October Reading

On October 20, 2014January 24, 2016 By BrandonLeave a comment

I thought I would do something a little different this October. Instead of recommending movies, I will recommend books to read during the Halloween season. You can find my movie recommendations easily enough, and they have not changed much. There is nothing like finding that perfect book to guide you into the Fall and get you in the mood for candy corn breezes, skittering shadows and howling at the moon. Without further ado…

Dracula by Bram Stoker: If you don’t know what this book is about, I pity you.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: This eerie tome will capture you in dark shadows and far off places, and drown you gently in its splendid prose.

Anno Dracula: What if Dracula lived through Bram Stoker’s tale? It won’t be pretty…

From the Dust Returned: A fabulous collection of tales woven by the master of October. Read each one carefully and bathe in the magic of the night.

The Savage Tales of Solomon Cane by Robert E. Howard: You can choose any of the stories in this collection to read or read them all. Kane will take you into the thrilling dark wild and face things that will make your bones quake.

The Poems of Edgar Allen Poe: Take your pick. My personal favorites are The Raven and The Bells. You will easily find your fill of the macabre and spooky within Poe’s verses.

I will leave you with these for now. I bid you good night…and a good haunt.

Once Upon a Time in the Weird

On March 23, 2014 By BrandonLeave a comment

There are few things that satisfy me more than a good western. Throw in some cursed six shooters, a half-mad Confederate general back from the dead and a bevy of ghoulish henchmen, and you had me at cursed six shooters. Doesn’t hurt that I just finished a weird western short story of my own not long ago (still waiting on word if that one was accepted for the anthology so yo uwill know when I do).

I am describing a collection of a comic book called The Sixth Gun. The first six issues are collected in the trade paperback I picked up at the local convention last week. The series is written by a fine fellow named Cullen Bunn with pretty pictures by the infamous (more than famous) Brain Hurtt.

Mr. Bunn knows how to weave a fantastic yarn that will blow your socks off and occasionally slip you the willies. There are six cursed guns, you see, with most of them in the hands of wicked men (and a woman) hell-bent on reviving their former general and bringing about a mess of death and destruction to rain on the world. Each gun carries a unique power and can only be held by their current owner until their death. Good thing we have such shiftily (yeah, I made that up) upright men as Drake Sinclair and friend Billjohn O’Henry to avert the oncoming apocalypse. Ms. Montcrief is just an innocent thrown into the mess by accident, or fate. The story moves along at a cracking pace with smooth dialog and precise prose.

The art by Mr. Hurtt is a beauty and that is no small feat when your tasked with illustrating a lived-in Old West, zombie clay warriors, horses, a river of chains and one mighty ticked off thunderbird. I can’t think of an artist more fit for this story.

If you are a fan of westerns and the weird, check this one out.

The Bookshelf

On February 1, 2014 By BrandonLeave a comment

Dracula by Bram Stoker: I still remember the first time I read Dracula. The first thing that hit me was that it was written like a journal. I don’t believe that I had read a novel written in such a fashion at that time. This brought an immediacy to the story and drew me in just as Jonathan Harker was caught in Dracula’s web of dread and horror. The cast of fascinating characters sped things along; Mina’s precarious predicament, Lucy’s dreadful fate, Renfield’s mad servitude, Van Helsing’s scientific analysis of vampirism and Dr. Seward’s curiosity. I would have loved to be amidst the first readers when Stoker’s novel was originally published in 1897. It was a shame that Stoker never received his greatest accolades before his death. Be certain to read this one on a dark night when the moon is full and the shadows flicker across the walls from a crackling fire.

Back on Murder by J. Mark Bertrand: The first of three Roland March novels. March is a hardboiled homicide detective in Houston, Texas that has seen better days. This case is his last chance to save his crumbling career. He has a determination for justice and a heart to be a better man. To bad the darkness refuses to give up quietly. I highly recommend this book to fans of great crime fiction. This book can also be categorized as Christian Fiction but don’t let that fool you. This is fiction a Christian can read without worry of a volley of profanities but no punches are pulled and the struggles are very real. I have this book on the virtual shelf of my e-reader and have yet to read the other two books in the series. I have been waiting to get the series in hardcover but still searching for the source to do so. However you can get your hands on this book, do it. You will not be disappointed.

The Complete Peanuts by Charles Shultz: I have the 1973-1975 volumes of this sprawling series. I have always loved comic strips but Peanuts has always been my favorite. I remember playing with Peanuts Colorforms as a child and watching any of the cartoons I could get my hands on. I know I cannot do justice to what Shultz accomplished with the Peanuts strip but can say it is wonderful, profound, hilarious, charming, imaginative, playful and a joy. I need to add more of this series to my collection soon.

