What are you reading right now?

[Chris]

At this moment I'm reading this book The Passage which was recommended by a friend. It's a vampire apocalypse novel, but its almost literary fiction. It's very good, however it's extremely long and there are probably too many characters. I don't need to see every vampire attack from ten different viewpoints, for example. However, it's well written and it's very involving. My mate told me last night that Ridley Scott has optioned the movie rights. That would be interesting to watch.

[Michael]

I've just started The Showing by Will Macmillan Jones, it's off to a suitably spooky start.

[Andy]

I'm working my way through Ash by James Herbert. I am enjoying it but finding it a bit too drawn out. His earlier works were much more punchy. As a result I keep getting distracted by short stories by other authors.

[Chris]

I found exactly the same thing. I'm about halfway through, but I keep going to other stuff too. It's not bad ... it's just taking its sweet time for anything to happen. I loved the first two Ash books so I'll get back to it sooner or later though.

[Michael]

Mask of the Macabre

I started 'Mask of the Macabre' last night, I'm loving the Victorian penny dreadful style to it.

[Michael]

I've now finished Mask of the Macabre and it's a great horror read:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

[Wendy]

Andy wrote: "I'm working my way through Ash by James Herbert. I am enjoying it but finding it a bit too drawn out. His earlier works were much more punchy. As a result I keep getting distracted by short stories..."

I've got this one sitting on my kindle but maybe I'll try something else of his first - any recommendations?

[Chris]

Haunted is great. First Ash novel and it's pretty short. Ghosts of Sleuth is also great, but it features Ash again and he mentions events from Haunted so you need to read that one first really. I haven't read any of his early books but I'm about to start reading The Dark, which is pretty highly rated.

[Andy]

Wendy wrote: "Andy wrote: "I'm working my way through Ash by James Herbert. I am enjoying it but finding it a bit too drawn out. His earlier works were much more punchy. As a result I keep getting distracted by ..."

My two favourite Ghost based horrors are The Ghosts for Sleath and The Secrets of Crickley Hall. But for general horror I would recommend the Rats, Lair and Domain trilogy. They are quite short novels, but cut to the quick and very gripping. These are his earlier works I think the problem I am having with Ash is that it is too long winded for me. I also really enjoyed The Magic Cottage; it does indeed have a magic feel about it.

[Chris]

Yeah, I'm stuck about 40% into Ash. Nothing much has happened so far. What I liked about Magic Cottage was that the central character was a badass studio guitarist. With Herbert's history of doing tons of research you can bet he actually learned to shred just so he could write that book ...

[Andy]

I like the thought of that, maybe we should ask him? or maybe get him to post a video. What do you think he would have learnt? Dire Straights? Shadows? (just kidding)

[Chris]

Haha, I might just try that! One of the things I was hoping when I set up this group was that we could get big name authors to pop in for a chat.

[Michael]

I'm 2/3s through Geoff Wakeling's Inside Evil, it's a decent horror story so far.

[Chris]

Just started reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Honestly, I have the attention span of a four year old, starting books all over the place. Really good this one, though. I'm 30% done and I only got it yesterday. That's seriously fast for me.

[Michael]

The Road is excellent - very bleak.

I'm just about to start Ballet of the Bones, if it's anything like his previous book Mask of the Macabre then it will be an excellent horror read.

[Andy]

I'm reading 'The Man Who Built the World' by some bloke called Chris Ward at the moment. Very good read. I'm about 40% the way through, but at about 10 minutes a day to read it might take some time yet. Still on the bright side, I get to enjoy it for longer.

Well written by the way Chris.

[Chris]

Thanks, Andy. Don't know that guy, but I'll check him out ...! :-)

[Wendy]

I have The Man Who Built the World and Inside Evil - gotta support Indies!

[Andy]

If Chris can stand watching the conversation, what did you think of it Wendy?

[Wendy]

I haven't read it yet but will certainly report back (unflinchingly) when I do! - Seriously, I have read a couple of short stories by Chris, the writing and story lines were very good.

[Andy]

I've read 'Fallen from the train' and really enjoyed it. I had intended reading one book each of a list of authors, but enjoyed it so much I was drawn into reading another of his books.
We'll have to be careful here his head will be swelling.

