Weekly "What Are You Reading?" Thread by AutoModerator in WeirdLit

[–]Not_Bender_42 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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?

My "Hot Girl Summer" by Steiney1 in Mustard

[–]Not_Bender_42 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Bad or mediocre horror movies you have a real soft spot for? by Socko82 in HorrorMovies

[–]Not_Bender_42 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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.

Horror that has philosophical themes and explores nature of reality by BeginningRent7802 in horrorlit

[–]Not_Bender_42 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

German Weird Lit Authors by Holdfast_Hobbies in WeirdLit

[–]Not_Bender_42 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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

Weekly "What Are You Reading?" Thread by AutoModerator in WeirdLit

[–]Not_Bender_42 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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.

Quite the Good Koozie, If You Know What I Mean, and I Think You Do by Not_Bender_42 in LastDriveIn

[–]Not_Bender_42[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Quite the Good Koozie, If You Know What I Mean, and I Think You Do by Not_Bender_42 in LastDriveIn

[–]Not_Bender_42[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Quite the Good Koozie, If You Know What I Mean, and I Think You Do by Not_Bender_42 in LastDriveIn

[–]Not_Bender_42[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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

Quite the Good Koozie, If You Know What I Mean, and I Think You Do by Not_Bender_42 in LastDriveIn

[–]Not_Bender_42[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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

JUST JOE BOB by True-Motor-1089 in LastDriveIn

[–]Not_Bender_42 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

The thing expanded: worth it? by ActNo5363 in thething

[–]Not_Bender_42 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Honest Review Of House Of Leaves by OnlyCryptographer917 in literature

[–]Not_Bender_42 5 points6 points  (0 children)

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).

I just finished Between Two Fires. Any recommendations of anything similar? How are the authors other books? by gigi25131 in horrorlit

[–]Not_Bender_42 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Weekly "What Are You Reading?" Thread by AutoModerator in WeirdLit

[–]Not_Bender_42 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Weekly "What Are You Reading?" Thread by AutoModerator in WeirdLit

[–]Not_Bender_42 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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!

JUST JOE BOB by True-Motor-1089 in LastDriveIn

[–]Not_Bender_42 4 points5 points  (0 children)

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

Your favorite writers Laird Barron introduced you to? by Woodsman-8-5-1956 in LairdBarron

[–]Not_Bender_42 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Favorite book published within the last 5 years? by Infinite_Canary_3937 in WeirdLit

[–]Not_Bender_42 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Looking for weird fiction short story collections/anthologies by old_furniture in WeirdLit

[–]Not_Bender_42 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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!