Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Call Back and a Book

Norman Mailer for a dollar
Right in the midst of pondering what should go into my thank you letter - e-mail, actually, since we live in the digital age - about yesterday's interview, my phone rings. Lo and behold, it's the library with some semi good news. Joygasm, right? Yes. Sorta. I never allow myself to get overly excited until I have the job in the bag. There have been some instances with people I've known (not me, never me) who celebrated before an actual job was had. This was the usual paper work allowing the people to dig through my personal history. We're good. My life is bland to an extent - bland in the sense that it would never cost me a job.

After everything was signed and photocopied, I brisked away, stopping by the book sale table where I found a copy of Harlot's Ghost by Norman Mailer! For a dollar! What gives?! Is this a dream? First Edition, as well. Sweet. Paid my dollar and now I'm the proud owner of this not-so-little sucker. Hope it makes for a great read. Top of the list for 2012!

Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach

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[[BetterWorldBooks]]
As part of their Cyber Monday sale, Amazon priced the Kindle edition of Go the F**k to Sleep around a buck or so. Of course, I bought it. And, of course, I regretted. 

While the book itself is downright hilarious - no, wait.   There is no real term for how funny this book really is - the Kindle version is a miss. I can only imagine that the format works better on a Kindle Fire rather than the plain ol' black and white Kindle.

It's a fun read for adults. Because I'm a soon-to-be parent, I thought it was a nice preparation for what is in store for me. However, I am not, under any circumstance, to read this book to my son - yes, it's a boy!!! - when putting him to bed.



In other news, I had my job interview at the Dustin Sekula Memorial Library. I think I did well under the circumstances - I have a head cold that decided to creep up on me. Of course, no visit to the library is ever complete without me dishing out some cash. Two book finds - total price at a dollar. A Brief History of the Paradox: Philosophy and the Labyrinths of the Mind by Roy Sorensen and Jamaica Kincaid's The Autobiography of My Mother

Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Twilight Phenomenon

Guest written by our friend Trent Horton


Lately I have been wondering about all the fuss behind the Twilight series. Since the new movie will be coming out soon, I have read more and more articles about the success behind both the movies and the book series. One night, I was relaxing on the couch when I stumbled across the first Twilight movie on my http://www.expertsatellite.com/direct-tv/direct-tv-peoria-arizona.html movie package. I decided to watch for a few minutes to see what the hype was all about. Even though I did not read the books, I was instantly hooked on the love story between two vampires that I do not even know. There is something so captivating about the fantasy of dating a vampire. Although the movie was not Oscar quality, I did thoroughly enjoy the storyline and was begging to know more. Before I know it, I managed to watch the remaining movies from the series and can now officially call myself a Twilight fan. I guess my next step would be to buy tickets and see the upcoming movie! And, I will probably end up reading the books as well for more information on this fascinating phenomenon.

The Walking Dead: The Heart's Desire

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"We become them!" exclaims a beat-up Rick Grimes. "You think we hide behind walls to protect us from the walking dead! Don't you get it? We are the walking dead!" As much as I've hated Robert Kirkman's inability to tell a great story, I have to admit it that the six issues collected in the fourth volume of The Walking Dead series is the best thus far. We're finally hitting the primal instinct, the savage within all the characters that had laid dormant until the last panels feature Rick's realization and damning all hopes out of the everyone's mind. Unlike his television alter ego - though you can see it peeking through with the mid-season finale when he guns down the child-zombie - the comic series Rick knows what lays in wait. He's accepted that the world order that we've grown accustomed to is over. There isn't much of any hope left and all that there is left to do is survive. 

Any zombie enthusiast will tell you that zombies are only plays a small horror percentage in the story. Most of the horror comes not from the flesh eating creatures, but from humanity. Or the fall of it. The reason why The Walking Dead bothered me so much is that it never shone through. Sure, with Shane going mental in the first book and Hershel's damning naivete have pushed the story through, it was never enough to actually do much of anything. And like any plot device, it was quickly extinguished. Snubbed out. 

