As a teenager in the 80s, I devoured all the gory horror novels I could get. They all pretty much had the same format. A chapter of killer rats, bees, slugs (yes slugs), or guinea pigs horror. Then a chapter of shonky story before onto the next bit of gore with maybe some naughty bits chucked in to keep the teenagers hooked. I loved them and I think I read all of them.
This year was the 50th birthday of Rats by James Herbert. I just finished rereading it yesterday. It's maybe not aged well in certain ways, but it's still great fun to read.
I'm thinking Shaun Hutson might be next on my list. I seem to remember the killer Slugs were fabulously over the top and they even made a really bad movie out of it!
After listening to all seven Mistborn books by Brandon Sanderson I am now reading his The Stormlight Archive series. Currently on the third book Oathbringer. The pace of the story has dropped significantly from the first two books so it seems to be a bit more of a struggle to make time to read.
I will take a break from the Sanderson books after this, I have lined up Band of Brothers to read again after just finishing watching the tv series again.
This year was the 50th birthday of Rats by James Herbert. I just finished rereading it yesterday. It’s maybe not aged well in certain ways, but it’s still great fun to read.
Your description is correct. from memory - I remember reading them as a teen. I occasionally wonder if Sven Hassel books have aged any better? 😀
Tried Anna Burns' "Milkman" - didn't get on with the writing style, so now moved on to Bob Dylan Chronicles. Great writer that young fella. 🙂
Anyone looking for a weighty holiday WW2 book - Sword Beach by Stephen Fraser - good mix of personal accounts and the big picture - well written - astonishing and tragic all at the same time.
Should have also added - purely focused on the British contribution to D-Day.
Two on the go right now:
Red Hotel, about the Metropol Hotel's history as the place where western journalists were billeted during WWII to report on the USSR's war efforts. Interesting reading, not amazingly well written but good bedtime wind down.
All the Pretty Horses (Cormac McCarthy). Slow going at first, and really felt like the writing style would rob the story of any engagement, but I've really got into it. Being Cormac McCarthy it's only going to end badly, but it's a good read to get there
I've been picking old books off the bookcase because I forget them easily. Finished East of Eden by John Steinbeck, The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith by Thomas Keneally recently... Read them before and had no idea what was going to happen in either of them.
About to start A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe.
Re reading Alan Fursts ww2 era spy thrillers . Excellent reads .
Just touched down in Saigon, was reading Embers Of War by Fredrik Logevall - a really fascinating and accessible recount of the conflict in Vietnam. I understand a little now why Ho Chi Minh is so revered.
Given the current political situations these are quite appropriate, all been read over the previous fortnight
I began with this @ start of April
move onto this by Timothy Snyder, excellent book, my second reading of it
and finally I’m almost finished this by the excellent graphic journalist Joe Sacco
Just read Rememberings by Sinead O’Connor which had me occasionally laughing out loud but is generally a bit muddled and sad - just like the author I guess….
Now halfway through Tale of Two Cities which I’ve never read before though I’m no stranger to Dickens. Its very good.
All the Pretty Horses (Cormac McCarthy). Slow going at first, and really felt like the writing style would rob the story of any engagement, but I've really got into it. Being Cormac McCarthy it's only going to end badly, but it's a good read to get there
honestly, everything I’ve ever read of his has been different level. Hard to read at times, but truly epic. Haven’t got to this yet mind.
I’m reading third rule of time travel by Philip Fracassi. Blake crouch vibes. Fracassi is a great horror writer, this is pure science fiction atm but presumably will go awry.
Born Fearless: From Kids' home to SAS Pirate Hunter By Phil Campion. Just about to finish them I'm moving on to...
Strangeways by Neil Samworth.
After really enjoying the last series of the Wheel of Time on Amazon, I decided to start reading the books again. I may regret this. I am quarter of the way through the first fairly enormous paperback and precisely one thing has occurred. Also spotted the first tugging-of-braids and crossing-arms-under-breasts in the wild, first of about 10 million.
Still, the payoff in 13 books time is going to be awesome.