What book u reading at the moment?

[psycho d]

Civilization o the Middle Ages by Norman F. Cantor. Awesome history of this formative time. It reminds the reader just how preponderant Christianity and the papacy was in the formation of Europe. Ashe.
derek

[Geddy]

Started Shutter Island, by Dennis Lehane again.

[Duncan Moron]

I just published this book and was interested in getting some feedback. I would love it if this site even reviewed it. It is a freaky story about life beginning for a serial killer.

Does anyone have any ideas how to contact the site owners and see if they would review it or are there readers out there who will give some feedback.

thanks

[Doc Faustus]

The in-house critic, Staci Layne doesn't really review books. You could send a comp copy or a PDF to somebody on the site who's interested, but HDC doesn't have an official book reviewer per se, which I lament because I've been on this site for a few years now and have not had an official review of my book. There are cool people who review books that look cool to them for Amazon or buy books they like, but that's the extent of it.

[Duncan Moron]

Thanks again for helping out.

[Femme Fatale]

I'm reading 'Dexter in the Dark'. It's the third book in the Dexter series. The books are pretty enjoyable. They have a sense of humour about them. The show departs from the books but I like what they've done.

[rockyx]

I'm reading Son of the Circus by John Irving. Not a horror but still badass.

[SamCostello]

Fires, by Nick Antosca - An interesting premise - dark secrets about a town are revealed in the wake of a wild fire - but the execution was lacking. Just an OK book.

Lush Life, by Richard Price - A brilliant, beautiful book featuring hilarious dialogue, terrific prose, and a fascinating take on the historical dust kicked up by urban redevelopment.

Sam

[ferretchucker]

Still Dracula. I haven't been reading much lately...

[SamCostello]

The Ruins, by Scott Smith - I enjoyed the movie a lot. So far, the book's solid, but I'm only about 50 pages in. I expect it to get a lot better.

Sam

[Jacob Singer]

The House on the Borderland, by William Hope Hodgson

The Road;Cormac McCarthy

[Doc Faustus]

I still have to read Hodgson. I hear so many things about his relevance to the genre.

[neverending]

Everything is Under Control: Conspiracies, Cults and Cover-Ups
Robert Anton Wilson

[rockyx]

City of Ashes, and I'm loving it. :]

[SamCostello]

The Ruins, by Scott Smith - Intense, queasy, non-stop. This could be a textbook for an ethics class: there are impossible choices for the characters every few pages and it’s hard to argue with the Mayan’s decision that dooms the characters.

Sam

[psycho d]

A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present by Andrew Gordon. Hopefully this will help me understand some of the classic Japanese flicks a bit more. Ashe.
derek

[neverending]

The Hidden World No. 1 The Dero! The Tero! The Battle Between Good & Evil Mutants Underground
by Richard Shaver

[missmacabre]

Hitchhiker's Guide- Douglas Adams

[sopater]

Don Quixote by Cervantes.
I've got just over a hundred pages to go!

[wretched]

Stephen King- The Stand

[RedRose]

Dracula - Bram Stoker

[ChronoGrl]

The Ruins, by Scott Smith - Intense, queasy, non-stop. This could be a textbook for an ethics class: there are impossible choices for the characters every few pages and it’s hard to argue with the Mayan’s decision that dooms the characters.

Sam

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I thought the movie was awful. You're right about exploring ethics... It's more than just your average horror best seller.

...

Currently reading Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. :o I'm working my way through the Twilight series. Sometimes a girl just needs a silly diversion.

[psycho d]

The Making of the Middle Ages (1953) by R.W. Southern. Pretty good hisory of the early Middle Ages from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries. Ashe.
derek

[ChronoGrl]

Now I'm re-reading Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood in preparation of her The Year of the Flood, its follow-up. Highly recommended.

[missmacabre]

Friend just lent me this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_L_ulZUAPtFI/SgX3I92BxCI/AAAAAAAAANg/imSiYQCkydI/s400/getaboy.jpg
Chapter titles include: "And You'd Better Look Good, The 'Nice Personality' Myth", ""How Barb reshaped Her Tastes", "How Smart Should You Seem?" and various other chapters about changing yourself in order to get your crush to like you.

[Doc Faustus]

Is there a book on how I can accquire a teenage girl? I hear they eat nothing but lettuce and will put out for a wine cooler.

[psycho d]

The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War ll by Iris Chang. This is purported to be the first complete account of the Japanese atrocity in China at the end of 1937, where some 250,000 to 350,000 unarmed Chinese citizens were tortured, humiliated, experimented upon, and then slaughtered in horrific fashion by Japanese soldiers, all within about a 6 week period in the city of Nanking. It is also estimated during this same time-frame that between 30,000 and 80,000 women were raped, many of which were then disemboweled or otherwise horrifically disfigured. This is still a contentious issue as the official opinion of the Japanese is that the affair was either horribly exaggerated or even fabricated in totum. So far so good. Ashe.
derek

[The_Return]

Uta Hagen's A Challenge for the Actor. Fascinating stuff.

[krugger]

:DThe Halloween movie was that the original or the one Rob Zombie did?

[krugger]

The Halloween movie is that the original or the one that Rob Zombie did? Trying to find all the Halloween movies to add to my movie collection. Along with the other Phantasm movies that were made,which is damn near impossible to find. Most of the horror movies I'd like to get are impossible to find any where.Would like any information as to where I can get some of the old horror movies.

[psycho d]

India: A History (2001) by John Keay threatens to be a pretty comprehensive tome of the history of India, starting around 2000bc. Late.
d

[SamCostello]

The Bus Driver Who Wanted to Be God, by Etgar Keret – A collection of very short, humorous/absurdist short stories. These aren’t quite as compelling as some of the other stories by him that I’ve encountered, but they’re good fun.

Sam

[psycho d]

Blogging for Dummings. Literally a how to book to be a geek. Late
d

[infernalhale]

Lords of Chaos currently. Excellent read thus far.

[dkwrtw]

120 Days of Sodom

[Doc Faustus]

It's funny with Sade that it's not the pornography that's offputting but his utter inability to write.

[dkwrtw]

lol yeah, he's a god awful writer, his word usage is SO repetive, every other word is "cunt" and "Ball juice", I had to read it after seeing the movie though.

[Doc Faustus]

After seeing Quills, I started reading his stuff. He's the Ed Wood of surreal pornography.

[dkwrtw]

I just saw quills not too long ago, I first saw Salo after someone told me about it on another Forum, such a fucking foul disturbing movie, then I read the book.

[Doc Faustus]

If you like Salo and whatnot, you might dig some Bizarro stuff. I'm a little biased, being a Bizarro writer myself, but I think for fans of extreme horror, sex and weirdness, it's hard to beat. Check this out: http://www.bizarrocentral.com/books.html

[dkwrtw]

right on man, I live for extreme horror, sex and weirdness!

