Horror Aficionados discussion
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What books are you reading/have you recently read? 2024
Finished a reread of The Other by Thomas Tryon. One of the three best-sellers that spurred the horror boom of the 1970s and '80s, it holds up really well. A slow-burn novel, with prose like the darker side of Ray Bradbury, and a story that harks a bit to The Turn of the Screw and Poe, I found it still a compelling read around 50 years after first reading it.
I'm reading Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste. It's for my Mount TBR as well as Complete the Word (letter R in FEAR) challenges.
Randy wrote: "Finished a reread of The Other by Thomas Tryon. One of the three best-sellers that spurred the horror boom of the 1970s and '80s, it holds up really well. A slow-burn ..."Randy, I like Tryon, particularly Lady, but I confess that The Other didn’t work for me for the simple reason that I guessed the Big Reveal practically from the beginning of the story. This is one of those cases where I like a writer’s most famous work the least of all their books!
Christopher, I think it's telegraphed, at least in some of the imagery. I've no memory of whether or not I figured it out early when I first read it at 16 or so, although I'd read a fair amount of Poe by then, so maybe. But I knew what was coming this time and still found tension in the story, largely through Tryon's portrayal of the central family. I also think he kept it an open question of whether the story is a psychological thriller or a novel of possession; and I admire the tactility of his writing which brings his setting to life, and the quality of his prose.
Randy wrote: "Christopher, I think it's telegraphed, at least in some of the imagery. I've no memory of whether or not I figured it out early when I first read it at 16 or so, although I'd read a fair amount of ..."I too admire his writing, Randy, even if this one didn’t pan out for me. Have you read Lady? Beautifully written, evocative story.
I haven't. I'll have to look into that.
Kimberly wrote: "I'm reading Angel of Vengeance (an arc), and loving being back with these characters!"Oh, you lucky critter! I've got my Audible copy preordered.
Randy wrote: "Christopher, I think it's telegraphed, at least in some of the imagery. I've no memory of whether or not I figured it out early when I first read it at 16 or so, although I'd read a fair amount of ..."I jsut finished this one myself, & I'll agree that the ending does leave that open question. So, though some of the ending may be telegraphed, there is still much for a reader to discover.
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Read it not long ago. Fast paced, lots of action, but kinda hoping to be done with some of those characters and having original further adventures.
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Memorials by Richard Chizmar
ARC for his forthcoming book. Didn't take long to get hooked. Very BWP-y (maybe).
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Sadly, I lost interest in this series. :(
The series book about feet in shoes washing up on a beach was so completely awful it did me in.
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Read it not long ago. Fast paced, lots of action, but kinda hoping to be do..."
I agree completely--this one has a couple characters I wish we didn't have to read about again..
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Sadly, I lost interest in this series. :(
The series book about feet in sho..."
That one wasn't a favorite of mine either....
Started Maeve Fly on my kobo. Liking the tone and the voice of the main character.
Like Randy and Ann, I recently finished the Horror classic 
The Other by Thomas Tryon
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and I started reading a Science-Fiction novel that I understand was adapted as a film
Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle
Also started Tomie by Junji Ito and I'm not sure how much I'm enjoying it.
Currently reading Rouge by Mona Awad , hoping it has the same effect Bunny has on me
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Late to the party, but better late than never. Genuinely creepy and with some original takes on common tropes.
Currently reading The Shining by Stephen King and Chasing the Boogeyman by Richard Chizmar.
I just finished "House of Usher" by Edgar Alan Poe yesterday, I thought it was OK, 2.5/5.
Currently on Hagstone as just taking a break from Cunning Folk
As far as horror goes? The Asylum Confessions 🎈
I highly recommend btw!!
I started Roomies by Cristina Lauren, after finishing both Tomie and Maeve Fly.
I finished Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville
Five stars for this incredible horror story - and not just for horror fans!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm reading Gross Out by Duncan Ralston, sequel to Woom. About a third of the way through and I haven't been grossed out yet, but it is promising. I just finished Native Fear, which was experimental and confusing at times, but always extremely well-written.
Kimberly wrote: "I'm reading Angel of Vengeance (an arc), and loving being back with these characters!"Got my Audible copy, & I too am enjoying being back with these characters -- though I'm seriously confused ATM, even after having listened to the previous novel last year. The Pendergast family has a lot of twists to it!
WendyB wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "I'm reading Angel of Vengeance (an arc), and loving being back with these characters!"Sadly, I lost interest in this series. :(
The series book about feet in sho..."
Don't know what this says about me, but that scene disturbed me more because of the dog. I had to make myself keep listening after that happened.
Christopher wrote: "H.R. Wakefield: They Return At Evening
"I'm curious what you think of this, Christopher. I've often heard Wakefield touted as on a par with Benson and James, but from what little I've read, I don't see it.
Currently reading "Penpal" it started a little slow for me.
Randy wrote: "Christopher wrote: "H.R. Wakefield: They Return At Evening"I'm curious what you think of this, Christopher. I've often heard Wakefield ..."
I'll put a short report here, Randy! I read (or rather listened to) "The Red Lodge" last night and found it well-written and effective but not terribly original.
Taking a break from H.R. Wakefield to get to Silent Children by Ramsey Campbell as well as the film book George Pal: Man of Tomorrow.
Started a re read of Duma key by King.
Just finished A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand. Kind of sad that this book did not work with me...
I just finished The Footage: A chilling psychological thriller and Incidents Around the House , and now I'm reading Little Heaven
Megan wrote: "I just finished The Footage: A chilling psychological thriller and Incidents Around the House , and now I'm reading Little Heaven"ooooo how was incidents around the house??
I am reading Old Country a supernatural horror with a cool twist!
Recently finished Murder of the Month. I want to read more from Elizabeth C. Main.
Horror Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Love the cover of this.