With Rick's fall - or delightenment (as oppose to enlightenment) at the tail-end of issue #24, the actual horror can begin - I just hope that Kirkman can continue it with such grace. 

Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Martian Child by David Gerrold

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"Today, I recognize that being human is the greatest adventure of all. And being a parent is the best part of that adventure," David Gerrold writes in the afterward of the Kindle edition of The Martian Child - an autobiographical piece about his adoptive son. "[A]nyone who hasn't experienced that hasn't finished the job of learning how to be human."

I caught the film adaptation Thursday morning, staying up until three to watch it - after baking pies all Wednesday night for Thanksgiving, I needed some quiet time with the TV and my eyes were too heavy for book reading. The film stars John Cusack as science fiction writer David Gordon - the straight version of David Gerrold, the author of the novelette turned novel turned film (not really sure which order that falls in, though). And like with most movies I fall in love with, I instantly wonder whether or not there was a book before hand. Even before the film was rolling its credits, I had downloaded the novelette to my Kindle - one can never be sure if you'll like the writer's style, so I opted for the novelette rather than the novel. The fact that it was under $4 also didn't hurt.

David Gerrold's writer, as I learned, is marvelous. There's a certain wit that most writers lack these days - whatever happened to them, I wonder. The story's a great, short read and I do look forward to purchasing the novel the moment I have placed this story behind me - if it's too familiar, I tend to lose interest in a story. Also, I'd want a hard copy of the book so I can lug it around to show people what I'm reading. 

As a soon-to-be father, I feel that I can relate - sort of. Aren't all children aliens to new parents? And while I hope my little bundle of joy doesn't grow up to think she's a Martian, I do hope she is blessed with such a wonderful imagination, one that puts my childhood antics to shame. 

It's a must read for all parents, new, old and adoptive. And I hope to learn as much from my child as David Gerrold learned from his. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Walking Dead: Safety Behind Bars

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So the tension finally begins to build. Still Robert Kirkman's ability to tell a story that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat is nearly lacking. No big deal - as long as Charlie Adlard continues with his wonderful artwork, we can ignore Kirkman's inability. 

The clan occupies a prison in this one - joining up with few survivors who were locked inside. It seems that the days of traveling across the post-apocalyptic country is behind them all. But inviting new people into your life leaves a gap in your security plan. It's a lesson Rick and the other will learn the hard way.

Blandness aside, the story gets a tad interesting when non-zombie murders begin. However, much to Kirkman's disadvantage, the fact that there are only so many people secured in the prison limits the number of victims the killer can take. The subplot is resolved within rather quickly. We're getting a peek at humanity - human nature? - during the apocalypse, which makes for better story telling. However, the writer obviously doesn't know what to do with all this psychology he's introducing. In the end, the third volume of The Walking Dead series falls short of a worthwhile read. I'm only hoping that the story deeps and the tension rises with the next set of volumes. Otherwise, how people enjoy this series so much will be forever lost on me.

Until next time, keep on huntin'.


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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tunes You Need to Listen To

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Earlier this year, Skold released the first single off Anomie, his long awaited follow up to his self-titled debut album. I couldn't contain my excitement when I first listened to Suck single. And when Anomie hit, that excitement exploded ten-fold. 2011 was set to become a great year for industrial music with new releases from Oghr and KMFDM along side with many others. It was Tim Skold, however, that ushered in the new year for me.

Now the former collaborator of acts like from KMFDM to Marilyn Manson is ushering the year out by dropping the second single to Anomie, Tonight. The single features the album version of "Tonight" as well as remixes from The Birthday Massacre, Aesthetic Perfection, Pull Out Kings and others. Available on both CD and MP3 format, the album is a must have for Skold fans. The CD includes two tracks not available on the digital copy- "Polka Dot Dress" and "Deserve". These two tracks were featured in the deluxe edition of Anomie's digital download and were previously unreleased on CD.

