Haunting. I've always heard that the audio book was almost better than the movie - it might work better as a solidly produced radio program (Do they sHaunting. I've always heard that the audio book was almost better than the movie - it might work better as a solidly produced radio program (Do they still have those?) Much, MUCH, better than The Zombie Survival Guide....more
Smith is such an interesting guy to follow. His storytelling is second to none, the guy can really captivate an audience in his ability to entertain iSmith is such an interesting guy to follow. His storytelling is second to none, the guy can really captivate an audience in his ability to entertain in the most mundane of subjects - as evidenced by his constant sell out performances in concert halls for Q & A sessions.
While this book is probably better for the casual fan - rather than "Boring Ass Life" - I still prefer the latter....more
A great novel about the bond between a father and son in a world where all hope is lost. Post apocalyptic stories have been played out in books and fiA great novel about the bond between a father and son in a world where all hope is lost. Post apocalyptic stories have been played out in books and films in the past but none so bleakly described and played out than in "The Road"....more
I'm a huge Saturday Night Live fan, not quite yet a "buff" in the history of the show but I'm well on my way. This book is a good companion to the harI'm a huge Saturday Night Live fan, not quite yet a "buff" in the history of the show but I'm well on my way. This book is a good companion to the hardcore fan but maybe not to the casual viewer. I certainly enjoyed it from start to finish. One thing became clear after watching it - everyone hates Chevy Chase....more
Next to "Hitman", Jericho's autobiography is one of the most entertaining looks at the world of professional wrestling. I might sound like a terrible Next to "Hitman", Jericho's autobiography is one of the most entertaining looks at the world of professional wrestling. I might sound like a terrible person in saying this but I'm happy that it was not censored by the actions of Chris Benoit in mid-2007 - I feel that it would not have been all that accurate in depicting Jericho's early career if that had happened....more
An incredibly chilling book and one of the most brilliant concepts I've ever seen in a novel, Danielewski's House of Leaves gives you a story within aAn incredibly chilling book and one of the most brilliant concepts I've ever seen in a novel, Danielewski's House of Leaves gives you a story within a story. A man rocked to the core by the power behind a novel that literally destroys his world sending him into one of the most terrifying psychological breakdowns I've ever read....more
Bret Hart was my childhood idol, so I might have enjoyed this book more than the average person. There were more than a few things that shocked me - mBret Hart was my childhood idol, so I might have enjoyed this book more than the average person. There were more than a few things that shocked me - mostly the actions of his family members - but ultimately, it's a great companion to the stellar 3 disc DVD collection released in 2005. It could have used just a little more background on his WCW days but when you spent 12 years working for one company and 2 and a half working for another, you're going to concentrate less on the latter....more
I think I might be a bit biased in giving this a 5 star review. The book is basically Smith's day-to-day life - some of it is extremely dull and very I think I might be a bit biased in giving this a 5 star review. The book is basically Smith's day-to-day life - some of it is extremely dull and very repetitive. However, I'm such a huge fan that it still holds my interest. I loved it and am hoping he puts out a sequel. I'm struggling with the fact that I might re-read it but unsure of what I would get out of a second go-around....more
A decent follow-up to Loeb's "Long Halloween", Dark Victory re-tells Robin's origin story.A decent follow-up to Loeb's "Long Halloween", Dark Victory re-tells Robin's origin story....more
John Connolly released only his 2nd book not related to his franchise character, Charlie Parker, with “The Book Of Lost Things”. Connolly’s story begiJohn Connolly released only his 2nd book not related to his franchise character, Charlie Parker, with “The Book Of Lost Things”. Connolly’s story begins during World War II, where the main character, David, has moved to the childhood home of his new stepmother to escape the possibility of a German occupation in London. David’s mother had passed away a few years earlier due to a terminal disease and he had never really found a way to cope with it, shouldering most of the blame and rejecting his father’s new wife because of it. His inability to cope have resulted in David taking frequent panic attacks and passing out for extended periods of time. His parents begin to worry when David claims that the books in his bedroom have begun to talk to him, whispering to him from time to time.
One evening, after an argument with his step mother, David wanders out to his backyard claiming he’s hearing calls for help from his mother. He crawls through a space in the fence somehow transporting him into a world similar to his favorite fairy tales.
Now, I know this sounds pretty childish but it really isn’t. “The Book Of Lost Things” can at times be extremely violent as Connolly seems to enjoy twisting and taking apart various fairy tales. Snow White, for example, never meets her prince. Instead, she over-eats and forces the seven dwarfs into slave labor for the rest of their lives to support her. This leaves the dwarfs constantly trying to find a way to kill her in order to be free.
