[Dark Mark]

I have completed By The Sword by F. Paul Wilson – Jack is tasked with finding a singular object but he is not alone in his quest and he must contend with mad ninja monks, yakuza assassins, cultists and the living embodiment of the adversary. This in one of the best in the series so far and that’s saying something.

I am now reading Kronos by Guy Adams – A new adaption of the Hammer Film Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter. Though I cannot help but feel dubious about it I still couldn’t resist picking this up as it’s source is one of my all time favourite movies.

[Dark Mark]

I have finished - Ground Zero by F. Paul Wilson – Startling revelations are made about 9/11. As this remarkable series nears it’s conclusion I am finding each remaining novel totally gripping.

Now reading Monster Hunter Vendetta by Larry Correia – The sequel to Correia’s two fisted, guns blazing, pulp fiction thrill ride appears to be even more gore soaked fun as the old ones seek revenge.

[Scotty]

I've fallen under George R. R. Martin's spell, I'm afraid. Halfway through Storm of Swords and already mourning the end of the series with two books left. Gotta love The Others and their spiders.

[Ashley O]

I just finished reading Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. The book delves into all the uses for human corpses that are donated to science, as well as the stages of decomposition of a body. It also describes what happens to a corpse in the mortuary, and it is full of fun, interesting, and disturbing history. This is one of the most fascinating books I've ever read, and it is has spurred me on to my next read- Buried Alive: The Terrifying History of Our Most Primal Fear by Jan Bondeson.

[fizzmaster]

Taking a break from horror and reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Excellent so far! Hey, and its great to be back and see everyone here!

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by fizzmaster

Taking a break from horror and reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Excellent so far! Hey, and its great to be back and see everyone here!

I read that and the books that followed a while ago after watching the TV adaptation. It's a wonderful book.

[typicallydia]

Originally Posted by Ashley O

I just finished reading Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach.

Wasn't it great! One of my students lent it to me and I pushed all of my other reading aside once I got into it. She is a great writer.

So, just finished Brian Keene - Urban Gothic (meh) and am into Todd Keisling - A Life Transparent (so far so good) and have too many anthologies to read. I picked up David Moody - Dog Blood and hope to hell I can get to it this month.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Ashley O

I just finished reading Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. The book delves into all the uses for human corpses that are donated to science, as well as the stages of decomposition of a body. It also describes what happens to a corpse in the mortuary, and it is full of fun, interesting, and disturbing history. This is one of the most fascinating books I've ever read, and it is has spurred me on to my next read- Buried Alive: The Terrifying History of Our Most Primal Fear by Jan Bondeson.

If you true tales of the strange and morbid, you might want to check out Morbid Curiosity Cures the Blues edited by Loren Rhoads. She was the creator and editor of a magazine by the same name that features "stories from all ten issues in this sometimes shocking, occasionally gruesome, always fascinating anthology."

Originally Posted by fizzmaster

Taking a break from horror and reading Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Excellent so far! Hey, and its great to be back and see everyone here!

Welcome back, friend!

I'm finishing up Corrupts Absolutely?, an anthology of 20 stories from a bunch of awesome writers (one author's name is Cat Rambo!) about superhumans. The book basically asks the question what would actually happen if people had superpowers.

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

I'm currently reading The Dark Side of Genius: The Life of Alfred Hitchcock.

[New Madrid Arrest]

Finally got my hands on a copy of The Midnight Tour by Laymon. Loving it so far, but I'm usually not disappointed by my forays into LaymonLand.

[GradeCCCP]

Originally Posted by New Madrid Arrest

Finally got my hands on a copy of The Midnight Tour by Laymon. Loving it so far, but I'm usually not disappointed by my forays into LaymonLand.

I had some fun with THE MIDNIGHT TOUR. He throws out nods to FUNLAND which cracked me up.

