Book Blogger Hop: The Horror!

It's Saturday, so that means Book Blogger Hop. It's operated by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Each week (on Friday), a new book related question is posed to participating bloggers.

This Week's Question: 

Who is your favorite horror/suspense author and why?

Ah...now I have to see this as two separate questions. For me, horror and suspense are two very different categories. Horror has more of a ghoulish type application...a kind of supernatural influence. Suspense, meanwhile, is a bit of an offshoot of mystery. Maybe I'm just special...or overly picky. Probably both, let's be honest.

Either way, I'm totally splitting this question apart and using that as an excuse to give you two different authors as my answer. I know, total cheat move. I'm not ashamed.

First, let's talk horror...

hor·ror

/ˈhôrər/

noun. 

1. An intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.

2. A genre of fiction which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten, scare, disgust, or startle its readers by inducing feelings of horror and terror.

I'll be honest...I don't read much horror. It's just not my thing. That wasn't always the case though. I went through a phase of huge fascination in horror reads during my early teenage years. Between grades eight and ten I read quite a few horror novels with gusto. They may not be my first pick for a good read now, but I absolutely see good reading value in them and wouldn't be completely averse to giving one a shot now and then.

That being said, there are two great choices for me here. And I'll be honest, they'll probably be the two most talked about authors for modern day horror choices. I'm speaking of Stephen King and Anne Rice. They both just have a supreme touch for the macabre. However, I've already cheated once in this post, so I'll just pick one of the two. Realistically, it's not that hard for me to pick which one I would choose as my favorite, though I do really (or at least did at one point really) enjoy the writing of both.

          

Stephen King is, most simply, the king of all things horror. His writing is fantastic and his sense of creativity and humor are just the right amount of warped. There are still plenty of his books that I haven't read and, though I don't read horror often, there are still books on my TBR from his vault.

Any true reader of horror has at least one of King's books in their library and has read a few of his works. There are few readers I have encountered, be they fans or foes of the genre, who don't appreciate King's mastery of his craft.

I'll be honest, regardless of the genre, King is difficult to top. But...we have one more category and one more awesome author left for me to share. On to suspense...

sus·pense

/səˈspens/

noun.

1. A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.

2. A genre of fiction made up of stories that stimulate pleasurable fascination and excitement, mixed with apprehension. The lack of predictability keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Suspense is a bit more my speed, but still not the highest on my reading genre list. Again, I think I read a lot of suspense back in my teen years...perhaps a natural progression from the horror reads? Who knows. I do find them fairly entertaining (if that can be used as the correct word) and there are a few authors out there who really know how to set the hooks and write a book with so many twists and turns you never know what's coming. 

Again, there are some magnificent authors on the list and I could share a small handful. But...I'll narrow it down to one. The sad part here is that the reading options are limited because this author has sadly passed away. But his writing is not to be missed.

  

Stieg Larsson. Whoa. Seriously. An amazingly gifted author. His Millennium series is just fantastic. It's one of those where you'd better have all three books on hand because you're going to want to roll right into the next one.

I haven't yet read the continuation of the series by author David Lagercrantz, but I will tell you that Larsson's works are just phenomenal. The second in the trilogy, The Girl Who Played with Fire, won my Book of the Year for 2011. I cannot give these books high enough praise.

Larsson's characters are realistic and rough around the edges. His narrative is crisp, but gritty. And, oh boy, does it ever fill the category of suspense. If you're a nail chewer, you'd better be prepared. These books will have you down to the nubs in no time.


See? Isn't it good that I don't like to follow the rules? Two great authors for the price of one.

Do you agree with me that these are two different genres? Who are your picks for the best authors in these categories? Who should I venture out and read?

Book Blogger Hop: Classic Horror

It's Saturday, so that means Book Blogger Hop. It's operated by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Each week (on Friday), a new book related question is posed to participating bloggers.

This Week's Question: 

Both Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein are considered classics. Have you ever read either of them?

Well...this is fairly embarrassing. I'm in the midst of getting and English degree. I've considered an emphasis in literature. I read a wide range of genres and I have a list of classics I'm happily reading through a bit at a time. And yet...I haven't read either of these novels. Yes...I'm overly familiar with the authors (particularly Mary Shelley), but somehow I have yet to put my hands on either book. Travesty.

Both books are on my TBR, so eventually I'll get my crap together. Maybe. Horror reads just typically aren't my picks. This wasn't always the case. I went through a phase in junior high where I read nothing but Anne Rice, Stephen King, and the like. It's a bit curious that I didn't grab either of these during that period of time. Maybe I just had an issue with the idea of reading a classic at that point. I was used to classics being books assigned by an English teacher that just felt...old. And boring. The good news is that I have...matured? beyond that superficial analysis. I've read more, I've experienced more. And now I can read in a way where I can appreciate the quality of a classic.

I guess books just have to come around at the right point in your life. I have to be in the right mood and the right frame of mind. Sometimes, you just can't take on a particular type of book. It just doesn't fit. And the last thing that I need is to take on one of these fantastic reads only to either lose interest because I'm not in the right reading mood or to wind up placing it "in the freezer" (for those familiar with Friends). One of these days it will happen. The stars will align. And if that doesn't come soon enough? Well...I'll just have to bite the bullet and dive in.

