Metro Reading

I've moved this one, too.

2006-11-26T13:38:00.000-05:00

Effective now, Metro Reading can be found at http://metroreading.alienredrum.com .

It's a (hopefully) slicker looking site. And I've already updated once!

Thanks for checking it out!

River shmiver. Bully is where it's at.

2006-08-31T23:22:00.000-04:00

I first met JF Gonzalez at a book signing in Virginia, where he was doing a book signing with about seven other authors. I had picked up his book or short stories, Maternal Instinct, and the story of the same name blew me away.

A few months later, Survivor - a full blown novel based off the “Maternal Instinct” short story — hit my hands, and I blew right throw it.

Survivor, a family tale about snuff movies, a kidnapped woman and, well, survival, was intense as hell and showed that this guy wasn’t afraid to touch any taboo subject. I liked it.

So, when Gonzalez’ third novel, Bully, was announced, I immediately placed my pre-order. Weeks later, I had it in my hands and then I put it to the side. I was in the middle of two books at the time. You know how it goes.

After meeting Gonzalez again at another signing, I put Bully at the top of my pile so I could read it before HorrorFind — where he would be doing a reading appearance. The sweet thing about author appearances is, in my experience, they are always willing to answer any questions you have about their work. And, given the opportunity, I always ask questions. No, I have never asked “Where do you get your ideas?” That, hands downs, is probably the dumbest thing you can ask an author.

Anyway, I didn’t read the back of the book to see what it was about before I started it. Sometimes, with authors you know you like, it doesn’t really matter what the back of the book. It’s not going to stop you from reading it, and, like a movie trailer, the back of the book is sometimes misleading.

But about halfway through Bully, I did look at the back of the book. Because Bully wasn’t quite like Gonzalez’ previous work. It was more of a mystery than a mental beatdown.

Bully is the story of an innocent man set free as a decades old murder investigation is reopened, police corruption, dysfunctional families and things kids should never, ever see. The book mainly centers around Danny, a man who was tormented by Raul, the boy the now-innocent man was accused of raping an murdering. Danny knows much more than he’s telling the police, but Gonzalez makes you wait to hear his whole story. He drags it out so slowly — and so well — that if it were a movie, I’d be tempted to fast forward to the end. Very well done, sir.

The book cover calls it a cross Mystic River meets The Lords of Dogtown. The Dogtown is right on, because Gonzalez nails that 80s feel of skateboarding kids, but I think Mystic River is a bit off. Yes it has that feel as far as story, but Bully is a far better book than River. It has more heart, more soul and is a more enjoyable read. There’s another book that I would compare it to, but to put it here would be a spoiler, due to the book’s topic.

The one let down of the book is the ending. Well, the second ending. The final chapter, the epilogue I guess, is entirely too forced. It’s as if Gonzalez was tying up a loose end that didn’t need to be tied up, and going for either a setup for a sequel or trying for a shocking ending. But it doesn’t work because the book is perfectly fine up until that last chapter.

That doesn’t hurt the book, though, because it’s the best I’ve read from Gonzalez to date. But, when you read it — because you really should — just stop before the final chapter. If you do read that final chapter, think of it as an alternate ending as opposed to the real thing.

You can pick the book up at Amazon, and I highly recommend it. It’s $15, as it is not a trade paperback, but it’s well worth the money.

Sex, Blood and Rock 'n' Roll.

2006-08-28T16:11:00.000-04:00

Horrorfind weekend has come and gone, and, once again, I am riddled with new authors.

I love Horrorfind. It's the only time of year I can completely dork out, and it's acceptable. Not that I have any problem dorking out any other time of the year.

I've been turned on to some pretty amazing authors at HF: Brian Keene, Jack Ketchum and JF Gonzalez, among others. And let's not forget awesome book companies like Cemetery Dance.

Well, this year I helped run the table for Timewarp Films, and at the table right next to Timewarp's was a woman pimping her first novel, "Sex, Blood and Rock 'n' Roll." Always one to support new authors (and always looking for any excuse to talk to hot women), I asked her about the book. Well, first I asked her if it was any good, then I told her to disregard the question before she answered. She laughed.

"It's about a dominatrix who becomes a serial killer..."

"Sold."

From Amazon:

Cassie Chambers, refugee from Middle America to New York's East Village, is a typical young woman, until she decides to become a professional dominatrix. When she is attacked by one of her customers and suffers a miscarriage, she decides to exact revenge on her male clients, enacting the murderous fantasies that have haunted her sleepless nights. In the tradition of American Psycho, Sex, Blood and Rock 'n' Roll is a shockingly graphic novel about the psychological development of a female serial killer, and a biting commentary on gender.

Now, that's just a little misleading.

Yes, there is a female serial killer in this book, but she doesn't really get her groove on until towards the end of the book.

But that's cool and the gang, because the rest of the book is so well written -- and uniquely written -- that I didn't feel cheated in the least.

Kimberly Warner-Cohen's style is one I've not read before. But her style really works, it's almost poetic.

Check this...

He's sitting alone on a worn brocade couch in Cafeggio, the place right off Bleecher with the hundred-year-old espresso machine. Shaggy black hair, green eyes haunted by his own shadows, looking like he survives on a deli coffee and Ramen noodles. Get my double espresso and pretend to look around though there are enough seats, slowly walk over. Illumination is coming from the fake gaslights, and the air is moist and sweet though it hasn't been raining out. Sit on the other end of the couch and rummage through my bag, pull out a wrinkled copy of On the Road. Ignore him and scan the pages, wait for it. When I put down the book to take a sip, he turns.