I’m getting kind of killed with my reading right now. I just finished NIGHTMARE CITY by Maynard Sims which started out really strong but fizzled out at the end. Currently I am working through B MOVIE REELS by Alan Spencer and CATCH MY KILLER! By Ed Kurtz, all while trying to re-read Keene’s GHOUL to prep for the film on Friday. As if all of that wasn’t enough, I just got the new Bentley Little in the mail today!

[Meli Hooker]

Hey friends, looks like the "What are you reading" thread has been resurrected and stickied, so I was thinking we could move all conversation regarding current reads over there.

I do like separating by month, but I'm not sure that is really necessary. Especially since we will have monthly threads designated to the book club.

Thoughts?

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

Hey friends, looks like the "What are you reading" thread has been resurrected and stickied, so I was thinking we could move all conversation regarding current reads over there.

I do like separating by month, but I'm not sure that is really necessary. Especially since we will have monthly threads designated to the book club.

Thoughts?

I'm OK with that I do quite often reference the monthly threads to see what people thought about a particular book so I would want the existing ones merged into the new reading thread if possible.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Dark Mark

I'm OK with that I do quite often reference the monthly threads to see what people thought about a particular book so I would want the existing ones merged into the new reading thread if possible.

That's the plan! We definitely don't wanna kill the old threads. I've gone back to them many times.

I actually went back to an old thread to find that quote from you that I wanted to be my tag (under my username) It was "Dark Mistress of the Macabre" or something like that. I used it for the short-lived Grade Z boards... Couldn't find it a second time and gave up.

Do you remember by chance??

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

Do you remember by chance??

I recall that though I think it was saucier. I'll have a look today.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Dark Mark

I recall that though I think it was saucier. I'll have a look today.

It was certainly saucy

Kinda wanna replace "Dreadful Tales" with that if I can figure out what it is. Although, maybe it's too late.

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

It was certainly saucy

Kinda wanna replace "Dreadful Tales" with that if I can figure out what it is. Although, maybe it's too late.

I'm afraid I have drawn a blank though I have had a good titter going through some old posts. I'm desperately racing through Monster Hunter: Vendetta so I can get onto the book of the month, though it isn't a chore to read.

[Gregory Lamberson]

My first novella, the post apocalyptic zombie biker trip Carnage Road just cam eout on Kindle and Nook, and should be out as a trade paperback later this week or next week. I saw someone mentioned Lonesome Dove earlier, and that was my inspiration as much as Romero's films.

Just a few weeks later, Medallion Press publishes my werewolf novel The Frenzy War, sequel to The Frenzy Way. (Medallion generally gets my titles into US stores a few weeks early). And in October Medallion publishes Tortured Spirits, Book Four in "The Jake Helman Files."

What else? Tonight is the premiere of Snow Shark: Ancient Snow Beast, a fun creature feature I produced. And in July I'm producing another horror feature. In September, I'm directing a short. October is Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival.

[New Madrid Arrest]

Originally Posted by GradeCCCP

I had some fun with THE MIDNIGHT TOUR. He throws out nods to FUNLAND which cracked me up.

Haha, yeah, I always wondered if he would follow up the wink-wink nudge-nudge about the hairless orangutan.
I like that the more I read about Laymon, the more of his in-jokes I get. The green foil cover reference in The Stake and Finley adapting "Mess Hall" earned a grin.

And I'm about halfway through and definitely having fun. I wasn't too thrilled that I had to read through the day tour again, but that's a pretty minor complaint compared to the rest of what I've gone through.

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by Gregory Lamberson

My first novella, the post apocalyptic zombie biker trip Carnage Road just came out on Kindle.

I just looked for Carnage Road on Kindle with a view to reading it this month but pricing wasn't available.

[Michael Myers Brother]

I've been reading a ton lately. I read both of JL Bourne's zombie survival books, 'Day by Day Armageddon' and 'Day by Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile', both of which were excellent. I also read my first James Patterson book, 'First to Die', which I thought was fantastic as well. Some pretty sick stuff in that one.