Hagar the Horrible by Dik Browne: I have the 1973-1975 volumes. I love Hagar the Horrible. I love his cluelessness, his tenacity, his loyalty and spirit. He makes me laugh as well. You can’t keep a good viking down, no matter how hard you try (unless fine mead is involved).

Dennis the Menace by Hal Ketchum: A one-strip comic is a difficult beast to tame but Ketchum seemingly does it with ease. I think everyone knows the tenacious kid named Dennis and his grumpy neighbor Mr. Wilson. The economy of line in the strip is mind-boggling. It is no wonder that Ketchum was a former Disney animator. Each large panel brings you back to a simpler day and time and a remembrance of what it was like to see the world through the eyes of a kid. I think every child has a bit of Dennis in him or her.

The Bookshelf

On January 2, 2014 By BrandonLeave a comment

I see no better way to start the new year off than with a new Bookshelf post. These have been a nice bit of filler for when I don’t have a review or news or anything and also provide a small window into my reading habits and inspirations. Perhaps you have been able to find a new favorite author through these as well. I believe that we will reach the end of my library in the near future and will valiantly try to post more about the various topics my meager mind happens to conjure up. I hope you enjoy.

Monster Spotter’s Guide to North America by Scott Francis: I hesitate to include this here because it could be classified as non-fiction and I have not started posting such books yet. I segregate fiction and non-fiction in my personal library. However, because some of you are skeptical of the unseen, I place this volume here. The guide is a pleasant compendium of monsters and beasts that call North America home. The monsters are categorized geographically and by type. You will find information on such cryptids as The Dover Demon, Bigfoot, Wampus Cat, Hodag and Goatman. It is a small enough book that it fits in your backpack with ease. I recommend this guide to all those in search of and thrilled by the unknown.

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman: This is a wonderful book about the end of the world. The main characters are an angel and a demon that form an easy alliance to make certain that everything happens according to plan. However, they increasingly are not certain they want that plan to succeed. The book is filled to the brim with Pratchett’s fine English wit and Gaiman’s strange imagination. I guarantee this book will make you giggle out loud more than once.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman:A slim but expansive novel about a boy with something to prove, a fallen star with a bit of a hobble and a race to become king. If you have seen the movie, you know what to expect, but the liberties the film version took are often times curious. You will find much enjoyment in the tale anyway. I wish I had the edition with the beautiful illustrations by Charles Vess.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman: This is Gaiman’s ode to The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Substitute Mowgli with Bod, a boy abondened in a graveyard, and Bagheera with a mysterious vampire. Gaiman weaves the fantastic tale with his usual elegant prose and dark humor. This is a book classified for young readers but all ages will benefit from the reading.

The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma: Nothing is as it seems in this story of H. G. Wells and his investigation of a real time machine. It is also a story of adventure, love and ultimately deception. Palma is certainly an accomplished writer and I really did fall in love with the story being told. However, I find my self hesitant to read the sequel to the book. I can still highly recommend The Map of Time to those wanting to fall into a historical fantasy with no expectations but to be entertained. If you fall prey to Palma’s sleight of hand, remember that I warned you.

The Bookshelf

On November 9, 2013November 11, 2013 By BrandonLeave a comment

Anno Dracula by Kim Newman: Imagine if Dracula was not killed at the end of Stoker’s novel but managed to escape to fight another day, marry the Queen of England and start a new trend called vampirism, then you would have this delightful alternate history horror tale. If you like vampires and are a fan of Stoker’s original novel, you will enjoy Newman’s take on familiar characters and new. There may be a silver knife murderer stalking the vampires of London as well. This is the first in a series, of which I have read all of, yet have only this one remaining in my collection. The entire series is good and follows Dracula and his foes throughout history. I believe a new book in the series just came out this month so I will have to check it out at once.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: While we are on the subject of vampires…let’s talk about Kostova’s first novel. A young woman finds a journal that details the possible existence of one Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula, long after he would be dead and buried. The woman decides to follow the remaining threads from the journal and trek across old Europe in search of this mythical vampire figure to find the truth for herself. This could be considered a thriller but a slow simmering one with an atmosphere of dread and a cast of vivid characters. Kostovo’s prose is wonderful and often chilling. I highly recommend this novel to those that like to wrap up in a cozy blanket on a dark night and be drawn slowly into a rich tale of darkness and adventure and a vampire.

The Ultimate Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: This is a giant edition that contains all five of Douglas’ Hitchhiker novels in one book. If you have never read a book by Douglas before, you are in for a treat. I read the first three books in Middle School, if my memory is to be trusted, and they made an impression on me for sure. Funny, witty and hilarious are a few ways to describe these books. Arthur Dent is saved, seconds before the earth is demolished, by Ford Perfect, a researcher for the Guide. Comedy ensues. A must read to bolster your geek cred. 42.

