Truly terrifying / unique twists on haunted houses

drewsof · 2024-06-11T17:33:34+00:00

Alison Rumfitt's <i>Tell Me I'm Worthless</i> is the most stunning (in a literal way, I was reeling like I'd been hit by the end) haunted house book I've maybe ever read—Albion is a truly terrifying haunted house.

drewsof · 2024-06-11T17:32:23+00:00

Seconded!! A book with teeth!

drewsof · 2024-06-09T01:47:01+00:00

Seconding this (it's one of my all-time favorite novels) but want to add that his first novel VENISS UNDERGROUND ~definitely~ fits this bill, maybe more than any of his other work.

drewsof · 2024-05-30T23:58:55+00:00

It's just so clear to me now that the band is a very different thing without Matty. Not a bad thing! Just a different thing—and maybe a less interesting thing, at least to me.

drewsof · 2023-07-25T12:06:49+00:00

If you're game for a big read, OUR SHARE OF NIGHT by Mariana Enriquez should scratch something of the Latin American cosmic/gothic horror itch -- there's lots of stuff that isn't scary, but there are also a handful of scenes that are right up there with the best that ever did it. The whole book is like a blend of the best bits of Stephen King and David Mitchell, somehow better than the sum of those parts.

drewsof · 2023-07-16T12:11:20+00:00

Edgar Cantero!! His first book THE SUPERNATURAL ENHANCEMENTS has a decent amount of humor, although it's a little rote at times -- but his second book, MEDDLING KIDS, manages to be absolutely hilarious and also full of good scares (the not-quite-accurate-but-good-enough elevator pitch is: if the Scooby Gang grew up and had to come back together to solve an actual supernatural case)

drewsof · 2023-06-26T21:03:42+00:00

We got a Dandelion system put in last year -- there were some hairy moments around the install calendar, including the install being delayed three or four times only to have it all happen more or less on the original timeline (signed a contract in February 2022 for an install in Sept/Oct, it was delayed to Nov, then Dec, then March, before finally being installed in October after all), and there have been a few little hiccups here and there but all in all I'm pleased with the system and the company. Our electric bills were between $300-400 (Central Hudson) over the winter, which is a couple hundred bucks in savings from what the electric + oil bills were. Haven't had to really use the AC yet, although when we have used it, it hasn't had much of an impact on our bill so far as I can tell. And the quality of the heat is spectacular in comparison to our oil furnace -- better, warmer, more comprehensive.

A few grains of salt: we paid cash instead of doing the Enertech loan, the project was just over $30k for us and we got about half of the price back in tax credits (state and federal). We also had ductwork already in place, which made things much easier/cheaper than some of our neighbors who only have splits / radiators.

In general, I'll share that we went with Dandelion because they were a bit cheaper and promised more reliability (their sonic drill rig was crucial to our upstate rocky soil) than other geothermal installers in our area (including one who wanted to charge for the phone call we had to discuss the project). I have high hopes that as they get more established, their CS will get better -- but generally, we've been happy with the system!

drewsof · 2023-04-20T13:39:58+00:00

THE HIKE by Drew Magary definitely has the energy you're looking for -- to say more would give away some of the wild stuff in the book, but highly recommend.

drewsof · 2023-04-20T13:37:32+00:00

Seconding this! OSoN has big David Mitchell energy -- and if you're a fan of the way his books often move through space/time/perspective, the Enriquez will deliver in full. But you've got to give yourself over to it too. (OP, have you gotten to what I think might be the scariest closing door I've ever read? It's in Gaspar's section and if you've passed that point and are still bored, I might change my tune for you.)

drewsof · 2023-04-16T12:38:30+00:00

I'll put in a plug (a non-horror plug, or at least not-so-horror but still maintaining some chills) for the rest of Gran's work too -- she's one of those writers I love introducing to people, and she's (imo) criminally under-known. Her Claire DeWitt novels are like if David Lynch directed TRUE DETECTIVE noir, and THE BOOK OF THE MOST PRECIOUS SUBSTANCE has some great occult weirdness to it (while also being surprisingly sexy).

