October 2012 - What are you reading?

[Nancy]

Tell us what you are reading this month.

[Nancy]

Just finished

Just started

[Dana]

I am currently reading and , I finished .

[Jeremy]

Mark Oppenheimer, who's a great journalist, just put out an ebook on Dan Savage. I'm checking that out tonight: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

[Chris]

I've felt like revisiting some old splatterpunk classics, being the demented horror buff I am ;)

Reading James Herbert's The Fog. You pretty much know what to expect with Herbert if you're a horror fan. He's not going to be winning any Pulitzer prizes anytime soon, but his books are entertaining for a quick read.

[Nancy]

Sometimes entertaining is good enough. Who are your favorite horror authors, Christopher?

[Chris]

lol where to begin Nancy :)

The usual rogue's gallery: Stephen King, Clive Barker, Ramsey Campbell, Peter Straub, Lovecraft, Poe, Ambrose Bierce, Shirley Jackson, Jack Finney, Poppy Z Brite, Harlan Ellison...the list could go on and on...

[Nancy]

I wasn't aware Jack Finney wrote horror. Time and Again is one of my favorite stories.

[Chris]

Well not horror in the strictest sense. But a great deal of his short stories are somewhat unnerving. Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a great example of the horrors of paranoia, especially since it was written during the McCarthy witch-hunts in the 1950's, wonderful social commentary on how the average American could become overpowered by that sense of paranoid "there's a commie under every bush!" mentality that caught like wildfire. That to me, is horrifying.

[Bill, Moderator]

I Just started an enjoyable little book, Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada.

[Evička]

Now I'm finishing and I plan to start reading (since I love Cunningham, I'm really looking forward to read it :))

[Jillyn]

I'm reading

[Steven]

weird affixiation and fascination with writer Jack London. White Wolf was sooo good. I could push his sled

[Chris]

Steven wrote: "weird affixiation and fascination with writer Jack London. White Wolf was sooo good. I could push his sled"

Jack London is amazing! To Build a Fire has always been one of my all-time favorite short stories.

[Nancy]

I haven't read Jack London in years. He was one of my childhood favorites.

[Bill, Moderator]

I just finished a delightful Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada, a Gay story about high school seniors, but not really YA or coming out. I strongly identified with the events of this short novel. Recommended. Review to follow.

Now I am reading Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman who will be participating in a group read. It is book 1 of a classic historical fiction trilogy about dynastic matters in later 12th century Britain and France.

[Maddy]

I just finished "A More Perfect Union: Why Straight Americans must stand up for Gay Rights" by Richard D. Mohr and Now I am reading "Keeping You a Secret" by Julie Ann Peters.

[Nancy]

Kernos wrote: "I just finished a delightful Clicking Beat on the Brink of Nada, a Gay story about high school seniors, but not really YA or coming out. I strongly identified with the events of this short novel. R..."

I'm looking forward to your review, Kernos.

[Jillyn]

I'm currently reading

[Erasmo]

I love Jimmy Breslin's voice but DNF Branch Rickey. Instead I re-read the incredible memoir Butterfly Boy: Memories of a Chicano Mariposa and, just today, breezed through episode 1 of The Gin Lovers #1, a light, historical romance set in New York City during the Roaring '20s. Oh, and how could I forget: I also re-read the classic So Long, See You Tomorrow. It's a gorgeous book that I read aloud and slowly because the prose was just so beautiful. Time to pick up whatever's sitting atop the two stacks that make up my TBR pile.

[Jillyn]

I'm starting

[Bill, Moderator]

Last nite I started Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite. I decided I'd read her books I have for Samhain.

I also have Drawing Blood and Lost Souls. I've never read anything by her before.

[Jillyn]

I just had to start reading for my English class.

[Chris]

Kernos wrote: "Last nite I started Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite. I decided I'd read her books I have for Samhain.

I also have Drawing Blood and Lost Souls. I've never read anything by her before."

You're in for a treat Kernos! Her work is wonderful. Hope you enjoy Exquisite Corpse, that was always one of my favorites by her.

