Books R Us

Hey gang ! First of all, I've got to let you all know that I have an inability to come up with 5 favorites, I can say I have one favorite but then the rest are subject to my ever- changing whimsies. That being said, I'll send along my favorite book, along with a few that I've read recently that have left me feeling as though I've really experienced something. Then I'll throw a few of my favorite authors at you. See how it goes (phew)... onward!

The Stand by Stephen King- I'm sorry, I know in many circles King is considered a hack or a fluff writer, but he spins a heck of a good tale and this one is one of the best (in my view). There's something about the concept of humanity's adaptation to the apocalypse that has always fired my imagination, and the way King imagines and describes it turning into an epic battle of good and evil was almost perfectly executed. I've been through it at least three times and I'll probably go through it a dozen more. 13 and up

As for the impressive reads ;

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk- I had read a review of this book in a magazine and just had to read it for myself after hearing about how people were fainting at the public readings of it. Indeed one of the most gruesome works of fiction I've come across yet. It's more or less a collection of short stories all built around a bigger story. A group of people lock themselves away in a warehouse to try and tell the scariest story a la Mary Shelley & co. It's so grand because it's fiction based on non-fiction that spawned one of the most popular wotks of fiction. Yup, Palahniuk can really send you spinning and that's just the plot. The writing gets quite disturbed and left me feeling...well...haunted.!18 and up

Transformation by Whitley Streiber- Waaaaaaaaaay back in the day I had read another book by this fellow by the name of Communion, which described in detail the author's experiences in being abducted by aliens. It was a book that stuck with me because of it's subject. Then , rather recently a friend had a pile of books he was getting rid of and Transformation was in there. This book is somewhat of a continuation of Communion but it doesn't particularly deal with the abduction side of things, but more with the ramifications of being abducted. Streiber is obviously an intelligent man, and this book lets us view his thought processes pertaining to the aliens, and it's surprising and a little unsettling the conclusions he comes to. This book would be good for any age, but may be too wordy and philosphical for the youngsters

and my beloved authors; 13 and up

Edgar Allen Poe- What can I say? I'm a sucker for the classics ! Poe is the epitome of a horror author because he takes you to the darkest side and then leaves you there to let your mind do the rest. It's almost as though the room becomes gloomier just by opening one of his books, and that's the kind of book I'm into. Now granted, Poe was mostly a short story writer and occasional poet so, I'd have to maybe suggest a few short stories since he didn't have any novels.
Hop Frog, The Tell Tale Heart, and The Cask of Amontillado are way up there in my favorite tales of his.

H.P. Lovecraft- Lovecraft is another incredible author, although on occasion he can drone on and on a bit. But he's one of the authors that can craft his words to give the viewer a glimpse into his psyche, and it's a rather disturbing one. I've found myself on quite a few occasions reading his works and beginning to visualize what he's saying and then it's almost as if my mind won't allow further visualization due to graphic content. The unholy and perverse creatures that inhabit his world have always seemed to stay with me long after the book has been put away. Especially Brown Jenkin from The Dreams in the Witch House....Yikes !