The majority of the book has this flavor, and it's a flavor, while admittedly takes a bit to get used to, really, really worked for me.

So, what is it about, if not a female serial killer -- as the back promised.

In a nutshell:

Girl takes job as dominatrix, starts to change, has a life-changing moment, starts killing men.

Good times.

The strength of this book is Warner-Cohen really manages to change the character believably. There was a natural transition from cool chick (pre-dominatrix gig) to fucked-up bitch. Well, natural as can be expected when someone starts to slaughter people. But it's, as mentioned, believable. And that's key.

If there's a weakness in the writing, it's that Warner-Cohen is almost too good with the gore. She is obviously not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am type of author. She'll sit her victim in front of you, and slowly and methodically dismember, maim, penetrate and torture him. Admittedly, there were parts I had to skim over because, fuck, man, I was too pussy to really read it. Last time that happened, Gonzales was fucking with a baby in "Survivor." And, like "Survivor," "Sex, Blood and Rock 'n' Roll" is not over-the-top gore. Yes, it's there. Yes, it's hard to read. But it's also well written and fits with the book. But if Warner-Cohen would ease up just a bit, she will reach a much broader audience.

Now, that said, there aren't that many parts in the book I had to glaze over. Maybe two or three. And, admittedly, it's hard for me to read about a guy getting raped by a dildo. But it's never "hey look how gross I can be!" It always fits the story, and it never felt forced or contrived.

But, on the flipside, Warner-Cohen can write a mean sex scene. Intense and erotic. And fucking hot.

I'm looking forward to her next novel. Her style isn't for everyone, but those who dig it will really love it.

I'm buying it for some friends.

Cemetery Dance and service.

2006-07-22T15:43:00.000-04:00

A couple months ago, Cemetery Dance offered their kick ass coupon book. $79 for coupons that guarantee at least three limited edition books (all you pay is shipping and handling!).

Well, I mailed my check for Mondo Zomibe on Wednesday and, I shit you not, I got my book on today (Saturday).

That, to me, is just stellar service. Something I've grown accustomed to with Dance.

Order from them.

Evanovich is one of few exceptions.

2006-06-02T22:23:00.000-04:00

For the most part, I cannot enjoy a mystery novel written by a woman.

Yeah.

How's that for an opener?

Okay, I'll rephrase:

There aren't many women who can write a good mystery/detective/hardboiled novel in the vein of Elmore Leonard, Robert Crais or Michael Connelly.

Patricia Cornwell used to be really good, but she lost her touch. It was right about the time when she started worrying more about one character's lesbianism and another character's love life instead of concentrating on the story. I want to read a mystery, not a fricking soap opera.

So I gave up on her.

I've tried a couple other female authors, and it always seems to be the same problem: they can't write a man. Either that, or they put crappy ass relationship side-stories in the mix that I don't care about. Men don't care about the caressing in the middle of murder mystery.

But, as with anything, there are exceptions and Janet Evanovich is one of them.

I've read her Stephanie Plum series up to Hard Eight and, let me tell you something, every damn one was good. Because Evanovich doesn't fuck around with lovey dovey shit. Yes, there are romances, but they are so screwed up they always turn out amusing and never bore me. Her character is goofy and funny and Evanovich's writing is witty and razor sharp.

Now, by all means, I'm not saying women can't write a mystery novel. Lord no. But not the type I enjoy.

And, hell, I'm very open to suggestions if you got someone I should read to prove me wrong. Please do. I'm always looking for new authors.

Shoedog has bark and bite.

2006-05-14T14:12:00.000-04:00

Another book I picked up at the aforementioned bookstore was an early novel by George Pelecanos called Shoedog.

Shoedog tells the story of a mysterious drifter, Constance, trying to find his place in the world. Picked up hitchhiking, he enters a world of violence, and he seems to fit right in.

Like all of the other books from Pelecanos I've read, this one does not fail to entertain. Certainly part of is his works take place in D.C. and the surrounding areas, so I'm familiar with some of the places. But there's more.

Very few authors not only have a voice, but also a rhythm. Michael Connelly has Jazz. George Pelecanos has Soul.

And it's all good music.

The Devil in a Blue Dress hates whitey.

2006-05-14T13:55:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I updated this damn thing, but it's not for lack of reading, but lack of time.

My father found a bookstore in Columbia a couple weeks ago, and I ended up walking out with $40 in books, Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley being one of them.

I had seen the movie of the same name staring Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle (who stole every damn scene he was in), so I had a pretty good idea what the book was about.

Surprisingly, from what I can remember (I last saw the movie about a year ago), the film was pretty faithful to the book. The book, of course, was better and Mosley's got a pretty good style about him that I like.

The one thing I didn't like about the book (and it actually hurts it, some), is how much Easy Rawlins, the main character, distrusts whitey. Okay, fine, I get it. White people aren't trustworty. Stop shoving it down my throat.

I can credit it to the time (it takes place in the late '40s IIRC) when racism was a much bigger, visual, part of America and I can credit it to the character, but honestly, give it a rest already.

That is not going to disuade me from reading more of Mosley, though, because based on my first outing with him, he really does have a stellar voice and I'm more than willing to overlook the underlying hatred of the honkey for another book or two.

But if that is an underlying theme, I will unfortunately put him down.

Two Minutes was about how long it took me to finish.

2006-04-08T17:41:00.000-04:00

About a week or so ago I finished The Two Minute Rule by Robert Crais.

This was the first Crais novel I have read where it isn't an Elvis Cole novel. For that very reason I had some misgivings before I started it. I mean Cole works, why fuck with a recipe?