[Doc Faustus]

I wholeheartedly recommend Apeshit by Carlton Mellick III and Fistful of Feet by Jordan Krall. They're two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet who've both created perverted, gory worlds of insanity. Apeshit is sort of what dead teenager movies would be like if they were as subversive and nasty as the assholes who say horror is ruining society say they are. Fistful of Feet is a Bizarro spaghetti Western with Cthulhuite indians, a crooked frontier town that serves as a den of fetishistic debuche and a taciturn Clint Eastwood style hero.

[dkwrtw]

I've already found a ton of stuff on there that I have to read, I can't believe I didn't know about this shit!

[dkwrtw]

just placed orders for Apeshit and Super Fetus!

[Doc Faustus]

I've already found a ton of stuff on there that I have to read, I can't believe I didn't know about this shit!

In spite of massive DIY promotions, blurbs from authors like Piers Anthony, John Skipp, Edward Lee and Alan Moore, people always end up stumbling into Bizarro by either super weird coincidences or meeting one of us at a con or something. Half the time, somebody's story about discovering Bizarro sounds like the beginning of an A Team episode. "I was at a strip club, when this weird kid in a denim jacket with dreads said he liked my Green Lantern shirt and was thinking maybe he'd get a lavender mohawk too. We get to talking about Grant Morrison for like three hours, then we ended up hanging out at this bar where a little dude with glasses was tossin' squid. Then he handed me a card that said "Bizarrocentral.com"." Keep me posted on what you think about Apeshit and Super Fetus. I haven't read Super Fetus or met Adam Pepper yet, but it seems like good high concept Bizarro. A title you can't ignore, a premise so different you HAVE to see if it works, the whole schmeer.

[dkwrtw]

they're on the way to my house right now, also ordered "Help! A Bear is Eating Me!"

[neotank]

Rereading The Talisman by Stephen King

[zwoti]

some offbeat zombie books,

zombies for zombies
the zombie survival guide
world war z

[Laura6]

Trick or Treachery ...Donald Bain

[jonathan salisbury]

I just read Experiments At 3 Billion A.M. by Alexander Zelenyj - huge collection of scary and really really really weird stories that mix horror with every other genre you can imagine. I recommend!!

Now I think I'll go re-read something by Thomas Ligotti...

[Disease]

I'm readin "Side by Side - a season with Collingwood" by Peter Ryan.

Ryan spent the entire 2009 season with the Collingwood football club and this book is a behind the scenes look at the runnings of the club from the preseason to the finals campaighn.

It's pretty enjoyable to read as a Collingwood fan, a good lead up to the pre -season competition starting next week.

[jenna26]

A Winter Haunting by Dan Simmons
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

[ManchestrMorgue]

Varney the Vampire

[Doc Faustus]

Good luck with that one.

[ManchestrMorgue]

Almost finished. About 100 pages to go.

[ManchestrMorgue]

Finished Varney.

Now reading True Evil by Greg Iles.

About 25% of the way into this, and it is great so far.

[Scarebaby]

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

[Doc Faustus]

Brilliant book. Did you know he had synesthesia?

[Caenxavier]

I'm reading the James Bond series starting with Casino Royale of course. They aren't very long so I could probably knock out the whole series in a week or two, maybe less if I continue to not have a job....

[Scarebaby]

Brilliant book. Did you know he had synesthesia?

I had no idea, actually. Isn't that an incredibly uncommon condition?
And yes, I am liking this book very much. It's certainly different.

[neverending]

Archelon Ranch by Garret Cook.

Great book, so far. What I'm most impressed with is that I'm on page 10 and there hasn't been a single spelling, punctuation, syntax or usage error. I'm also wondering, given the predominance of chimpanzees & hats, if Mr. Cookhas a fixation with Esphyr Slobodkina.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tsIVUzajL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

My only negative comment so far is that the book is dedicated to about 50,000 people, none of which are me.

[Doc Faustus]

Archelon Ranch by Garret Cook.

Great book, so far. What I'm most impressed with is that I'm on page 10 and there hasn't been a single spelling, punctuation, syntax or usage error. I'm also wondering, given the predominance of chimpanzees & hats, if Mr. Cookhas a fixation with Esphyr Slobodkina.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tsIVUzajL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

My only negative comment so far is that the book is dedicated to about 50,000 people, none of which are me.

Legumeman's editor is really good. Also, that book looks incredibly cool. Also, I'm fairly certain you're Stan Lee, so you are in the dedications. Where's my No Prize?

[dkwrtw]

Currently reading "Help! A Bear is Eating Me!", just finished "Apeshit" and "Super Fetus", good shit.

[Scarebaby]

Archelon Ranch by Garret Cook.


My only negative comment so far is that the book is dedicated to about 50,000 people, none of which are me.

Take a peek at the introductory page of 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman. It'll warm your heart.

[scouse mac]

Archelon Ranch by Garret Cook.

Great book, so far. What I'm most impressed with is that I'm on page 10 and there hasn't been a single spelling, punctuation, syntax or usage error. I'm also wondering, given the predominance of chimpanzees & hats, if Mr. Cookhas a fixation with Esphyr Slobodkina.



Agree, Im about forty pages in and it is easily the most original book Ive ever read, good work Doc.

Its currently sharing my attention with Brent Weeks' The Night Angel Trilogy, currently half way through the second book, Shadows Edge. Real quality reading.

[Geddy]

All the Presidents Men, by Carl Bernstein, and Bob Woodward

[Scarebaby]

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. (not sure if I spelled that right but I'm not reading it in English)

[ManchestrMorgue]

The Death of Bunny Munro by Nick Cave

[Doc Faustus]

Cool. I started that but never got around to finishing it. Love the guy's music, though.

[ManchestrMorgue]

Yeah it is pretty cool. I read a quarter of it last night at work. It is quite grim and nihilistic so far.

[Doc Faustus]

I was kind of getting that vibe.

[Doctor Loomis]

the long hard road out of hell by marilyn manson

[Caenxavier]

On a side note, there is a bookshop by my house that has a large supply of free books. Gonna check it out tomorrow and see what I can find. Found a large supply of Stephen King books last time. Found Letters to the Earth as well. Fun times.

[psycho d]

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. (not sure if I spelled that right but I'm not reading it in English)

i have been looking forward to readin' that myself. Right now i am starting Demonic Males-Apes and the Origins of Human Violence. Not as powerful as Frans de Waal's work, but pretty decent thus far.
derek

[psycho d]

Demonic Males: Apes and the Origins of Human Violence by Dale Peterson and Richard Wrangham. A little dated, but a pretty good read nonetheless. Late.
d

[sgambino]

Reign Of The Dead Len Barnhart

[ManchestrMorgue]

Finished Bunny Munro

Have also read Already Dead by Charlie Huston

Have just started Benjamin's Parasite by Jeff Strand

[ManchestrMorgue]

Finished Benjamin's Parasite. Great read, recommended.

