Cate Gardner's Blog, page 5

Read 2020 - 32 - Missing Monarchs

Another wee Fox Pocket Anthology landed on my lap - okay the number generator picked it for me, and it could only have landed on my lap if the Bestwick threw it at me. He doesn't throw books at me. Intentionally.

Lou Morgan has a story in this titled 'Oliver Cromwell's Other Head'. Thanks to Caitlin Doughty of Order of the Good Death, I am a little obsessed with heads that go astray after death. You should check her videos on Jeremy Bentham's head and Joseph Haydn's head, and I'm still waiting for her to do a video on Cromwell's. Please, pretty please. Actually, here's one of her videos (nabbed from You Tube).

Read 2020 - 31 - Never Greener by Ruth Jones

Making light of all that pain, giving away not the slightesthint that they're feeling demolished inside.   I didn't expect to enjoy Never Greener by Ruth Jones, especially as the main characters were both cheating on their marriages. Somewhere along the way, it grabbed me and I needed to know what happened next.  So how did I end up with a book I didn't expect to like? My sister-in-law leant it to me, 'cos my family are awesome like that.  You'll note (okay, you probably won't), that I've skipped book 30. That's because I'm struggling to get into it, but haven't completely given up. It's something that I'm certain I should love - based around Russian fairy tales. I'm about a sixth of the way through. It's also another book that was passed onto me, which makes me feel a little guilty if I don't finish it. The brain is a weird beast.

Poppins, the Wonderful

The wonderful Priya Sharma has left a review for my wee collection over at Amazon and Goodreads.

Here be a tiny snippet: Cate Gardner writes with a unique grotesquery and drollery, a light touch that belies the savagery of the content.

Read 2020 - 29 - Ten Sorry Tales by Mick Jackson

Someone with less experience might have thought her quite calm,but Finn could see all sorts of tempers and tantrumsniggling away at her, just under the skin.
Oh, what a delight Ten Sorry Tales by Mick Jackson is. Quirky and heartbreaking, with illustrations by David Roberts that are reminiscent of Edward Gorey. This is not a book you give away*. This is a book you guard with your life.

*I've lent it to a colleague (who, coincidentally, has lent me a book that is my current read). She assures me she will guard it with her life.

This gorgeous book was bought for our wedding by one of the Bestwick's dearest friends (who also played witness and photographer on the day), Vicky Morris. Who is also a brilliant poet and all round awesome person.

Read 2020 - 28 - Piracy, A Fox Pocket Anthology

Fox Spirit brought out a collection of 'pocket' anthologies a few years back, and I was lucky enough to win a set last year. Dom, my number generator, finally picked one for me to read, and, coincidentally, it was the first in the series. My favourite story was Den Patrick's enchanting Becalmed about a band of pirates stealing dreams. Inventive.

Oh, and did you know Fox Spirit is also my publisher. You should check them out. Muahaha.

Read 2020 - 27 - Edge of Dark Water by Joe R Lansdale

 He's a big old colored man that's more red than black, withtwisty red hair; he wears it wild, like a bush. Theysay he keeps a dried-up bluebird hanging in it. He's got dark eyes as dead and flat ascoat buttons.  I bought Joe R Lansdale's Edge of Dark Water at the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton, 2013. This is the second book I've read this year that I purchased there. It's signed by the legend himself. This is the first Lansdale book that I've read - although I have seen the Hap & Leonard television series, which I loved.  I sped through this tale of murder and escape set in America's deep-south. The voices just sang off the page. Fully recommend this book. 

Read 2020 - 26 - Last Days by Adam Nevill

Look at me switching things around and not posting the book cover of my latest read, Last Days by Adam Nevill. This photograph of Adam was taken at the book launch in Waterstones where I purchased the book way back in February 2013. Which means the book has lingered on my shelf for 7 years, and I have read later novels by the author since then.

If it's any consolation, the books are not the only things covered in dust (blows shoulders).

Oh, why don't I post a picture of the book anyhow.

 ...a jaunty collection of puppet bones slumped inside a chairthat looked four sizes to big for his body.   

These Foolish & Harmful Delights Review

The first review of my collection These Foolish & Harmful Delights is in and it is exceptional. Many thanks to Paul Holmes over at The Eloquent Page.

There is an introspective, almost intimate quality to each entry in the collection. Gardner’s powerful writing brings together tales of love and loss, rebellion and empowerment. You can read the rest of the review over at The Eloquent Page.

There is also a link to a review Paul did for a previous book of mine, Theatre of Curious Acts. A book that is still in print despite being a whopping 9-years-old. I'm very proud of that little book.

Read 2020 - 24 and 25 - Keep the Giraffe's, Rob

This is a two-piece what I've read post today.

Firstly, I almost read John Sladek's, Keep the Giraffe Burning. What an awful epitaph - I almost read. A wet Saturday afternoon, Storm Dennis, raging outside trying to fight Ciara for the noisiest and rowdiest storm of the year, and I curled up in my favourite chair by the window to read. I didn't have to go out anywhere. I didn't have to do anything. Despite this, my brain didn't fit too well in its skull and refused to make sense of anything I read.

I'd say the problem was 30% the book and 70% me. My mental health was in kick my eyeballs mode. At one point, I think I read a story about cockroaches taking over the world, it's also possible I didn't.

I'm not certain where, when or why I picked up this book. I'm guessing I bought it online as it was pristine (not a charity shop purchase) and priced in dollars.

The other story I read - when my head had cleared a little - was another of Rob Shearman's chapbooks from the forthcoming We all Hear Stories in the Dark. This was chapbook #67 - The Touch of Baby Stalin's Skin. Excellent as always.

Read 2020 - 23 - Terror Tales of Northwest England

I have a story in this book.

I've read this book.

I'm all about this book.

The anthology is a series of short stories by various authors interspersed with folklore, written by Paul Finch. Paul also edited the anthology and it is published by Telos. My story, The Mute Swan, is set in Wallasey, and is about a girl who can't find her voice and a deranged and narcissistic ballet teacher.

I'm going to cheat and highlight my favourite story in the anthology - it's by Simon Bestwick, who just happens to be my husband, and yes, I may be a little biased.

And sometimes - sometimes it's what's down there that finds a way out. Below is set in lost streets and tunnels below Manchester, and it's absolutely fantastic. It's an atmospheric, terrifying, character-driven piece.

You can pick it up at Amazon.