Books in the Freezer discussion

What are you choosing and how is this book out of your comfort zone?

This year I've been working on my French skills, so I'm thinking about trying horror in French...it's scarier when you're not good enough at the language to skim the creepy bits, so definitely way out of my comfort zone. I'm thinking Patrick Senécal from Quebec.

I get really ooked out by books (or movies) that involve kidnapping and torture. So I think I'll use this prompt to read Twelve Years a Slave, which I've been avoiding for the above reasons.

Yes, it counts as horror. Fight me.

I think I'm going to read The Wicked by James Newman because I have trouble with stories that involve harm to children since becoming a mom.

listening to The Rust Maidens by Gwendolyn Kiste. I've picked it up multiple times with no luck finishing it. started listening again today and I guess I'm in the right state of mind for it because my heart is breaking and I can't stop listening

Just finished my Book out of my comfort zone! I picked House of Leaves and unfortunately, it was not for me. It was out of my comfort zone for a lot of reasons. First, English is not my first language, and I don't read it at an academic level, so a lot of the notes went over my head. Plus it felt like so much work! I had to take breaks from it. And I only read books on my kindle, so a heavy book felt very different. But I'm glad I finished it, and I get why a lot of people love it. Now I know what all the fuss is about with this book!

Laurie wrote: "Just finished my Book out of my comfort zone! I picked House of Leaves and unfortunately, it was not for me. It was out of my comfort zone for a lot of reasons. First, English is not my first langu..."

Oh wow I can't even imagine tackling that one in a second language! That's impressive.

Leanne wrote: "Laurie wrote: "Just finished my Book out of my comfort zone! I picked House of Leaves and unfortunately, it was not for me. It was out of my comfort zone for a lot of reasons. First, English is not..."

Thanks! From what I read on the internet, I didn't miss too much from not understanding the notes completely. It did add to the frustration and confusion, which I think the book tries to create anyway, to mirror what the characters are going through!

Oh fun! Are you looking for horror with romance, or just plain romance?

Olasand wrote: "Maybe romance with a hint of horror if possible :)"

How about Warm Bodies?

I haven't seen the movie, but the book fulfills the Romance Writers of America definition of a romance novel. Not sure if it would count as "outside your comfort zone", though. Only you know that.

Ha I was going to suggest Warm Bodies. Too funny.

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. I don't seek out stories about torture, rape, and horror that isn't supernatural very often so I chose to read this one.

Brian wrote: "The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. I don't seek out stories about torture, rape, and horror that isn't supernatural very often so I chose to read this one."

Brian, have you read it, or are you planning to read it? I also avoid books involving torture and rape, like the plague. I read this one because it's so touted by people who know books. I wasn't disappointed. Tough read (and definitely a freezer book), but in no way a salacious excuse for torturing women; I actually found it to be an insightful study of toxic masculinity and the foundations of rape culture.

Brian, have you read it,..."

I did finish it a few days ago. I enjoyed it enough to read it in a few sittings (a difficult task with a 10 month old baby needing my attention).

I had some familiarity with the book after having seen the film adaptation when it was released. I suppose knowing how the movie made me feel was one reason why I was hesitant to approach the book. They are difficult subjects to read when personal experiences are related to these subjects.

Anyway, I don't regret reading it and, may, after some time and other books, will try another Ketchum book.

By the way, the Kindle version I read had two short stories of Ketchum's with it. I was touched by the second story about a cat and its owner. It was a good way to end the book.

Brian wrote: "By the way, the Kindle version I read had two short stories of Ketchum's with it. I was touched by the second story about a cat and its owner. It was a good way to end the book. ."

My copy doesn't have the short stories. Looking online they are "Do You Love Your Wife" and "Returns"; if that's right, "Returns" is the one with the cat? I will check it out (but only if you tell me the cat doesn't die).

Another excellent story by Ketchum is "The Box", which I highly recommend.

I decided to go with extreme horror for this one, and I figured let's just go all the way. I read Header by Edward Lee. So, okay, now I know what a header is. Did I really need this information to complete my life?

I didn't mark it as read in GR, because I really don't want suggestions based on having read it. I can see why Lee is considered a master of extreme horror, but he's no Ketchum. Very inventive extremity, but the characters are fairly cardboard and stereotypical.

I'm always tempted to read The Ruins, or The Troop, but I do get squeamish and I don't know if body horror will be too much for me :(

Sapphistication wrote: "I'm always tempted to read The Ruins, or The Troop, but I do get squeamish and I don't know if body horror will be too much for me :("

Have you read any body horror before, or are you thinking of just diving into one of these two master-class level books? I thought the ruins wasn't as queasy-making as The Troop, largely because of the source of the horror in the respective books - one skeeves me out far more than the other one.

I read Let's Go Play at the Adams' by Mendal W. Johnson 1974. I have the impression that this book is experiencing a resurgence because of Grady Henrix's Paperbacks from Hell. I think I saw that it's getting re-released.

I was drawn to this book because I like the cover, Grady Hendrix, and am interested in horror history. I assumed this book would be pulpy, but the writing was surprisingly good and enjoyable. I will always remember the first few pages of introduction: impressionistic writing.

I saw reviewers say the writing was misogynistic and... it probably was, but it didn't seem injurious enough to keep me from reading it. You sort of expect a girls vs boys worldview from older books. The only time it really rang false for me was the scene at the end, but maybe I don't know how an imprisoned person would really react...? The author delved into the psyche of the children really well.

While I see value in the book, it was ultimately too upsetting and I wish I hadn't read it.

Noemi wrote: "I read Let's Go Play at the Adams' by Mendal W. Johnson 1974..."

I would not be able to handle that one either. Brava to you for trying it.

I branched out this weekend by reading Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell, which was based on his creepypasta from the NoSleep Subreddit. I'm very picky about writing style and editing so I rarely pick up indie books, but I kept seeing this recommended.

I wound up really loving it! It turns out I'd read some of the original NoSleep stories and they had scared me too...Blackwell really got under my skin in such a fun way.

All the Things We Do in the DarkJust finished this and it is outside my comfort zone for sure! When I picked this book up I expected just another horror story about finding a body in the woods. What I got was a book about exploring past trauma and learning how to survive.

Finished The Troop by Nick Cutter last night for this one. Hate reading about kids getting hurt. So yeah, definitely out of my comfort zone.