What books are on your TBR that you are embarrassed to admit you haven't read yet?

Book Blogger Hop: Still a Sucker for a Cover

How's everyone's weekend thus far? Today was a busy day around here, despite the only semi-cooperational weather. It's cooled down substantially in the last week and it's been a bit cloudy and rainy. Since it's inevitable that frost will be coming, I need to step up my garden game. I pulled all of the turnips and the ready-to-go Brussels sprouts along with some neverending tomatoes and zucchini. The pigs were pretty happy with the scraps that haul allotted them. They were also ecstatic when I brought out the rinds from the watermelon I sliced up. Tomorrow I hope to process all of the turnips and pull the rutabagas.

After that fun, I stuck a chicken in the Crockpot and added some pesto, lemon pepper, and bruschetta I'd made a couple of days ago. Made for a nice and easy dinner when paired with a little vegetable medley from the garden. Now it's just time for some relaxation...well...after a quick blog post.

It's Saturday, so that means Book Blogger Hop. It's operated by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Each week (on Friday), a new book related question is posed to participating bloggers.

This Week's Question: 

Have you ever bought a more expensive edition of a book, when a cheaper edition was available, just because you preferred the cover of a more expensive one?

The short answer to this is yes. I am a sucker for a pretty cover. Here and there I have been known to purchase a hardcover just because I don't like the cover art on the paperback.

However, my guiltiest pleasure when it comes to buying based on a cover is my obsession with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I love all things Alice. As such, I have several copies of the book. The exact same book. With different covers. I even own the BabyLit version. Yes...I am passing on my issues.

I know it's a little ridiculous, but it's fun and I love them. Despite the number of copies already in my possession, there are still a few I am eyeballing...

This pretty pink cover is a part of the Barnes and Noble Leatherbound Classics. Now...normally I'm not a huge fan of pink, but it's just so pretty on a book. And it's part of a collection. The only fear with this one is that once I had this one, well...I'd want other titles in the same collection. 

Speaking of finding the need to own an entire collection...have you seen the Penguin Classics hardcovers? Oh...my...goodness. They're fabulous. Look at those adorable flamingos!!

And finally...the piece de resistance...the 150th Anniversary Deluxe Annotated Edition. Rarely have I been known to drool over a book, but oh my this one. I will admit, the cover is lovely, but it's the annotations that have me completely over the top about this one.

One of these days, I'll have all of my books unboxed and back on shelves where they belong. And at that point, let's be honest, there will likely be one shelf full of nothing but Alice.

What about you? What cover(s) have had your eye?

Book Blogger Hop: The Power of Cover Art

Happy Saturday! I hope all of you out there in Irma's path are hunkered down and safe and that those of you back in my home part of the nation are keeping out of the poisonous air and safely avoiding flames.

Today started off busy and has now become a bit more relaxing. Another piglet found a new home today. One of our boys will be getting nice and pampered on a farm in Fargo, where he'll be hanging with a nice group of girls. After he got started on his journey, I finished up what I hope will be our last batch of salsa for the year. Then it was out to the garden to tear down the last of the corn. It's sitting in a basket on the front step, ready to be shucked and canned tomorrow. The fun never ends.

The poor little guy has been teething for a couple of weeks and today has apparently hit him rather hard. He's been running a bit of a fever and since his mid-morning nap has not wanted to do more than cuddle and sleep. As I am more than happy to oblige on the snuggling, we have been cozied up on the couch for the last couple of hours.

And then I remembered that I created a new blog schedule with a Saturday requirement. That was close.

Saturday is the day for Book Blogger Hop. It's a blogging meme originally started by Jennifer from the no longer existent blog, Crazy-For-Books. She operated the meme from March 2010 until December 2012. It was then revived by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer with Jennifer's permission in February 2013.

Each week (on Friday), a new book related question is posed to participating bloggers. It's a way to network and to find new books and new blogging friends.


This Week's Question: 

Have you ever bought a book because you liked its cover art?

Hahahahaha. Of course I have. I am so freaking notorious for this. After all...that's how I wound up living the sad truth of the Butterfly Saga back in 2012.

Back in 2011, I read Still Alice at the prompting of my friend, Erin. I really liked it. I also liked the cover. Because who doesn't love butterflies?

So, in the beginning of 2012, when I saw the cover of Lift, I was obviously enthralled. Ya, ya...don't judge a book by its cover. But...but...the pretty green, the beautiful butterfly. Ugh.

Noooo. It was painful. And to make matters worse, I went back to the butterflies later that year when I grabbed The Adoration of Jenna Fox.

This one wasn't nearly as bad, but still...the butterfly did not come through with the greatness I was expecting.

Let me tell you a little secret though...it will never stop me. I still frequently choose books based on the attractiveness of their covers. The great thing about this approach is that it can lead you to try things you never would have otherwise and you can find some really fantastic reads or things you never expected to be interested in. Case in point...The Library at Mount Char, which ended up being my 2015 Book of the Year.

Grabbing a read based on the appeal of its cover can be a fantastic reading approach. You just have to be prepared for and accepting of those books who don't meet your expectations. I'd call it the Butterfly Effect, but apparently that term has already been taken. Dang it. I feel like that could have really caught on...

How about you? Do you judge a book by its cover?