My two favorites off the single are the remix by The Birthday Massacre and the one by Aesthetic Perfection. But don't take my word for it, check them out yourself. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Sample Skold:






BetterWorldBooks.com
Just in time for the Holidays, BetterWorldBooks is having a Black Friday Sale. Received 15% any order of 3 or more books! What are you waiting for? Start shopping!!!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? by Neil Gaiman & Andy Kubert

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"What else am I going to do? Retire and play golf?" Batman ponders in the finite infinite moments, just before the last gasp - for most of us - shudders through the body, taking all life with it. "I doesn't work that way. It can't. I fight until I drop. And one day, I will drop." But are these flashes a mere near death experience, or is this the real thing? Has the Dark Knight succumbed to the inevitable? Because, in reality - comic book and real life - nothing lasts forever, not even the hero. Yet Batman has defined all the odds - his back has been broken. He's been shot. He's been framed. Brainwashed. Blown up. Seen his apprentice murdered only to rise again. Then again, hasn't the Dark Knight been dead before? Hasn't he risen again? And will the process not occur again and again in the infinite loop?

Neil Gaiman has given us a chilling tale of the Dark Knight's funeral and all those in his life is in attendance. From his closest friend and butler, Alfred Pennyworth, to his greatest nemesis, the Joker. The first chapter - originally published in Batman #686 - tells two stories of the his death. One at the hands of former Catwoman, Selina Kyle. And the other, tells a rather different take of the Dark Knight's legacy, having Alfred Pennyworth hiring several of his former acting buddies to masquerade as the villains we know and love - with Alfred playing the Joker. In the end, Batman dies by a gunshot wound. 

The second chapter - originally published in Detective Comics #853 - clues you in the other deaths of the Dark Knight - as told by the Joker, Robin - Dick  Grayson - Superman, Harvey Bullock, Clayface among others. Meanwhile, Batman is led through the abyss of memories and the in between by his mother, who - sadden - states, "No matter how many lives you save, you can't bring us back." 

Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert manage to combine several versions of our hero into two issues, nodding to woks by others who have molded and rewritten the Batman canon. Not only do they give an ending to Dark Knight's mythos, but rewind it to the very beginning - "You don't get Heaven or Hell," his mother explains. "Do you know the only reward you get for being Batman? You get to be Batman."

The trade includes Andy Kubert's sketchbook, as well as, other stories written by Gaiman. "A Black and White World" has Batman and the Joker living in a comic book world - as in, actors playing roles. In "Pavane," tells the intoxicating story of Poison Ivy's beginnings and the depths of her seduction. A group of edgy journalists attempt to bring the human side of the masked villains of Gotham within the pages of "Original Sins" and "When is a Door." The team digs deep, attempting to find the madman himself, the Joker. But as the saying goes, don't go looking for the Joker because the Joke will find you.

An all around great read - Gaiman at his best, you may say. And Andy Kubert's art as a homage to those who came before him is spectacular. Until next time, keep on huntin'.


Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Walking Dead Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us

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Now you might be asking yourself, if you hate Robert Kirkman's writing so much, why are you still reading it? What else am I supposed to do? I obtained copies of The Walking Dead series, am I just suppose to look at them until I have to return them? That's silly. I suppose, I could return them early and check out something else. That would also be admitting defeat and I won't let Kirkman's inability to tell a story from enjoying zombies. Nay, I say. Nay.

Of course, I'm also a literary masochist. I tend to get invested in the things I read, especially if it's a series book. Case in point: even though I find hammering pins underneath my fingernails more entertaining, I do plan to one day continue the Marvel Zombies series. 

