Horror Aficionados discussion

Hello everyone ! This buddy reads theme will be Apocalyptic scenarios, with a large emphasis on Brian Keene series. As a group we have
Mehmet
Jonathan
Lisa
Cookies
Ken
Pamela
Natasa
Please note our thread title may change depending on the current book or series we are reading. Our plan so far is :
Earth worm gods series by Brian Keene (finished 17/7/14)
Tequila Sunrise by Brian Keene (finished 23/7/14)
Wasteland chronicles Kyle West (starting book 6 Exinction 1/9/14 followed by book 7 Xenofall). Please note you must slide down to the latest thread to reach our current read)
We welcome anyone who would like to join or just take part in the discussion. Current members do not feel obligated to join in all books chosen. This is suppose to be a fun and leisurely buddy read , so just let us know whatever the wish and please have fun ! Happy reading :-)

Looking forward to it. :)

Me too Lisa :-) I have not read many apocalyptic books.
Another point to one and all, please remember to use Spoiler warnings when discussing important plot points, or describing parts of the book that others may have not reached.

I have read many apocalyptic books/series. Several that are very very good.

I'm here to test out the spoiler tags.

(view spoiler)[Blood Crazy is a good book. (hide spoiler)]

Looking forward to participating in my first group read.

Should be lots of fun.

Seems you got the hang of it Jonathan :-) A good book and like minded friends always will result in good fun.
I have read two Brian Keene novel urban gothic and Castaways. I enjoyed Castaway the most but did think Urban gothic had a very interesting plot. Well Earthworm Gods will be my third book, so I am hoping Its a fun novel !
We will have a relaxed reading pace and everyone is welcome to chip in anytime they like, just remember to enjoy yourself :-)

This book is definitely post apocalyptic and if anyone knows me I am obsessed with Post Apocalyptic stuff. This books looks to be a dark Post Apocalyptic book.

My only suggestion is for spoiler warnings, is to put what chapter the spoiler pertains to.

Like for example:

"This spoiler is for chapters three or four.

(view spoiler)[The Apes rule the world in Planet of the Apes. (hide spoiler)] "

That way we know what we are reading when we click the tag.

If anyone has any better ideas, feel free to toss your hat in. ^_^

It's going to be fun to read this series.

I think that should work.

=)

So are we starting today.

Was planning on it.

Ok good. Because I just started reading it.

Hi, everyone!

I'm looking forward to reading this book with you guys, but I have to wait for my copy to come in the mail before I start. Lol

I'll get caught up as soon as I can! :)

No problem Jonathan that sounds like a good plan. Today is starting date, but I may not start till tomorrow, running late due to some problem. But I promise to start as soon as possible. So you all start and I catch up :-)

Don't worry too much, I won't probably read that much today either. Take your time and we'll all catch up together.

^_^

Hi! I didn't join fast enough, but it doesn't look like too much is going on yet. Room for one more?

Of course. :) I only managed to read 2 chapters yesterday. None so far today.

Yep. I am only a few chapters in the book myself, It won't take long to catch up to me.

Of course Pamela join in the fun :-)
New roll call is
Mehmet
Jonathan
Lisa
Ken
Cookie
Pamela

Sorry everyone, i very very busy at the moment but I am hoping to finishing current book and start Earth worm Gods tonight. Hope you all enjoying book so far :-)

No worries Mehmet. I'm not very far into the book at all. At the part I'm at the action has just started, it shouldn't take you very long to catch up to me.

Today was a very busy day at work, I barely got any reading done at all. I spent the little free time I had messing around on here. ^_^

I find it difficult to read at work as usually when I reach a really good bit I have to serve a customer :-)

Started the book and read one chapter so far. Liking the story so far :-)

Not often you get the main character being of the elderly persuasion :-)
(view spoiler)[80 odd years to be exact<\spoiler>
Not saying it's never been done but it kind of surprised me ! I am enjoying it though :-) (hide spoiler)]

Yeah. That threw me for a loop too.

(view spoiler)[ Wasn't expecting the main star to be a old man either. When the story starts out, he seems like he is dying too. It kind of took me out of the story at first, but I am slowly finding myself enjoying it again. (hide spoiler)]

That being said it seems like this will be a short read for all of us.

Ahhh that's where reading all three books comes into it ! Helps prolong the fun :-)

My reading time is usually only limited to what I can squeeze in at work. Because of my insane amount of work hours.

But I usually can squeeze in a hour or two a day because of the amount of downtime my job has.

My reading time was limited the last two days, but should be able to read more today. Have only read chapters one and two and part of three.

