I know every time I post one of these, I say “I read some great books this _____” but this spring takes the prize. It had some of the best bizarre books I’ve read this year. Normally, I rank them from 1 to 5. But these first three books tied for first, all spectacular. I … Continue reading 5 Favorite (Bizarre) Books Spring 2019
books
Author Interview: Kirk K. Jones
After being blown away by his incredible novel Fuck Happiness (my review here), I was thrilled to interview author Kirk Jones. Let me just say, he did not disappoint. Here are his verbose, but fascinating answers. -- ZÉ BURNS: How did you discover bizarro fiction? KIRK JONES: I spent a lot of time searching random … Continue reading Author Interview: Kirk K. Jones
How I Discovered Bizarro Fiction
We’ve all had those life-changing discoveries, those moments where we find things we could never imagine living without. Mine came with an obscure, underground small-press genre called bizarro fiction. In the summer of ’06, I visited Prague with my mother. My reading and writing at the time revolved around fantasy with bits of literary fiction … Continue reading How I Discovered Bizarro Fiction
Author Interview: Andrew J. Stone
Before we get started, I thought I’d share that S.T. Cartledge interviewed me on his blog “The Manifold,” my first time on that side of an interview. You can find it here. - - - With two books published and more on the way, Andrew J. Stone has accomplished a lot in his mere 26 … Continue reading Author Interview: Andrew J. Stone
Book Review: ALL HAIL THE HOUSE GODS
Rating 8/10. The spectrum of bizarro fiction goes from “kinda weird” to” 4-plus-wacko-bananas.” Andrew J. Stone’s novella All Hail the House Gods is definitely in bananas territory. Still, he manages to pull off a believable and engaging story that rivets you to the page. I’ve read it twice now and I’m so glad I did. … Continue reading Book Review: ALL HAIL THE HOUSE GODS
My 5 Favorite (Bizarre) Books Winter 2019
I’ve been caught up with my new obsession, horror, but still managed to read some great bizarre books this winter. The books below were my favorites. I should note that these are books I’ve read in 2019, not necessarily books that came out in 2019. 1. IF ON A WINTER’S NIGHT A TRAVELER by Italo … Continue reading My 5 Favorite (Bizarre) Books Winter 2019
Author Interview: Charles Austin Muir
I had the great opportunity to pick the brain of Portland-based writer Charles Austin Muir, author of the short story collections Bodybuilding Spider Rangers and This is a Horror Book. Click here for my review of This is a Horror Book ZÉ BURNS: When did you start writing? CHARLES MUIR: I started writing when I … Continue reading Author Interview: Charles Austin Muir
Book Review: THIS IS A HORROR BOOK
Rating: 8/10 Reading Charles Austin Muir’s collection is like watching ten movies at the same time yet understanding every word spoken. His writing abounds in film references. These are his secret, his genius, though a little shocking at first. Once you acclimate, they can be more vivid than any metaphor. He possesses a unique voice. … Continue reading Book Review: THIS IS A HORROR BOOK
Book Review: FORTUNE BOX
Tower Ltd. Surprise Packages is sending out parcels with very peculiar contents. Each story in this collection by British bizarro author Madeleine Swann is the tale of a different package. Despite different protagonists in each, it reads like a novel. Each package contains a lesson for the recipient, parables almost, on many of humankind’s weaknesses. … Continue reading Book Review: FORTUNE BOX
Books As A Drug
Or why I bought 81 Dragonlance novels In his lifetime, Sir Philip Thomas (1792-1872) acquired over 160,000 books and manuscripts, draining his substantial inheritance in the process and reducing his family to poverty. Philip had what is now known as bibliomania (literally “book madness”), the extreme preoccupation with collecting books and a symptom of obsessive-compulsive … Continue reading Books As A Drug
Zé Burns | Blog 