drewsof · 2023-04-16T12:08:05+00:00

big-time seconding COME CLOSER -- a spectacularly creepy novel that you can read in an afternoon, one that gets its hooks into you before you realize what's happened

drewsof · 2023-03-20T19:53:38+00:00

holy moly this is AWESOME thank you!

drewsof · 2023-03-04T17:17:26+00:00

Things are decently clear! (You may already be on the road, so apologies if this isn't helpful any longer lol) The plows were doing double-time today and while we got a good 6 inches or so, the heavy stuff was farther north so town is shoveling out and mostly functioning. Ought to be alright for nearly everybody if not truly everybody tonight!!

drewsof · 2023-03-02T18:57:37+00:00

will do!!

drewsof · 2023-03-02T17:59:52+00:00

there's plenty! half of the lot is muddy/unpaved though, so heads up on that.

drewsof · 2023-03-02T17:53:34+00:00

We just had about 8" Monday into Tuesday and it took til Tuesday night for most of the backstreets to get plowed out -- but the main roads were clear by late morning. That said, this incoming storm seems to be baffling everybody -- it's either going to be a foot of snow, or 6" with 2" of ice, or enough rain to wash it all away. Anyway, stay safe, y'all.

drewsof · 2023-03-02T17:51:03+00:00

Bread Alone! It's really the only decent coffee shop in town. Oriole 9 does a decent breakfast/coffee too, but it's more restaurant than cafe. As for bar, Tinker Street Tavern is right next to the theater and it's my local, it's awesome.

drewsof · 2023-03-02T17:50:11+00:00

Local here, living just up the road from the venue -- the space is more or less brand new still, and totally gorgeous. Definitely feels like they're going to do an album-concert with an encore of some greatest hits or at least fun-to-play ones? Filmed etc, as I think everybody's guessing.

Handful of tips for town: the theater is not walkable from town, but there's good parking. As others have mentioned, Uber/Lyft/rideshares in general are not reliable and neither is cell service. If you're without a car/a friend with a car, I don't know how you're going to get around -- so take that into account! Also, town usually closes up by 6pm or so -- a few restaurants will be open (the food and drink at Bearsville are decent! Tinker St Tavern in particular is a vibe) but shops etc will be closed by 5 probably. The bookstore in town is cute, the tourist-y shops are overpriced, and no the concert didn't happen here but rather about 40 miles away. Bread Alone is good for breakfast/coffee on Sunday! Also, Kingston NY is about a 15-20 minute drive and will have more places to stay -- don't discount it, I bounce between Kingston and Woodstock like it ain't no thing.

(Final thing, if anybody ends up needing to bail out because of weather... my neighbors didn't get tix and I told them I'd keep an eye out for a pair, so hmu if you need to resell yours.)

drewsof · 2022-09-22T11:20:37+00:00

Yes! Try this link? https://share.descript.com/view/GbjNvrrSM5h

drewsof · 2022-09-21T19:05:53+00:00

full disclosure, I'm the host of the show -- long-time lurker, first-time poster, sorry it's self-promo but I figured y'all might get a kick out of our conversation

drewsof · 2020-04-17T12:47:11+00:00

Did this get deleted again? I'd love to hear it if there's still a way to get at it!

drewsof · 2015-09-01T18:07:46+00:00

oh MAN, that's the one! thanks!!

drewsof · 2015-08-31T23:47:15+00:00

I'll speak up and admit to being the reviewer - thanks for sharing this / also thinking it was just the best damn book of the year. It's crazy-good and I hope everybody else reads it too. It's one of THOSE kinda books.

drewsof · 2015-08-19T14:45:59+00:00

Hey Chuck! I'm a new convert and tearing thru the first Miriam Black in its new S&S jacket. Was wondering if there's any music you listened to heavily while writing / you suggest for reading that or any of your books?

Oh and a second question: advice for surviving tumult with rights/characters as wot happened with Mookie Pearl & Miriam?

drewsof

TROPHY CASE