Now reading Suckers

[milktoaste]

Flash Fiction Forward, my first encounter with flas fiction and I kinda like it. Highly recommended to any who respects people who read but don't read much themselves.

[Doc Faustus]

I've written a lot of flash fiction. When it's not lazy, it can accomplish a lot.

[neotank]

Rereading Boy's Life by Robert McCammon. A wonderful book to say the least.

[Doc Faustus]

I quite agree. Weird, fun and extremely clever.

[SamCostello]

The Book of Basketball, by Bill Simmons

Sam

[psycho d]

Blood and Power: Organized Crime in Twentieth-Century America by Stephen Fox. So far so good...
d

[yourlastmistake]

William L. Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, A History of Nazi Germany.

[iSeymore]

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. (1983) it's by author Ron Hansen and this novel is also a major motion picture starring Brad Pitt and Casey Afleck. I have yet to see this film..

[Doc Faustus]

The film is off middling quality and very very long.

[The_Return]

The film is off middling quality and very very long.

Completely agreed - however, Casey Afleck's brilliant performance almost makes it worth a look.

[hammerfan]

Just finished The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia J. Washburn

[Deimos]

The Beast of Gevaudan. Amazing book.

Also:
The Mourning Star Strain: Plague Of The Dead.

[Doc Faustus]

Recently read; Haunted: Tales of the Grotesque by Joyce Carol Oates A great writer of scary, disturbing tales. Met her last week and she's a shining miracle of a woman. She signed my copy, answered a question...it was a wonderful experience. Next was Invisible Monsters by Chuck Pahlaniuk, a book that asks lots of interesting questions about gender, body image and identity in this day and age. Good stuff. Started Thomas Ligotti's Teatro Grottesco. Looks promising and I hear nothing but good things about his body of work.

[The_Return]

Working on Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard in class, so I've been reading through a collection of his stories to help get in that world. Really amazing stuff. Plus, the collection I've got has everything in the order they were written, which really gives a fascinating look into his life. Can't believe that I never used to like this guy - had to really sit down to study him before I could appreciate his work.

[The Krell]

The Plague by Albert Camus

[Doc Faustus]

Cool. Have you read Myth of Sissyphus?

[Empress_Of_Drac]

I'm still reading Stephen King's Dreamcatcher...SSDD...

[nightmare_of _death]

My best friends Girl - Dorothy Koomson

[The Krell]

Cool. Have you read Myth of Sissyphus?

Sure have Doc.In fact that book was very influential for me when I was a teen.Still is I suppose,though my teen years are now a thing of the distant past.I list Camus among my favorite 3 or 4 writers.

[Doc Faustus]

I like a lot of things he had to say in there. I was in a production of his Caligula back in college, reread the stuff and found it much more substantial and less nihilistic than a lot of other existentialism.

[Doctor Loomis]

the crow :)

[Doc Faustus]

That goes in comics! There's pictures and you know it!

[iSeymore]

Re-Reading Gears Of War: Aspho Fields by Karen Traviss.
and reading The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford by Ron Howard. They are both very incredible novels.

[The Krell]

I like a lot of things he had to say in there. I was in a production of his Caligula back in college, reread the stuff and found it much more substantial and less nihilistic than a lot of other existentialism.

Agree wholeheartedly! I think that was a major part of the appeal for me.Though I embraced life's futility at an early age I have never quite been able to shake this damned sunny disposition!

[The Krell]

I just picked up Exquisite Corpse:Surrealism and the Black Dahlia Murders.
The book ties the surrealist art movement and some of its biggest names in with the famous Murder.The art in this book alone makes it worth the price.

[lowlife]

Kiss The Girls,Hellbound Heart,and Hideway I have just recently finished reading.Excellent and spellbinding books.:cool:

Anybody have any recommends?I love all horror or a solid thriller.

[psycho d]

Yakuza: Japan's Criminal Underworld by David Kaplan. An awesome account of the history of this scourge of Japan.
d

[Doc Faustus]

Just finished Tsunimoy by Jeff Burk. Even more fun than Shatnerquake. You've definitely gotta check it out.

[psycho d]

The Oxford History of the French Revolution by William Doyle. Pretty decent account of such an infamous revolution. Gets a little boggged down in details, but that is to be expected from a 400+ page book that is attempting to express such a convoluted event that would probably benefit from a 1000 or more pages. Ashe.
d

[lowlife]

HOLY FUCK PEEPS!!!! I need recommends for a nice compelling horror/thriller of maybe at the most 1,000pages.Please and thank you:cool::)

[Doc Faustus]

If you don't mind experimental language and some weirdness, I'd recommend my books Murderland part 1:h8 and Murderland 2:Life During Wartime. It's about a world where serial killers are the highest echelons of celebrity and the only hope for change is in the hands of a homicidal pharmacist.
Here's the link to part 1:
http://www.amazon.com/Murderland-Part-I-Garrett-Cook/dp/1439200815/ref=pd_sim_b_1

[psycho d]

Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling by David G. Schwartz. Written with a slightly annoying comic edge, the core material so far seems pretty credible. i really like the concept that gambling's origins came from ancient of divination, where the ancients would roll dice/bones to predict the future, followed by maybe a friendly wager from a competing fortune-teller. Ashe.
d

[Doc Faustus]

I just picked up Exquisite Corpse:Surrealism and the Black Dahlia Murders.
The book ties the surrealist art movement and some of its biggest names in with the famous Murder.The art in this book alone makes it worth the price.

That sounds awesome. You seriously seem like someone who would enjoy my book, Archelon Ranch.

[fiend_skull]

I'm currently reading a lot of H.P. Lovecraft
in the last couple days I have read: The Hound, The Other Gods, Dunwich Horror, and The Call of Cthulhu. I'm currently working on reading At The Mountains of Madness

[Doc Faustus]

As good as the mythos stories are, I think his strongest work is his stuff that's less ingrained in the mythos, things like The Colour Out of Space, The Hands of Erich Zann and Pickman's Model.

[fiend_skull]

"The Hellbound Heart" by Clive Barker

[Deimos]

How To Survive A Zombie Apoc.
The Beast Of Gevaudan.

[neverending]

Llana of Gathol by Edgar Rice Burroughs

[fiend_skull]

"The Lurking Fear and other Stories" by H.P. Lovecraft
(I also picked up a copy of "The Books of Blood" by Clive Barker, can't wait to start reading that.)

[neverending]

Nobody does atmosphere like Lovecraft.

[fiend_skull]

Nobody does atmosphere like Lovecraft.

I couldn't agree more, I also find the lack of dialogue in his stories interesting.

[psycho d]

How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic by Pirie Madsen. If the title delivers then it should only be a short wait until i am king of the world...
d

[jenna26]

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

[Bastet]

A wonderful and quait little treatise on sexual deviancy from the 1890's. All the best bits are in latin though.

[Doc Faustus]

Welcome. That's pretty hardcore.

[Bastet]

Welcome. That's pretty hardcore.