[GradeCCCP]

Originally Posted by New Madrid Arrest

Haha, yeah, I always wondered if he would follow up the wink-wink nudge-nudge about the hairless orangutan.
I like that the more I read about Laymon, the more of his in-jokes I get. The green foil cover reference in The Stake and Finley adapting "Mess Hall" earned a grin.

And I'm about halfway through and definitely having fun. I wasn't too thrilled that I had to read through the day tour again, but that's a pretty minor complaint compared to the rest of what I've gone through.

I completely agree with the frustration that comes with Laymon rehashing info in THE MIDNIGHT TOUR. For me it worked out since I read THE CELLAR and THE BEAST HOUSE back-to-back and then took a long break before reading THE MIDNIGHT TOUR.

The in-jokes are absolutely hilarious. I love the subtle references to his other work but my all-time favorite is the huge nod to THE WOODS ARE DARK in ENDLESS NIGHT. If I recall correctly, I think he refers to THE WOODS ARE DARK as a trashy horror novel. Simply amazing!

[New Madrid Arrest]

Originally Posted by GradeCCCP

The in-jokes are absolutely hilarious. I love the subtle references to his other work but my all-time favorite is the huge nod to THE WOODS ARE DARK in ENDLESS NIGHT. If I recall correctly, I think he refers to THE WOODS ARE DARK as a trashy horror novel. Simply amazing!

I'll have to read that one. The green foil reference in The Stake stuck out for me because he specifically said it was his second book.

Have you read Midnight's Lair? Not his strongest work, but I remember it had plenty of references. Think the writer character even says that he subconsciously got the idea for his savages (which sound a lot like the Krull) from a Flash Gordon serial.

[Ashley O]

I've been waiting very impatiently for a book I ordered to arrive in the mail, but after four days of suspense and misery, decided I can't wait anymore. Going four days without a book is unprecedented for me. So in the meantime, I decided to start reading Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart.

[LaMort]

John Dies at the End- David Wong : Just over half way thru it and i am loving it. Surreal Lovecraft-esque and hilarious romp.

The Insistence of Horror - Patricia Meyer Spacks: Just found this ultra rare book from the sixties. It is about the importance of the supernatural in Eighteenth century poetry. The Gothic nove lis believed to have come from graveyard poetry of the 1800's and this book is probably the best study of horror in 18th century poetry/graveside poetry if not the only one i have heard of.

Sixties Shockers - Mark Clark and Bryan Senn: Incredible book on the horror films of the sixties. Simple layout, in depth info and interesting reviews make it one of the better book on horror i bought in a while. Discovering many horror films i've never seen or heard of before.

Studies in Terror - Jonathan Rigby: Another excellent new study on horror films that is quite fun to flip through. The best thing about these movie reviews is he covers a lot of new films, right up to 2011. The worst thing is i do not agree with all his opinions, but the excellent look and lay out of the book make it another favorite new book i just purchased. This book has turned me onto a few new great foreign horror films i had never heard of like Left Bank from the Netherlands.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Ashley O

...So in the meantime, I decided to start reading Clive Barker's The Hellbound Heart.

Is it your first time? Love love love this book

Originally Posted by LaMort

John Dies at the End- David Wong : Just over half way thru it and i am loving it. Surreal Lovecraft-esque and hilarious romp.

Can't wait to read this especially with a movie adaptation on the horizon. I've had this book for almost 5 years and something else always steals my attention.

[Ashley O]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

Is it your first time? Love love love this book

It is! I haven't read a whole lot by Clive Barker, but what I have read, I've enjoyed immensely. I've been wanting to read The Hellbound Heart for a while.

[Meli Hooker]

I read this years after seeing the movie numerous times and it is enthralling! Not even the most brilliant film adaptation could capture that exquisite pain and sickness

Clive Barker is a GOD! (does this mean I'm not athiest anymore?)

[Kreepylady]

I've *finally* started The Raw Shark Texts, which I don't even want to count how many years I've had the dang thing. I think I needed space for this type of insanity after reading House of Leaves, which still hasn't left my head.

