Some Literature

[joshaube]

I'm looking to pick up a few good books to read, not exactly horror-related but it wouldn't hurt either way. I haven't read a lot, and have been waiting for a really good book with a storyline that just amazes. Something that keeps you glued to the pages, reading further in suspense and terror. It needs to have an ending that blows you away - twists, turns, lies, deciet, something that makes you go "WOAH!!" at the end.

My favourite genres are mystery, and anything horror/thriller. Deep, psychological stories are a plus, things that make you think.

Turn-offs are sports and sci-fi related material. Heavy romance, love-dobey isn't my thing neither, same goes for "classic american literature". I read that in school, not my thing for a summer vacation.

I've been eyeing...

I Am Legend -
Very interesting premise, and since the movie is bound to dissapoint, I thought I would give it a chance and indulge in it properly.

The Cell -
Skeptical on this one... not too fond of Stephen King's stuff. The premise seems sort of silly, and the alien thing? A turnoff. But I heard it was good...

Glamorama -
Bret Easton Ellis is a great writer, and definately deals in the psychological area of things. This novel is based on Victor, a character I was interested in from his appearence in other novels such as Rules of Attraction.

Any suggestions?

[AUSTIN316426808]

Originally posted by joshaube


I've been eyeing...

Glamorama -
Bret Easton Ellis is a great writer, and definately deals in the psychological area of things. This novel is based on Victor, a character I was interested in from his appearence in other novels such as Rules of Attraction.



That one^, American Psycho, Rules of Attraction, Less Than Zero, Lunar Park.

[Elvis_Christ]

Irvine Welsh
or
Charles Bukowski

[Miss Olivia]

Clive Barker's Imajica. One of the most original stories I've ever come across.

[joshaube]

Originally posted by AUSTIN316426808
That one^, American Psycho, Rules of Attraction, Less Than Zero, Lunar Park.

Which of those would you suggest reading first? Lunar Park interests me the most, and Glamorama is a close second.

[Zero]

Originally posted by joshaube
Which of those would you suggest reading first? Lunar Park interests me the most, and Glamorama is a close second.

i recently read lunar park - it was fairly cool - kind of meta-fiction supposed to be autobiographical but then layered with all kinds of weird fiction turns - fairly literary in its complex structure, but also filled with drugs, sex and celebrity spotting that is ellis's trademark. . . my only complaint was that the gothic/supernatural elements felt a bit borrowed (not much new and lots of anticipation moments without the payoff) and the ending which, while ambiguous, left me disappointed.

[Haunted]

I'm studying Voodoo right now, and then I want to start studing Native American(s) traditions starting with South American, Mezo and then moving to North American (youngest to oldest) before I take a break in my Occult research.

Zwoti got me a copy of Imajika, and it's sitting on my shelf, so when the research is over, that's where I'm taking my brain next.

When the research is over
Pick up Clive Barker
Pick up Clive Barker:D

[Zero]

Originally posted by Haunted


When the research is over
Pick up Clive Barker
Pick up Clive Barker:D

well - that will either require 'sweet talking' - or some basic brute strength

[heebiejeebies]

Originally posted by joshaube
I've been eyeing...

The Cell -
Skeptical on this one... not too fond of Stephen King's stuff. The premise seems sort of silly, and the alien thing? A turnoff. But I heard it was good...

I'm not a Stephen King fan either, but give The Cell a chance. One of the teachers I work with gave it to me as a gift, and it turned out to be an entertaining read. I was pleasantly surprised.

Also, grab a Jack Priest book. Ragged Man, Gecko, and Nightwitch are the only titles of his that I know of, but they are all well worth your time IMO.

[joshaube]

I was going to pick up Lunar Park in the bookstore, but the only copy they had was a hardcover (expensive) with poor quality pages. Every page did not meet up with the other, it was a jumble and looked ugly. Bounded by a two year old.

So I got Glamorama and I'm eager to read it ASAP.

[AUSTIN316426808]

Originally posted by joshaube
I was going to pick up Lunar Park in the bookstore, but the only copy they had was a hardcover (expensive) with poor quality pages. Every page did not meet up with the other, it was a jumble and looked ugly. Bounded by a two year old.

So I got Glamorama and I'm eager to read it ASAP.

I would've said Lunar Park but since you couldn't get it at the moment and Glam was there it's not a big dead cause one isn't all that much better than the other imo.

[Haunted]

So I gave in to literature. I thought, what the hell. I've been doing the research thing for 12 years. I thought that I might start off slowly so I picked up The Books of Blood Vol 1-3.

Now, friends, Romans, Countrymen, was that wise, because so far, I'm totally not impressed.

I'm also sort of sad. I've always wanted to be Mrs. Clive Barker, but as it turns out, he's gay. Seems, I have not been "in the know."

[bloodrayne]

Originally posted by Haunted
So I gave in to literature. I thought, what the hell. I've been doing the research thing for 12 years. I thought that I might start off slowly so I picked up The Books of Blood Vol 1-3.

Now, friends, Romans, Countrymen, was that wise, because so far, I'm totally not impressed.

