I’ve been getting back to reading lately. Finding time around work and family stuff is always a challenge but I do think it’s important to make time – reading is a great form of escapism. Despite the pull of Netflix and other streaming services, I’ve managed to make a dent in my ever growing TBR list. Here are several books I’ve read recently and really enjoyed:

The Fisherman, By John Langan

The Fisherman relates the story of Abe and Dan, both recently widowed, who form a bond over the shared pastime of fishing. Weary of their usual fishing haunts they decide to try Dutchmans Creek, a fishing spot with a dark and mysterious reputation, according to locals. Written by John Langan, and winner of the 2016 Bram Stoker award, it is easy to see why this book is a favourite among regular readers of the genre. The fisherman is an epic tale, uniquely told, but based on a common theme, namely the fisherman’s tale. “Epic” is right, because, just like the epic poems of old, the style of this story is very much in keeping with oral traditions. It is well paced, flowing easily and logically from one plot point to the next, like the proverbial river. In fact, the idea of storytelling is itself a theme of the book. I was surprised to find the story of the two widowers was in fact a frame story for a much larger, wider sweeping story, across generations. I agree with other reviewers that lovers of Stephen King and/or HP Lovecraft’s works will enjoy the story. There is much to admire in the symmetry of this well constructed novel. This is cosmic horror done well. Langan’s straight-forward, unadorned style makes for a refreshing reading experience. In time, who knows, perhaps, this book will be regarded as an American classic in the tradition Moby Dick, or Sleepy Hollow.

Collision, By J.S. Breukelaar

COLLISION is the remarkable short story collection by multi-award-winning, expat Australian author, J.S. Breukelaar. It is a wonderfully sensory read, with emotionally impactful stories. The underlying mood of each will linger with you for days afterwards. All of the stories are speculative. Some infuse science fiction or elements of the weird.  Many are experimental and employ clever literary devices. This is a showcase for the tremendous creativity and flare of the author. Definitely a labour of love.  There are 12 stories in total. There’s the tale of the unnerving girl, with no arms, who can play the piano like nobody’s business (“Union Falls”);  the one about the single mother, sent on a fool’s errand , trying to find her way back home (“Raining Street”); the one about the programmer trying to cling on to life before the accident (“The Box”); dismemberment, talking pets and ghosts (“Lion Man”); and many more. This was an excellent, captivating read and I recommend it.

Ariadne, I Love You, By J. Ashley Smith

Set against the backdrop of arid Australia and alternative country music, ARIADNE, I LOVE YOU is a bittersweet meditation on the nature of death, love and obsession. A love story that transcends decay. Jude is an aging, has-been rocker, with a penchant for wine and chain smoking, who also happens to be in love with his best friend’s wife. If only he could convince her to leave her man. The only problem is she’s dead. J. Ashley-Smith really understood the assignment when he wrote this wonderfully dark literary ghost tale. Like the animal bones that litter its pages, this compact 76 page novella is a veritable treasure trove of brilliantly dark and macabre language, that will simultaneously sate and crush you in its melancholy embrace.

The Reddening, By Adam Nevill

A folk-horror tale with some serious bite, The Reddening, by Adam L G Nevill, is brutal, unrelenting, often times poignant. It is everything you could possibly want in a reading experience.

The Final Winter, By Iain Rob Wright

I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot of fun. A rag-tag group of characters, as well as the book’s protagonist, Harry Jobson, get holed up in an English pub, while the world undergoes a cataclysmic weather event. Think “Shaun of the Dead” meets “The Day After Tomorrow” — I’m aware this is an oversimplified analogy. I love stories like this because of its limited ensemble cast; we really get to know the characters all the more. The snow, also, makes for a great setting and adds to the purveying feeling of dread and atmosphere. The author, Iain Rob Write, does a stupendous job at keeping up the pace and describing his world and events as they unfold. ***SPOILER ALERT*** There is a piece of foreshadowing in the form of a character’s name, which I think gives away the GHOSTS a little bit. But I think we can excuse Mr Write for this because the book’s many other wonderful attributes easily outweigh this minor, nit-picky foible. A slight trigger warning for any ultra-religious readers, too, as the book plays it pretty fast and loose with Judeo-Christian themes. But so does 50% of the Western canon so get over it. If you’re thinking, perhaps, that This book mightn’t be your cup of tea, just know that this tea is best served cold. A great read. Enjoy.