There was also the shed of hope that, as the story progressed, I'd open up to Kirkman. Or at least, he'd improved. With The Walking Dead Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us - which collects issues #7-12 - Kirkman gets wordier. It's like during the zombie holocaust, everyone's vying to say the most. How do I put this? You know when you're in a room with someone who just like the sound of his own voice and a lot of what he says serves no true purpose or carries any depth? Or perhaps, you're in a room with someone and the silence has stretched out so long - or in order to prevent the silence from stretching - that you just have to say something - anything - just to keep the awkwardness from building up? Yeah. That's every single one of Kirkman's characters.

Tony Moore - who was responsible for the art in the first six - dropped out of the project after issue six, continuing to create the cover art. His replacement, Charlie Adlard, is suitable, making the characters his own, rather than attempting to copy Moore's style. Sadly, not even Adlard's art could save volume 2 for me. My fear is to what depths volume 3 will take me. Oh well, until next time, keep on hunting.


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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Reviewer's Copy & Other Updates


I received my "reviewers copy" of Best Bondage Erotica 2012 (edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel) in the mail today. Bussel is known for her erotica anthology such as Yes, Sir, Please, Ma'am and Women in Lust. The collection is released 13 December 2011 - pre-order yours now at Amazon or B&N

With less than two months left in the year, I started contemplating the changes that need to be made in the blog. The most obvious change is the placement of the book covers in reviews. They switch yearly. In 2012, they will appear on the right hand side of your screen.

Then there's the idea of using one of those dynamic - is that the right term? - layouts that Blogger is now providing its users. Which means that all posts will feature banner ads at the end - something I attempt with every post, with the exception of advertisements.

I want to keep up with the giveaways, even though this first one is quite the lackluster - I might have to break my 30 note/comment rule because of this. I apologize. I've never held a giveaway before, so I don't know how to go about it. Even though I've been running this blog for nearly a handful of years, it's not "distinguished." I've only have the one follower with the various people who find me via Google searches - usually for the film Wristcutters or the short story that inspired it, "Kneller's Happy Campers." If there were only some way to giveaway new releases of either mainstream literature or indie books - any writers out there or fellow bloggers wanna clue me in how to go about that?

The most important update will happen off blog. As most of you don't know - because you probably skip around the more "personal" entries dealing with books - my first child will be born in April. I'm pretty sure fatherhood will put a damper - though not a negative one - in my reading and updating. Fatherhood also means me getting my crap together and finding a long term job rather than this freelancing one - I need stability and security - so work will also set boundaries on how often I post. There's also the matter of my returning to school - hopefully by the summer - which will strictly be online courses from either Texas Woman's University or University of North Texas, hopefully. 

Oh well, here's to the future fellow book lovers. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman & Tony Moore

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Now that season two is four episodes deep, I decided it was high time that I read the comic series. For those of you who don't know, the television series deviates greatly from the original graphic novel story. Spoilers aside, some characters don't ever leave the original campsite.

I stepped in this one with caution - meaning, I didn't go out and buy any of The Walking Dead books - because Robert Kirkman storytelling bores the crap out of me. Much like Marvel Zombies, Kirkman takes a brilliant idea and finds a way to dull it out, and toss in things from left field. Makes me happy that the television series gives a little more back story to our characters, making them three dimensional rather than the shells of people Kirkman created. Storytelling over boring us, people.

Tony Moore's art, on the other hand, is great. His zombies are dead on and the characters hold a wide range of emotions. If anything, buy the first book - issues #1-6 - Days Gone Bye just for Moore's art work. 

Oh well, until next time - keep on huntin'.


BetterWorldBooks' National Bookstore Day Sale


Today, November 8th, is National Bookstore Day, and in honor of a holiday that's (obviously) very close to our hearts, we're doing something a little different. For today only, we're upgrading the Bargain Bin to 4 used books for $10. (Offer valid on used books within the Bargain Bin category. Not valid on books from other sellers.) --BetterWorldBooks

Free Book Giveaway!!!