Thank You for the welcome. I found this little book which is actually quite quaint, as a recommendation in the apendix of Masoch's 'Venus in Furs'. Its interesting that the Victorians actually had quite enlghtened ideas and sympathy towards 'Sexual Deviants', however this good work is undone by their reference to the process of ejaculation as pollution. I prefer to read something that is challenging-never read chick lit and avoid chick flicks as much as I can too.

[Doc Faustus]

Chick lit worries me. It shows that girls weren't being raised in a way that encourages them to develop actual interests in things and activities and that at this rate, they might not ever be.

[Bastet]

Chick lit worries me. It shows that girls weren't being raised in a way that encourages them to develop actual interests in things and activities and that at this rate, they might not ever be.

Spare me the Catherine Cookson! I love those books that show the darker side of the human psyche. The closest I have ever come, I think is Wuthering Heights and I have to say that book stirs me more than any modern work. I have just read a foundation in Gothic and as a result have started reading The Casltle of Otranto and will move on to The Monk. I love to watch movies of the books I have read, but think it makes me a little of a bore and chatterbox when I visit the cinema. What are you reading at the moment?

[Doc Faustus]

Steer clear of Mysteries of Udolpho. Challenging oneself is one thing but that book is tedium incarnate and contains snippets of some of the worst damn poetry you'll ever read Right now I am reading my friend Jess Gulbranson's book 10 A Boot Stomping 20 A Human Face 30 Go to 10, which is published by Legumeman, the Australian press I work with. I read about half of it then got busy, but I should finish it and have a blurb for him soon. It's a ton of fun, a book about hauntings, conspiracy theory and how we interact with pop culture. One of the things I love about Bizarro is that it doesn't sacrifice intelligence for fun or strangeness for excitement, even in the most scatological or apparenly silly books in the genre. After this, I move onto William Pauley III's Doom Magnetic, which I'm excited about. I've heard from people who read it that it's a reading experience closer to going to the movies than other books are and that it's weird and full of genrebending and excitement, so it should be a good experience. I've been reading the Tao Te Ching a lot too.

[Bastet]

Steer clear of Mysteries of Udolpho. Challenging oneself is one thing but that book is tedium incarnate and contains snippets of some of the worst damn poetry you'll ever read Right now I am reading my friend Jess Gulbranson's book 10 A Boot Stomping 20 A Human Face 30 Go to 10, which is published by Legumeman, the Australian press I work with. I read about half of it then got busy, but I should finish it and have a blurb for him soon. It's a ton of fun, a book about hauntings, conspiracy theory and how we interact with pop culture. One of the things I love about Bizarro is that it doesn't sacrifice intelligence for fun or strangeness for excitement, even in the most scatological or apparenly silly books in the genre. After this, I move onto William Pauley III's Doom Magnetic, which I'm excited about. I've heard from people who read it that it's a reading experience closer to going to the movies than other books are and that it's weird and full of genrebending and excitement, so it should be a good experience. I've been reading the Tao Te Ching a lot too.
Some good recommendations, I will check them out. I do enjoy conspiracy theory/urban legend stuff. Snopes is a great site for this. And Udolpho is little slow, but only have 50 pages left and it goes against the grain not to finish a book.

[Doc Faustus]

I'm genuinely impressed. I had to read that book in five page increments over months.

[Bastet]

I'm genuinely impressed. I had to read that book in five page increments over months.
I always have a book in my handbag to pick out when I am at a loose end and am usually reading 4 or 5 at a time. I just pick up what I fancy at the time. I can read anywhere; waiting to pick the kids up, waiting to see the doc or dentist or just when I want to chill with a ciggie and a can of lager. Its my escape. Udolpho is very dark and not easily accessable, I give you that, but I studied this era of history and attitudes to literature and art at the time as part of my degree. I think that maybe helps me to understand the reasons and times that it was written.

[Doc Faustus]

I've done a fair amount of research into the gothic novel and I get where Anne Radcliffe is coming from, but I think there's no reason for the ghastly poetry.

[Bastet]

I've done a fair amount of research into the gothic novel and I get where Anne Radcliffe is coming from, but I think there's no reason for the ghastly poetry.
I must admit, I don't care much for poetry, unless its Byron.

[nightmare_of _death]

American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis

[Bastet]

American Psycho - Bret Easton Ellis
Book and film both excellent

[nightmare_of _death]

Book and film both excellent

The movie is great! Still working on the book,so far its great as well!

[TheWickerFan]

Harold Schechter's The Serial Killer Files for the 5th time, the perfect guide to serial killers well-known (Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy) and not so well-known, but very prolific and fascinating (Luis Alfredo Garavito, Javed Iqbal); can't recommend this book enough.
Love Joe Coleman's portraits too.

[Doc Faustus]

That's a good book. You should read Colin Wilson's stuff. By the way, if you're really into serial killers and true crime, you might like my Murderland books. I know it's an easy, cheap plug, but a lot of people have enjoyed them and you might too.

http://www.amazon.com/Murderland-Part-I-Garrett-Cook/dp/1439200815/ref=pd_sim_b_1

[Bastet]

That's a good book. You should read Colin Wilson's stuff. By the way, if you're really into serial killers and true crime, you might like my Murderland books. I know it's an easy, cheap plug, but a lot of people have enjoyed them and you might too.

http://www.amazon.com/Murderland-Part-I-Garrett-Cook/dp/1439200815/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Having read the synopsis for the first of your Murderland Books, it sounds as if there are elements of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World-A book that I loved and which has haunted me. Am I in the right Ball Park?

[neverending]

Murderland seems more Clockwork Orangish than Brave New Worldish to me....

[Bastet]

Murderland seems more Clockwork Orangish than Brave New Worldish to me....

Film or book?

[neverending]

Both........

[Doc Faustus]

There are bits of Brave New World, but my main influences were American Psycho, Watchmen, Joyce Carol Oates' Zombie, Clockwork Orange to a degree, though I'm not crazy about the film, which I feel lacks moral nuance, The Warriors, The Punisher comics, Naked Lunch, Robert Rodriguez and Tarantino movies and all manner of other stuff, like Fritz Lang's M and Bladerunner contributed.