Oh yes, in the spirit of the holiday, I'm currently reading Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates.

[Roger]

Christopher wrote: "I've felt like revisiting some old splatterpunk classics, being the demented horror buff I am ;)

Reading James Herbert's The Fog. You pretty much know what to expect with Herbert if you're a horro..."

Finding myself a bit disappointed by Ash. Definitely no Pulitzer material here, and he he'd-hops unmercifully, which I would think might put off many American readers who seem to loathe intertwined POVs more than British readers do. The exposition is very clunky too, like he's gone a bit rusty, but the horror elements are all sliding nicely into place.

[Maddy]

I just finished "Keeping You a Secret". It's my favorite Julie Anne Peters Novel yet! :)

I just also started "The Iron Witch" by Karen Mahoney (in print format) and "Blind Love" by Wilkie Collins (on my kindle App for my computer).

[Chris]

Roger wrote: "Christopher wrote: "I've felt like revisiting some old splatterpunk classics, being the demented horror buff I am ;)

Reading James Herbert's The Fog. You pretty much know what to expect with Herbe..."

Ash was....interesting, to say the least.

As an American who loves British horror, I have no problems with shifting and intertwining POVs, frankly I rather enjoy getting into the heads of multiple characters. Herbert on the whole though I just find rather sloppy...and as you said, the exposition is rather awkward and clunky. Still though, good stuff to whittle the time away with :)

[Bill, Moderator]

I finished and reviewed Exquisite Corpse. It didn't satisfy my need for a Halloweenie type horror/occult. I need something with depth that I would like to read every year at this time. Suggestions?

[Jillyn]

I'm currently reading

[Anna (Bananas)]

Currently reading the second Cut and Run novel and Special Forces by Voinov.

I was disappointed in Exquisite Corpse and Drawing Blood. They both had interesting premises and some good scenes but overall I couldn't connect with the characters. I've been feeling a re-read lately though, as it's been 10+ years. Maybe I should give them a second chance. I liked Lost Souls a little better. Has anyone read Liquor? Not sure if it has any gay elements.

[Chris]

Kernos wrote: "I finished and reviewed Exquisite Corpse. It didn't satisfy my need for a Halloweenie type horror/occult. I need something with depth that I would like to read every year at this time. Suggestions?"

I'm sorry it wasn't your cup of tea. Oh well, ya win some, ya lose some :)

If I may give a suggestion, I'm always fond of reading some of Ray Bradbury's classic horror short stories around this time of year. The October Country and Dark Carnival have some great ones you might enjoy.

[Bill, Moderator]

Christopher wrote: "...I'm sorry it wasn't your cup of tea. Oh well, ya win some, ya lose some :)..."

Oh, I found it interesting and will probably read more of the author. I rate according to how likely I am to re-read a novel. This one does not require re-reading to "get it". It's effect is sticking with me.

[Jillyn]

I'm starting

[Roger]

Christopher wrote: "Roger wrote: "Christopher wrote: "I've felt like revisiting some old splatterpunk classics, being the demented horror buff I am ;)

Reading James Herbert's The Fog. You pretty much know what to exp..."

I haven't quite finished it yet, but it's certainly wilder than the usual Herbert!

[K]

Kernos wrote: "Now I am reading Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman who will be participating in a group read. It is book 1 of a classic historical fiction trilogy about dynastic matters in later 12th century Britain and France. "

Here be Dragons is one of my favourite historical novels. Well really the whole trilogy are. I hope you enjoy it

[Bill, Moderator]

K wrote: "...Here be Dragons is one of my favourite historical novels. Well really the whole trilogy are. I hope you enjoy it "

I really enjoyed this. Her historical perspective was quite accurate, I have admired Llywelyn the Great for some time. She makes John a troubled human rather than a monster. I actually felt sorry for him. I do plan on reading the remaining 2 books.

[Kevin]

I'm currently reading . So beautiful! I love the period between the wars. Just finished . Also an excellent read (though zero gay content).

[Jillyn]

I'm reading