As you may know, every year around this time I generally re-read, and fall in love with all over again, Ray Bradbury's classic Something Wicked This Way Comes.
But I'm not going to this year. October is almost gone and although I have thought of bits of the book periodically (when I take walks with CRjr, and hear the skittering leaves and the whisper of broomsticks around corners, most particularly), I have not had the urge to re-read it that I usually do. So I'm not going to force the issue; it'll be there for me next year.
Instead I'm going to spend some time with an older book that I've had for years, purchased at some sort of library sale: The Dodd, Mead Gallery of Horror. I like a good horror story and hope I can find one in the collection to enjoy. Has anyone else read any good scary stories this year they'd like to recommend?
In the meantime: Happy Halloween to all of you, beasties. CRjr's a little young to go out and beg for free candy, but I'm looking forward to those days when I can steal some fun size candy bars out of his bag. Don't look at me like that. I gave that boy life, he can give me a teeny tiny Snickers bar every now and then.
I always always always recommend Shirley Jackson when someone wants something creepifying. She is PERFECT for this time of year. We Have Always Lived In the Caslte is my favorite, but they all work. I mean, she has an award named after her and everything ;)
Posted by: Beth | 31 October 2011 at 08:58 AM
Beth,
I DO like Shirley Jackson; that's an excellent suggestion. I read WHALITC last year for the first time and it was capital-c CREEPY.
I also read something spooky called A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness this year; great stuff. And a close friend gave me Rick Yancey's Monstrumologist, which I finally read this year, and that made for a good creepy read too.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 31 October 2011 at 09:36 AM
You should read "World War Z." I think you'd get a kick out of it, since it's written like an oral history.
I read "Cell" by Stephen King a few months ago. It was okay, he ripped off "WWZ." It's violent, pessimistic, and depressing, even by King's standards. You wouldn't think it was King at all, if you're familiar with his work. The ending really sucks, though.
There's also "The Poet" by Michael Connelly. Frightening book. My heart rate increases just thinking about it.
Posted by: Brandon | 01 November 2011 at 04:23 PM
Dodd, Mead - that is an OLD publisher.
Posted by: Sarah | 02 November 2011 at 01:12 PM
You'll love The Brower's "Five Book Interview" with Ramsey Campbell http://bit.ly/t1S3ST featuring his horror recommendations!
Posted by: Molly | 02 November 2011 at 08:03 PM
Brandon,
a dear friend keeps telling me and telling me to try "World War Z"--looks like I'll have to now, with you suggesting it as well.
Sorry the King wasn't quite what you wanted. Geez, it's been ages since I read any Stephen King. And can you believe I haven't read any Connelly yet? There's not enough hours in the day for reading.
Sarah,
I know. Sometimes the oldies are goodies.
Molly,
Thanks for the link! I am in the mood for good horror titles sometimes.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 02 November 2011 at 09:59 PM