Hondo, To Tame a Land, High Lonesome and Kiowa Trail by Louis L’Amour: These are four novels that I managed to snag in hardback legacy edition a number of years back. If you are a fan of Westerns at all then you have to read L’Amour at some point in your life. I am a casual fan of the Western and have to admit that these are my favorites. The man wrote ninety nine published novels so I will readily admit they can’t all be winners but there are plenty you’ll find to love. His novels capture the West in such a natural yet high-spirited way that you can’t help but be swept up in the adventure. A true American treasure.

It’s Superman by Tom DeHaven: For those of you that like your Superman to be traditional ( I count myself in that lot) I beg you hear me out on this one. This is a novel with a skewed take on the origin of the man of steel we all know and love. It is also a lot of fun. Don’t worry, Superman is treated with respect. DeHaven writes in such a way that pays tribute to the comic book genre and, at the same time, pokes a slight jab at it for good clean sport. An enjoyable read from beginning to end.

The Bookshelf

On October 6, 2013October 6, 2013 By BrandonLeave a comment

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: This is a Christmas time favorite for me. I never get tired of the story of that old miser Ebenezer Scrooge and his long night of redemption. It has everything you could want in a story; ghosts, an interesting protagonist, redemption, joy, dread, family and magic. No wonder it has endured through the ages and numerous retellings and reimaginings.

Nicholas Nickleby and Oliver Twist (The Nonesuch Dickens) by Charles Dickens: A number of years ago Barnes and Noble put out some reissues of the Nonesuch Dickens editions and I picked these two up. Oliver Twist is another great story by Dickens with a cast of memorable characters. I have to admit that I have not read all of Nicholas Nickleby but what I have read I found to be pure Dickens. I will have to finish Nickleby sometime in the near future. Dickens is an extraordinary talent. If you haven;t read anything by him then I suggest you rectify that post-haste.

Essays and Sketches of Mark Twain by Mark Twain: This is another Barnes and Noble collection of Twain’s musings on various subjects. Twain will always entertain. I especially like the one titled Fenimore Cooper’s Literary Offenses.

Roughing It by Mark Twain: This is the Oxford Mark Twain edition and holds a great deal of writings about the American West during his time. These stories are often amusing, always interesting and contain, no doubt, a bit of truth as well.

The Chathrand Voyage Qaurtet by Robert V.S. Redick: This consists of four novels that involve the voyage and crew of the massive Chathrand ship. These are fantasy novels of the highest order. If you are a fan of high adventure, honor, duty, love, fantastic creatures, magic and the salty sea, I suggest you read this series. By the fourth book the tale has some stretching pains but never falters and delivers an ending that most would never see coming. Having spent a large amount of time with Pazel the tarboy, the taciturn Captain Rose, strong-willed Thasha, valiant Hercol and the rest, I admit to feeling a slight pang at the notion of their tale coming to an end. Can’t wait to see what Mr. Redick has in store for us next.

The Bookshelf

On August 10, 2013September 22, 2013 By BrandonLeave a comment

I must apologize for my lack of correspondence recently. During a nasty firefight with a water dragon, I lost my notebook. I feared that it had fallen into the lake or been lost in the tangled forest bed, but I had only misplaced it in the other pocket of my jacket. I shall have to make up for the lost words.

Shadows Over Baker Street by various authors: Shadows is an anthology of newly written stories that feature Sherlock Holmes mucking around in the world of H.P. Lovecraft. As a fan of Holmes and Cthulhu, I couldn’t resist purchasing this book. With stories written by Neil Gaiman, Elizabeth Bear, Tim Lebbon and Michael Reaves, you know it will be a good read. surprisingly, Holmes makes a splendid addition to the Lovecraft mythos and I would’nt be surprised if he makes a return in a future anthology sometime soon.

The Best f H.P. Lovecraft:Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre by H.P. Lovecraft: I guess you could call Lovecraft the father of weird horror. I will be the first to admit that his stories are not the easiest to read but his descriptions of dread and unknown horror from beyond are hard to beat. His stories have birthed a huge mythos featuring Cthulhu, The Necronomicon, crazed cultists, intrepid investigators of the strange and much more. Do yourself a favor and read one of his stories on a dark October eve to get you in the mood for the Halloween season.

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: I always liked the various incarnations of the Alice stories brought to life in movies and television. Carroll wrote a wonderfully odd book full of contradictions and clever word play that always is a joy to read. I have a small Borders Classics edition that has a ribbon bookmark and is easy to stow in most bags when traveling and in need of a quick read in between destinations.

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs: Tarzan is perhaps Burroughs most widely known creation, with good reason. The story of a boy raised by apes in the wild jungle and his introduction to other men and his own identity is a great story. There are several books in the Tarzan series but this first book has remained my favorite so far. He always painted a picture with his words of fabulous places and heroic endeavors that remain with you long after the pages stop turning.

