Tag Archives: books

God Is Dead, Irony Still Rollickingly Alive: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

You’d think knowing what makes you happy would be easy to figure out. It’s not, much to my dismay. Life lacks the simplicity of IKEA instructions and instead, often embraces their ambiguity. It leaves you wondering how, exactly, did those stick figures end up so happy. They obviously aren’t putting together the same furniture IContinue reading “God Is Dead, Irony Still Rollickingly Alive: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan”

The Shunned House (from The Other Gods and More Unearthly Tales) by H. P. Lovecraft

Do you ever have one of those days where you’re overwhelmed and upset and nothing goes right? I knew by 8:30 am that today would be that day. So when I read Just Book Reading’s favorable review of The Shunned House this morning, I knew that if I got the opportunity to do so, IContinue reading “The Shunned House (from The Other Gods and More Unearthly Tales) by H. P. Lovecraft”

The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh

We are all possessors of secrets. They may vary in nature and value, but we keep them all the same. A secret shared between two people, despite their best intentions, rarely stays so. Secret liaisons, secret murders, secret selves – they’re all revealed eventually – in literature and in life. I’m not hiding any ofContinue reading “The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh”

The Trouble with Harry by Jack Trevor Story

Every child is different. That is what we say, right? When in reality, it goes something like this: every child is different, but some are more different than others (paying homage to a classic there). No one says the latter portion aloud and, of course, as a child I fell squarely in the ‘more different’Continue reading “The Trouble with Harry by Jack Trevor Story”

Double Feature by Owen King

According to Wesley Latsch, famous internet blogger in Owen King’s Double Feature, there are 74 75 things that cause unnecessary fatigue. Number one is rushing, number 75 is hugging a mummy, and number 27 is the library. Well said Wesley Latsch, I theoretically agree – hugging a mummy is fatiguing, though I’ve not had theContinue reading “Double Feature by Owen King”

Wherever you see a head, hit it: Donnybrook by Frank Bill

I can change a flat tire and complete an oil change. I can construct and refinish furniture, perform minor electrical work, and grow my own food. I can bait a hook, wield an axe, and I’m proficient in all manner of water activities (swimming, diving, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, etc.). I can gut a fish, climbContinue reading “Wherever you see a head, hit it: Donnybrook by Frank Bill”

Worst Fiction To Film Adaptations: A Top Ten List

Occasionally, films are better than the fiction they are based on. More commonly, the books are better. This top ten list, the opposite of last week’s, is where the novels are significantly better than the movies they were made into. The list is, of course, limited to the books that I’ve read. And certainly thereContinue reading “Worst Fiction To Film Adaptations: A Top Ten List”

The Fun Parts by Sam Lipstye

I sound like the narrator of a mediocre young adult novel from the eighties. Which is, in fact, what I am. There are far too few writers who dedicate themselves to documenting the plight of losers. Would it hurt anyone if the literary world gave the odd characters among us a little more shelf space?Continue reading “The Fun Parts by Sam Lipstye”

Favorite contemporary fiction authors: A top ten list

This week’s top ten list: favorite contemporary fiction authors (as hosted by The Broke and The Bookish). I’m defining contemporary authors as currently living, currently publishing (as in more than one book) fiction writers. In no particular order: 10. Deborah Harkness 9. Joe Hill 8. Bret Easton Ellis 7. Ian McEwan 6. John Sandford 5. Kate MortonContinue reading “Favorite contemporary fiction authors: A top ten list”