I got a massive book haul last month with 22 books, none of which I've read yet. December's always a busy month anyway, what with my birthday and Christmas, and I did buy myself a few extra books, too even though I had more than enough to read. I always maintain you can never have enough books, but right now I don't know where to start. The Stephen King pile's awfully tempting, but I want to read others like Foxglow Summer and Shovel Ready. Whatever, it's all good problems. My original plan for this post was to talk about each book, but that would be way too long and ain't nobody got time for that. Instead, I'll talk about the books I'm most excited to read. Here goes.
Revival
New King is always great, but this book sounded awesome from the blurb. I really haven't got much of an idea what to expect other than a knock-out story and troublesome times for the characters. I remembered how nuts 11.22.63 got near the end, and even though this isn't time travel (not as far as I know anyway), it's going to be surprise me, I'm sure of it.
Misery
In On Writing Stephen King talks with fond memories about this book, how it hatched, grew wings and flew the nest. It's such a simple idea, yet terrifying for the main character. Kept hostage by a derranged fan of his work, the writer must continue the character he killed to satisfy his tormentor. I'm interested. What's more, it's a perfect length.
New King is always great, but this book sounded awesome from the blurb. I really haven't got much of an idea what to expect other than a knock-out story and troublesome times for the characters. I remembered how nuts 11.22.63 got near the end, and even though this isn't time travel (not as far as I know anyway), it's going to be surprise me, I'm sure of it.
Misery
In On Writing Stephen King talks with fond memories about this book, how it hatched, grew wings and flew the nest. It's such a simple idea, yet terrifying for the main character. Kept hostage by a derranged fan of his work, the writer must continue the character he killed to satisfy his tormentor. I'm interested. What's more, it's a perfect length.
More Fool Me
I loved The Fry Chronicles, and it left on a hint as to what he might get up to next time around. Cocaine. From what I can tell from the book, it's going to chronicle the fast-paced 80s, and I believe we'll learn more about Blackadder and Stephen's downward spirals. I don't know, but I can't wait to start reading. He's a top man who's responsible for many of my laughs growing up.
Shovel Ready
I chanced upon this at WHSmith's, read the blurb and knew this had to be read. I couldn't help but glance through the pages and from what I've read, it sounds like a dark, gritty and violent adventure. Anything like that with a hint of sci-fi or dystopia has always got my attention. This is next on my TBR. After I finish Bright Lights, Big City... again.
I loved The Fry Chronicles, and it left on a hint as to what he might get up to next time around. Cocaine. From what I can tell from the book, it's going to chronicle the fast-paced 80s, and I believe we'll learn more about Blackadder and Stephen's downward spirals. I don't know, but I can't wait to start reading. He's a top man who's responsible for many of my laughs growing up.
Shovel Ready
I chanced upon this at WHSmith's, read the blurb and knew this had to be read. I couldn't help but glance through the pages and from what I've read, it sounds like a dark, gritty and violent adventure. Anything like that with a hint of sci-fi or dystopia has always got my attention. This is next on my TBR. After I finish Bright Lights, Big City... again.
Foxglow Summer
If you've been following for a while this won't be a surprise. Ever since I started Rivers of London I've wanted more and more of this universe. Even more so when I finished Broken Homes and learned about the twist at the end. That was the only time I remember the series ended on a dark note. Something's got to give in Foxglow Summer. I'm reading this soon.
Rain
Just like Shovel Ready, I saw this in Smiths and loved the concept. Just one drop of rain will kill you. Post-apocalyptic fiction is something I don't read enough of, and I'm hoping this will do something different. Even though I've got a load of apocalyptic books in the snapshot, this is the one I'm looking forward to most.
The Walking Dead: Fall of the Governor Part 1 & 2
The Governor's books are proof that the universe can be interesting and not just a cookie-cutter zombie story that the TV show implies. Characters have weight, their decisions matter and surprising events spiral out of control in the books. I can't vouch for the comics, but the books are worth the time. The Governor is by far the best character in the universe in my opinion and when the action orbits his world things get hairy fast. The show doesn't even hint at how his character became so twisted which is a wasted opportunity.I gave up on the show fast, but the books keep me interested in a universe that arguably as nothing new to add to the beloved zombie genre. I'm keen to see how this plays out.
If you've been following for a while this won't be a surprise. Ever since I started Rivers of London I've wanted more and more of this universe. Even more so when I finished Broken Homes and learned about the twist at the end. That was the only time I remember the series ended on a dark note. Something's got to give in Foxglow Summer. I'm reading this soon.
Rain
Just like Shovel Ready, I saw this in Smiths and loved the concept. Just one drop of rain will kill you. Post-apocalyptic fiction is something I don't read enough of, and I'm hoping this will do something different. Even though I've got a load of apocalyptic books in the snapshot, this is the one I'm looking forward to most.
The Walking Dead: Fall of the Governor Part 1 & 2
The Governor's books are proof that the universe can be interesting and not just a cookie-cutter zombie story that the TV show implies. Characters have weight, their decisions matter and surprising events spiral out of control in the books. I can't vouch for the comics, but the books are worth the time. The Governor is by far the best character in the universe in my opinion and when the action orbits his world things get hairy fast. The show doesn't even hint at how his character became so twisted which is a wasted opportunity.I gave up on the show fast, but the books keep me interested in a universe that arguably as nothing new to add to the beloved zombie genre. I'm keen to see how this plays out.
So many books, but so little time. Well, that's partly true, I guess. I've also got a few other novels to read from November on top of these, but I'll get to those soon enough. Every book deserves a mention, but I've rambled for long enough. War & Peace, though... I want to finish that this year. I fear I'll have to read a hundred pages then break away for another book then come back to War & Peace and rinse and repeat. A book that big and intellectual is apt to make me lose my mind if I concentrate all my efforts on it. I learned that lesson from The Brothers Karamazov. Happy reading.
Songs of the Week:
Songs of the Week:
- 'Loser' by Beck
- 'Last Stop: This Town' by Eels
- 'Guest List' by Eels
- 'Flyswatter' by Eels
- 'Love of the Loveless' by Eels
- 'Peach Blossom' by Eels
- 'New Alphabet' by Eels
- 'Susan's House' by Eels
- 'Mistakes of my Youth' by Eels
- 'Miracle' by Blackmill