The Year of Cemetery Dance 2018
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I should receive my grab bag in the mail today. Maillady better hurry up.LOLNext up:
75. This Dark Chest of Wonders
By Andy Burns
About the Book:
"In September 1978, Stephen King published The Stand, a massive, post-apocalyptic story that captured the imagination of his growing legion of Constant Readers, introducing them to his ultimate villain, Randall Flagg. Over the course of time, the tale of good and evil only gained in popularity, leading to the 1990 publication of The Stand: Complete and Uncut, which gave audiences the author's original vision for his novel.
In This Dark Chest of Wonders: 40 Years of Stephen King's The Stand, Andy Burns (Wrapped In Plastic: Twin Peaks, BiffBamPop.com) tells the story behind the story of King's enduring opus and delves deep into its various incarnations — the unfilmed George A. Romero adaptation; the 1994 ABC mini-series; the audiobook; and Marvel Comics' adaptation.
Included are exclusive interviews with Stephen King experts Bev Vincent, Robin Furth, Mick Garris, Jamey Sheridan, WG Snuffy Walden, Grover Gardner, Ralph Macchio, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins.
This Dark Chest of Wonders: 40 Years of The Stand delivers a complete and uncut look into one of Stephen King's most enduring achievements."
My Thoughts:
Vincent Chong's art with the saturated golds and oranges, the beautiful shadows -- powerful cover. He is so talented. Exquisite art.
Don't let the small stature of this book lead you to think it isn't packed with original and well written information regarding Randall Flagg and The Stand. While we all know how big-boned The Stand is, Andy Burns has concisely given us a serious and illuminating book that should be on your bookshelf.
Immediately I have to give Mr. Burns a huge first-place trophy: Not only are his interview questions very good, he interviews a varied cast of characters who touch The Stand with their creativity. My favorites:
Bev Vincent's interview is informative and professional as always. And it had a quality to it that was unlike previous interviews of his I have read. More willing to step out and have his say, more spontaneous and open. I don't know what word I'm scrambling for here. It was a good interview.
W.G. Snuffy Walden composed the score for The Stand without any formal musical training. This guy wrote the score for The Stand and doesn't know how to read or write music. Never trained.
Let me say that again in case it hasn't sunk in: W.G. Snuffy Walden does NOT know how to write or read music and was never formally trained, but he wrote the score for The Stand!! Huge respect for a person who knew their talent and didn't let anything stop them from getting what they wanted in life. Just, wow.
I enjoyed reading Grover Gardner's piece on being the audiobook narrator. I love these little peeks and glimpses into the creativity of a player who normally isn't approached. I enjoyed his process.
Ralph Macchio (not the karate kid), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins all discuss their individual contributions to the comic book. Which the time and energy that goes into that? People. Every dime you spend is worth it when purchasing a body of work that is so laboriously created. With passion.
Mick Garris, Robin Furth, Jamey Sheridan also give us their thoughts and insights along with Chris Ryall and Andy Burns himself. It was a quick read for me because it is a smooth production and held my attention.
My book is an advanced reader's copy so I am hoping that the interview of Glenn Chadbourne listed in the acknowledgements is included in the final book. It wasn't in the ARC. I would love to hear Glenn's thoughts about working with and for the greatest writer of our time. This is a book I have purchased, so I'm hoping to see that in the future in the final construction.
Stephen King has always been ahead of his time. In The Stand, Captain Trips is a superbug, a flu. But in today's world, Captain Trips is a metaphor for the spreading of malignant ideas and ignorance with The Walking Dude on our TV screens every night and his minion chanting:
"My Life For You."
By Andy Burns
About the Book:
"In September 1978, Stephen King published The Stand, a massive, post-apocalyptic story that captured the imagination of his growing legion of Constant Readers, introducing them to his ultimate villain, Randall Flagg. Over the course of time, the tale of good and evil only gained in popularity, leading to the 1990 publication of The Stand: Complete and Uncut, which gave audiences the author's original vision for his novel.