I think I have been on chapter six for the past two days. School is getting out and the childcare has been going through the transition of having older children present at the facility.

My copy came yesterday, and I made it through the first chapter. I'm really liking Teddy so far. I already care and am way too concerned about him. :)

Know the feeling Jonathan, I usually read after work late at night or early morning. May catch up on off days but been also busy as lots going on.
Cookie : I have to agree Teddy is a extremely likeable character and you warm to him from first page.
Question to everyone are you reading paperback, hardback or kindle edition ?
I am reading a kindle edition :-)

I am reading the paperback version which is the authors preferred edition called Earthworm Gods. (By deadite press)

I am aware that a The Conqueror Worms version by Leisure fiction exists. But I think Brian Keene frowned upon that version.

Getting ready to start chapter 6, really liking this so far. :)

I like Teddy as well.

I am reading Kindle Edition, Deadlite Press, March 4th, 2013.

I am going to read as much as I can today, may be my best day to read, as the next two days will be busy closing the books for the end of the month at work. And this weekend I will be out of town with my kids, so probably won't read much.

I will catch up though. :)

Mehmet wrote: "Know the feeling Jonathan, I usually read after work late at night or early morning. May catch up on off days but been also busy as lots going on.
Cookie : I have to agree Teddy is a extremely like..."

I'm reading the paperback copy published by Leisure Fiction. :)

I am reading same copy Lisa. Wow you are further then all of us ! Seems like we should catch up to you :-)
I noticed that the title for the book has two version Kindle has it down as earthworm gods but on goodreads it's called conquering worm. Is that the name of your copy cookie ?

I can slow down if need be. :)

Brian Keene based one of the characters off of his grandfather. Can you guess who?

Depends how far along in the book you are. I might be able to guess.

I may be wrong but this is how I understand it.

The Conqueror Worms is the one that came out in 2005 by Leisure Fiction.

Earthworm Gods is the one that came out recently by Deadite Press.

Both of them are the same book with minor edits. But I am new to the Keene lore and universe, which starts to connect in similar ways to the Kings Darktower series.

Yep, the name of my book is The Conquering Worms. :)

Jonny: He based the character of Teddy off of his grandfather?

I just reached Act 2 which for me is where the story starts to pick up.

Sorry for the weird errors in my post. I am typing on my iPod touch at the moment and auto correct is being really annoying.

But I didn't want to miss out on this discussion and I am really bored at work.

As I was saying though, Keene is working on a series that will act like Steven King's Darktower series. Meaning characters from Earthworm Gods (If any survive) will appear later down the road. In the same fashion characters from The Stand appear in the Darktower series.

@Krys

Yeah. I don't think that is a spoiler if I reveal that almost all of Teddy's charm is based on Brian Keene's grandfather.

Interesting enough the nicotine addiction is actually based on Brian Keene's own nicotine addiction that he went through.

Interesting

I believe Keene's major "Darktower" epic series will be called The Labyrinth. If I remember correctly. I will be sure to link it here in spoiler tags if I can find the article that talks about it.

I am a sucker for weird continuity that carries over multiple titles.

I like the way the nicotine addiction has been incorporated throughout the story so far. Makes sense that the author has been through it because it's VERY detailed.

Nice to know a man like Teddy existed too. He reminds me of my own grandparents a little bit. He's smart, but still very down to earth.

The never ending rain was a nice backdrop to the story. I really like how it is described and all the dangers that have come along with it.

Now that is interesting info Jonathan :-) the nicotine addiction comes across as very realistic. I am looking so forward to read some more tonight after work as left it at a very interesting part !

Thanks. I find a lot of this behind the scenes information to be very enlightening and to add extra flavor to the story.

Keene seems to have fun adding Biblical undertones to all of his stories.

I think he talks about the series he is writing in a interview I read. Cannot remember where I read it though !

I found a link to where he talks about the Labyrinth and it appears to be spoiler free in the article for those looking to follow Brian Keene's other work outside of Earthworm Gods.

Link: http://www.briankeene.com/2012/11/19/...

Nothing is really spoiled regarding Teddy or the other characters. It just basically reads find out what happened after Earthworm gods ends.. which can mean any number of different things.

He said the Labyrinth series will be like a mega crossover featuring several characters and lore from all the different books he has written.

Regarding a certain white fungus....

(view spoiler)[ I am very intrigued by the white mold growing all over the animals and plant life. For me this is probably one of the scariest aspects of the book. Anyone else feel the same? (hide spoiler)]

So far it's a good book though. A bit scarier then other post apocalyptic books I've read.

Did anyone else know this was the sixth book he wrote?