[Ashley O]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

I read this years after seeing the movie numerous times and it is enthralling! Not even the most brilliant film adaptation could capture that exquisite pain and sickness

Clive Barker is a GOD! (does this mean I'm not athiest anymore?)

No, I think you're ok... I worshipped Billy Corgan for awhile. I was confused. At least your God is worthy! I pretty much had to force myself to put the book down and go to bed last night. It will definitely be a quick read- but I want it to last at least until my other book arrives!

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Ashley O

No, I think you're ok... I worshipped Billy Corgan for awhile. I was confused. At least your God is worthy!

Haha We all have our skeletons. I worshipped Kurt Cobain, breifly. So I guess you were grunge like me, non? It was an angsty, confusing time

I pretty much had to force myself to put the book down and go to bed last night. It will definitely be a quick read- but I want it to last at least until my other book arrives!

What's the book you are waiting on?

[Ashley O]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

What's the book you are waiting on?

Buried Alive: The Terrifying History of Our Most Primal Fear by Jan Bondeson.

[GradeCCCP]

I have dropped everything in an attempt to re-read Keene’s GHOUL prior to the big movie premier on Friday. This is one of my favorite Keene stories with the pages dripping with 80’s nostalgia and oozing with coming-of-age brilliance. After this its back to the grindstone.

[Dark Mark]

Originally Posted by GradeCCCP

I have dropped everything in an attempt to re-read Keene’s GHOUL prior to the big movie premier on Friday. This is one of my favorite Keene stories with the pages dripping with 80’s nostalgia and oozing with coming-of-age brilliance. After this its back to the grindstone.

It is excellent and he really struck a chord with a lot of horror fans. I hope the film lives up to it.

[El Goro]

Currently reading Alien Vault by Ian Nathan. Sure, a lot of the material is available on the Alien blu-ray set, but it's an enjoyably exhaustive exploration of the film with great behind the scene photos and cool inserts. Highly recommended for Alien fans.

[Meli Hooker]

I'm kinda in over my head with the reading lately. I'm consistently reading Zippered Flesh for Book Club, but I'm also in a neighborhood book club and I'm supposed to be reading The School of Essential Ingredients. I probably won't read that though. I joined to make friends in the neighborhood, but they read Oprah Book Club type books and I don't have the heart to tell them I'm not into that shit.

Anyway, I'm also chipping away at Greg Lamberson's Cosmic Forces which has been mocking me from my bookshelves for months. I finally cracked it open and decided to just read what I can when I can. Oh how I've missed Jake Helman. Total babe. I fantasize about him to rescuing me from a criminal mastermind, kissing me passionately as I stare into his eye, then disappearing into the night A must for fans of the series.

I am also in the home stretch of Genesis of Evil by Nile J. Limbaugh from Samhain Publishing. In short, it's about a haunted mall. People are possessed, mayhem ensues

[Dark Mark]

I have just read Monster Hunter Vendetta by Larry Correia – Owen Zastava Pitt, former accountant turned professional monster hunter finds himself battling a sinister dark cult who want to sacrifice him to the old ones. Much like the first in the series this is a cracking read, loaded with great ideas and over the top action. Correia seems to be more assured with his writing here and delivers the horror goods in truckloads. Don’t be put off by the size of these novels as they thump along at a terrific pace and still leave you wanting more. I’ve added Correia to my list of regular authors and I can’t wait to read the third book in the series as well as The Grimnoir Chronicles and the Dead Six series. Modern pulp fiction at it's best.

I’m beginning Zippered Flesh: Tales of Body Enhancements Gone Bad edited by Weldon Burge – The Mortuary book of the month for April 2012 - "Monstrous transplants. Appalling amputations. Bizarre implants. Nightmarish forms of body enhancements. Disturbing, perverse, often gut-wrenching stories." Count me in.

[Ashley O]

I just finished Buried Alive: The Terrifying History of Our Most Primal Fear, and have concluded that 18th century Germany was very morbid. I also recently read the first trade of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing and the third volume of Sweet Tooth. The latter is probably one of the best graphic novels I have read in a long time.