Connolly puts his own spin on several other classic tales coming away with something fresh and memorable. He develops a great antagonist with the book’s main villain, “The Crooked Man”. In the end, he is an extremely desperate and vengeful character who is fully realized and spiteful. In fact, his speech to David near the book’s conclusion is something to watch for. Quite possibly one of my favorite literary villains to date.
This was the first Connolly book I’d read and after reading almost everything else he has to offer, it remains near the top of my favorites. I’d recommend it to just about anyone.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I re-read a book. Granted, this was a graphic novel, which is generally a quick read aWell, this is a rarity.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I re-read a book. Granted, this was a graphic novel, which is generally a quick read anyhow, but usually my cup overfloweth with new reads leaving me with little interest in re-reading stuff. Back in August when I was scheduling my reads for October (a.k.a spooky book month), I was perusing my shelf for some frightening fiction when I came across Batman: The Long Halloween. Given that I haven’t read this one in about eleven years, I figured it was time to revisit my (at the time) favorite Batman story.
Over the course of one year, beginning on Halloween night, the story follows a new serial killer in Gotham dubbed “Holiday”. He or she has been murdering those connected to the Falcone crime family and true to his or her name, is doing so only on holidays. Batman, District Attorney Harvey Dent and Police Commissioner James Gordon form a trio with the goal of catching the crazed killer.
After the urging of editor Archie Goodwin, Loeb and Sale picked up where Frank Miller left off with Batman: Year One telling the origin story of one of Batman’s most infamous adversaries, Two-Face. The story of Harvey Dent will always be a tragic one and while I ultimately prefer Christopher Nolan’s version within the 2008 film The Dark Knight, it is clear Nolan borrowed heavily from this story (there are even panels that could be storyboards for the movie).
I really love this story. The art is gorgeous given its dark and moody presentation and the writing is some of the best I’ve seen in my experience reading The Caped Crusader. It’s good to know that nearly eleven years after I first read the book, it still holds up as my favorite Batman story. There were rumblings that in 2019, we could see the release of the long-awaited animated adaptation, but it doesn’t look like it’s on the table for next year. Here’s hoping we get it soon (then again, you could just watch The Dark Knight). DC may not get the live-action films right, but they rarely go wrong when it comes to the animated division....more
Apathy and Other Small Victories follows Shane, an aimless twenty eight year old wanderer. When he’s not in bed with his landlord’s wife, he spends hApathy and Other Small Victories follows Shane, an aimless twenty eight year old wanderer. When he’s not in bed with his landlord’s wife, he spends his time sleeping in the handicap stall of the insurance company he’s temping for. Well, that and stealing salt shakers from diners.
Shane gets caught up in a murder investigation following the death of a friend - a deaf dental assistant named Marlene. Shane seems to know more than he’s letting on to the police, can he escape arrest or does he even care?
Before I get to the review, allow me to be a tad self-indulgent like those folks that post their life story before they give you a recipe online.
Back in 2008, I wasn’t what you would call a “Constant Reader”. Up to that point in my life, my reading experience consisted of assigned reading in high school, the odd wrestling biography/memoir and a handful of Chuck Palahniuk books. A friend of mine directed me to The Cult, a fansite for Chuck that opened the door to books by authors with a similar style as well as books that Chuck personally recommended. If I recall correctly, this was how I came to read House of Leaves, The Raw Shark Texts and this book, Apathy and Other Small Victories.
Those three books helped to light a fire in me, so to speak. They showed me that reading wasn’t just “work” (although, some books can still feel that way) and that it could be an enjoyable way to pass the time. So, if anything, I consider Paul Neilan’s lone novel a building block that would form the foundation of all that was to follow.
That being said, I didn’t enjoy Apathy and Small Victories as much as I did the first go around.
Don’t get me wrong, this was a fun read for the most part. The crime aspect is pretty solid and there are still plenty of laugh out loud jokes and scenes. I will say that Neilan’s take down of office life is chillingly accurate. I’ve definitely worked in one or two offices similar to what Shane describes. However, I felt like he wouldn’t leave it alone after a while. Yes, I get how soul-crushing it can be to work in an office like that, but I’m not interested in reading about how much it sucks over and over and over again as it becomes less of a story and more of a platform to regurgitate some sort of deep-seated hatred of office life.
When I finished this last night, I was trying to figure out what about it spoke to me when I first read it eleven years ago. I mean, no one in this book is likeable. The plot, while memorable, really isn’t anything special. Then I thought, maybe it was more of a shock to my system. Prior to this book, I hadn’t read a true comedic novel before and I suppose the novelty of this must have blown my mind. It was like a more nihilistic Office Space. For years, I’ve held this up in my head as one of the better books I had ever read and since that initial read, I’ve been clamoring for a follow-up. Now that I’ve revisited it, I don’t think I will be any longer....more