12 hours ago, I received my final check from my summer job. This was exciting news, but how does it affect you? Well, it allows me some more swinging room with the giveaway I mentioned earlier. 

The Deportees and Other Stories by Roddy Doyle Giveaway:

The Rules (Blogger):

  1. The giveaway is now open to residents of the USA, UK, Canada and Mexico.
  2. To enter, you must comment below and tweet this post's link - be sure to mention @EnnuiPrayer.
  3. Fifteen days after this post or the Tumblr post hits 30 comments/notes, I will draw a winner. I will announce the winner on both blogs and Twitter.
  4. The winner will have 48 hours to respond - either through e-mail, Tumblr or Twitter - before I draw another winner.
The Tumblr account has its own set of rules for specific reasons. You may choose either giveaway to join, but I'm only giving out ONE copy of the collection.

I thank you all for reading this blog and hope that you continue to do so. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh

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"The first duty of a storyteller is to tell a story." Katurian is confused. Perhaps it's, "The only duty of a storyteller is to tell a story." Can it be both? Do stories hold more than what they offer? Ever talk to an English major? Ever ask the same question to someone in the math department? The answers will vary. Is it up to the writer to leave messages, reasons, symbols, explanations, statements, philosophies, etc. within his stories? Or is it solely the reader's duty to find the scripture? 

In his play, The Pillowman, Martin McDongah leaves it up to us to decide. Or not to decide. Or rather, forces upon us to see what might lay upon the page. But his character, Katurian warns us - what we read upon the page might always be true. Nor what we see with our eyes.

The story opens with Katurian sitting in an interrogation room with hot tempered Ariel and collected Tupolski. He doesn't know why he's there in the first place - perhaps some read into his short stories, seeing political insults towards the country. He hopes he can clear up any misunderstanding. What he doesn't know is that his dark stories are linked toward the grizzly deaths of two children and one missing girl. And the police are dead certain and Katurian and his brother Michal are behind it all.

Bold, dark and hauntingly beautiful, The Pillowman will grab your attention by the short hairs and lead you down its wicked little path, never allowing you to lose focus on the purpose - what exactly makes a man a monster?

The twists and turns of the story keep you moving forward. I sorta wish I could see a live performance of the play - anyone know where I can find a recording? - especially the version in which Jeff Goldblum portrays Tupolski. 

Until next time, keep on huntin'.


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Monday, November 7, 2011

The Deportees and Other Stories by Roddy Doyle

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"Ireland America was never Ireland America to me." It's Langston Hughes rewritten, but the message works an ocean away from Harlem. And that's what drew me into Roddy Doyle's stories. Racism isn't just an American issue, nor is immigration. I'm sure the world will like to think so, but Doyle has painted a clear picture that it's not. But it's those topics that hit home. That made these stories memorable. 

The book collects nine stories - eight of which are set in Ireland, one in New York - and each deals with the xenophobia\racism of a nation. 

The title story is a sequel of sorts to Doyle's novel, The Commitments, in which Jimmy Rabbitte decides it's high time for another band. No whites, he wants to write in the ad. In fact, that's part of the interview. Do you like the Corrs? Are you sure you're not white? With a rag tag of immigrants, Jimmy decides that the name of this new band is The Deportees and they will sing folk songs rather than soul. 

"The Pram," a Polish nanny decides to seek revenge on her troublesome charges, two daughters who seemingly sabotage her romantic life, by telling them a ghastly story. Only the hauntings enter her waking life rather than their nightmares. The story echoes The Turning of the Screw with a slightly different ending.

In "Guess Who's Coming for the Dinner," a liberal-thinking father is faced with the fact that one of his daughters might be seeing a black man. How he acts surprises him and his family. Luckily, they're there to make sure he doesn't embarrass himself.

A group of teenagers shine some light on racism and stereotypes at local shops and how it hurts the stores financially in "Black Hoodie."

