Strange Highways (Group Read - August 2010)

[Susan]

It did! And I loved the way Koontz and Joey kept referencing all the different shows to try and come to terms with what was happening.

[Susan]

Black Pumpkin was nice and creepy, though what I often find when reading short stories is that I would have liked it to continue just a little bit further.

I know I'm a bit behind, but I'm catching up! :-)

[Christine]

Susan wrote: "Black Pumpkin was nice and creepy, though what I often find when reading short stories is that I would have liked it to continue just a little bit further."

That's why I rarely read short stories because they always leave me wanting more. The story feels incomplete for some reason. What happens next? and in the case of Black Pumpkin, that is a big question.

I just finished Black Pumpkin too, so you are not the only one a bit behind!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "I just noticed that his pseudonym's initials, KRD, are the reverse of his real initials, DRK!"
Now, that's interesting. I hadn't noticed before either.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I haven't been reading lately :-( sorry, maybe I'm the most behind - I'll be reading into September I'm sure. Good thing September's book (Dragon Tears) was available from the library on audiobook.

[Jaice]

Dustin wrote: "I haven't been reading lately :-( sorry, maybe I'm the most behind - I'll be reading into September I'm sure. Good thing September's book (Dragon Tears) was available from the library on audiobook."

Nope, I am almost certain to be the most behind. I haven't even finished the first (i.e., title) story yet, as I can't stop the audiobooks, because they have become such a routine and an integral part of my presleeping ritual that I can't not listen to them.

[Christine]

When you say your presleeping ritual, does that mean that the audio books help you to sleep?

[Jaice]

Christine wrote: "When you say your presleeping ritual, does that mean that the audio books help you to sleep?"

I think they do. They help quiet my mind so that I can fall asleep more quickly.

[Christine]

Do you find that you lose your place in the story? I have tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and my doc has recommended listening to soft music or nature sounds to help me fall asleep and I am wondering if an audiobook would work????

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I'd think a lot would depend on the book and also on the reader. I listen to Audio books at night sometimes or if I have a headache and can't "read" because of it. Sometimes a book keeps me awake if it's very intense etc. And, some readers voices are different from others. If it's a book you've listened to over and over I'd think it might come closer to letting you drift off, but that's just my experience.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I'm an audiobook listener too and I'll often fall asleep listening to a book.

[Christine]

Mike wrote: "I'd think a lot would depend on the book and also on the reader...."

I think you are right. Some books, especially the ones I read most of the time, would not lend themselves to a soothing drop into sleep. I need to do something though. This is a new problem and one that will drive me bonkers in no time. I will "buzz" by the library tomorrow and pick up something. If anything it will be another way to read more books :) Much more fun than the sound therapy system my doc recommended.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Christine wrote: "Some books, especially the ones I read most of the time, would not lend themselves to a soothing drop into sleep. "

We must read the same kinds of books :-) I fell asleep listening to Await Your Reply and the narrator did an awesome creepy job with the pirate voices. This summer, I got me a part-time job at Borders and a couple of weeks ago a person I was trying to help and recommend books to said everything I recommend is "dark", dealing with death, graveyards, and abductions :-)

[Christine]

Dustin Crazy wrote: we must read the same kinds of books :-) I fell asleep listeni..."

I guess there us hope for me then because if you fell asleep to Await Your Reply, then I can fall asleep to anything. That one was creepy.

Dustin, I am glad to see you on Goodreads today. I've missed your comments. I'm glad to see you still have time to read :)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I'm at the library today :-) This summer I have been working two jobs and I don't have internet at home so my online time is rather limited but I always have time for books! Mostly I do audiobooks because I can get through them quicker and listen to them while walking, riding the bus or doing chores but I am a constant reader.

[Christine]

Good, when you love books, you always find time to read/listen, no matter how hectic it gets. Its always a welcome escape.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

A week or so ago, a customer came in and said she only reads non-fiction because fiction is a waste of time. As an honorable employee (and because I already knew this repeat customer's mental state) I did not get into an argument, but I of course disagree with that opinion. There is a lot to learn from a well-written novel and escaping reality once in a while is a benefit too :-)

[Christine]

Especially when your life is as busy as yours. You need time to let your brain rest and that's what reading does for me. Dean Koontz has enough imagination for all of us and that is what I like about him. Its good to let him do the work and we get to sit back and enjoy it.

[Christine]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "A week or so ago, a customer came in and said she only reads non-fiction because fiction is a waste of time..."

I hate when people say that.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Dean Koontz remains my favorite author. I never know exactly what to expect and the reader has to distance themselves from reality to some extent -

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

btw..... (link to the X-files/Fringe discussion...see my latest post :-)
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

[Christine]

I commented on the Fringe discussion.

[Jaice]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "A week or so ago, a customer came in and said she only reads non-fiction because fiction is a waste of time...."

A very intelligent person in one of the freethought groups I frequent said the same thing. I did voice my dissenting opinion, however, offering myself as an example. As a scientist, I am constantly submerged in the realm of nonfiction, so it is a reprieve for me to immerse myself in fiction (whether in books, TV shows, movies, etc.) part of the time outside of my job. Also, reading nonfiction helps to stimulate the imagination, which enhances creativity, and creativity is essential to science. Having knowledge is not enough, as one must think of creative ways to use knowledge in order to create new knowledge and to apply knowledge. Einstein said that creativity is more important than knowledge. People who think nonfiction is the only relevant genre are likely those who lack intellectual stimulation in their daily lives and so must seek it in works of nonfiction. Besides, there are nonfiction celebrity gossip books and are those relevant simply because they are nonfiction? I think the answer is obvious.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "People who think nonfiction is the only relevant genre are likely those who lack intellectual stimulation in their daily lives and so must seek it in works of nonfiction."