Well I'll be damned if I didn't enjoy Rule as much as I enjoyed Crais' Cole novels. The man is a damn good writer.

The book centers around a bank robber, Max Holman, who is getting released after a 10-year stint in the pokey. One of the things he wants to do is meet his son, Richie, who he's not seen at all since he went to prison.

But, unfortunately, his son--a cop--is murdered the day before Holman is to get out. And to complicate things, things aren't what they seem.

Holman takes it upon himself to find out why his son was murdered. And he gets help from the unlikeliest of places.

You can check out audio of Crais reading from the first chapter here.

An excellent, excellent read.

The King of story telling.

2006-04-01T22:21:00.000-05:00

I can't remember ordering it.

Hell, I don't even know where I ordered it.

But one day last week, The King and Other Stories by Joe Lansdale ended up in my mailbox.

A small collection of short stories, I knocked it out in an evening.

While the stories were amusing (and some only two pages long), I can't recommend this unless you are a big Lansdale fan. If I'm not mistaken, it's a Limited Edition and MSRPs for forty bucks or so.

Me, being a big Lansdale fan, had no problem dropping the coin for it, but I do wish the book were a little longer.

The art rocks, though.

Brimstone and Pendergast. And D'Agosta.

2006-04-01T22:05:00.000-05:00

I finished up Brimstone last week; the first in which Ace tells me is a Pendergast trilogy (if I remember correctly).

Let me say, holy shit. I think I've deduced on why I like Preston and Child so much (at least their books with Agent Pendergast playing a major role):

The plots have been supernatural without being supernatural.

Now, don't get me wrong, I dig a good supernatural book. Hell, I am a big fan of horror.

But with the Preston and Child novels, even though it seems to dance the supernatural line, the reasoning is usually sound.

Okay, okay, so there was a guy who lived like a hundred or so years in The Cabinet of Curiosities, but even that had a relatively good explanation. It's kind of like "Millennium" compared to "The X-Files." Preston and Child would be closer to a "Millennium" episode, rather than "X-Files".

But, back to the book. One of it's strengths is D'Agosta is back working with Pendergast, and it's pretty damn cool since they are both so different, but work so well together. Of the books I've read in this universe, I've not seen D'Agosta since Relic, so him coming back, and being heavily involved, was a good thing.

The downside to the novel, though, is a side story involving a released-convict-turned-preacher. In the grand scheme of things, it didn't further the book along at all. It just seemed to be filler.

I can only assume that my questions will be answered in the next book in the series. The name of the next book escapes me, but it's floating around here somewhere.

And I really hope the next book answers at least one of my questions. The ending of Brimstone is a kicker.

Back to the first.

2006-03-22T21:03:00.000-05:00

Another book I recently knocked out was Lee Child's first Jack Reacher novel, Killing Floor.

Floor was pretty good, but you can tell that Child has come a long way in both his writing and the Reacher character.

One good thing about Floor is it goes into what happened to Reacher's brother--something I didn't really know as I have read the books out of order. But, say this for Child, my not reading the books in order did not affect my enjoyment of each one.

While there are a few plot holes, it's still a quick and enjoyable read.

Endless depravity

2006-03-19T19:52:00.000-05:00

I've read a couple books since the last post, one of which being Richard Laymon's Endless Night.

Laymon has a knack of being pretty brutal in his novels, but this one seems to be a little more brutal than usual (not that that is a necessarily bad thing).

Jody is sleeping over a friend's house, when a group of lunatics break in and slaughter everyone in the house--except for Jody and her friend's younger brother, as they manage to escape.

But, as it goes, just because they escaped doesn't mean they are safe. No one is ever really safe in a Laymon novel. Simon, one of the killers, is under orders to find the two and bring them to the leader of the little Manson gang.

The interesting thing about Night is it's told in both third person (Jody's story) and first person (Simon's tale). And Laymon segues between the two voices with ease.

If you've never read Laymon, this is not a good place to start, as he takes a little getting used to. Start with The Traveling Vampire Show and come back to me.

Pendergast keeps entertaining.

2006-03-06T23:17:00.000-05:00

The Cabinet of Curiosities, my third venture into the world Preston and Child, left me wanting for more of Agent Pendergrast--the mysterious FBI agent who seems to get the coolest cases.

As I was warned by my buddy, Ace, there were definitely things that happened in some previous books that I missed out on. But it didn't seem to affect the book in any way. I'm thinking it's one of those things where you don't need to read the previous books, it just adds to your enjoyment more.

In Cabinet, Pendergast investigates what seems to be a century year old string of murders. But things take a turn when a copy cat killer shows up for the party.

I'm going to take a quick break from Preston and Child, but I have no doubt I will be paying them another visit in the near future.

Relic

2006-02-19T20:14:00.000-05:00

I finished Relic today and, well, meh.

It wasn't quite as bad as I remembered it, but I am marking it down now that there is no need to go back to it.

I don't know what exactly didn't work for me, but, damn. It just didn't work.

Apparently, there's a sequel to it. I don't think I'm going to read it. Instead, I'm going straight to The Cabinet of Curiosities.

I'm a rebel.

Retired my ass.

2006-02-16T18:17:00.000-05:00

I finished Stephen King's Cell over the weekend, and I was pleasently surprised.

I've been a King fan forever (and that's a mighty long time!), but let's face it, aside from the Dark Tower series, he's been lacking in the scares for the past 10 years. No, he hasn't completely sucked, but something has been missing.

I started Cell with not excitement (like I do with a Laymon or a Crais), but more of a sense of obligation. Kind of like when you have a favorite band, the band had a bunch of GREAT CDs from early on, but their later work started to suffer. You still buy their CDs, but you don't have that excitement to listen to it right away (have I used this analogy before?). Anyway, it's kind of like that.

