I’ve been immersing myself in good horror as I finish the final edits of my novel. Two of the books below are Bram Stoker Award recipients. I also focused on reading gothic literature so I could get a better understanding of its pacing and atmosphere.

December is my month for reading longer books. Around then, my Goodreads goal is usually completed, and I have free reign to dig into fatter books. As such, all three books below are over 500 pages.

ANNOUNCEMENT: This will be my last “What I Read” post for at least several months. I don’t like how they impact my reading habits. Instead, I should read the books that I want to read without thinking how they will fit into a monthly blog post. I am also taking a year off Goodreads for similar reasons.

Mr. X by Peter Straub

Rarely is a mainstream horror novel this well written, clearly deserving of its Bram Stoker Award. This was my first Peter Straub book, despite knowing his excellent reputation, but it won’t be my last. It is an intricate story with a massive cast of characters, centered around the mysterious Dunstan family and their strange gifts. Myriad twists and turns kept me riveted, never sure where I was headed or who was who. These intricacies confused me at times, but Straub’s masterful storytelling brought everything home. It ends with what might be favorite final sentence of all time.

Bag of Bones by Stephen King

This book won the Bram Stoker, the British Fantasy Award, and the Locus Award. I also heard from several sources that it was “boring.” Bored I was not, rather I couldn’t put it down. The first 500 pages felt more like romantic suspense, but after that, the horror kicked in—hard. Mike Noonan is a successful author who experiences writer’s block following the death of his wife. He travels to his summer cabin where he discovers the dead don’t rest easily. I’ve never been one for ghost stories, but this is a beautifully told tale, its numerous awards clearly deserved.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

This is an example of expertly written historical fiction. It is a gothic tale with the supernatural elements playing a smaller though important role. The remaining Ayres family resides at Hundreds Hall. Both are in decline when the main character, Dr. Faraday, enters their lives. Around page 300, I started to dislike Faraday, and soon, it grew worse until I outright detested him (which is most likely intentional). It made the last half of the book not nearly as enjoyable as the first. Still, Waters executes some of the best characterization I’ve read in a long, long time.

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Keep reading!

Tchau,

Zé