I'm also sort of sad. I've always wanted to be Mrs. Clive Barker, but as it turns out, he's gay. Seems, I have not been "in the know." :eek: ...You seriously didn't know?.....Were you surprised about Anthony Perkins and Freddy Mercury, too?:p :D

[The Flayed One]

The Books of Blood aren't for everyone. My personal favorites from Barker are Weaveworld, The Great and Secret Show & Everville, and The Thief of Always.

I've heard recently that Weaveworld was/is being made into a graphic novel, which would be made of so much awesome that I think my head might explode.

[Haunted]

Perkins- No
Freddie Mercury was bi but was more into men.

Yeah, I was clueless about ol' Barker. I mean, I don't know how I missed it after these years.

It doesn't matter except that he's extremely talented and damn sexy. Were I a man, I'd be set...of course, I'd have to be totally intriguing, sexy and inspiring, but I think I could handle that.;)

[bloodrayne]

Originally posted by Haunted
Perkins- No
Freddie Mercury was bi but was more into men.

Yeah, I was clueless about ol' Barker. I mean, I don't know how I missed it after these years.

It doesn't matter except that he's extremely talented and damn sexy. Were I a man, I'd be set...of course, I'd have to be totally intriguing, sexy and inspiring, but I think I could handle that.;) Well...To be perfectly honest...I was a bit dissapointed about Anthony Perkins:o ..Totally ruined my chances...lol

*sigh*...If I only had a penis (that would be MY song, if I had been in the Wizard Of Oz) :D

Anthony Perkins was just so wonderfully, creepily, weird...*swoons*

[Zero]

Originally posted by bloodrayne
Well...To be perfectly honest...I was a bit dissapointed about Anthony Perkins:o ..Totally ruined my chances...lol

*sigh*...If I only had a penis (that would be MY song, if I had been in the Wizard Of Oz) :D

Anthony Perkins was just so wonderfully, creepily, weird...*swoons*

he was on his way to being cast as the 'teen heart-throb' before mr. hitchcock defined him forever as stormin' norman bates!

[joshaube]

What is Imajica about, and what is the writing like? Strong imagery?

After I finish Glamorama, and if I enjoy it of course, I think I'll be picking up a few more Bret Easton Ellis novels. American Psycho, Rules of Attraction and Less Than Zero are at the store now, in good condition. I'll have to order Lunar Park if I want to read that one... unless they get a new order. Should I technically read these in a specific order? Characters cross over.

I also want to pick up I Am Legend, but am having trouble finding it. I'm sure my bookstore will pimp in a huge stock once the movie is near release, though. Or I would at least hope so, unless the movie is a flop and no one wants to see it. Which I can see considering Will Smith WTF?

Are there any other authors/books anyone can suggest me? Some really dark, and eerie stories? I'm a fan of twists and drama. I also like psychological novels, something Bret seems to promise. I'm more into real crime, well... things that can happen or are at least explained in a plausible way. Not too big on vampires and werevolves, or monsters in general.

[AUSTIN316426808]

Originally posted by joshaube
I'm more into real crime, well...



In Cold Blood?

[joshaube]

Capote? Never really gave that a thought. Hm.

On another note, anyone knows some good short story anthologies? Horror, mystery or thriller preferably.

Also is there any real adult-based Grimm Tales? All the ones I could find were for kids, but I know a reall dark version appears out there somewhere.

[Elvis_Christ]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0140266909.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://thebaron84.tripod.com/6a9f3760.jpg

Love Hate Revenge Happiness.......

candid true story great reads regardless of if you know the tunes. Soul n Mind food. You'll get something great out of the mindset.

[joshaube]

Eh... not really interested in those kinds of books. Just doesn't seem I would be interested enough in the first place to give them a chance.

[Miss Olivia]

For good short horror, Clive Barker's Books of Blood are great.
So is Stephen King's Night Shift, Skeleton Crew, Four Past Midnight, and Nightmares and Dreamscapes. I don't have cable so I haven't seen the miniseries, but I know the book has GREAT stories in it.
Last and least, Dean Koontz's Strange Highways. I liked it enough to recommend, but not enough to gush.

[joshaube]

I really enjoy the N&D miniseries. A friend records them and sends them to me over an FTP due to me not getting TNT in Canada. I watched the first two, and while the first episode about attack toy soldiers didn't get my interest, the story about Coutch End is something I really enjoyed for it's sheer bizzareness.

[Miss Olivia]

The story Crouch End in the book is about places in the world where the fabric separating us from other dimensions has worn thin, and there are a lot of references to H.P Lovecraft....was the miniseries the same?

[frank drake]

ok, so I won't reccomend Stoker's -------, too obvious, but check out "the Black Company" by Glenn Cook from Tor books, then go crasy and start up your own website in honor of the series. It's like the lord of the rings for jaded adults. No fairytale crap here,
it's written like a modern war journal, only set back in the days. gritty as hell with just a slight touch of fantasy. think Tom Clancy meets Tolkien. DEFINITELY NOT FOR KIDS.

[AUSTIN316426808]

Originally posted by Miss Olivia
was the miniseries the same?



Pretty much. It was a good episode for the utter weirdness if nothing else.