[Bastet]

There are bits of Brave New World, but my main influences were American Psycho, Watchmen, Joyce Carol Oates' Zombie, Clockwork Orange to a degree, though I'm not crazy about the film, which I feel lacks moral nuance, The Warriors, The Punisher comics, Naked Lunch, Robert Rodriguez and Tarantino movies and all manner of other stuff, like Fritz Lang's M and Bladerunner contributed. Kubrick spoilt the film A Clockwork Orange by omitting to film the last chapter of the book which actually gave meaning and moral to the rest of the book. The only thing that puts me off ordering a copy of your book, is that I really don't like sci-fi. Detested watchmen and similar stuff. Have you written anything more reality based. Oh and am going to give Joyce Carol Oates' books a go as I have read other good reviews of her writing on here; she seems quite diverse. But first I have a backlog to get through. Really must start reading my copy of Seduction of the Gullible as its zwoti's bible.:rolleyes:

[fiend_skull]

"Cell" by Stephen King

[Doc Faustus]

Kubrick spoilt the film A Clockwork Orange by omitting to film the last chapter of the book which actually gave meaning and moral to the rest of the book. The only thing that puts me off ordering a copy of your book, is that I really don't like sci-fi. Detested watchmen and similar stuff. Have you written anything more reality based. Oh and am going to give Joyce Carol Oates' books a go as I have read other good reviews of her writing on here; she seems quite diverse. But first I have a backlog to get through. Really must start reading my copy of Seduction of the Gullible as its zwoti's bible.:rolleyes:

I'm not fond of most scifi either. It's more surreal than science fictiony. I don't do realistic. I think realism is the worst way to depict reality.

[Bastet]

I'm not fond of most scifi either. It's more surreal than science fictiony. I don't do realistic. I think realism is the worst way to depict reality.
I can go with that; everybody's perception of reality is different, affected by their own ideas, values and personality. You would merely be giving your own reality which could be very different from that of a reader. :cool:

[endo]

I'm reading a collection of short stories by Ramsey Campbell. Funny, I'd rather read an entire book of short stories than commit to a novel a lot of the times. Even though, in the long run, I'm reading just as many pages.

[Bastet]

I'm reading a collection of short stories by Ramsey Campbell. Funny, I'd rather read an entire book of short stories than commit to a novel a lot of the times. Even though, in the long run, I'm reading just as many pages.
I know what you mean. Love Stephen Kings short stories and always have The Complete Poirot by my bed, even though I have read it so many ties that its falling apart, i sometimes just dip in.

[psycho d]

The Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson. It is simply a huge, well-illustrated, one volume account of the American Civil War. It deserved to win its Pulitzer Prize...
d

[Doc Faustus]

I'm reading a collection of short stories by Ramsey Campbell. Funny, I'd rather read an entire book of short stories than commit to a novel a lot of the times. Even though, in the long run, I'm reading just as many pages.

I like Campbell's short stories a lot.

[SamCostello]

Fordlandia, by Greg Grandin – A great study of business hubris, the necessity of adapting to other cultures, and the irony of Henry Ford valuing a world he helped to destroy.

Sam

[Bastet]

Have to tell you about the book I am reading at the moment.
The Curious Incident of the dog in the Nightime.
Its very sweet, funny and easy to read. A fictional account of a little boy with autism who sets out to find why his neighbours dog has been killed. Along the way he deals with the death of his mother and finding she was having an affair. I know it sounds strange, but its is lovely and warm and as my son has learning problems I can relate to it. It won't take long to read but I truely reccommend this as the first book to move me in a long time.:)

[The_Return]

Just finished The Street by Mordecai Richler. A very quick, very enjoyable read looking at Jewish-Canadian culture. Other than Jacob Two-Two when I was a kid this is the only book I've read by Richler...will be looking into more.

[neverending]

Flu by Wayne Simmons... this guy found me on Facebook, and I ordered his book. Just got it today and ten pages in it looks real good.

This internet marketing works!

[SamCostello]

Mindhunter, by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker - Good stuff by one of the guys who invented the profiling of serial killers.

Sam

[Bastet]

Mindhunter, by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker - Good stuff by one of the guys who invented the profiling of serial killers.

Sam
Sounds cool

[Erik]

William Peter Blatty's "Legion"-again...

[Doc Faustus]

Flu by Wayne Simmons... this guy found me on Facebook, and I ordered his book. Just got it today and ten pages in it looks real good.

This internet marketing works!

He seems like a good guy.

[neverending]

The book is good. A bit derivative but it's an engaging read.

[Doc Faustus]

Leza almost bought his other book, Drop Dead Gorgeous at the local Borders a couple week ago.

[Bastet]

I never read just one book at a time- I have about 10 by my bed and dive into what I fancy at the time. As posted elsewhere, just finished Angela Carter's fairy tales, Valerie and her Week of Wonders. Now about half way through the new edition of Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds; The dark Dreams of Dario Argento (New 2010 Edition) which is unputdownable and I will probably finish tonight. Also waiting for a couple of 'Doc's recommendations to come from Amazon but they have a three week wait on them :(

[The_Return]

Been filling up on Canadian theatre lately...reading lots of plays. MacIvor, Panych, Walker, guys like that.

Just finished Monster by Daniel MacIvor, now starting into his Cul-De-Sac. I think a lot of folks around here would really like this guy's style, Monster in particular. He's quickly becoming one of my favourite playwrights (also read - and saw performances of - Here Lies Henry and This Is A Play recently) and I'd highly recommend his work.

Very witty, with one hell of a sharp edge. Check him out.

[psycho d]

Investigating the Russian Mafia by Joseph Serio. Going beyond the typical stereotypes of the Mafia, Joseph Serio is working to show that organized crime is a Soviet phenomena whose roots are grounded in that country's pre-Soviet history. Merci beaucoup.
d

[Bastet]

Gogol has arrived- Yay:cool:

[Bastet]

Thanks for this reccomendation, Doc.
Its awsome-challenging, mindbending and entertaining. Its interesting to read something about sexuality by a man which isn't to titilate or with the sole purpose of being a turn on. Trying in vain at times to actually understand what the motives for some of the stories was. This book is by turns frank and bizzar. Going to check out what else he has written as I have nerely finished this.
Tnanks again x

[Doc Faustus]

No problem. If you enjoyed it and have the time, Amazon reviews are a great asset to us small press authors. Matt is a really nicet guy with a fantastic warped sense of humor and he's a pleasure to work with. Legumeman is basically the only Aussie press doing what he's doing and have thus far put out nothing but incredibly strange, intense and unique books.

[Angra]

"Cell" by Stephen King

If only King had settled with just 1 line instead of 600 pages of boring nonsense.


"I hate cell phones and people with cell phones". The end

[Doc Faustus]

I liked the way he dealt with the zombies, though.

[Angra]

I liked the way he dealt with the zombies, though.

What do you mean by dealt with?

The ending was hopeless. Actually everything but the beginning was just really bad. Even his characters sucked.

[neverending]

The Magazine of Bizarro Fiction #3

Just arrived in the mail. I'm half way through Doc's Re-Mancipator and it's freakin awesome as everything else I've read of his!

[SamCostello]

Had a couple of plane flights over the weekend and managed to knock down a trio of books:

1974, Red Riding Book 1, by David Peace – A truly stupendous crime novel about the north of England in the 70s, serial killers, and a corrupt society. Absolutely terrific.

Fordlandia, by Greg Grandin – An interesting study in the failure of Henry Ford to create the kind of world that he idealized in Brazil in the early part of the 20th century. Drags in places, but overall interesting.