But, wow, I was blown away. No, the book isn't that good. I was blown away because the book is, well, good.

From the opening pages, shit hits the fan when people start going absolutely insane--killing each other by any means necessary.

Come to find out, a pulse is being broadcast through cell phones making people crazy. Clay, a man who doesn't own a cell phone, figures out early on what the deal is and must make his way back home. To his son.

Yep, it's a long journey by foot (as the roads are clogged with car jams) in an apocalyptic type world populated by the insane.

It's been a long while since I enjoyed a King novel as much as Cell.

Welcome back, Mr. King.

Walking foward.

2006-01-29T16:07:00.000-05:00

I read The Walking Dead this week, and I'm happy to say it's back on track.

After finishing the fourth graphic novel, I'm now all caught up and can read them as they come out each month.

The fourth graphic novel was a bit of a disappointment as it concentrated too much on silly love triangles, but, man, issue 25 got things right back on track with a great cliffhanger.

I love this comic.

Can I get a "Fuck Yeah!"

2006-01-28T18:45:00.000-05:00

I went to the Wheaton Library today--mentioned in another post--to see what I could round up.

18 bucks got me:

Clive Cussler - Sahara ($1.00) - I liked the movie and I've heard mixed reviews on the book. If it entertains me as much as the film, I'm good.

Stephen Hunter - Black Light (50¢) - It's a Bob Swagger book. And I think I already own it.

Richard Laymon - No Sanctuary (.50¢), To Wake the Dead ($1.00), Endless Night ($1.50) - Laymon's always a good read.

Tim Lebbon - Fears Unnamed (.50¢), Face (.50¢) - I've enjoyed Lebbon's short stories. Let's see what he can do with his longer work.

Jeff Long - The Descent ($2.00) - I bought this on a whim that it may be based on the movie.

George Pelecanos - Soul Circus ($1.00) - Pelecanos is a native of DC, and I've enjoyed everything I've read. I think I might already have this one, too.

Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child - The Relic ($1.50), Brimstone ($1.50), The Cabinet of Curiosities ($1.50), Thunderhead (.50¢) - Yes I re-purchased Relic. I shall give it another shot after Still Life With Crows.

Various - Dark Destiny: Proprietors of Fate ($1.50), From the Borderlands ($1.50) - I may have that Borderlands one.

But here's the one that made the trip completely worth it. If I had gone and only found this book, it would have been a most successful trip. Everything else today was just icing on the cake.

Richard Laymon - Cuts

This was a Cemetery Dance limited edition with a retail price of 40 dollars.

I about shit my pants when I saw it, especially since it's in damn good condition all things considered.

The price?

.50¢

Can I get a "Fuck Yeah!"

Let's try this again.

2006-01-22T20:48:00.000-05:00

I've started reading Mark Danielewski's House of Leaves again.

I had heard a lot about this book and I had never picked it up until two of my friends, GirlGhost and Shiki, recommended it highly as well.

The first time I attempted to read it, I tore into it, and thought it was great. Very well written and creepy as hell. But it is also nonlinear as fuck, and therein laid the problem.

If I had known how this book was written before going in, I could have mentally prepared myself for it. But since I had no clue (and expected a pretty straightforward book), I was thrown. And I had to put it down halfway through because of the way it is written, not due to lack of enjoyment. I just couldn't keep up.

Those of you have read House know what I'm talking about. Add to that I have ADD, and things get really fucking complicated.

But ever since I put it down a couple months back, I've been thinking about it.

So I picked it up again yesterday and started reading. I think this time I'm going to keep a notebook handy to write down who's who and what's what. Hell, maybe I'll even buy one of those nifty moleskin notebooks that Neon and Lesley rave about.

Either way, I am ready to try this again.

An old friend.

2006-01-22T20:23:00.000-05:00

I finally read Michael Connelly's The Closers. I don't know why it took me so long as I've had the book for about three months now and it's a Harry Bosch novel.

Maybe subliminally I didn't want to read it too soon because usually I knock out a Connelly novel quickly, then get pissed off and have to wait for the next novel.

But that can't be it because he also has The Lincoln Lawyer out (albeit it's not a Bosche novel).

It was probably all those damn Lee Child novels that I was reading.

Anyway, Closers celebrates the return of Bosche to the LAPD, working in the Cold Case division. He's on thin ice from the get go, because of his actions when he left the force, and he has to watch his step as there are people waiting for him to screw up.

Closers is a decent Bosche novel, but not one of my favorites. I can't put my finger on why, though. However, I do like the route Connelly is taking with Bosche, having him work cold cases. It just seems that is where he's been heading that way all along.

I just placed my bid on eBay for The Lincoln Lawyer. I'll know if I won in 1/2 hour.

Bad Business is not bad.

2006-01-22T15:48:00.000-05:00

I finished up my second Spenser novel, Bad Business and it was pretty enjoyable.

However, it read very much like Potshot. The story was completely different, but Spenser, the obvious main character, seemed to have the same dialogue.

But that's not to say the dialogue is not witty, it's very witty. Almost too witty.

One of the great things about the Robert Crais' "Elvis Cole" series is while Cole is witty as piss, he never goes over-the-top.

Spenser has a tendency to do that.

That said, I have no doubt I will read more of Parker's Spenser novels because they are enjoyable, and quick, reads. But I don't think I could read them one after another like I can do with Crais, or more recently, Lee Child's "Jack Reacher" series.

Still Life begs another chance for another book.