[Chris]

To make you feel better I'll pretend not to watch. :-) Can't comment myself because that would count as self promo and I'd have to can the thread! But, you know, keep enjoying those stories ...! ;-)

[Michael]

I've just finished [book:Ballet of the Bones|17619414, it's a fantastic horror read from indie author David Haynes. Highly recommended.

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

[Wendy]

Michael wrote: "I've just finished [book:Ballet of the Bones|17619414, it's a fantastic horror read from indie author David Haynes. Highly recommended.

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201......"

I have just downloaded this one, thanks for the recommendation. I like the sound of his first collection too!

[Wendy]

Andy wrote: "I've read 'Fallen from the train' and really enjoyed it. I had intended reading one book each of a list of authors, but enjoyed it so much I was drawn into reading another of his books.
We'll have ..."

I am reading in batches these days, have just started Geoff Wakeling's 'Inside Evil' which has been on my TBR for a long time in with my present mix of reading. The 'Chris bloke' will be in my next batch - could have bumped him up but thought I would save his head from exploding.

[Michael]

Inside Evil is a good read. I'm currently reading Creatures of Appetite, off to a good start so far.

[Andy]

Wendy wrote: "Andy wrote: "I'm working my way through Ash by James Herbert. I am enjoying it but finding it a bit too drawn out. His earlier works were much more punchy. As a result I keep getting distracted by ..."

[Chris]

I'm currently reading Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy and Day Soldiers by Brandon Hale. Both are very good but very, very different.

[Michael]

I've just started Qualia by Marie Brown, I'm liking it so far.

[[deleted user]]

I've just started Four past midnight, by Stephen King.

[Chip]

Walkers by Graham Masterton

[Andy]

Just finished "Shrine" by Jamebouts Herbert. Am about to start "Ghost story" by Peter Straub

[[deleted user]]

Andy wrote: "Just finished "Shrine" by Jamebouts Herbert. Am about to start "Ghost story" by Peter Straub"

Ghost Story, I want to read this one.

[Andy]

Will let you know how good a read it is

[Chip]

Graham Masterton's Master of Lies

[Andy]

Wendy wrote: "Andy wrote: "I've read 'Fallen from the train' and really enjoyed it. I had intended reading one book each of a list of authors, but enjoyed it so much I was drawn into reading another of his books..."

Just finished The Man Who Built the World and thought it was a great read. It is up to Chris's usual high standard, with an interesting story line and diverse characters. How are you getting on with it?

[Wendy]

I'm on a go slow with reading at the moment and that is set to continue until I get my two books out in June, there's just too much writing to do! But I hate to be away from reading for long, so I'm looking forward to getting back to it. Glad you enjoyed 'The Man Who' - I'm particularly looking forward to that one !

[Andy]

Oh boy do I understand that. It took much longer than normal to read it due to editing my own book. Life is a balance that's difficult to get right.
I look forward to hearing what you think when you do get around to it.

[Wendy]

Andy wrote: "Oh boy do I understand that. It took much longer than normal to read it due to editing my own book. Life is a balance that's difficult to get right.
I look forward to hearing what you think when yo..."
You are right - so little time, so much to read and write! The Demolition of Berkley Hall looks interesting and congrats on the great reviews! Incidentally the link via GR to Amazon doesn't seem to work - but I found it and downloaded so it will be another one to look forward to!

[Andy]

I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for telling me about the link.

[Roma]

I'm reading Apartment 16 by Adam Neville. So far I think it's a very good read. Very few "horror" books give me that heart quickening palpitation when the author builds up to a disturbing scene but Neville does. I just hope they take Banquet for the Damned from being out of print

[Chris]

Getting stuck into Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stephenson. Fancied reading an old classic. It's not bad.

[Roma]

Stephan Kings Joyland. It seems to have mixed reviews but I'm enjoying it so far

[Natascha]

I'm reading Night Film

[[deleted user]]

The Faceless by Simon Bestwick. mixed views about it the story itself is gripping enough to keep me reading, but the character dialogue is very confusing its hard to tell who is saying what. it gets to be hard work at times, taking me a while to get through it.