All Ears Audiobooks discussion

This question came to mind when I saw that Julie had just listened to "The Shining" and had recommended that you listen with the light on and then I thought about what I had learnt from Horror and SciFi books. From Izac Azimov I have learnt that if you pull the blanket over your head, the monsters disappear and from Stephen King, don't worry, the worst is NOT over. This is just some fun so let's see where it takes us:-)

Minnie - Love your epiphanies on horror books - too funny! I haven't listened to or read very much horror, but your post made me think what in a book really scares me. I can read gruesome mysteries and be completely disgusted. I am reading Roberto Bolano's epic, 2666 - the book is filled with horrendous crimes against women and young girls. I am outraged, but it doesn't give me nightmares. Even vampire books don't scare me that much - just another type of bad guy (or good guy, if you are following some of the new vampire series!). I guess what I've learned from horror is:

1 - it is ALWAYS scarier in audio than in print (because you can't peek ahead to see what happens at the end...)
2 - What is scary is not bad things happening, but not knowing if something bad is going to happen. Or maybe "we have nothing to fear but fear itself." Darn - I think someone already said that one...

Fun topic, Minnie!

Firstly, I have a textbook for criminal studies called "hunting humans". At the time it was current and covered serial killers of the 20th century up to the late 80's early 90's. I was reading it one evening and (like a train wreck) I couldn't put it down. I kept reading...horrified...and too frightened to get out of bed and turn off the light. At some ungodly hour in the morning, I heard a knock on the door.

I was so scared, I couldn't answer it. I phoned my neighbours (who were always up very late as they worked as bartenders and had off hours with regards to sleep) whispering..."there's someone knocking at my door". My friend there said some "homeless looking guy" was walking away from my apartment. She sent her boyfriend down, got me, and I spent the night at their apartment.

Little did I know that my boyfriend at the time was working late (until like 1am or something) drove by to see if I was up, saw lights on, and knocked on the door to see me (remember...this was the days before cell phones). Oh he looked like a mountain man...not necessarily a homeless guy - just for the record.

1) So firstly - the most important thing is...if you are reading horror, be sure to be fully clothed...EVEN in bed. Don't find your self in a little bit o'nothing at 1am afraid to go to the door.
2) If reading in bed, make sure that the light switch is near your bed so you can stay in your cozy-safe-zone and go right to sleep.
3) If there is a serial killer about and you are in an empty car park structure *and* you hear a noise...DON'T investigate it.
4) If someone's out to kill you and you've been told by your two prospective lovers (aka Stephanie Plum mysteries) to stay in your apartment because there are guards watching the place...don't decide to go out and get pizza. Order 'in' you fool!
5) Check in the backseat of your car.
6) If you have a plucky grandmother, sister, mother, co-worker, or friend...don't bring them on an illegal 'search' of a prospective criminal's house 'cause they'll always screw it up and put you in danger. Best to do that reconnaissance on your own.

Too funny, Stef!