The Deportees and Other Stories is an eye opener at the state that we're in. Cross out Ireland and Irish and replace with America and American, and you'll see how this stories echoes across the sea. It makes the reader take a side step and evaluate how low we've come as a people by refuses others the seem benefits and dreams that we hold close to our hearts.


Before I close this post, I want to announce that I do have an extra copy of The Deportees and Other Stories by Roddy Doyle. And because I'm such a nice guy, I've decided to give one away.


Now this giveaway will take place starting the moment the Tumblr post or this post hits 30 notes/comments.  The rules are simple:


  1. This giveaway is only open to residents of the Continental USA, sorry.
  2. To enter, you must comment below and tweet the link, mentioning me in said tweet (@EnnuiPrayer).
  3. Once one of the two posts hits 30, a period of fifteen days will pass before I draw a winner. 
  4. I will announce said winner on both pages and my twitter - hence the reason I want you to mention me. You will then have a period of 48 hours to contact me with your address. If you fail to do so, I will pick draw another winner.
If you have a Tumblr, there's more, but I feel no need mention those here. You can check out the page if you feel like it. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Read the new rules here.

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Friday, November 4, 2011

Double Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

Darkly dreaming, dashingly devious Dexter is back and finding himself in a load of trouble. Someone witnessed him at play and is now making his life hell. Much like Dexter, this Shadow has decided it his moral duty to punish the wicked, copying Dexter's trade step by step. Worse of all, he's not picking up his mess. Instead, he's leaving it in plain sight and pinning evidence of Dexter's dark delights on the scene. This is all the ammunition needed to send Doakes gunning for Dexter's head once and for all. But Dexter's not one to give up so easily. Question is, how do you defeat an enemy who's seemingly one step ahead of you?

There are several complaints with Lindsay's Dexter in every novel in the series. From the outlandish paranormal Dark Passenger to the fact that Dexter never carries out the final deed himself. That's not to say the TV series is without its flaws - why is LaGuerta still alive, for instance - but the flaws (in my eyes, anyway) of the novel series always bothers me more. Like Doakes. How is he still around after he's been de-limbed, de-tongued and pretty much a walking spud with hooks for hands? And while Astor and Cody are lovely little monsters, how is it that Astor's going through all the typical growing girl stages while Cody hasn't even aged - still with this three-word sentences? I'm not asking for Shakespeare here, but the kid's gotta come out of his shell sometime.

Without giving too many details away, there are a few things that pulled my strings of annoyance. Rita's suspicions and how quickly they are ratified. The odd coincidence of Camilla Figg's  relationship to the plot. Astor's typical teenage girl act, even though she's supposedly a Dexter-in-training (a little too human, isn't it?).

A few nice touches include the fact that Dexter is not following a kindred spirit as his Shadow doesn't trigger any warnings from the Dark Passenger. The idea of someone mimicking Dexter while stalking him is also bold - Dexter's been stalked before Dexter by Design, but this is quite another level. In fact, next to Dr. Danco, Shadow is the sort of bad guy I wouldn't mind seeing adapted on the TV show. Doakes's probable departure also raises my hopes for the future, though not in the way that would've made me smile.

Double Dexter is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble for Kindle and Nook, respectively. Until next time, keep on huntin'.


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Skin Solution


It's no big secret - taking care of your skin is hard. Perhaps harder than finding a good book to read. And sometimes the creams and cleansers that promise you better looking skin rebel, drying out your skin or causing reactions that are far worse than the acne or lines you were trying to diminish. 

Step in Tanda Skincare. With their acne light treatment, zapping - almost literally - those pesky zits are a chore no more! With professional results, the acne light therapy will leave you gleaming and the center of attention - and why not? The Winter Ball is just around the corner, girls. 

Acne not your problem? Perhaps the anti-aging light treatment is right up your alley. The only way to experience these new heights of revitalizing your skin is to check out the website and order yours today!