Heart-Shaped Box, by Joe Hill – I was disappointed by this. Some sections and scenes were good, but overall, nothing felt as new or exciting here as its clippings would have indicated.

Sam

[psycho d]

Cote D'Azur: Inventing the French Riviera by Mary Blume. A nice account of the seedy invention of France's Sin City. Late.
d

[Doc Faustus]

What do you mean by dealt with?

The ending was hopeless. Actually everything but the beginning was just really bad. Even his characters sucked.

I mean the concept behind the zombies, the birdlike hivemind. I liked that. The ending was not that great, I agree and I'm not sure I like his protagonist .

[psycho d]

A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East by David Fromkin. This is touted as a great foundation for understanding how that tumultuous region came to its present form. Late.
d

[PlagueBearer]

Just finishing Imperium by Ryszard Kapuściński , and when finished im gonna read Gulag by Anne Applebaum ( have read it before, but its over 1000 pages with names, places and years - Kinda like reading Silmarillion :eek: )
Dont know why, but my fascination toward soviet/post soviet is guiding me in my choice of books. Lots of cozy stories then.. eh? :D

[Weapon X]

The First and the Last by John Galsworthy.

[hammerfan]

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

[fiend_skull]

"Lisey's Story" by Stephen King

[~Michelle~]

blood born by Linda Howard and Linda Jones....Only a couple chapters in so far the kids and man gave it to me for the bday!

[TastyViscera]

I'm finally getting around to reading Under the Dome. I bought it at release so it has been rotting in my 'to be read' pile for a fair while.

[SamCostello]

The King in Yellow, by Robert Chambers – Fairly purple prose here and a lot of “it was all a dream!” endings, but Chambers clearly was a huge influence on Lovecraft. Interesting to trace those ideas and tropes to this book.

Sam

[RyIsPsycho]

Reading Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter right now. its a fun read so far

[Doc Faustus]

If you like monster situations involving Abe Lincoln, read the Magazine of Bizarro Fiction#3, featuring my story Remancipator that has a zombie Lincoln advantage that can only be stopped by a descendant of John Wilkes Booth and a badass samurai Marilyn Monroe.

[SamCostello]

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson – I’m only about 15% of the way in, but this – don’t know if this is dangerous to say – is kind of dreadful. The writing’s terrible so far. I’m hoping that when the mystery really cranks up it gets better.

Sam

[The_Return]

Party Monster (or, originally, Disco Bloodbath) by James St. James.

[CrimsonFiend138]

Party Monster (or, originally, Disco Bloodbath) by James St. James.

My Bro had me watch the movie. I loved it!

I'm kinda reading REALMS OF FANTASY. By Malcom Edwards and Robert Holdstock. It's like a collection of things and talking about everything ranging from medieval times to the Future, and also talk about things like the hobbit and such. It's from 1983..ooooooooh ahhhhhhhhhhh

[neverending]

Dark - A Horror Anthology

Including a short story by HDC's own Sean Keller!

[psycho d]

From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life by Jacques Barzun. So far a wonderful account of the cultural life and death of the greatest culture of the day.
d

[sfear]

From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life by Jacques Barzun. So far a wonderful account of the cultural life and death of the greatest culture of the day.
d

Sounds cool. I'll keep my eyes open for a second hand copy. Right now I'm reading THE CALL OF CTHULHU AND OTHER WEIRD STORIES by H.P. Lovecraft, edited by S.T. Joshi. Beautifully annotated with a bio-intro as fascinating as any of the weird tales within, Joshi seems like the man to go to for all things Lovecraftian, which I suppose is why Penguin Books did just that. Some really creepy stuff here. One story, "The Picture In The House" should be saved (and savored) for a stormy night in late October.

[Bastet]

A Million Versions of right- Reccommended by Doc and suitably screwing with my mind. I can honestly say I have never read anything so warped and odd and at the same time endearing x
:cool:

[sfear]

Finished DANSE MACABRE by Stephen King. This is not a definitive examination of the horror field but a deferential nod by someone who's spent most of his life adjusting it to become one of today's foremost practitioners. The chapter on horror fiction is a must read.

[SamCostello]

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larrson - Finally finished this. The mystery was very good, very engrossing, but the prose was not too good and I couldn't get much into the characters. I won't read his other two books.

Sam

[Geddy]

Just finishing up Three Days of the Condor, by James Grady.

[TheWickerFan]

Read two short stories by Saki: The Schartz-Metterklume Method, and The Open Window. Great stuff.

[FreddyMyers]

Clive Barkers Books of Blood. Great stories. Better author than moviemaker.....besides hellraiser.
Good call on Saki, think i might see what i can find on amazon.

[HG666]

Patient Zero

[Doc Faustus]

I've gotta read that one sometime.

[Bastet]

Achelon Ranch- by Doc.
Loving it! Wierdly wonderful and I love the way that the lines between reality and fantasy/ fiction and the real world are blurred.
Bloody brilliant, but think it will warrant a couple of readings.:cool:

[Doc Faustus]

Wow, thanks!

[Bastet]

Wow, thanks!
No probs- it wonderfully surreal and somehow works well with my brain having just finished A Million Versions of Right. I seem to be in the right mind set to read it. I think Bernard is cute and want to know more about Clyde.

My only Criticism-and its really not a slight agsainst you, is that Amazon does not seem to promote new or innnovative authors and although I read your profile on there, I was dissapointed that the blog about your books was limited and there were no reviews. Bugger, So I geve you 5 stars to start you off! Didn't write a review- but will do when I have finished the book. Is this the case on Amazon.com? Or is it just the UK web site that seems slightly predjudiced against independant or small publishing houses and their authors?

[neverending]

Here are some reviews on Amazon from Doc's first published book:

http://www.amazon.com/Murderland-Part-I-Garrett-Cook/dp/1439200815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276225700&sr=1-1

[Bastet]

Here are some reviews on Amazon from Doc's first published book:

http://www.amazon.com/Murderland-Part-I-Garrett-Cook/dp/1439200815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276225700&sr=1-1
Brilliant- thanks for that. I will definitely be tracking down the Murderland books next x

[Doc Faustus]

Amazon doesn't really do promotion for small presses. There isn't much money in it for them. I should probably bring up some of the reviews of these books. Thank you for the suggestion. I really have no clue what to do about the Amazon blog. The no promotions thing is really just the tip of the iceberg. The prejudice we have to deal with goes way beyond that. I held a copy of my book in my hand, a book that was on shelves at a Borders about three miles away and had a Barnes and Noble employee tell me it did not exist. I had a friend who was told by a Borders district manager to "stay away from vanity presses" when he tried to get his book, published by Eraserhead, a press whose books have gotten blurbs from people ranging from Warren Ellis to Lloyd Kaufman, on the shelves. Everything we do we have do for ourselves and in spite of the ignorance and myopia of booksellers.

[Doc Faustus]

Here are some reviews on Amazon from Doc's first published book:

http://www.amazon.com/Murderland-Part-I-Garrett-Cook/dp/1439200815/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276225700&sr=1-1

Thanks, Lee!