In This Dark Chest of Wonders: 40 Years of Stephen King's The Stand, Andy Burns (Wrapped In Plastic: Twin Peaks, BiffBamPop.com) tells the story behind the story of King's enduring opus and delves deep into its various incarnations — the unfilmed George A. Romero adaptation; the 1994 ABC mini-series; the audiobook; and Marvel Comics' adaptation.
Included are exclusive interviews with Stephen King experts Bev Vincent, Robin Furth, Mick Garris, Jamey Sheridan, WG Snuffy Walden, Grover Gardner, Ralph Macchio, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins.
This Dark Chest of Wonders: 40 Years of The Stand delivers a complete and uncut look into one of Stephen King's most enduring achievements."
My Thoughts:
Vincent Chong's art with the saturated golds and oranges, the beautiful shadows -- powerful cover. He is so talented. Exquisite art.
Don't let the small stature of this book lead you to think it isn't packed with original and well written information regarding Randall Flagg and The Stand. While we all know how big-boned The Stand is, Andy Burns has concisely given us a serious and illuminating book that should be on your bookshelf.
Immediately I have to give Mr. Burns a huge first-place trophy: Not only are his interview questions very good, he interviews a varied cast of characters who touch The Stand with their creativity. My favorites:
Bev Vincent's interview is informative and professional as always. And it had a quality to it that was unlike previous interviews of his I have read. More willing to step out and have his say, more spontaneous and open. I don't know what word I'm scrambling for here. It was a good interview.
W.G. Snuffy Walden composed the score for The Stand without any formal musical training. This guy wrote the score for The Stand and doesn't know how to read or write music. Never trained.
Let me say that again in case it hasn't sunk in: W.G. Snuffy Walden does NOT know how to write or read music and was never formally trained, but he wrote the score for The Stand!! Huge respect for a person who knew their talent and didn't let anything stop them from getting what they wanted in life. Just, wow.
I enjoyed reading Grover Gardner's piece on being the audiobook narrator. I love these little peeks and glimpses into the creativity of a player who normally isn't approached. I enjoyed his process.
Ralph Macchio (not the karate kid), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins all discuss their individual contributions to the comic book. Which the time and energy that goes into that? People. Every dime you spend is worth it when purchasing a body of work that is so laboriously created. With passion.
Mick Garris, Robin Furth, Jamey Sheridan also give us their thoughts and insights along with Chris Ryall and Andy Burns himself. It was a quick read for me because it is a smooth production and held my attention.
My book is an advanced reader's copy so I am hoping that the interview of Glenn Chadbourne listed in the acknowledgements is included in the final book. It wasn't in the ARC. I would love to hear Glenn's thoughts about working with and for the greatest writer of our time. This is a book I have purchased, so I'm hoping to see that in the future in the final construction.
Stephen King has always been ahead of his time. In The Stand, Captain Trips is a superbug, a flu. But in today's world, Captain Trips is a metaphor for the spreading of malignant ideas and ignorance with The Walking Dude on our TV screens every night and his minion chanting:
"My Life For You."
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king family fan
hey girl, when you get your grab bag, would you take a picture of the ARC for Odd Adventures.... I tried but my camera is crap and doesn't take a very nice picture and your pictures are always so clear.
hey girl, when you get your grab bag, would you take a picture of the ARC for Odd Adventures.... I tried but my camera is crap and doesn't take a very nice picture and your pictures are always so clear.
Will do that tonight after hubby gets home. He took the camera to work for his Christmas get together. My grab bag came yesterday and so did my copy of Elevation. Slipcover will come later.
You are a sweetheart!
....My swag came yesterday, but it's still in the bubble wrap....couple of other tomes to roll through first.....
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Thank you girl! Oh, and thank you so much to hubby!
76. Odd Adventures with Your Other Father
Norman Prentiss
About the Book:
"Because one of her fathers died whens she was very young, much of Celia's family knowledge comes from stories her surviving father narrates -- road-trip adventures from the mid-80s that explore homophobia in a supernatural context. As she considers these adventures (a rescue mission aided by ghostly hallucinations; a secluded town of strangely shaped inhabitants; a movie star with a monstrous secret), Celia uncovers startling new truths about her family's past...."
