Paranormal and Horror Lovers discussion

Since we have a thread for Stephen King, I figured why not start one for his son, Joe Hill! Heart-Shaped Box is truly one of the most frightening books I've ever read! I have 20th Century Ghosts waiting on my Kindle.

Has anyone read Horns, his latest novel? I'm definitely intrigued by it, and someone mentioned to me a while ago they thought they were making a movie of it.

I read Horns a while back and I loved it. It was very original and the characters were very funny and I pretty much devoured the book in one sitting. Joe Hill himself is literally one of the nicest people I've ever encountered. I met him at Comic-con in 2008 (I'm pretty sure it was 2008) and then again at Comic-con 2011. The second time around we (my husband, step daughter and I) saw him eating at Cafe Diem and when he came out I approached him, asking if he would sign my badge. I was incredibly embarrassed but I had been encouraged by my husband and step daughter so I pretty much HAD to go through with it. He was so unbelievably nice and talked to all of us for a few minutes about the convention and what we had seen so far and what he was doing. Then we all parted ways, with me that much happier at getting my badge signed by him. It's now framed in my Comic-con memorabilia collage. :)

Wow sorry for rambling! Oh and Locke and Key is AMAZING.

Ahh, that's so awesome! How lucky! :D I'm terrible about approaching "famous people." I normally just avoid it because I get so awkward, LOL!

I've read all three of His books and liked them all. My favorite though was Heart-Shaped Box I'm looking forward to reading his Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft series.

I have only read 'horns' I also flew through that in pretty much one sitting, someone that I know tried to read heart shaped box and said it was awful so I never bothered with that one

I mite have to see if I can get a lend of it off her so I can give it a go

Lee wrote: "I have only read 'horns' I also flew through that in pretty much one sitting, someone that I know tried to read heart shaped box and said it was awful so I never bothered with that one

I mite have..."

Definitely at least give it a shot! I just loved it, but to each their own, of course. I'd be interested in hearing what you think. :)

I agree with Jennifer, Lee. You should give The Heart Shaped Box a chance. I've read that and 20th Century Ghosts and liked both very much. Horns is now on my TBR list.

Ok guys is it sad that only just learnt he is the son of Steven King? I can't wait to read the story they co-wrote :)

Yes, he is the son of Stephen King. I've read only his HEART SHAPED BOX, but remember liking it a lot and thinking: He writes a lot like his father. Author Kathryn Meyer Kathryn Meyer Griffith

I really enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box. Horns, however, was a different story. I couldn't get past the first 100 pages or so. The concept is interesting enough, but it works better as a 1950s Robert Bloch short story rather than a full novel. His writing style is remarkably close to his father's, and at times that isn't a good thing.

Jared.
"His writing style is remarkably close to his father's, and at times that isn't a good thing."
Yes. In that respect you're right. I remember another famous son whose music and voice (in this case)were too much like his father's and I thought that was great...but apparently his lackluster career has proven me wrong. Julian Lennon. Kathryn Meyer GriffithKathryn Meyer Griffith

Great to hear he is a nice guy. I follow him on Twitter and have read 20th Century Ghosts, his short story collection. I liked it, though it wasn't all horror and a few stories resonated and resolved stronger than others. Some were true marvels.

I knew Joe Hill was Stephen King's son before I read Heart Shaped Box. Though I didn't expect much, I really loved Heart Shaped Box. I mean, really loved it. It was the best horror novel I had read in a long, long time. I set out to read all of Joe Hill's books.

I loved Horns somewhat less than Heart Shaped Box and 20th Century Ghosts a bit less than that. As Barbara says, the stories in 20th Century Ghosts are on and off. There were a few I really loved and quite a few that made me say WTF. I've also read Throttle, which Joe Hill co-wrote with Stephen King. I loved Throttle entirely as much as I loved Heart Shaped Box. I liked Thumbprint about as much as I liked most of the short stories in 20th Century Ghosts--maybe a little more.

In the back of Thumbprint (or really at the halfway point on Kindle) you get a preview of Joe Hill's upcoming novel NOS4A2. It was better than Thumbprint. Excited to read it, I've been looking at the novel's page on Amazon. The description of the novel doesn't look anything like the sample I read in Thumbprint. So I'm confused. I probably won't pre-purchase and will wait on a sample.

Edited to correct my mistaking Throttle for Thumbprint.

I've only read "Heart Shaped Box" of his, but as soon as I get time, will probably read more of his work. I liked HSB a lot. Author, Kathryn Meyer Griffith

I loved Heart Shape Box! Looking forward to reading more from him.

I've read Horns and Heart-Shaped box but not Thumbprint. I've liked both I've read and some of the stories in Heart-Shaped box definitely stayed with me. Must check Thumbprint then.
Thanks for the discussion. I had meant to check up on him again but have been too busy of recent...