[neverending]

Amazon doesn't really do promotion for small presses. There isn't much money in it for them. I should probably bring up some of the reviews of these books. Thank you for the suggestion. I really have no clue what to do about the Amazon blog. The no promotions thing is really just the tip of the iceberg. The prejudice we have to deal with goes way beyond that. I held a copy of my book in my hand, a book that was on shelves at a Borders about three miles away and had a Barnes and Noble employee tell me it did not exist. I had a friend who was told by a Borders district manager to "stay away from vanity presses" when he tried to get his book, published by Eraserhead, a press whose books have gotten blurbs from people ranging from Warren Ellis to Lloyd Kaufman, on the shelves. Everything we do we have do for ourselves and in spite of the ignorance and myopia of booksellers.

Does your book have an ISBN number? That would probably make it exist for the corporate book chains.

[Angra]

Linwood Barclay "No time for goodbye"

[Doc Faustus]

Does your book have an ISBN number? That would probably make it exist for the corporate book chains.

Yes, but I showed her the ISBN, but she wasn't willing to look it up in the system.

[SamCostello]

1977 and 1980, by David Peace - The novels continuing Peace's excellent North of England noir series. The plots are very similar, but it seems to me that Peace is making a point about the recurrence of patterns in the world. Dark, ugly, scary stuff here - recommended to anyone who likes hard-edged noir.

Talking with Serial Killers, by Christopher Berry-Dee - A sloppy, disappointing book. Mixes serial killers with other kinds of killers, changes quotes to British idiom (what other quotes have been changed then?), and makes a ton of copyediting mistakes, including crucial errors of fact. Some interesting quotes, but not a great book.

Sam

[Doc Faustus]

I'm in the middle of A Choir of Ill Children by Tom Piccirilli. An awesomely weird Southern Gothic that's well worth looking into. I'd also like to put in a recommendation for Gina Ranalli's House of Fallen Trees. Like a contemporary and more macabre treatment of Shirley Jackson.

[sfear]

"The Outsider" by H.P. Lovecraft, another creepy gem from the Penguin trove THE CALL OF CTHULHU AND OTHER WEIRD STORIES edited by S.T. Joshi. If IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE can be viewed as the true pilot for THE TWILIGHT ZONE, then "The Outsider" would feel right at home in the premiere issue of TALES FROM THE CRYPT, it has that certain slant of bite. Now I'm breezing through FRANK R. PAUL: THE FATHER OF SCIENCE FICTION ART. Beautiful, stunning, mind-blowing.

[psycho d]

The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman (1962). Simply one of the greatest books describing the events of the first month of the Four Years War, WWI. Ashe.
derek

[ManchestrMorgue]

After reading Blaze, Lisey's Story, Salem's Lot, and Duma Key (catching up on some Stephen King!), I am now reading Dweller by Jeff Strand.

[SamCostello]

1980, by David Peace - The conclusion to his quartet of Northern England noir about serial killers, crocked cops, and ruined lives.

Sam

[CJ Steak]

The British Museum is Falling Down - A satyrical book about Roman Catholocism and "The Pill". Book was written in the mid 60's when that was one of the biggest topics of conversation at the time. I found it wadded up under the seat of my '67 MG (British book wadded up in a British car seems ironic and funny to me). It's completely funky and smells weird, but dammit, the book is good! And funny!

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley - A classic book written in '32 (if I'm not mistaken) about how the world would look centuries ahead of time if the world continued down the same path it was going at the time. Sadly, the book is freakishly true and completely relates to modern society.

[DeadSnow]

was reading My World In Pictures & Words by Peter Andre and now it's

My Shit Life So Far by Frankie Boyle

[Bastet]

was reading My World In Pictures & Words by Peter Andre and now it's

My Shit Life So Far by Frankie Boyle
Hi hun x Frankie Boyle rocks x

Have actually, finally started reading the aniversary Necronomicon by Lovecraft. I know its long overdue! Also just finished Achelon Ranch-Doc, its amazing. Love Clyde; can we have more, deeper adventures cus I loved this.
And A Million Versions of right was mindbendingly sublime-thanks for the rec. x:)

[Doc Faustus]

Thank you! I'm proud to announce first of all that both books have been nominated by Bizarrocentral members for the Wonderland Award, the award for excellence in Bizarro fiction. I'll find out in November if either Matt or I took our category. I'm working on a sequel to Archelon Ranch, which I at first thought would be impossible but it's coming along pretty nicely. I hope to have it done by the end of the month. And why not? Only 32,000 words to go! Sigh.

[Bastet]

Thank you! I'm proud to announce first of all that both books have been nominated by Bizarrocentral members for the Wonderland Award, the award for excellence in Bizarro fiction. I'll find out in November if either Matt or I took our category. I'm working on a sequel to Archelon Ranch, which I at first thought would be impossible but it's coming along pretty nicely. I hope to have it done by the end of the month. And why not? Only 32,000 words to go! Sigh.

Thats so cool- fingers crossed for you both. Have searched the publisher and am a little dissapointed that Matt has not yet published anything else. Looking forward to the sequel to Archelon Ranch too. Both of you ore on my FB now so I can keep track of any works you have in progress.
Go get em chaps! x:D

[DeadSnow]

Hi hun x Frankie Boyle rocks x

Have actually, finally started reading the aniversary Necronomicon by Lovecraft. I know its long overdue! Also just finished Achelon Ranch-Doc, its amazing. Love Clyde; can we have more, deeper adventures cus I loved this.
And A Million Versions of right was mindbendingly sublime-thanks for the rec. x:)

Frankie Boyle does rock and i love reading his book for the 4th time

[psycho d]

The Franco-Prussian War (2003) by Geoffrey Wawro. This little gem of history presents the war whose outcome set up Europe for the calamity that was to be the Great War.
d

[psycho d]

The Birth of Satan (2005) by Wray and Mobley. This short book nicely elucidates the biblical origins of that wilely creature that so wonderfully gives fodder for the movies much enjoyed here. Late.
d

[Weapon X]

The Girl Who Played With Fire.

[psycho d]

The First Crusade: A New History (2005) by Thomas Asbridge. Simply a wonderful account of this misunderstood event. The players are appreciated for both their religious and avaricious intents. Where holes in history obscure elucidation, and there are many, the author wisely offers speculations with the caveat that they are as such. Well written on all accounts. Merci beaucoup.
d

[captain spaulding]

I am reading Ed Gein. It is a book written by the judge who put Eddie away. It is rather graphic, with many photos, like Bernice Worden hanging in Eddie's summer kitchen. She was beheaded, and dressed out like a deer. That is how the photos are, in the book.

