Michelle

Is there anything in particular you're avoiding when you don't read horror? For me, they tend to fall in gore-horror, or psychological-horror, and The Shining is the latter.

You'd probably understand some of it, but a lot wouldn't make much sense. The Shining is probably my favourite King book, so I'd recommend it. Btw, I LOVED Ex-Heroes, and am onto the next book - he's my new favourite author.

My favourite sort of photo - books and a cute cat! You really should read The Shining before Doctor Sleep!

http://www.audible.com/dc Sadly it looks as if Nokia's aren't supported.

I love it Janet, and have a huge audiobook library on there. What would you use to listen on?

Sorry Raven, this was discussed over 2 different threads, and your point was discussed on the other one. As you can see, that guideline was quite a few years ago, and as I pointed out above, more and more people watch things later, mainly because of netflix / sky box sets etc. I have therefore deleted that old guideline. The whole point is really about consideration for others - not everyone watches the same shows at the same time, so please be careful about what you give away outside of spoiler tags.

You'll notice that these guidelines were written a little while ago. As I've just said in another thread, lots of people are now picking up older shows, thanks to box sets, netflix etc. I know spoiler tags can upset the flow of a post a little, but if they're not used, people are going to avoid the threads until they've watched it all, so there won't be much discussion going on.

Can you please remember that not only do shows air at different times in different countries, but also that many people watch a show a lot later, due to box sets / netflix etc. Please do not give away spoilers for shows - especially the endings!

Thanks - I got a bit carried away after payday - I forget how far it is to the next one!

I read it without any real knowledge, and I was drawn right in - it's brilliant story telling.

This is another of those books which is difficult to describe without giving too much away, whilst being a book you want to tell everyone to read! Nate is on minimum wage, and needing somewhere cheap to live, so when he's told about an apartment building which fits the bill he jumps at it. Once moved in, he starts to spot some strange things, such as a padlocked door, a false door, a lift which has never worked, and glowing cockroaches. He starts to get to know some of the other residents, and they decide to investigate. I was expecting a haunted house genre, but this is much more about SF and fantasy - but just as importantly, I just loved the characters that the author develops. The actual story is quite slow to get started, but by the time it does, you're so invested in these characters that it makes it come alive. Cline also drops in lots of references to horror writers and pop cultures, some of which I probably missed - if you like Lost, Fringe, Doctor Who etc, you'll find yourself grinning when you hear them. Highly recommended, and I've moved straight on to Ex Heroes by the same author. (From what I can see, this is out for the kindle and as an audiobook, with the paperback coming soon.)

I ended up loving 14 by Peter Clines, despite it having a slowish start - I'll write a proper review soon. I quickly moved onto Ex Heroes by him, as I love his style, and I can see myself racing through all 4 books. I've also started Game of Thrones, but I was wondering if the audio will be better for me - I have this strange thing that I'm not so keen working through a long book, but I don't mind with audio. So, Game of Thrones has been bought as an audio book, and I've ordered the Peter Clines as paperbacks.

In the support forums there are a lot of unhappy users concerning the way quoting etc works - but I get the impression Invision aren't going to change it.

I use LibraryThing and my blog here - I figure that is one goes down, the other will still exist. I started mine in 2007, and LT tells me I've added 542 books

The kids are back at school, and I have one final day off before I go back to work. I've just been transferring this list to LibraryThing, and so have had a little review. I'm surprised by the lack of audio books this year, but I'm finding it hard to settle on them at the moment, and I know I have many unfinished. I should be adding 14 by Peter Clines soon, just a few chapters to go. With regards to physical books, I've done quite well up until now. It's been nice not have too many review books to think about, although I have read a couple recently. I'm about half way through another, Before You Die by Samantha Hayes. Things may then slow down a bit, as I decided to buy A Games of Thrones yesterday. I read a few chapters, and am keen to continue, but it's a big book, so it'll take me a while!