2006-01-08T20:52:00.000-05:00

My roommate's mom has the best taste in books because her taste is pretty much the same as mine.

When the roomie returned from a trip to Florida, she had a bag of books from her mom for me to go through. And, sonovabitch, I either had all of the books, or read them. Save one.

It was Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child's Still Life With Crows.

Having read Relic a few years ago, and completely not liking it (I don't think I even finished it), I was hesitant. But since the roomie's mom like it, and Ace has recommended them on a couple of occasions, I decided to give them another shot.

I'm glad I did.

Basically, there are some pretty gruesome murders in Medicine Creek, Kansas. You know, small town USA.

FBI Agent Pendergrast shows up and offers his assistance with the case to the sheriff, who reluctantly, and yet eagerly, accepts it.

The books overall plot is pretty basic and straight forward, but Preston & Child whip up some pretty memorable characters that make the book a pretty interesting read.

It's not deep, the ending is a little weak, in my opinion, but the book was good enough for me to give Relic another shot.

Taking a Potshot.

2005-12-19T21:01:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I buy books based on recommendations.

Sometimes I buy books because I like the cover.

And, sometimes, I buy books because the author's name seems vaguely familiar.

That was the case of Robert Parker when I picked up Potshot at the awesome Wheaton Library. (Side note, if you live in the area, GO to the Wheaton Library for used books. They have thousands, and the books usually don't go over a buck.)

Anyway, I had bought Potshot a couple months ago and never got around to it until last Saturday. I was heading out the door and I needed a book as I had recently finished Skinny Dip. I picked up Potshot, read the first page to see if it would grab me, and ended up reading the first chapter standing in my bedroom.

I didn't even realize that Parker was the cat that wrote the "Spenser" series. As in "Spenser For Hire". And I was reading a "Spenser" book.

I'm kind of surprised that I've never read a "Spenser" book until now, considering how much I enjoy reading detective novels.

In Potshot, Spenser is hired by a woman to find out who killed her husband. When he arrives at the town she lives in, Spenser finds out the town is being harassed by a group called the Dell and, as luck would have it, he gets hired by someone else to take care of them.

So Spenser recruits some of his friends, including Hawk, to take care of business.

Potshot is pretty predictable, but it's a fun read regardless.

One good thing about discovering an author you like is you have a plethora of books to look out for, as is the case with Campbell.

Nothing like a good Skinny Dip.

2005-12-13T21:05:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago, my father gave me a couple of books he had read, one of which was Carl Hiaasen's Skinny Dip.

I've read Hiaasen in the past, but it's been awhile since I've picked up one of his books, and, damn, I forgot how humorous this guy is.

In Dip, Chaz attempts to kill his wife by throwing her overboard while they are on a cruise. Their anniversary cruise, no less.

But Joey, Chaz's wife, doesn't die as planned. And not only does she let Chaz think she's dead, she comes up with a plan to make his life a living hell.

Funny. As. Hell.

And why aren't you reading Lansdale?

2005-11-13T00:57:00.000-05:00

Joe Lansdale is probably one of the best authors out there who is not on the NY Times best sellers list.

And that's a damn shame.

His "voice" is easily the most recognizable for me, even over Stephen King. It is that unique.

Right now I'm reading The Drive In:A Double-Feature Omnibus, and it's classic Lansdale.

An excerpt:

But there was this: he always had a look about him that let us know he'd take our money, but for little or no reason wouldn't mind killing us for the fun of it. And he looked quite capable of killing us without breaking a sweat. He was kind of fat, but it was hard-looking fat, like there was a great iron washpot under his too-tight T-shirt. And his arms were big and meaty. Not body-builder arms, but workingman's arms; arms that had done real work: bounced drunks, and, from what I'd heard, slapped wives. He also had funny-looking knuckles; knuckles that had remolded facial flesh as it were silly putty, and, in turn, had been remodeled themselves.

Cheese 'n rice, that's good writing. That there isn't just good writing, it's art.

Go.

Go now.

Go get yourself a book by Lansdale. The Bottoms is a good one to start with.

I'll be here when you get back.

Time for a break.

2005-10-26T11:58:00.000-04:00

In Tripwire, Reacher finds himself trying to figure out who are the mystery men trying to find him, and why.

This is the introduction of Jodie, who later shows up in Lee Child’s novel Running Blind

This is yet another enjoyable Jack Reacher novel, and the best part about the series is you don’t have to read them in order. They pretty much stand alone.

But, as much as I've been digging them, it's time to take a break from the Reacher books.

I'm becoming a Lee Child fanboi.

2005-10-26T11:23:00.000-04:00

Lee Child's The Enemy is damn enjoyable as it concentrates on Jack Reacher when he was in the military, and why he left.

Of all the Reacher books I’ve read up to this point, it was always kind of vague on why, exactly, he was no longer in the military—especially since he was apparently so highly regarded.

Also, you find a little more out about his family, in particular his mother and her role in World War 2. Good stuff there, folks.

Ol' Reacher is starting to remind me of James Bond. If there is a woman in the book, Reacher will sleep with her.

Persuader

2005-10-26T11:19:00.000-04:00

Aaah, that damn Reacher keeps getting himself into wacky situations.

In the persuader, he goes deep cover for the government (off the books, of course) to bring down what they think is a drug dealer.

Reacher, of course, has his own reasons for getting close to this guy and they have nothing to do with the situation at hand.

Persuader is pretty good—one of the better Reacher books I’ve read (and they are all good).

Read it already.

2005-10-26T09:54:00.000-04:00

If you haven't been reading Supreme Power, you suck.

Plain and simple.

