Book Talk discussion

I'm reading Ian McEwan's "Black Dogs" (I've become a big fan of his over the last year), and a film studies book called "The History of Horror" by Professor Wheeler W. Dixon. Both are excellent so far.

I am currently reading 99 Coffins by David Wellington and Of Truth and Beasts: A Novel of the Noble Dead.I started reading the Noble Dead series way back but due to my current study schedule,i am unable to give it sufficient time.So,m reading at a snail's speed.

I'm currently reading Master and Margarita by Bulgakov. Partly because Bulgakov is a serious void in my literary explorations, but also because I am getting in an anthology/homage to Bulgakov produced by the oustanding Ex Occidente Press. I can't wait for it to arrive, so I want to have read Bulgakov to better appreciate the stories that are in tribute to this Russian master.

I'm also reading a very nice collection of three novelletes by Adam Cantwell... "A Palid Wave on the Shores of Night". Really excellent so far...

Any Ligotti fans? Just curious...

I am a big fan of Dennis Lehane as well. Most especially Shutter Island.
I am reading the third book in the Jonathan Maberry series The Pine Deep Trilogy.

Shutter Island is the only Lehane book I haven't read.
I'm currently reading "The Burning Soul" by John Connolly.

I can't say I see any one book standing out in the series for me.
Hell, I'm just happy to have a series as well written as this one is, now that Vachss' "Burke" series is over.

You may be right.
I may be crazy. ;)
I enjoyed THE WHISPERERS.
I need to reread the others.
My memory hasn't been worth a damn lately.

Recluse, I've read some of the Burke stories as well, I didn't know you were a fan!
I am jealous that you're reading the new John Connolly.

Over the weekend, (during the first half of which I had no power), I read Carmilla by J.S. LeFanu which I thought was very good and Mrs McGilvery by Colin Gibson. Anytime a book starts with a sentence like:
"Mrs. McGilvery eats children." you know it's going to be good!

Charlene, I've been a Vachss fan since FLOOD.
And I really like J.S. Le Fanu.

I finished THE BURNING SOUL and agree with Kealan. A solid entry in the series, at any rate.
I also finished Connolly's THE INFERNALS. Connolly really gives Pratchett a run for the money with this one, right down to the footnotes. Fall out of your chair funny.

I looked at that one, but the subject matter seems to be so far off my radar, I decided to take a pass on it.

Maybe I will check it out of the library sometime.
Right now, I'm about to start Chet Williamson's SOULSTORM.

I'm reading the new King as well. So far, I think it's pretty damn good.
Now I'm going to have to look up The Infernals. My TBR is out of control!

I want them to put on my gravestone:
"Catching up on my TBR list..."

Recluse wrote: "I want them to put on my gravestone:
"Catching up on my TBR list...""
Recluse, well...at least then you will have plenty of time! *grinning*

Kealon, all right, you have me beat by far, you win!

Think they'll let me have a reading light in there?

I have no idea how long my TBR list is. I've got about 150-200 physical books waiting...

Recluse wrote: "Think they'll let me have a reading light in there?

I have no idea how long my TBR list is. I've got about 150-200 physical books waiting..."

LOL! Best take a flashlight, just in case!

Never mind.
I just won't go, then. ;)

You and me both, Kealan. There's nothing like sitting down with a good, solid book.

I actually have something of a reading dilemma now. My copy of Kin came from CD last week, so you were next on my to read list. But I got home from work tonight and my wife had bought me a copy of 11/22/63 as a belated anniversary gift. Which of these two very interesting-sounding books to read next? I guess it's a good problem to have :)

Yeah, she knows her way to my heart. I think I'll probably go with Kin first, since you're hearing that it's a quick read. And only fair, since you were in line before ol' Steve :)

Kealan wrote: "I would gladly live in a house of books. Despite the digital revolution, I will not let go of my physical books. EVER."

My family bought me a Kindle because they thought that would make me get rid of my physical books.
Poor, misguided fools.

Recluse wrote: "Never mind.
I just won't go, then. ;)"

Wait a second, wasn't you who told me (during the massive power outage we had here) that in the dark, by flashlight, was a great way to read a scary book!

Hmpph!

LOL Recluse, I completely agree. I still have not gotten a Kindle. I have about 100 books in my TBR pile and love it. Just like Kealan, I will never let them all go. I keep my favorites and sell the rest to fund more purchases, usually from Amazon.

We also have a wonderful used book store/farm in Niantic, CT that I love. The farmhouse holds three different genres including biography and autobiography. Then there are the old chicken coops that make up more book space. One section is full of fantasy and horror. Another has classics, romance (barf)and thrillers. Entwined with all these outposts is a small pet farm; a fenced-in area with goats. There are stray cats strewn around the property; all found their way there one way or another and are well-cared for by the owners. It is an amazing place to spend the day; you are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and sprawl out on the grass with a book, soaking up the sun.

Wait a second, wasn't you who told me (during the massive power outage we had here) that in the dark, by flashlight, was a great way to read ..."

Yes, but enough batteries for eternity take up too much space I'll need for books!

Froggie, that sounds like a great place! I would be camped out there like an "Occupy Wall Street" whacko!

It's a day trip for you, Rec. Unfortunately it's a day trip on I95, which ain't no picnic! LOL

Considering the roads around here, I95 would be a relaxing drive in the country. ;)

The last time I tried to read by candlelight, I set my hair on fire.

I miss the smell of musty old books. LOL

Recluse wrote: "The last time I tried to read by candlelight, I set my hair on fire."

LOL Jon, you haven't changed a bit.

Actually, my hair is quite a bit shorter now....

Give the man a cigar!
Just don't ask me to light it.

Finished Kin yesterday. Kealan, it was outstanding! Thank you for another great book.

I'm currently reading Graham Masterton's THE PARIAH.

Masterton rarely fails to entertain me.

By the way, I enjoyed SOULSTORM.
Thinking about giving LOWLAND RIDER a try.

Works for me.

I know I was impressed with ASH WEDNESDAY.

I am just starting The Walk. I just finished GARDENS OF NIGHT and The Shelter. Gardens of Night was pretty good, but I thought The Shelter was very good. James Everington is a guy I'm going to keep my eye on.
Kealan, are you still reading 11/22/63? It has gotten some polarizing reviews..it seems people love it or hate it.

Kealen, I loved it too!
From the reviews, though...it seems ya love it or ya hate it.

From what I'm hearing, most of the negative is stemming from King's politics/the political spin of the novel.
Personally, I don't care for that sort of thing in my fiction reading.

Kealan wrote: "Me neither, but I can't say I noticed it in 11/22/63. Probably because I was too busy enjoying the story and not looking for something to whine about ;-)"

Actually, that's the weird part. I found the same complaint in quite a few 5 star reviews.

And until he gets his overly prolific butt back in the horror camp, he's just gonna have to live with the whining.

Just finished it today. I loved it. I think the political stuff was much less prevalent/heavy-handed than what was in "Under the Dome" to be honest.

Kealan, I see you are reading THE BLACK DAHLIA.
That's a pretty good book.
I've been planning on rereading it ever since I read MY DARK PLACES, Ellroy's book about his mother's murder.

I finished The Wallk by Lee Goldberg so last night I started The Turtle Boy. I've heard so many good things about this guy Kealan...

The ones about a certificate of mediocrity and an alpaca coat?

Aw man and all this time I thought it was the Golden Fleece you said you stole from Jason...

The dragon did a bait and switch. ;)

Yeah, the alpaca coat screams class.

Sorry, Kealan.
That didn't come out the way I intended.

Oh, good!