The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories | 
#HauntsAndHexes Day 5: It is clear that the ‘weird tales‘ in this collection go beyond the mere presence of ghosts, #zombies, glittering vampires in highschool, or werewolves with six-pack abs. China Mieville‘s Afterweird: The Efficacy of a Worm-Eaten Dictionary perfectly sums up the collection in this blurb I took a photo of and edited using an app. My feature here: https://wp.me/pDlzr-8Fh
I have previously read certain stories from this door stopper of an anthology, however 2 weeks ago I decided to start it. From the end & read it towards the beginning. I'm reading it on my computer, which has made a massive difference as the double column print in the book is distracting. So far I have read 13 stories. The standouts have been:
*Micaela Morrissette's “The Familiars“: a boy & his mother together during the summer. The boy (CONT)
pickI did it, I finished the book, it is physically too big but there sure are a lot of stories! I liked quite a few of them! (I think! Don't ask me about what I read 5 years ago!)
I feel like every year I have said that I'm finishing this book, but this year mean it! 10 stories left!
Like 3 weeks ago I'd assumed that I'd once again be vowing to finish this book come 2022, but last week I did a quick count and realized that I could finish this behemoth before Halloween if I stick to a story a day! I haven't slipped yet, so I'm feeling pretty pleased.
pickI'm not one for resolutions, but I have some for 2021, namely finish this monster. I can do it! (Also, fewer preorders, since I got burned last year and have signed up for ANOTHER book box [not to mention contemplating Verso's ebook subscription].)
#TBRPile Day 13
Posting 1 unread (or book that I put in hibernation, as the case with the tagged) per day for 31 days. No reason, no explanation. Creating a priority TBR.
@StaceyKondla
#gratefulreads today's prompt is #ashortstory
I've had this huge collection on #kindle for a while and I need to start reading them. Think 2020 will be my year of the short story ❤️
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620
#FallIsBooked Day 25: It is pretty clear that the ‘weird tales‘ in this collection go beyond the mere presence of ghosts, zombies, or glittering #vampire in high school, or werewolves with six-pack abs as can be seen from the Introduction of the Vandermeers above. What makes this collection stand out for me is the effort to include luminous writers coming from outside the US-UK and Western canon. More of my thoughts here: https://wp.me/pDlzr-8Fh
Me and my wall that is entirely mirrors just read a scary story about mirrors, but the thing that sets me and my wall apart from the story is that me and my wall don't hate women. #TheHungryHouse
Did some late night book rearranging, trying to get all my short story collections on one shelf. I failed.
I am trying to read a short story a day, give them the respect of being the only one, but I also worry that it's eating into my novel reading time, because why shouldn't I worry about the thing I do for fun? Would I even be alive if I didn't?!?!
#31BookPics Day 21: Another #DNF from the Vandermeers - again not because it isn‘t good - but because it is SOOOO good, I have to purchase a copy for myself. This is a library book and I realize that with the Vandermeers, their books will have to be purchased to fully appreciate. Another book to consider for Christmas. 🤣😂😭🧚🏼♀️📚
Short story before bed. I am suuuuuuper into Jeffrey Ford right now after hearing him speak last week. #weird #weirdstories #shortfiction
This morning's story: The Cage by: Jeff VanderMeer
Kindle purchase... Couldn't help myself!
I work at the off campus bookstore now. I've done a good job not buying the whole store. I have bought this beauty tho, and I plan on reading a story a day with my morning coffee ☺️ Story 1: The Ice Man by: Haruki Murakami
#RiotGrams Day 16 - I'm not sure where all my bookmarks have gone in the move, but this freebie from Cavity Colors has been serving me quite well.
#RiotGrams Day 6 - I'm gonna try to read at least a story a day, so this could be the current read for a looooong time.
All those short books earlier in the year were just a ploy to pad out my total for the year, because now it's time to tackle a behemoth.
#RiotGrams Day 2 - I am doing a ton of reading in bed lately, now that it's gotten colder, by the late of my dragon lamp. A cheesy holdover from my middle school dragon days? Don't care, it's the best.
*me, preparing for a 2 day trip*: This is probably enough books.
I know I am a day late for #recommendsday but I was too busy to post. As I posted a few days ago, Ann & Jeff Vandermeer's editorial work is among the most unique & important, currently being produced. In "The Weird" they reclaim a term commonly used as baffled je ne sais quoi for intentional aesthetic & literary traditions. More waking dream, akin to hypnagogic state, than the surrealist transcription of the unconscious & dreams. Highly recommend.
I have this huge dark fantasy short story compendium on my Nook shelf. I'm terrible at reading short stories, I like the character development of novels. But I like the idea of short stories, and think it's good to read them. So I sit down and read one story after each longer book that I finish.
#AllHallowsRead
Here is, as promised, the other part of my #AllHallowsRead TBR! I'm obviously not going to get to all of these - but I am going to try and read selections from them! And rereading Something Wicked is a bit of a fall tradition for me...
It's still disgustingly hot in L.A. but I'll get my shivers wherever I can.
Also in #bookishbirthdays: H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937), one of the founding fathers of weird fiction. I've been thinking a lot about his complicated, difficult legacy - as a writer and as an influence - a lot today. I think it's something his fans (myself included) should grapple with more. Anyway, I pulled some volumes of his stuff off the shelf. I love these covers (and, as mentioned, the anthology is essential).
Look! It's both a #Recommendsday and a #WCW in one post! Ellen Datlow and Ann Vandermeer are some of my favorite anthology editors, and anything they do is essential (srsly, check out The Weird). And The Dark Descent is so iconic if you love horror. Check these thick books out!
Finally got this guy to hold still long enough for a picture - even though he's indignant about that jersey. Ignore the cord LOL. Anyway, meet Tyrion the Tibbie.