It doesn't matter if it's a comic or not.

It's a damn good story.

Damn good.

Who can't help but love a story that has a serial killer with super powers?

Closing it out.

2005-10-08T17:14:00.000-04:00

I finished up the Ultimate Fantastic Four "Crossover" series and it wasn't half bad.

It left a lot to be desired from me because it seemed to end to quick.

The comic wasn't enough for me to read more of the Fantastic Four, but it was a good diversion.

The art, though, was still damn good.

It's no longer a contest.

2005-10-07T22:19:00.000-04:00

I've been reading a shitload of Jack Reacher books lately, trying to compare him to Joe Pike.

I've come to the conclusion that you can't.

You just can't compare the two.

Joe Pike is a side kick.

Jack Reacher is a lead dog.

If you were to compare two people it would be Elvis Cole and Jack Reacher, and I think it would end up being a tie because while I think Reacher is a bit more tougher than Cole, Cole is a bit smarter. It's a draw.

Anywho, inWithout Fail, Reacher is brought on to protect the Vice-President elect from potential assassins. It's not a bad book, but I've definitely read better Reacher adventures.

I'm not sorry I read it, though.

Power in the words.

2005-09-16T23:36:00.000-04:00

40 years ago, a young girl's body was found tortured to death in a home in Indianapolis. Her name was Sylvia Marie Likens.

24 years later, Jack Ketchum would write The Girl Next Door, a fictionalized version of what happened to Sylvia.

It's 1950s America. Baseball, hotdogs and apple pie.

David is catching crawfish down by the creek when he meets Meg, and is quickly smitten by her. Turns out she and her sister have moved right next door to David.

Meg and her sister Susan have lost their parents in a car crash and are now living with Ruth and her three boys. But something is wrong with Ruth. Real wrong.

She seems to be losing her mind.

And Meg is Ruth's target on her decent into madness.

I don't even know where to start. This book is probably the most emotionally draining books I have ever read. Admittedly, parts of JF Gonzalez's Survivor were hard to read because they were so brutal, but that was only parts. And Survivor hurt me.

But Girl didn't just hurt me, it beat the shit out of me. Relentlessly. Everytime I thought it was done kicking my ass, it would blindside me again with another punch to the head. It hurt me to read it. I didn't want to see what else this girl had to go through.

And I could not put it down.

That's the worse part. I could not put the book down. I felt dirty after reading it--like I watched a crime and did nothing to stop it. That's how good this book is. You want to stop reading, you need to stop reading, you beg yourself to put the book down, throw it away, burn it. Anything. Just make it stop. But you can't.

There is so much power in the words of The Girl Next Door, you can almost feel it because it radiates off every single page.

Read it.

Decisions, decisions.

2005-09-16T18:34:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I fucked up.

I didn't have The Killing Floor, so I went ahead and read Lee Child's Die Trying.

As far as bad-assedness, Reacher was all about it in this one.

The book opens with Reacher being in the wrong place at the wrong time and he ends up getting kidnapped with an FBI agent.

Shoved in the back of a car, then the back of a truck, the kidnappers take Reacher and the agent on a cross-country journey to hell.

Good stuff.

Now, as far as who is the bigger bad ass, Pike or Reacher? I gotta tell you, this was neck and neck almost all the way until the end, until Reacher cried.

Yeah, this one is going to be a no brainer.

Advantage - Pike.

However, Reacher's blubbering didn't stop me from starting Without Fail. Yeah, I'm reading these all out of order. I'll regret it later, but right now I don't care.

Joe Pike or Jack Reacher?

2005-09-06T22:21:00.000-04:00

On the suggestion of a friend, I finally got around to reading a Jack Reacher novel, Running Blind.

My buddy Aric claims that Lee Child's Jack Reacher is a bigger hardass than Robert Crais' Joe Pike (of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike fame).

I'm not buying it.

Yet.

Now, granted, Running Blind is a helluva novel, and Jack Reacher is certainly a man not to be fucked with, but Pike's fury is a quiet one, thus more intimidating.

But, I won't just hand it over to Pike. After Blind, I'm going to read Killing Floor (which I should have read first, as it's the first novel, but like a dumbass I didn't bother to check before I started Blind) and then, probably, move on to Die Trying, the second Reacher novel.

However, Round 1 goes to Joe Pike.

Sometimes, I am pleasently surprised.

2005-08-30T23:30:00.000-04:00

I'm a big fan of Michael Connelly, in particular his Harry Bosche character.

Well, imagine my surprise to find the latest Bosche booked was released completely under my nose.

I gotta get on a mailing list or something, but until then, I'll be stopping at Borders & Noble tomorrow.

The Forgotten Man is far from forgettable

2005-08-29T22:06:00.000-04:00

If there is one person I could pick to back my ass in a fight it would be, hands down, Joe Pike.

Unfortunately, in Robert Crais' newest novel, The Forgotten Man, there isn't much of Pike.

But that's okay because the book still kicks much ass.

World's Greatest Detective, Elvis Cole, decides to track down the identity of a man who claimed he was Cole's father with his dying words. And of course, nothing is ever easy when Cole is on the case.

Another solid, and I mean rock solid, Elvis Cole novel.

Crais is, as usual, at the top of his game and I enjoyed the hell out of this.

Now if he and Michael Connelly would team up and do a Bosche/Cole book, it would rock.

If you have never read a Robert Crais book, do yourself a favor and start with The Monkey's Raincoat. If you enjoy that, read the rest of the Cole/Pike series as every damn one of them is good.

Ultimate goodness...