It's read by Stefan Rudnicki - he's familiar to me because he narrated all the Ender's Game series books I've listened to, as well as New Earth (Ben Bova). His voice is a bit deep, but I don't mind it.

Oh no, don't feel bad.. I was really enjoying it until about half way, and I can see the Rama similarities. It was when they went through the tunnel I started to lose interest a little. It wasn't helped by the fact that it was audio, and I kept falling asleep and losing my place! I may come back to it.

I'm not really sure how to describe it, although it's supposed to be some sort of horror/thriller/SF!

Laura, I've just realised I'm reading (well, listening to, actually) another book by Peter Clines at the moment, which I'm enjoying, so this one definitely goes on my wish list.

I've had 2 review books recently, from a publisher I've known for some time. Reckoning by Kerry Wilkinson (review) and The Voices by F.R. Tallis (review). I'm also listening to 14 by Peter Clines, another one which is a slow burn, but rather addictive. I got over half way with Eon by Greg Bear, but I think I'm giving up on that one.

Reckoning, a YA dystopian, is by Kerry Wilkinson, who until now has been better known as a crime writer. I do believe that if this had been published earlier, it may have made more of an impact on me, but I've read too many YA dystopians now, and I saw too many aspects of other books, such as The Hunger Games, and Divergent. Saying that though, I know some haven't read these, or didn't get on well with them, so maybe Reckoning could bring something to them. It features Silver Blackthorn, who lives in a UK ruined by civil war, and ruled by a King Victor. Although life is difficult, and most technology is long since broken and gone, everyone has a thinkwatch, which is used to send messages, act as a calender, and also show their status in society by it's face colour. At 16, everyone undergoes The Reckoning, where they are placed into four groups. There's not much discussion about these groups, but maybe that's to come in further books. From these 16 year olds, some are selected to be an Offering, and are sent to work for the King. No one really knows much about this, but the rumours make it sound a positive thing. Silver is chosen to go, and from there we find more about the King and his castle. There are some good concepts in the book, but I never really felt a sense of danger for Silver, and none of the characters really stood out. However, by the time I finished the book, I was interested in finding out where the story goes next. So, not a stand out book for me personally, but for those who love their dystopians, worth checking out.

That looks rather interesting..

The Voices is published on 8th May, and is by F.R Tallis, a new author to me. It's set in London, during the 1976 heatwave, and the story's oppressive feel matches the weather. Laura and Christopher move into their new home with their young daughter Faye - Christopher is trying to revive his musical career, whilst Laura is trying to deal with the change from model into mother. Whilst using his recording equipment, Christopher starts to hear voices in the static, and he soons becomes obsessed with this, not considering what else he may be allowing to happen. Soon young Faye seems to be aware by these voices, and Laura is experiences odd dreams, which makes her fear for Faye's safety. I would certainly class this as a 'chiller' rather than a 'horror - it's a fairly slow burner, with a lot of focus on Christopher and Laura as characters, as well as their relationship. The issue of the voices, along with Laura's dreams, adds a very unsettling aspect to this book, and it is an addictive read. I'm a little unsure of how I feel about the ending, although that's hard to talk about without giving anything away. It's not the classic build up and ending I expect in this type of book, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.. I just personally felt it needed a little something more. This is the sort of review where I wish I was better at explaining - I've read a lot of various types of horror in my time, and very little really scares me, so it's sometimes hard for me to judge. This would suit people who prefer their horror to be more unsettling than explicit, and it is an interesting concept and story. However, some may be too unsettled by the fact that a small child is involved. I'd love to discuss it if anyone else reads it, or if anyone has read any of his other books. I've ordered The Sleep Room, as I'd like to see what else F.R Tallis is capable of.

Are the Poppy Z Brite books generally good despite the disturbing content, or good because of it.. if anyone knows what I mean?

I really can't see that there's enough in the book to make 2 decent films!