The Martian Tales Trilogy by Edgar Rice Burroughs: This collection contains the books A Princess of Mars, The Gods of Mars and The Warlord of Mars. These are all stories featuring John Carter; an American Civil War captain mysteriously transported from Arizona to the planet of Mars. This is not the Mars that we know but a fantastical version filled with ferocious beasts, four-armed Martians, vast cities and a princess (of course). Though many felt to the contrary, I enjoyed the recent movie based on the Burroughs books of John Carter and felt it captured much of the feel of these tales. I wish it would have been better received so we could watch the continuing adventures on the big screen. Ah well, all things in Hollywood are cyclical so maybe we’ll see Captain Carter on the big screen again.

The Bookshelf

On July 13, 2013 By BrandonLeave a comment

The War of the Flowers by Tad Williams: Williams has always been a favorite of mine since I checked out the Dragon Bone Chair from the library in middle school. This is a wonderful book about a mortal finding himself reluctantly in the land of Faerie and caught in a civil war of sorts. For one reason or another this book seems to be the Williams book that I am most fond of. Would love for a fancy reprint of Dragon Bone Chair to be made though.

Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm: This is a handy collection to have. If you have read any of these stories than you know that most are a far cry from their Disney counterparts. Tales of witches, giants, kings, wizards and goblins abound.

The Mike Hammer Collection Volumes 1 and 2 by Mickey Spillane: The hard-boiled detective stereotype owes a lot to Spillane. His prose pummels you into submission and his stories of violence and shadow scream out like a police siren in the dark. For people who like their dames dangerous and their detectives tougher than nails. I wonder if any of you remember the old television series with Stacy Keach as Mike Hammer. That was my introduction to the character. The television series was fine but you should really let these books be your introduction to Mike Hammer.

Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes: I wish I could say that I have read every page of this massive novel. I have read various parts and love the spine of the tale of the famous knight errant of La Mancha and his faithful squire Sancho Panza. On occasion, I might even imagine myself as a knight on a noble quest and end up tumbled over a parked car or fallen tree. Imagination is prized and crazy is relative. One day I plan to defeat this dragon of a novel in its entirety and dream of the impossible.

The Complete Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: I have always been fascinated by Sherlock Holmes and find him one of the greatest characters in fiction. Doyle’s stories of the great detective have endured the years, multiple fiction off shoots, movies, plays and even found themselves in Saturday morning cartoons. If you have somehow not read the original stories, I suggest you remedy such foul disgrace with the upmost haste.

The Bookshelf

On June 8, 2013June 8, 2013 By BrandonLeave a comment

Moby Dick or The Whale by Herman Melville: Another true classic. I have the 150th Anniversary Edition in paperback. This is a large book but it takes many pages to contain the sea and a singular quest to kill the elusive white whale. Ahab is one of the great characters in literature and has been reimagined innumerable times in various media. It has been a while since I have tackled reading the novel and will have to break it open again soon to feel the salty spray of the sea and serve under Ahab’s command once again. If you haven’t read it, read it.

One for the Morning Glory by John Barnes: It was an old saying in the Kingdom that “a child who tasts the Wine of the Gods too early,is only haf a person afterwards.” With that first sentence, we are brought into a magical story of Prince Amatus who truly was only half a person afterwards. If you are a fan of The Princess Bride (and who isn’t) then you will love this fantasy novel that hits some of the same notes while telling a completely different story. It may be hard for you to track a copy of this book down but if you do, you will not be disappointed.

The Knight and The Wizard by Gene Wolfe: There are few writers of fantasy like Mr. Wolfe. These are two novels that contain one story of a young man in his teens transported to a magical realm with seven levels of reality. He is also very quickly transformed by magic into a grown man and sets out on a quest to find a sword promised to him. He hopes to become a knight and a true hero in doing so. A journey of growth in more ways than one. The prose is wonderful and the story is magical, as any boy’s tale should be.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke: This is a fabulous book. I have heard it being referred to as the grown up Harry Potter and that could be true to a point. This is a tale set in 1806 England when practical magic had faded deep into the past and a war rages. One practicing magician still remains; the reclusive Mr. Norrell. However, soon there is a challenge from another magician and novice; Jonathan Strange. The two become teacher and pupil, friends and enemies when a dark and powerful threat emerges that entices Strange with the wildest and most reckless forms of magics. This is a tome of a book and could knock out a burglar if thrown to his head., but it is worth the read. I believe that BBC is making a mini series adaptionsof the book and can only foresee them falling short of the written page. Do yourself a favor and don’t read the cliff notes.

ELECTRIC DARKNESS

Tag: book reviews

October Reading

Once Upon a Time in the Weird

The Bookshelf

The Bookshelf

The Bookshelf

The Bookshelf

The Bookshelf

The Bookshelf

The Bookshelf