2005-08-15T20:27:00.000-04:00

I may have mentioned it, but I'm not a fan of superhero comics. I used to buy Batman-Legends of the Dark Night, Daredevil and Spiderman back in the day, but now I just don't get into them.

Granted, Supreme Powers rocked, and I can't wait to finish it, but superhero comics are my last choice when I'm picking up a batch.

That said, my buddy Aric suggested Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 and #22 to me because he figured it would be right up my alley.

Normally, I would have declined, but Aric has made some solid, solid recomendations to me so I figured what the hell.

Damn.

Damn.

Damn.

Once again he was right on the money. Where I would have never have thought to pick up a F4 comic (and I probably won't again after this three run series), I am glad I read them.

Dark as shit and a very interesting story that has zombie-like superheros.

Awesome.

Resurrection Dreams

2005-08-11T19:13:00.000-04:00

Finished Richard Laymon's Resurrection Dreams recently.

Damn.

It's too bad that Dick passed away. Even his weaker books rock. Sure, this is no The Cellar or The Travelling Vampire Show, but dammit, it's one hell of an interesting take on zombies and I enjoyed it cover to cover.

From the Darkness, there is light.

2005-08-08T21:51:00.000-04:00

I finished Deep in the Darkness and, man, I was a little blown away. While the book started very similar to King's Pet Semetary, it took an ugly, ugly turn about 1/3 of the way through.

Michael Laimo did an excellent job creating a situation in which there seemed no escape, and the whole time you are rooting for the characters to escape anyway. I'll definitely be reading more of his work.

Quick Laimo story...

At last year's HorrorFind, I was on my way to getting drunk. At the time, I had a pretty healthy buzz going when I saw Matt Warner, author of The Organ Donor, walk by. I went up to him to ask him a couple of questions about Donor.

Well, come to find out, it wasn't Warner I walked up to, but Laimo.

Boy, did I feel like an ass.

But, hey, if I didn't make the mistake, I never would have read Darkness, so everybody is a winner!

And in my drunken defense, here are pics of the authors...

First, Laimo.

Next, Warner (he is on the far right in this pic).

See! Sure they don't look that much alike NOW, but put a couple beers in you!!

Score!

2005-07-30T20:52:00.000-04:00

Today, on a whim, I went to The Book Nook. I haven't been there in a while, so I figured it would be a good time to scope for any new books.

One great thing about The Book Nook is it actually has a horror section. Most book stores either lop in horror with the science fiction/fantasy or just puts them in fiction all together (with a shelf devoted to King and Koontz). But not the Nook. A Horror section all to its glorious self. In addition, it has sections devoted to particular authors. They have the standard King and Koontz section, but they also have Rice (ugh), Wilson (F. Paul) and Lumley.

Apparently, the store has had a run on traded in horror books. A good run.

35 bucks netted...

Wetbones - John Shirley
Dark Universe - William F. Nolan
Atmosphere - Michael Laimo
The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson
Exquisite Corpse and Wormwood - Poppy Z. Brite
Resurrection Dreams and Bite - Richard Laymon
Desolation - Tim Lebbon
The Wyrm - Stephen Laws

and one non-horror

The Day Before Midnight - Stephen Hunter

God, I am a dork.

Oogie Boogie thoughts

2005-07-24T16:44:00.000-04:00

After finishing a Oogie Boogie Central, I had an immediate thought--I hope there's a sequel.

Stephen Lukac did a helluva job with his first novel. It was entertaining as hell and he has a solid voice. But the biggest beef I had with the book is he had characters (known as gatherers)that were key to the book, but he never really developed on them until the last chapter or so, and by then it was too late.

He did a great job fleshing out his main characters and, even though I was getting frustrated by not knowing very much about the gatherers, the book was well written enough to hold my attention to the end.

I hope there is a sequel to this book so the gatheres are fleshed out more, as I would like to know their histories and find out more about what they are.

And, while this post is vague, if I were to go further into detail, I would be spoiling the book.

Either way, it was an enjoyable read--a strong first book that shows a lot of promise for Lukac. Shocklines carries it for under 20 bucks.

Yesssssssss

2005-07-20T22:19:00.000-04:00

I picked up The Walking Dead Vol. 3 today.

Everything else gets put off until this is done.

Fucking 'a.

I finished Oogie Boogie Central

2005-07-19T22:19:00.000-04:00

But I'll post my thoughts later (they actually may be detailed and fluent!).

I grabbed Michael Laimo's Deep in the Darkness. I have a funny story about Laimo, but I'm going to read this book before I post it.

I've read the first 3 chapters already and the story thus far is a a man moves his wife, kid and dog from the big city to the country where he will become the local doctor. Soon after arriving to his house, he is befriended by his neighbor and invited to eat lunch with him.

And the woods are creepy.

Sounds like the beginning of Pet Sematary, but I'm pretty sure it won't go that way, and even if it does, I'll still read it. I've read a short story or two of Laimo's and I dig his style.

I also knocked out Kolchak The Night Stalker. It was surprisingly ho-hum. Good art, good story, but missing something. Pretty blah.

The Walking Dead

2005-07-15T19:14:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I should have been finished my book by now, but nope.

I read volume 2 of The Walking Dead trade paperback (or whatever the hell big books of comics are called.

Wow.

Volume 1 was great, but volume 2 was amazing. While I'm not a big fan of black & white comics, the writing MORE than makes up for it.

The premise is easy enough, zombies have taken over and the remaining humans must survive.

This is easily one of the best horror comics I've read in a while.

Quite simply, buy it if you like zombies.

Bigfoot, small series

2005-07-14T23:03:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah, and I also managed to read the 4 issue run of Bigfoot.

