Literary Horror discussion

And rightly so.

Randolph wrote: "As far as I’m concerned, Buddy Reads are owned and operated by Literary Horror group members."
I agree. I hope to see more buddy reads blooming soon!

Randolph wrote: "However, if things like Fifty Shades of Dorian Gray show up I may have to exercise moderator oversight. "

Well, darn! There goes my next buddy reads suggestion ;-p

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Everyone, as mentioned above, please feel free to self-organize buddy reads. There's really no formal process. For the recent ones, basically Marie-Therese and I messaged each other, converged on something (usually recent, that probably won't get a lot of support for the Monthly reads, but that's been our bias), invited some of our friends, and posted a public announcement.

M-T, I'd love to buddy read the Gallardo or Bakić. We also mentioned the Schweblin collection, and maybe Livia Llewellyn's The One That Comes Before?

Mimi, I've read Krzhizhanovsky's Autobiography of Corpse. I didn't really get into it; can't remember my reservations. But don't let me be a party pooper!

I'm not familiar with the Buzzati collection; looks intriguing.

Yeah, Sean also mentioned collections seeming to work better as buddy reads (contrast the Carly Holmes collection vs. Brian Evenson novel).

"I don't know much about Buzzati so not sure I'd want to be responsible for making people read him."
Mimi, you're being too nice! None of us know how a buddy read proposal is going to work out. Sometimes it's just as fun to buddy complain about a book!

Thank you so much Bill for moving this discussion to the right place! I'd completely forgotten about this post but do agree it's the best place for hashing out the buddy reads details.

I'm happy to read the Schweblin book as this month's choice as it's something we've discussed often before, it's a short story collection (which do indeed seem to elicit the most discussion) and I already own it. I also like Mimi's suggestion of Buzzati's Catastrophe: And Other Stories as I own that too and Buzzati is an author I've been meaning to read more of. And then there are the other two books I suggested earlier.

If anyone else wants to chime in with suggestions for this month's read, now's the time to do it!

Bill wrote: "None of us know how a buddy read proposal is going to work out. Sometimes it's just as fun to buddy complain about a book!"

Yes, indeed! The pleasure is in exploring a book together and comparing opinions. While it's always nice to read a great book, a great book every time is unlikely, and it can be really fun and quite illuminating to see how fellow readers respond to something they don't like.

Ok, we kind of forgot about this conversation. Thanks to some of you in this thread and elsewhere, the Schweblin collection will be the May short story read. Of the other suggestions, I've zipped through the Llewellyn novel at a deliriously happy pace, and would prefer not to buddy read it next.

So we're left with the collections by Buzzati, Gallardo, and Bakić. I'm perfectly happy with any of those.

Mimi, why don't you pick this time from the three you've linked? I have all three so I'm up for any one of them. I suspect they will each be quite interesting and rewarding in their different ways.

Mimi, you're being too conscientious! Thanks for the pre-screening. It doesn't sound like you have a preference. I vote for the Buzzati, since it's shorter than the Gallardo, and is easiest for me to access at the moment. Happy to consider the other ones too.

How about we wrap this up ASAP? The Schweblin read starts in days.

Mimi wrote: "But it's not being conscientious I have a monthly book budget so hesitate to buy things I'm not keen on!"

All three buddy read suggestions (plus the Schweblin!) are in my public library. Yup, for all San Francisco's issues, we have a pretty kick-ass library.

I vote for the Buzzati as well. He's an important author and a major influence on later writers so, even if the book's not perfect, it will add some historical and literary depth to our collective knowledge, which is always nice.

I've read about the recent austerity cuts to UK libraries, Mimi. Really sorry about that. My own local public library system isn't great (nothing like the wonder that is Bill's-he knows how jealous I am!) but it does try to cater to its audience (which is definitely not made up of readers like me), to make available to them things they want and need. As the granddaughter of a librarian, I can appreciate that even if I find it personally inconvenient.

Sorry to hear about your library woes. San Francisco has other problems though!

But sounds like we're on for the Buzzati as the next buddy read. When shall we start? I'm ready whenever. Should we wait a bit after the Schweblin start date, or just ASAP?

Let's start on May 1, Bill. I'll post the official notice (you did it last time, so that seems only fair).

Mimi wrote: "There are hardly any librarians left M-T, mostly skeleton staff with volunteers."

I am so saddened to read this, Mimi. Librarians are wonderful people and very important to a community. The best ones have the interests of their residents at heart and work to make sure that the majority of folks in any given area get what they really need to grow and thrive. Volunteers are great, of course, and most are so caring and really enthusiastic, but that can't make up for the loss of someone trained and fully committed to the job. I worry about the future of libraries in our increasingly anti-intellectual era.

Marie-Therese wrote: "Let's start on May 1, Bill. I'll post the official notice (you did it last time, so that seems only fair)."

Great, thanks! Happy to switch back and forth between two collections. (I often do that anyway.)

I'm actually genuinely interested in Buzzati... I'm glad Mimi threw him out there for consideration. I just don't think I'm going to have the time to commit meaningfully for the next buddy read. I'll catch you guys on the flipside...

Mimi wrote: "That's a shame Benjamin. I really enjoyed your points on the last Buddy Read. I'll join in at some point, waiting for copy to arrive and a bit over-committed with other life events this week."

Benjamin and Mimi, do what you have to do in "real" life first! Remember that all of our threads are always open to new posts and continuing feedback is hugely appreciated. I love reading what you two have to say but I also know that sometimes life just doesn't allow for perfect coordination. When you have the time and energy to comment, feel free. We'll all be glad to see you do so.

Yeah... I'm going back and forth here on the Buzzati. I would really like to read this one and do the buddy read... if I can get through a few more projects faster than expected then I'm definitely in...

Ok... definitely talked myself into it. Was able to get a copy of the Buzzati from the library and started it on the train ride home.

Benjamin wrote: "Ok... definitely talked myself into it."

Great! Marie-Therese, when do you plan to create the forum? If you're busy, I can bang something out.

Bill wrote: "Benjamin wrote: "Ok... definitely talked myself into it."

Great! Marie-Therese, when do you plan to create the forum? If you're busy, I can bang something out."

I'll put something up tonight, Bill.

I've read a few recent excellent reviews of the book here on Good Reads and they're making me excited to start it!

The preface contained in the book also does a great job emphasizing the awesomeness that is Buzzati. I have not arrived to any judgments at this point, but I am 3 stories in and I am enjoying it so far.

OK, everyone, the official Buzzati buddy read thread is up under Discussions! Feel free to post there anytime.