Horror Aficionados discussion

Yep, that sums it up nicely!

I loved, loved, loved Dark Gods. Is this a re-read for you?

The Pallbearers Club I got an ARC for this! It's very fun, as per usual for the author. Looking forward to reading it in paper after it's published, because there are margin notes that don't translate well as an ebook, lol.

About 40% into a vintage Masterton called Charnel House, hella spooky, gosh I missed his older stuff.

Charnel House

April wrote: "The Last House on Needless Street. Trying to make it through and finish. I had such high hopes for this book but it just isn't doing it for me"

This is me right now too. I'm 60% through and I haven't touched it for 5 days. Need to just finish it!

^ Hope the ending revelations are worth it, cuse stuff happens!!

Char wrote: "Yep, that sums it up nicely!

I loved, loved, loved Dark Gods. Is this a re-read for you?"

No, first time. Not loving it as much so far as The Ceremonies, but I've got a couple of stories to go. We'll see.

I need to pull Dark Gods out and read the ones I haven't. "Black Man with a Horn," though, I've read a couple of times and thought it was excellent.

About to start "Winterset Hollow" by Jonathan Edward Durham after work tonight and can't wait :-)

LTJ wrote: "About to start "Winterset Hollow" by Jonathan Edward Durham after work tonight and can't wait :-)"

That's still on my TBR, gosh I have too many things going and aren't reading fast enough to catch up.

@Kasia: LoL oh yes, I'm trying to conquer my TBR as well but as always, it's true. "So many books, such little time" is always the case, even when I read a lot I still feel I could read more which I guess is a good thing. I wish there were more hours during the day!

One thing I want to do this summer is maybe taking a week off and do another "readcation" where I stay indoors, order takeout most of the time, and just read a ton of novels from my TBR. Maybe you can do a readcation as well?!?!!? It might help the cause!

11/23/63 by Stephen King

LTJ wrote: "One thing I want to do this summer is maybe taking a week off and do another "readcation" where I stay indoors, order takeout most of the time, and just read a ton of novels from my TBR. Maybe you can do a readcation as well?!?!!? It might help the cause!"

How did you just discribe my dream life???!

@Sonja: Nice, I have that on my TBR and well, happy reading!

@Kasia: YES!!! LoL this would also be my dream life as well and I'd say to really push the envelope, let's throw in some Pina Coladas, amazing desserts each night, and an 80s-inspired musical playlist...

LTJ wrote: "@Kasia: LoL oh yes, I'm trying to conquer my TBR as well but as always, it's true. "So many books, such little time" is always the case, even when I read a lot I still feel I could read more which ..."

That sounds like an awesome vacation.

Sounds great to me too!

Randy wrote: "I need to pull Dark Gods out and read the ones I haven't. "Black Man with a Horn," though, I've read a couple of times and thought it was excellent."

He's a great writer in terms of prose description and atmosphere but I confess these stories aren't totally landing for me. Maybe The Ceremonies spoiled me?

I haven't yet read that one. I guess I need to, huh?

I did read "Nadelman's God" in the collection and thought it went a bit long and was something of a retread of Fritz Leiber's "Smoke Ghost" and not quite as effective. Which has probably slowed me from continuing with the collection.

I haven't read The Ceremonies either, Char. There it is, in Mount TBR but I keep picking up other things.

Char wrote: "I haven't yet read that one. I guess I need to, huh?"

Between The Ceremonies and The Grin of the Dark you are sadly behind on your Christopher recommendations. :)

I know! It's the story of my life, really. ;)

digging this one so far!

I think it is the weakest of Puzo's mafia novels, but I'd still rate it four stars.

Rachel wrote: "

digging this one so far!"

Aw its out in June, that look so good, also digging the other cover!

I Am Stone: The Gothic Weird Tales of R. Murray Gilchrist

Gothic Weird is right.

Kasia wrote: "Aw its out in June, that look so good, also digging the other cover!

"

ooh, loving the retro vibes!

I am reading three and I am in a shark mood it seems since I am reading two shark stories at once. lol

SCAR: A Deep Sea Thriller

Snow Shark

and

The Adirondack Witch

Two Envelopes And A Phone wrote: "I Am Stone: The Gothic Weird Tales of R. Murray Gilchrist

Gothic Weird is right."

My copy of the Exquisite Horror Books arrived last night! What a hoot to look at! Is this a title recommended in that book?

Char wrote: "Two Envelopes And A Phone wrote: "I Am Stone: The Gothic Weird Tales of R. Murray Gilchrist

Gothic Weird is right."

My copy of the Exquisite Horror Books arrived last night! What ..."

No, I just have a tendency to pick up books in that series, because they all look so good. Though, that reading guide sure is loaded with short story collection recs, for better or worse. Still, a lot of novels too, many of which look wickedly inviting.

Yes they do! It's not a typical list either, which I like.

I also like the sections where certain authors or artists list their favorites from a certain time period. I'm going to dig deep into this book. Thanks so much for the rec!

Char wrote: "Yes they do! It's not a typical list either, which I like.

I also like the sections where certain authors or artists list their favorites from a certain time period. I'm going to dig deep into th..."

The paper is kinda cheap, but whatever. Yah, I love all the bonus mini-lists from people wanting to throw their two cents in. Next pick from the guide for me - and I've stockpiled several titles that were easiest to get at bookstores while ordering a few obscurer options - is most likely going to be The Loney, which I think is one of Ramsey Campbell's recommendations. Fiend, by Stenson, was fun zombie novel, Char.

So noted!

I've heard of The Loney, but haven't read it. Yet. ;)

Char wrote: "So noted!

I've heard of The Loney, but haven't read it. Yet. ;)"

I read another by the author, Devil's Day - liked it, didn't fall in love with it. Good enough that I'm happy to try The Loney.

I'm currently reading:

You have a nice selection there, Navi!

Started this morning and it's living up to its stellar reputation. Shall start tonight.

The Favorite Daughter

The Smell Of Cedar

Collected works of Arthur Machen. It doesn't include some of his longer works, such as THE TERROR, but I still marvel over every story.

I am reading and .

Two Envelopes And A Phone wrote: "Started this morning and it's living up to its stellar reputation. Shall start tonight."

Swamp Thing is definitely on my list.

The Chestnut Man and Salem's Lot, just finished Theme Music.

Dead Things Dead Things

So far I am really enjoying it.

Interesting read. It is very meta and, at about 50% in, more about bigfootery with its ups and downs than about Bigfoot itself.

Two Envelopes And A Phone wrote: "I am reading and ."

Cool. That's a Moebius/Jodo comic I hadn't on my radar.

Now it's time for another John Blackburn,

Swamp Thing is on my list too, and I'm not sure I've even heard of that Ramsey Campbell book.

Char wrote: "Swamp Thing is on my list too, and I'm not sure I've even heard of that Ramsey Campbell book."

Swamp Thing is going well, but Alan Moore does seem confined to some DC strictures, as regards using other characters and all that. Then again, I've reached the point where they disregarded the Comics Code Authority, and are getting bolder, after spending an extensive amount of time on what I'll call sloughing off the old Swamp Thing and starting up the "new" version. Overall, the art has been terrific, even the guest-artist stuff.

I was tempted to give that Ramsey Campbell book only 3 stars, because I was loving it so much until I feel he hot messed up the ending. Still, it contained some of my favourite Campbell prose ever...until it didn't. I bonded with the heroine, and loved most of the story - so, 3.5 stars rounded up.