooked and the ending felt very rushed. The author does leave room for a sequel but I'm not that sure that I would give it a chance, at least not in a LE form. While I love the splatter western series of books, this one just wasn't that satisfying of a read for me.

Am now reading the Subterranean Press LE of C. Robert Cargill's "All the Ash We Leave Behind", a novella set in the "Sea of Rust" world. Loved Sea of Rust and am looking forward to this one, even if the volume is very slim.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Suntup LE of Kealan Patrick Burke's "Kin & Sidewinder". Am a huge Burke fan and enjoyed Kin even more during this 2nd read! This was my first time reading Sidewinder and I also enjoyed that one quite a bit as well (but not as much as Kin). Really hope we get a new book from Burke sometime soon as this reread has reminded me how much I enjoy his writing.

Am now reading the Thunderstorm LE of John Wayne Comunale's "All of Your Dream Will Come True When You're Dead", a first time read and part of the Splatter Western series.

[Ben Staad]

Enjoy the read. I haven't read KIN in awhile but it sure is a good one.

Am now finally getting around to my Suntup copy of Kealan Patrick Burke's "Kin & Sidewinder". I haven't read Kin since the CD version was first issued and can only remember the bare bones of the plot, so I'm very much looking forward to this read as I truly enjoy Burke's writing!

[RonClinton]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of The Sisters of Slaughter's "Slaughter City", a first-time read. I would say this is a solid but not spectacular collection. The stories were perfectly fine and interesting, but they just never rose to the truly special level IMO, except for the last story which was a short novella and displayed tons of imagination. Seems like I enjoy their longer works more so far as beyond that novella, I also enjoyed their short novel in the Thunderstorm VS line. Look forward to seeing what they do next.

Am now finally getting around to my Suntup copy of Kealan Patrick Burke's "Kin & Sidewinder". I haven't read Kin since the CD version was first issued and can only remember the bare bones of the plot, so I'm very much looking forward to this read as I truly enjoy Burke's writing!

I think KIN is one of Kealan's best works, even though it's a bit atypical within his body of work in its non-fantastical approach. Like you, I always find his writing to be compelling and enjoyable, but there's something uniquely special about KIN in that the way it's an exemplar package of holistically realized elements of atmosphere, character, and tension, framed by a dark, dirty grittiness that feels akin to a '70s grindhouse(ish) film. While I did enjoy "Sidewinder," I wasn't quite as taken with it, though I suspect that's more a "me thing" since it was very different than what I'd expected...to be fair, though, it's also indicative of the way in which Kealan doesn't take obvious route with his writing, so props to him for that.

[sholloman81]

Just finished reading the Thunderstorm LE of The Sisters of Slaughter's "Slaughter City", a first-time read. I would say this is a solid but not spectacular collection. The stories were perfectly fine and interesting, but they just never rose to the truly special level IMO, except for the last story which was a short novella and displayed tons of imagination. Seems like I enjoy their longer works more so far as beyond that novella, I also enjoyed their short novel in the Thunderstorm VS line. Look forward to seeing what they do next.

Am now finally getting around to my Suntup copy of Kealan Patrick Burke's "Kin & Sidewinder". I haven't read Kin since the CD version was first issued and can only remember the bare bones of the plot, so I'm very much looking forward to this read as I truly enjoy Burke's writing!

[brlesh]

Finished up In the Mist by Elizabeth Walter, a collection of seven old fashioned ghost stories that I liked quite a bit.

Up next, something completely different. Started Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

Forty pages in and enjoying the story so far. Only 650 pages to go!

B

[dannyboy121070]

Started Bernard Taylor's SWEETHEART, SWEETHEART last night, supposedly one of the great ghost story novels ever written. Yet to be determined, but very readable and engaging so far.

[RonClinton]

I have this one in my TBR pile and cannot wait to get around to it. I adore Don Winslow's writing and this one sounds like another winner! Let us know what you think when done.

Finished the Winslow last night, and for me it was a mixed bag, but overall very positive, certainly the best Winslow read I've had (though, granted, I've only tried a couple of his others)...makes me want to get his other novella collection. Here's my breakdown:

"The Final Score" -- a rather humdrum heist tale, which, as a fan of that particular sub-genre, was a real disappointment...6/10.

"The Sunday List" -- a great coming-of-age story, really enjoyed this one...8/10.

"The North Wing" -- a solid tale capably done and very readable, but the protagonist's motivation to upend his fundamental moral compass and his entire life's career pursuit to help a cousin who neither deserved it nor desired it was, for me, unclear and lacked basic credulity..."because it's family" simply isn't enough reason, it doesn't provide nearly enough justification for him to pivot 180 degrees in his career, his romantic relationship, his fundamental essence as a human that prompted him to pursue a career that embraces Right and Wrong. The obsessiveness to save his cousin was absolute, but other than "because it's family" Winslow gave no hint to another explanation for his actions and mental state, at least none that I discerned. 7/10

"True Story" -- I simply could not click with this all-dialogue, transcription-like story and so found it unreadable...DNF, 0/0.

"The Lunch Break" -- a story from his DAWN PATROL surfing world, this story wasn't particularly engaging and tread territory and characters that I'd already not cared about in that earlier novel...4/10.

"Collision" ended the collection strong and was my favorite of the bunch...8.5/10.