My Thoughts:
This is a great cover. It drew my eye immediately and just more or less demanded I read it...soon! Lynne Hansen Design is given credit for this cover. Perfect.
The story is so many things. The creative way in which a relationship is shown to us was so brilliant. I loved the laughs; the supernatural things were great fun! The hate and bullying that happened in the book made me nervous. I tend to be the type of person who sees the bloody chicken getting pecked on and I insert myself into the fray. I don't like to see someone become the target for some unhappy fool or a cadre of unhappy fools. So, I spent a great deal of time anxious for our two dads. But, ultimately, the real story is about love, connection, family, loss, memory and getting up and feeling it all again the next day. The bonds that stay with us -- not till death do us part, but into the great unknown as well.
This was a good book. It's a supernatural, romantic travel guide. It made me cry because we're all just human -- feeling, experiencing, wanting the same things unique to each and every one of us.
Norman Prentiss
About the Book:
"Because one of her fathers died whens she was very young, much of Celia's family knowledge comes from stories her surviving father narrates -- road-trip adventures from the mid-80s that explore homophobia in a supernatural context. As she considers these adventures (a rescue mission aided by ghostly hallucinations; a secluded town of strangely shaped inhabitants; a movie star with a monstrous secret), Celia uncovers startling new truths about her family's past...."
My Thoughts:
This is a great cover. It drew my eye immediately and just more or less demanded I read it...soon! Lynne Hansen Design is given credit for this cover. Perfect.
The story is so many things. The creative way in which a relationship is shown to us was so brilliant. I loved the laughs; the supernatural things were great fun! The hate and bullying that happened in the book made me nervous. I tend to be the type of person who sees the bloody chicken getting pecked on and I insert myself into the fray. I don't like to see someone become the target for some unhappy fool or a cadre of unhappy fools. So, I spent a great deal of time anxious for our two dads. But, ultimately, the real story is about love, connection, family, loss, memory and getting up and feeling it all again the next day. The bonds that stay with us -- not till death do us part, but into the great unknown as well.
This was a good book. It's a supernatural, romantic travel guide. It made me cry because we're all just human -- feeling, experiencing, wanting the same things unique to each and every one of us.
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Next Up: I'm a little nervous about this one. Not sure what to expect. I have a tough time with animal stories.
This cover makes me think of the pig killing scene from Carrie every time I see it.Next Up: I'm a little nervous about this one. Not sure what to expect. I have a tough time with animal stories.
Is this a chapbook? This story sounds interesting to me.76. Odd Adventures with Your Other Father
Norman Prentiss
About the Book:
"Because one of her fathers died whens she was very young, much of Celia's family knowledge comes from stories her surviving father narrates -- road-trip adventures from the mid-80s that explore homophobia in a supernatural context. As she considers these adventures (a rescue mission aided by ghostly hallucinations; a secluded town of strangely shaped inhabitants; a movie star with a monstrous secret), Celia uncovers startling new truths about her family's past...."
My Thoughts:
This is a great cover. It drew my eye immediately and just more or less demanded I read it...soon! Lynne Hansen Design is given credit for this cover. Perfect.
The story is so many things. The creative way in which a relationship is shown to us was so brilliant. I loved the laughs; the supernatural things were great fun! The hate and bullying that happened in the book made me nervous. I tend to be the type of person who sees the bloody chicken getting pecked on and I insert myself into the fray. I don't like to see someone become the target for some unhappy fool. So, I spent a great deal of time anxious for our two dads. But, ultimately, the real story is about love, connection, family, loss and getting up and feeling it all again the next day. The bonds that stay with us -- not till death do us part, but into the great unknown as well.
This was a good book. It made me cry because we're all just human -- feeling, experiencing, wanting the same things unique to each and every one of us.
No, not a chapbook. It's a supernatural romantic travel guide. I'm going to add that to my thoughts above. It's just a sweet book with lessons to learn.
77. On This, The Day of the Pig
By Josh Malerman
About the Book:
"Jeff looked over his shoulder back to the hidden pigpen.
Pearl was all he could see. Pearl. Sitting on his ass like a person might, his front hooves limp at the sides of his belly, his head was cocked slightly to the side, his pink ears straight high above his head. His bad eye looked dark, hidden, but his good one was fixed on Jeff.
