Weird Fiction discussion

I'm returning to the format of posting a topic for each month's nominations. It makes the nominating process clearer, I think.

So, in June we read an awesome classic weird story collection. Let's get back to newer stuff for July. Who has a good New Weird book (published this century) they'd like to bring to the group's consideration as a possible reading choice? Please post up to two nominations right here at your favorite group's nomination topic on or before June 15.

I am nominating House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. The book arose in message three of our current group read topic when author Thom Brannan mentioned it as a source of inspiration for his book. People classify it as horror and fantasy and are in general confused by it, all good signs that it belongs to our genre. We won't be as confused by it. Right?

I like that!

I could not get through it.

Scott wrote: "I could not get through it."Why, what turned you off?

Paging back and forth constantly, turning the book around, holding it in a mirror...

Scott wrote: "Paging back and forth constantly, turning the book around, holding it in a mirror..."

Oh dear! I just checked some reviews - people kindly posted snapshots of the pages - and now I know exactly what you mean. Haha. Not sure how I feel about that - I might not mind giving that a try!

My opinion of two books is at great variance with the opinion of my goodreads friends. Those two books are:

The Hill of Dreams by Arthur Machen
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

Ronald wrote: "My opinion of two books is at great variance with the opinion of my goodreads friends. Those two books are:

The Hill of Dreams by Arthur Machen
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski"
So what is your opinion? You like them, you don't?

Both books are meh to me but my goodreads friends give them 5 or 4 stars.

Plenty of time between now and June 15 for other nominations and to not vote House of Leaves into oblivion in the poll next month. I'd be cool with that. I'm just throwing it out there as an option. Even if it's not selected, I'll probably still read it on my own. All my friends have, and love it or hate it, the book sure makes an impression! My main worry is whether or not it's fair to consider it Weird.

It looks like there are two editions of House of Leaves: ISBN 9780375703768 and ISBN 9780375420528, the re-mastered full color edition. Does the one you choose to read make a substantial difference?

I nominate The Dreams of Cardinal Vittorini & Other Strange Stories by Reggie Oliver.

The book is available for the Kindle. It is also available as paperback.
But I recommend, if buying the paperback, purchasing it from the Tartarus Press website: http://www.tartaruspress.com/oliver-t... rather than from Amazon, the prices for the paperback book at Amazon are outrageous.

I enjoyed this short story collection. A case can be made that Reggie Oliver is the best ghost story writer writing today.

Dan wrote: " Does the one you choose to read make a substantial difference?"

No, not really.

I’m nominating The Bone Mother by David Demchuk and The Hike by Drew Magary, two of my favorites.

Thank you for two excellent nominations Sydney! Yours as well, Ron. Brings us up to four nominations overall and counting now. Plenty of time for more before June 15.

I have created the poll for determining which book we will read in July. I thought I might try an experiment this month only (for now) and am just posting about the poll here to this and one other topic rather than sending out an announcement to all the members. I got the idea from another group I am a member of. The thinking is that if you're reading this here, you truly care, and are likeliest to participate in the read: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/9...

I heard very good things about "House of Leaves" but aside from being in the weird category, it is most definately a post-modern novel. Readers beware.

I LOVED house of leaves!! I couldn't put it down the the format is so creative.

I find that I am too uncomfortable with my experiment to not notify the entire group of the poll to continue it. I personally didn't like the practice when it was done in the other group and would like to avoid it here. I was going to try it this month anyway in order to avoid a problem. But I think with more thought I have arrived at a better solution. Both of the top two finishers in the poll this month, whichever they may be, will be our group reads for two months, both July and August.