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Book Maven, Hallo-weenie
I'll admit it, I'm not big on Halloween. Blame it on my lifelong tendency to have my nose stuck in a book rather than participate in large social gatherings. Most of you will be far more likely to get out to a party, lead small children from house to house or even enjoy handing out treats from your front door... but, as usual, I'll be reading. With that confession, here are my top picks for this year's Halloween fiction:
'Lisey's Story' by Stephen King -- I've said it before and I'll say it again; I think this is King's masterwork. It's not just a scary story, it's not just a tale of suspense, it's not just a terrifying psychological study: it's not just a tender and mature examination of married love; it's also an inquiry into the origins of creativity.
'The Stolen Child' by Keith Donohue -- What if you really didn't belong to your family of origin, but instead had been stolen at an early age and replaced by a shape-shifting, primitive-mannered changeling? Donohue's story might qualify as fantasy, but it reads in a creepy, prickles-on-the-back-of-the-neck way.
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The Thirteenth Tale' by Diane Setterfield -- This surprise debut novel hit will have bibliophiles entranced with its combination of spooky used book shop, mysterious manor house and eccentric aged writer. Ghosts, abandoned babies, odd clues -- what's not to love?
'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn -- The Midwest has never been such a menacing and dysfunctional place. Camille Preaker, a junior reporter on a Chicago newspaper, is sent back to her Missouri hometown to follow the story of a horrific murder. But staying with her own family is worse than even corpses with their teeth pulled out.
'The Meaning of Night' by Michael Cox -- Being inside the mind of a murderer has never been such an intellectual exercise, nor such a period piece... its subtitle is "A Confession," and Edward Glyver's reasons for his crimes is much more significant than his acts themselves. A big, lush read that will take you from Hallowe'en night straight through to Thanksgiving.
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You're quite welcome! I know that there are some who agree w/me on King, and others who don't... all I can tell you is I was completely engrossed in it from start to finish, and I've read very few King novels. Glad you enjoyed my recs!
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Hey, thanks, some really good reads here! I have THE THIRTEENTH TALE I will start reading it soon. I heard that Stephen King's book was not so good but I will check it out from what you have said here. The Meaning of Night sounds good as well, I think I will just look for all of them lol THANK YOUUUUUU
11/3/06 1:43 PM