Now I'm on to The Fog by James Herbert, Swamp Thing: Love and Death, and The Killing Joke.

[Scotty]

Just recently started The Case Against Satan. Classic "precursor" to The Exorcist that's highly lauded among horror writer circles. It's a Catholic Group book, and the writing is often stilted and tragically un-hip. That said, damn if it don't work.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Ashley O

I just finished Buried Alive: The Terrifying History of Our Most Primal Fear, and have concluded that 18th century Germany was very morbid. I also recently read the first trade of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing and the third volume of Sweet Tooth. The latter is probably one of the best graphic novels I have read in a long time.

Now I'm on to The Fog by James Herbert, Swamp Thing: Love and Death, and The Killing Joke.

I've been interested in reading Sweet Tooth, but haven't had a chance. I usually read comics in spurts when I get burned out on reading novels. Haven't done that in too long.

Oh, Swamp Thing, how do I love thee... let me count the ways For a while it seemed like I was re-reading that series once a year.

If I was going to pick a comic book character I want to have sex with it would be Swamp Thing because you're basically trippin' acid, but organically Badass.

[Greg Baty]

The entire run of Ultimate Fantastic Four. I started with Ultimate X-Men, which I loved and next will be the entire Ultimate Spider-Man collection.

[Ashley O]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

I've been interested in reading Sweet Tooth, but haven't had a chance. I usually read comics in spurts when I get burned out on reading novels. Haven't done that in too long.

Oh, Swamp Thing, how do I love thee... let me count the ways For a while it seemed like I was re-reading that series once a year.

If I was going to pick a comic book character I want to have sex with it would be Swamp Thing because you're basically trippin' acid, but organically Badass.

You should definitely read Sweet Tooth... it has the perfect blend of charm and horror, endearing yet disturbing. And the art is beautifully done.

I usually manage to read a couple comics a month, during and between reading novels. Actually I should say I limit myself to a couple a month, otherwise I'd be constantly broke . Right now I'm sticking to the aforementioned, as well as Walking Dead , which I'm almost caught up with.

[Jonathan Janz]

I'm reading Sarban's The Sound of His Horn. It's good and interesting so far, so I'm intrigued about how it might end.

After that it's probably on to some Stephen King. Either The Wind through the Keyhole or Under the Dome.

[Meli Hooker]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Janz

I'm reading Sarban's The Sound of His Horn. It's good and interesting so far, so I'm intrigued about how it might end.

After that it's probably on to some Stephen King. Either The Wind through the Keyhole or Under the Dome.

Welcome to the fold, Jon! Good to "see" you here

[Jonathan Janz]

Originally Posted by Meli Hooker

Welcome to the fold, Jon! Good to "see" you here

Thanks, Meli! Awesome to be hear.

I'm leaning toward The Wind through the Keyhole, by the way. Loving the title more and more as I think more about it...

[Boris_K]

Half way through Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

[XombiTom]

Felt like something apocalyptic, so am ready Oryx & Crake by Margaret Attwood) Haven't read any of her stuff before, but will always give any author's take on the apocalypse a try! (Also reading Eat, Sleep, Poop - THE HORROR!)

[Nut of the Living Dead]

I just started Edge of Dark Water by Joe R. Lansdale. Mojo Lansdale has never steered me wrong.

After that I have Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho by Stephen Rebello lined up.

[Count Von Gangrene]

Yesterday, started Handling the Undead by John Lindquist and next is part two of Del Torro's The Strain trilogy.

[Ashley O]

Originally Posted by Count Von Gangrene

Yesterday, started Handling the Undead by John Lindquist and next is part two of Del Torro's The Strain trilogy.

I need to get Handling the Undead on my bookshelf... I was very impressed with Let the Right One In. I want to read The Strain trilogy also, but for now I'm settling for the comic. It's one of those book series that I have on my list but keeps getting pushed farther down by other stuff.