[Bastet]

does the Virgin Carribean Travel Brochure count? looking at honeymoons yay :cool:
Feel free peeps to point out that this is an inappropriate post!:D
Oh and also Camille (Through a Glass Darkly) again x

[psycho d]

Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives (1993) by Allan Bullock. These were two curiously incredible and powerful individuals that were swayed over to the dark side; Stalin through an inferiority complex from not being Russian or an intellectual; Hitler through his hatred of a people he never met. Two cyclopean monsters of history are elucidated side by side in this rather long text.
d

[ferretchucker]

Eugh, Jane Eyre. Unfortunately, I have to read this and Wide Sargasso Sea before September for one of my college courses. I'm 110 pages in and still throuroughly bored. It's not my favourite genre and it's quite an effort to read. A lot of characters just come and go. I would actually describe it as the original Forest Gump in that it's just one person's life story as they go through all different stages and meet new people. So far there's no real story arc as such, just a series of events that vaguely link.

[Bastet]

Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives (1993) by Allan Bullock. These were two curiously incredible and powerful individuals that were swayed over to the dark side; Stalin through an inferiority complex from not being Russian or an intellectual; Hitler through his hatred of a people he never met. Two cyclopean monsters of history are elucidated side by side in this rather long text.
dI read this about 10 years ago. Its a real tome, but Bullock does manage to make it reasonably accessible and quite interesting. I don't think it warrants another read though.

[Bastet]

Eugh, Jane Eyre. Unfortunately, I have to read this and Wide Sargasso Sea before September for one of my college courses. I'm 110 pages in and still throuroughly bored. It's not my favourite genre and it's quite an effort to read. A lot of characters just come and go. I would actually describe it as the original Forest Gump in that it's just one person's life story as they go through all different stages and meet new people. So far there's no real story arc as such, just a series of events that vaguely link.
Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books of all time. I read Wide Sargasso Sea as reccommended to me by a friend-I didn't much care for it and only stuck it through as Its the supposed prequel. Can't you put them both away and read Rebecca instead? x

[Black_Brain]

Reading "Dead Eye Dick" by Kurt Vonnegut.
It is an interesting book and his use of words amazes me. Definitely inspires me.

[Spookhouse]

I am currently reading two books. A non-fiction book called The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris. And a fiction book called Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk.

[Doc Faustus]

Invisible Monsters is great.

[Bastet]

I am currently reading two books. A non-fiction book called The Naked Ape by Desmond Morris. And a fiction book called Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk.
Desmond Morris is ace. Have read his work so many times-in interview he seems a sound chap too. If you like this, you should check out 'The Third Chimpanzee' and 'Guns, Germs and Steel', by Jarred Diamond, his stuff if very cleaverly observed and written with a wonderfully dry wit. The former, I have read 3 or 4 times but someone has lifted my copy-:mad:

[missmacabre]

http://www.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/9/9780061431609.jpg

This is probably more informative than anything I've read in Library Technician school. It's also filled to the brim with wit and sarcasm.

[Spookhouse]

"Invisible Monsters is great."

Yeah its really good so far. My favorite by Chuck though is Rant and Haunted.


"Desmond Morris is ace. Have read his work so many times-in interview he seems a sound chap too. If you like this, you should check out 'The Third Chimpanzee' and 'Guns, Germs and Steel', by Jarred Diamond, his stuff if very cleaverly observed and written with a wonderfully dry wit. The former, I have read 3 or 4 times but someone has lifted my copy-"

Yeah I've heard the Naked Ape is hard to find, some of my friends had to special order it. Mine was left over from my dad when my parents died. I've read it once through already but it's so good I had to start reading it over again.

[urdevil]

If you havent read it, your missing out. This prize winner is a very complex, dark weaving of many characters in tough horrific situations. With seamless plot development, the reader is propelled right through to a melancholy end.

Straubs dark prose has been called "intellectual horror". Its worth your time if havent read it.

[CrimsonFiend138]

If you need some help breakin down barriers musically and maybe a little guidance through life and through life through music, check out: The Music Lesson, A spiritual search for growth through music. Explains alot about things I never thought of. I really recommend it.

[TheBestHorrorEver]

Im Currently checking out Wes Craven's New Trailer for "My Soul To Take" based on a Graphic Novel but he's making it into a movie anyone seen this? its new out heres the link to the Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQm3nf0Vbvc
should be realesed sometime Fall 2010 looking forward! *****

[Doc Faustus]

Oh, it's one of those movin' books. Unlike the book "How to Post in the Right Topic", which is a work of which I am certain you are VERY familiar.

[Elvis_Christ]

Why bother robots don't understand sarcasm :)

[Doc Faustus]

I know. I'm hoping its head will explode.

[neverending]

The Road Out of Hell by Anthony Flacco

True crime novel examining the Wineville murders in So. Cal. in the 20's- the case the movie Changeling is based on. The story is truly grisly and harrowing in its depiction of a psychopath who preyed on orphans.

[FreddyMyers]

Joe Hills Heart Shaped Box: Scary, creepy, and wierd. Apparently noone around me has ever heard of Algernon Blackwood so while being frustrated at multiple bookstores i got the suggestion from here and couldnt be happier with it. Very good book.

[neverending]

Good to see someone getting into this author. Kudos to you Freddy.

[Doc Faustus]

Blackwood and Joe Hill are both good stuff. 20th Century Ghosts is the kind of collection I hope to be able to put out someday, Horns is a cool blend of horror and neonoir and Locke and Key is one of the more interesting horror comics in the past few years.

[FreddyMyers]

If im not mistaken i belive i found the Blackwood reference from NE and the Hill reference from Doc. Although i cant remember the threads t hanks for the references. They are both great. Hill's Heart Shaped Box was one scariest books ive ever read.

[X¤MurderDoll¤X]

my friend let me borrow this book "the psychology of persuasion: how to persuade others to your way of thinking". I might take a 2nd job selling cellphones with fido and I have never really done any marketing. I've always thought I'd be fantastic at it, a little extra knowledge won't hurt. I'm about halfway through, I'm enjoying it so far and apparantly the second half of the book contains more useful information. one of the few books on psychology I've read that wasn't mainly a history lesson.

[psycho d]

Peter the Great (1980) by Robert Massie. This autobiography is not only a great account of one of the most influential men that Russia ever produced, but also paints the requisite ancillary history of Russia and its neighboring kingdoms such that the full picture is better appreciated. It is turning into a short 900+ pages. Late.
G'

[Doc Faustus]

my friend let me borrow this book "the psychology of persuasion: how to persuade others to your way of thinking". I might take a 2nd job selling cellphones with fido and I have never really done any marketing. I've always thought I'd be fantastic at it, a little extra knowledge won't hurt. I'm about halfway through, I'm enjoying it so far and apparantly the second half of the book contains more useful information. one of the few books on psychology I've read that wasn't mainly a history lesson.

Who's the author of that? I want to brush up on marketing.

[junior406]

I've taken to the Iphone read new and interesting ibooks in the horror genre. Theres not much though but there was Rbon tides :)

They did it nicely and the music score was awesome :)