You are a smart one Plasborgma! Good point and good to see you online at the same time as I again. I'll be logging off soon because the library closes early on Sundays :-)

[Jaice]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "You are a smart one Plasborgma! Good point and good to see you online at the same time as I again...."

:-) (blushing) It's good seeing you too!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Hey we're both here again :-) I have to log off when Borders locks the doors (within 30 mins to an hour)

[Susan]

So I'm still finishing the book, but I really did like Strange Highways perhaps the best so far. What I've been finding interesting, too, is that the same themes that Dean loves to work with are all here, just in short form. Right now, I'm reading Down in the Darkness, and it's just interesting to see themes that I recognize from other books. We've covered God and Catholicism and love conquering all, odd and creepy forms of justice... very good.

[Nora aka Diva]

This was my "car book" I would leave it in the car and read one of the stories while waiting to pick my kids up from school. I loved them, I probably read all of it multiple times. We Three was creepy but fun. Going of my very impaired memory banks here.. lol, I think it was called kittens? but I totally understood that girl's frustration and her motivation. prolly doesn't say good things about me right there. lol.
I should get another copy mine went up with the car when it burnt down. :(

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

DuctTapeDiva wrote: "I should get another copy mine went up with the car when it burnt down. :( "

YIKES!!!

[Nora aka Diva]

Yeah, I know. Wasn't happy about that on several levels.

[Jaice]

DuctTapeDiva wrote: "This was my "car book" I would leave it in the car and read one of the stories while waiting to pick my kids up from school...."

I have been doing the same thing, only reading it while doing brain scans rather than while waiting to pick up children from school. ;-) I have been really enjoying it and will probably give it a 5/5 rating once I'm finished, if it continues to be as good as it has been so far (I am about to start Kittens next). It has taken me a long time to get through it, just because it has been my "waiting" book. I hope my copy doesn't get burned up in my car. :-/

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "I have been doing the same thing, only reading it while doing brain scans rather than while waiting to pick up children from school. ;-)"

Why do you have to get your brain scanned so much? I can only guess.

[Jaice]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "Why do you have to get your brain scanned so much? I can only guess."

I've never had my brain scanned, I am the one scanning other people's brains for my research. :-P

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "I've never had my brain scanned, I am the one scanning other people's brains for my research. :-P"

I see why you can relate to Walter Bishop so well. Do you have a cow and a salt water tank in your laboratory?

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Of course, we understand. Just keep telling yourself that...

How do you feel?

:)

[Jaice]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "I see why you can relate to Walter Bishop so well. Do you have a cow and a salt water tank in your laboratory?"

Not yet.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "Not yet."

Is this something you are considering then?

[Jaice]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "Is this something you are considering then?"

Of course, who wouldn't? ;-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "Of course, who wouldn't? ;-)"

Well, I guess if you have an assistant like Astrid then it could be nice, but otherwise it's a lot of work. Someone has to take care of the the cow feeding, cow pies, and general health. Who's gonna take the cow out for a walk? It has to get out of that basement lab once in a while or it will become a mad cow.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

You have to house-break the cow and install a "swinging cow door".

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "You have to house-break the cow and install a "swinging cow door"."

I know I've gotten this discussion off-topic, but I don't see how Gene the Cow can live in the basement of Harvard University.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

It's a conspiracy...

[Jaice]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "I know I've gotten this discussion off-topic, but I don't see how Gene the Cow can live in the basement of Harvard University."

It does by breathing, eating, drinking, and sleeping. ;-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Doesn't the cow need some fresh air once in a while?
And btw, is Gene really a girl's name?

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Okay, I am going to try to correct my wrong-doing. Here is the link to our X-FILES, FRINGE and MUCH MORE!!! Discussion thread:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

Please visit this discussion to continue discussing FRINGE, WALTER BISHOP and the Mystery of Gene the Cow who lives in the Basement of Harvard University. Btw, Anyone who doesn't watch FRINGE - you're really missing out. New Episode Tonight!!! Okay, No more Fringe stuff here - click on the link above.

STRANGE HIGHWAYS........... I've still only read some of the stories.

[Jaice]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "...STRANGE HIGHWAYS........... I've still only read some of the stories."

Tsk, tsk.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

I'll read 'em all some day. I need to buy me a copy of the book so I don't have to keep borrowing it from the library and then I'll have to hope it doesn't get burned up :-)

I'll buy me a copy when I get my Borders Bucks in May, okay? I earned a whole bunch of Borders Bucks by shopping my store closing sale in April.

[Nora aka Diva]

Dustin Crazy wrote: "I'll read 'em all some day. I need to buy me a copy of the book so I don't have to keep borrowing it from the library and then I'll have to hope it doesn't get burned up :-)

I'll buy me a copy whe..."

it should be ok, since out of the hundreds of books I own, I have only lost one in a car fire. It think thats actually pretty good odds. :)

[Nora aka Diva]

Woot! I have two new copies, 1 hard cover, 1 paperback.
Yay to my lovely friends who gifted me with those!! :)
gotta love good friends. :)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Found me a hardcover copy at a thrift store recently :-)