In it, Jeff saw an intelligence that scared him.
A half smile appeared under the pig's snout, or maybe it was just the way his lips naturally curled up at their ends.
Jeff fingered the latch. Pearl watched him. Staring. Assessing. Planning?
Jeff pulled his fingers away. A streak of shame ran down his back, like he'd come close to letting something very bad out of the pen..."
My Thoughts:
In my year of Cemetery Dance, this is my first encounter with artist Slasher Dave. I love the use of color and lack of it. Ominous, striking cover.
People of a certain age are very familiar with the adage, "Four legs good; two legs bad." Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
This was a supernatural Animal Farm minus the underlying political stuff that shows that fours legs can be more than just corrupt, they can be downright murderous paranormal mind controllers! (One could argue that the pigs in charge in Animal Farm did control the minds of the masses, but not in the paranormal way that this sinister swine did in Mr. Malerman's story.) Pearl is a pig of many evil talents.
He is out for revenge and power and will do what it takes to satisfy his needs and amusement. No sweet Wilbur befriending spiders and rats on this farm.
I was on edge the whole entire time I was reading this. First, I was concerned about the pig and what terrifying injustice would happen to this poor little animal.
I quickly learned not to fear for the pig, but to be fearful because of the pig. Late in the book, we hear his origin story and I understood his motivations. What turned good baby piglet into Bad Boss Hog. I empathized. But, If I had suddenly found myself in this story, I would've been wearing tin foil hats and rockin' an arsenal with long distance scopes where I could fry some bacon without getting too close, and even that wouldn't guarantee my safety.
Josh Malerman did a terrific job keeping that anxiety needle at eleven. I hope to read more of his work.
Sing for me, Josh.
By Josh Malerman
About the Book:
"Jeff looked over his shoulder back to the hidden pigpen.
Pearl was all he could see. Pearl. Sitting on his ass like a person might, his front hooves limp at the sides of his belly, his head was cocked slightly to the side, his pink ears straight high above his head. His bad eye looked dark, hidden, but his good one was fixed on Jeff.
In it, Jeff saw an intelligence that scared him.
A half smile appeared under the pig's snout, or maybe it was just the way his lips naturally curled up at their ends.
Jeff fingered the latch. Pearl watched him. Staring. Assessing. Planning?
Jeff pulled his fingers away. A streak of shame ran down his back, like he'd come close to letting something very bad out of the pen..."
My Thoughts:
In my year of Cemetery Dance, this is my first encounter with artist Slasher Dave. I love the use of color and lack of it. Ominous, striking cover.
People of a certain age are very familiar with the adage, "Four legs good; two legs bad." Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
This was a supernatural Animal Farm minus the underlying political stuff that shows that fours legs can be more than just corrupt, they can be downright murderous paranormal mind controllers! (One could argue that the pigs in charge in Animal Farm did control the minds of the masses, but not in the paranormal way that this sinister swine did in Mr. Malerman's story.) Pearl is a pig of many evil talents.
He is out for revenge and power and will do what it takes to satisfy his needs and amusement. No sweet Wilbur befriending spiders and rats on this farm.
I was on edge the whole entire time I was reading this. First, I was concerned about the pig and what terrifying injustice would happen to this poor little animal.
I quickly learned not to fear for the pig, but to be fearful because of the pig. Late in the book, we hear his origin story and I understood his motivations. What turned good baby piglet into Bad Boss Hog. I empathized. But, If I had suddenly found myself in this story, I would've been wearing tin foil hats and rockin' an arsenal with long distance scopes where I could fry some bacon without getting too close, and even that wouldn't guarantee my safety.
Josh Malerman did a terrific job keeping that anxiety needle at eleven. I hope to read more of his work.
Sing for me, Josh.
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And finally, my last book of 2018
Next Up:
Next Up:
And finally, my last book of 2018
Next Up:
I don't think I have a copy of that yet -- it contains one of my stories, "The Shrieking Woman".
Something tells me a shrieking woman is involved
Maybe...maybe not.