That whole damn series was damn good, but it ended too quickly.

And, yes, that it Rob Zombie's name on the cover.

Music, movies and comics. Zombie fucking rocks.

Supreme Power

2005-07-14T22:35:00.000-04:00

I'm damn close to finishing Central, but once again I was completely sidetracked.

First Fangoria, then Rue Morgue, the Monster series (which I still haven't finished) and, sometimes, that stupid card game on my cellphone.

More recently, however, it's been the comic Supreme Power.

Look, I've never been a fan of superhero comics. I've only liked three heroes enough to collect back in the day: Batman (Dark Knight), Daredevil and The Punisher. That's it. No Superman. No Fantastic 4. No Silver Surfer. A little Ghost Rider, but no Avengers.

But this Supreme Power. It's different. The best way I can describe it is what if Superman was a government project. In our reality. It's a kick ass spin on the whole superhero genre and the storyline hits a little closer to home (i.e. Hyperion doing some jobs in the Gulf War).

And what makes it even more interesting is the "heroes" involved in the novel are much, much darker versions of Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman (or, in this case, woman), Batman and, from my limited knowledge of superheroes, I'm guessing the Green Lantern.

The art is afuckingmazing and the writing is just the same.

Not your father's Superman.

Two unscheduled stops

2005-07-06T12:05:00.000-04:00

The first slip was for the latest issue of Rue Morgue magazine. That damn rag covers horror like nobody's business.

The second thing I just got into is Monster Nation, an online novel I downloaded to my iPod. It's supposed to be about zombies, but I haven't gotten to them yet. So far, it's been a very quick and very enjoyable read. Depending on how good it is, I'll either jump to Monster Island, Monster Planet or go back to Oogie Boogie (which is very good, but I get distracted easily).

I'm thinking now I should have read Monster Island first, as it looks like it was the first one written.

Oh well, wouldn't be the first time I did something like that.

Havana is done, next stop Oogie Boogie Central

2005-07-01T20:42:00.000-04:00

Well I knocked out Havana today.

Um.

It was a good book, but definitely not one of my favorites of the series. It started off strong and, up until about halfway through, it kind of ran out of steam.

I wasn't disappointed, because it was still solid, but it wasn't the non-stop ride I was used to from Hunter. It's kind of like if you have a favorite director who is usually consistently solid, but puts out a film that, while you enjoy it, just didn't quite reach your expectations (for me it would be Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl).

It won't, by any means, stop me from eagerly buying and plowing through his next one. I'm actually already looking forward to it--but I am hoping it's a Bob Lee book.

I'll probably jump back into Oogie Boogie tomorrow. And I'll give a little blurb on what it's about, as well.

Pushed off again for Fangoria

2005-07-01T14:15:00.000-04:00

Newest issue of Fangoria came in yesterday, so Havana gets bumped again (although I only have about 30 or so pages left).

I honestly don't know why I read Fangoria anymore.

Well, I do know. I get a great rate on the subscription (20 bucks a year, thanks Ebay), and they have great pictures.

But, damn, they are the Ain't It Cool News of the horror magazine world.

If there is a dick out there, they will suck it.

But they do have a lot of cool pictures and, on occasion, some decent scoops.

However, if you want to read the best horror mag out there, get yourself a script to Rue Morgue. It's well worth the 60 bucks or so a year.

A quick appointment at Dr. Frankenstein's

2005-06-29T21:12:00.000-04:00

I probably would have knocked out Havana today if I hadn't grabbed a comic book on the way out the door.

I have a friend who runs a comic book store and he always has the kickass recommendations for me. He knows I don't like superhero comics--except maybe Daredevil and Batman (the darker stuff)--but he does know I like the horror. This was one he told me I should read and, as usual, he was spot on.

Anyway, I took it with me on the metro and I read that instead.

In a nutshell, Frankenstein is intelligent, misunderstood and a superhero. The writing is good, the art is good.

If you dig comics at all, Dr. Frankenstein (which is up to issue 3, now) is a good read.

Halfway through Havana

2005-06-28T18:52:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm a little more than halfway through and digging it, as expected. Hell, it is a Swagger novel, so there is no surprise.

I think Dirty White Boys is still going to be my favorite of the Earl Swagger series, but Havana is by no means a disappointment. It's like comparing Casino and Goodfellas. They both rock, but you also have a preference.

No surprises have hit as yet, and Earl has only been shot once, but there's still 200 more pages of glorious badassedness, so there's plenty of time.

Havana

2005-06-23T22:44:00.000-04:00

I'd like to say I'm plowing through two books right now--Havana by Stephen Hunter and Oogie Boogie Central by M. Stephen Lukae--but I'd only be fooling myself.

It's all about Earl Swagger and there's no doubt I will not put down Havana until I'm done. Don't get me wrong, I was really digging the Boogie, but I saw Hunter's newest at the bookstore and ol' Swagger was going to kick my ass if I didn't buy it.

If you are unfamiliar with the Swagger books (be it Earl or his son, Bob Lee), you are missing out. Both character are tough-as-nails, badass sons-of-bitches. These are the guys you want on your side anytime, all the time.

Havana takes place in Cuba during the 50s, before Castro came into power. Ol' Earl is "recruited" from his job as an Arizona police officer to be a bodyguard to a Congressman who is visiting Havana, but, as always, things aren't always what they seem.

I'm about 100 pages in and completely digging it. It's been a while since I've hung out with one of the Swaggers, so we have a lot of catching up to do.

Here is a link for the books to read, in chronological order. As that list has not been updated since Havana's release, I would place Havana third in the series.