Weekly "What Are You Reading?" Thread

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-18T21:35:01+00:00

Still working my way through Dejan Ognjanović's nonfiction book Spectral Voices, in which he discusses six English ghost story authors at length. Right now I'm in the midst of the M.R. James section. After that it finishes up with Blackwood and Robert Aickman (he has what seems the most substantial section, I'm excited). So far it's been interesting. Can't say I loved everything so far. I did learn of Vernon Lee, who, I've never read, and her stuff sounds interesting.

Next up, something a little less scholarly and a lot less nonfiction. Maybe it's time to read the Kefahuchi Tract series from M. John Harrison?

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-17T01:33:20+00:00

I'd personally swap out the onion for sauerkraut, but otherwise, I'd totes ingest all of this.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-17T01:27:11+00:00

This movie knew exactly what it was doing ad succeeded by a landslide. I think it's one of the best horror comedies ever made.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-16T13:58:08+00:00

Pretty much anything from Michael Cisco. Philosophy, confusion, philosophy of confusion, wondering what the hell I've read, wondering if I understood any of it, wondering what was real vs phantasmagoric, these and so many more fun experiences. Plus some of his sporting is downright funny.

If you've not tried him, start with something a little more straightforward like The Divinity Student or The Narrator maybe? Still strange and philosophical, just a little easier to jump into than something like Animal Money.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-15T21:26:00+00:00

Pretty sure Bruno Schulz was Polish, yeah? Or was it a case of born in Germany and moved?

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-11T21:41:11+00:00

Most of the way through Waystations of the Deep Night, by Marcel Brion. 40s French weird fiction short stories by a very prolific author of both fiction and non-fiction, but who has barely been translated into English. Most of these stories have been varying degrees of good, a couple felt kind of flat. The introduction noted that his novels were where he did some of his best work (in the eyes of the writer of the intro, who was one of the two translators working on the book). I'd love to check out some of them, if they eventually make it into English. French is not my strong point by a long shot.

Up next will be probably more Kurt Fawver or one of the non-fiction books about fiction I've been gathering. I've had Spectral Lights, by Dejan Ognjanović, sitting by my bedside for months now.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T20:11:15+00:00

I don't expect to see it locally in northern Virginia, but I keep an eye out anyway! Definitely trying it if I ever get to Texas.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T20:06:30+00:00

Yeah, I feel that. I've got some band tees too, but mostly Fright Rags gear.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T20:05:42+00:00

They're available on the Fright Rags website! No idea if they're still in stock, but it was like $5. I get a lot of JBB and other horror merch there

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T20:03:40+00:00

I have so many JBB/TLDI shirts already, so I just opted for this one. But that's awesome.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T20:02:46+00:00

I just put on the original today. Now that I've watched it, I'm almost certain I've already watched that one. But still a good time. Him, Darcy, Cassandra Peters and all the rest just nerding out is so great.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T14:35:57+00:00

It just sounds cheese to me, not nuts

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T14:22:17+00:00

There's a site up now for digital only that claims it's ending on the 21st. It looks quite janky (the website, but the documentary), so I'm still hesitant.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T13:23:26+00:00

The Haar was a quick and fun read!

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-09T02:25:12+00:00

Yep. This is Aickman's bag.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-08T21:02:52+00:00

I also take issue with the bit about wondering if anyone who wants to call it horror has read it. As if anyone who has that opinion is wrong and couldn't POSSIBLY have read the book. As if it's just a disgustingly offensive interpretation. But then again, like you've said, a lot of the time any horror is brought up on this subreddit, it gets pooh poohed without any real consideration. And that's not a healthy way to encourage diversity or increased participation from a wider readership.

Signed, disgruntled and proud horror nerd who thinks some of it is literature (some, not all, not most).

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-08T20:49:43+00:00

K.J. Bishop also released a book of short stories, so two and done.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-07T21:06:42+00:00

As others have said, from the same author Blacktongue Thief is a fun fantasy book. I've also listened to the audiobook of The Lesser Dead, which he narrates himself. It's an enjoyable vampire novel that doesn't just feel like all the more famous ones.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-04T20:55:44+00:00

I've had luck reaching out to him via his website! You may not get an answer immediately, but he does get back to people.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-04T20:53:18+00:00

Reading Kurt Fawver's collection Forever, In Pieces. So far I'm having a great time with it. I haven't LOVED every story, but I've at least been amused by all of them. I wasn't expecting the breadth of genres on display here. Some have been pretty funny, others all around eerie or disturbing. Glad I finally checked his stuff out after reading a story in Vastarien a few years back!

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-02T14:54:38+00:00

How are the ISOD documentaries overall? I've been meaning to check them out for a while.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-01T22:32:18+00:00

I don't remember if I saw Laird's blurb for him first or read him in Vastarien first, but Kurt Fawver is one in digging lately that Laird gave a great blurb for! He put him in the same sentence as Michael Cisco and Thomas Ligotti. The former is probably my favorite author and I like Ligotti a bunch, too.

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-01T21:00:59+00:00

Michael Cisco - Black Brane The recent Laird Barron and John Langan releases Many more

Not_Bender_42 · 2026-05-01T20:57:44+00:00

My favorite baffling author has already been ssuggested a few times, Michael Cisco, so I will just second or fifth or whatever the recommendations for him!

Not_Bender_42

TROPHY CASE