American Vampire Vol. 1 by Scott Synder, Stephen King & Rafael Albuquerque

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Very few people are original these days when it comes to old mythos. Rarely do I see any evolution of fantastical creatures of old lore, so it's always refreshing to see a new take on something familiar. We're in the age of the undead - be it zombies returning to pay homage to our society, or vampires representing civil movements. However, if all you're adding to a mythos is talking zombies or vampires who sparkle in the sun, then you're clearly missing the point of evolution. Rather than evolving the creatures, you're simply dumbing them down to fit your homage to nothing. You should've written fanfiction instead. Though, even fanfiction adds to the mythos rather than raping it - yes, even the homoeroticism of every fanfiction adds more to the mythology than Mormon-esque philosophy and horny teenagers.

For most of their existence, vampires have been shrouded in darkness. Very few people have attempted to change that - day-walkers weren't scary enough, or thrilling enough (or sparkly enough, apparently). They are always placed in dank, dark locations because that's how it's always been. With the obvious exception of Anne Rice's existential vampires, who seem to find sunny areas like California and Miami quite alluring, even though they still only come out at night. 

In American Vampire, writers Scott Synder and Stephen King offer us something new for us to sink our fangs in. Blending the old Euro Vampires - you know, the fancy dressed ones who hate the sun - with a "new vampire for a new century." 

Blending the last years of the Wild West with 1920s America, the story follows the origin of the American Vampire and the war brewing between the old and the new. Stephen King focuses on the origin story, following outlaw Skinner Sweet as he descends into the well-lit realms of the American vampire as the Euro Vampires stand in shock of the abomination that is their bloodline. As Skinner Sweet tears through the new the century seeking revenge, he realizes the old west he once knew is coming to an end; meanwhile, lawman James Book is hot on his trail, seeking retribution of his own and hoping to put Sweet in his grave for good. Meanwhile, Scott Synder focuses on the twentieth century vampire and Skinner Sweet creation, Pearl Jones. The ambitious young actress is lured into her grave by her fading hopes of becoming a well-known actress. It's Skinner Sweet who brings her back from the dead in hopes that she will aid him in the destruction of those who made him what he is. Pearl seeks vengeance of her own on the Euro Vampires, killing them one at a time. The war is far from over in the conclusion of the first volume, as figures from Sweet's past return to finish what Book couldn't do.

The first volume is well thought out, and the characters are amazing. The fact that it blends two of my favorite time-periods is just the added bonus. The fact that something so well crafted by Stephen King has actually reached my eyes - let's remember my love/hate relationship with the writer - gives me goosebumps and keeps me wanting more. 

Oh well. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Purchase American Vampire at [[Amazon/Paperback]] [[Kindle]] [[B&N/Hardcover]] [[Nook]]

Mile 81 by Stephen King

Like I said, I'm on the fence about Stephen King. While UR was a great read, Mile 81 - a Kindle Single - felt more like a chore.

Taking place in the shut down Mile 81 rest area, one would think it was about some grizzly murder that happened which still haunts the area. Instead, we get a muddied station wagon that eats people. One part Christine, one part Little Shop of Horrors. Three parts bad. Story revolves around several characters - most of which become a grizzly meal for the alien vehicle. There's next to none character growth. It lacks substance underneath the surface. It's almost as if Mile 81 was a write-for-hire piece, something King had to do because of some agreement he made with Amazon. 

It's hard to say if Mile 81 is a lengthy short story or a novella, but it sure has hell felt like a longer read than UR. Oh well, until next time, keep on huntin'.

UR by Stephen King

After last night's post about the new members of the Kindle family, I figured what better way to follow up than a story that would scare the bejesus out of me? Of course Stephen King stories rarely scare me - nor do the movies, for that matter. Most times, I'm not even sure if I like his writing.

In UR, Wesley Smith decides to buy a Kindle after breaking up with his girlfriend - or rather, her walking out of his life. He purchases a couple of titles before exploring the Experimental option on the Main Menu. The usual stuff appears, but it's the UR Functions that catch his attention. Soon after, Wesley discovers several novels from writers like Hemingway that were never published and some that came to being after his death. Soon, realization sets in - this e-reader taps into alternate realities, providing its owner with archive newspapers from other URs and ultimately, future newspaper editions of the Wesley's UR.

The story's a great read, using a popular science fiction device with a hint of stories like The Queer Story of Brownlow's Newspaper and stories like it - which is the one about the reader gets future obituaries only to die of a heart attack when he receives his? It's clear, though, that Stephen King has a some beef against technology. Which is cool, considering a man who keeps writing about all the messed up ways things can kill us. For another Stephen King hates technology read, pick up Cell, which deals with cell phones turning their users into - you guess it - zombies. Cell is also available for Kindle, go figure. Or check out the Kindle Single, Mile 81. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Stephen King on Kindle

 

Weekend Movies: Musician & the Undead

La Vie En Rose

Starring: Marion Cotillard, Emmanuelle Seigner & Gerard Depardieu

Director: Oliver Dahan

Release Date: 14 February 2007

DVD Release Date: 13 November 2007

Approx Time: 141mins

Genre: Drama, Biographical, Foreign

Rated: PG-13

I picked up this movie during the Hollywood Video closing sale because it was cheap - a bulk sale - because I loved Edith Piaf's music and because I love foreign films, due to their classic Hollywood feel - when making movies meant something other than making money.

With that said, the only difference between this film and those films about American musicians (like Walk the Line, Ray, Selena, etc.) is that it's in French. That's not to say the movie isn't worth watching, but I was expecting the storytelling in an entirely different way. 

The story is told nonlinear - starting at the end, flashback to her childhood, flashforward as her career is on the verge of ending, so far and so forth. There isn't much I know about Piaf other than her music, so the film was educational and Marion Cotillard's performance of the French diva - see, I didn't even know she was a diva - was spectacular.

Final conclusion - four stars, for performance and educational purposes.

Pet Sematary

Starring: Fred Gwynne, Dale Midkiff & Denise Crosby

Director: Mary Lambert

Release Date: 21 April 1989

DVD Release Date: 26 September 2006

Approx Time: 102mins

Genre: Horror

Rated: R

Instant classic since I first watched it as a child. Other than the obvious plot holes in the story, there's nothing about this movie that isn't good. Even Herman Munster is in it. And that kid from A New Nightmare, Spawn and Full House.

Moving to a new neighborhood - a place where two lone houses face each other - the Creeds decided to settle in. Their neighbor, Jud Crandall (Gwynne), explains to their the dangerous of living in their isolated neighborhood - the road that has taken out several pets - and introduces them to misspelled Pet Sematary that's located down the path by their house. After Ellie Creed's (Blaze Berdahl) beloved pet cat is killed, Jud introduces Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff) to another, darker burial ground. Not heeding any of Pascow's (Brad Greenquist) warnings, Louis buries the cat only to learn the secret beneath the earth - leaving him to wonder what the limits of this burial ground is.

Based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King, which I own but never read (shame on me), the movie is a childhood favorite. Final conclusion? Four stars.

Let Me In

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz & Richard Jenkins
Director: Matt Reeves
Release Date: 1 October 2010
DVD Release Date: 1 February 2011
Approx Time: 116mins
Genre: Horror, Vampire
Rated: R

Let Me In, first off, isn't a remake of Let the Right One In but an US adaptation of the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist. With that said, treating this film like you would a remake would be a great injustice. I won't say that this film was better than the original adaptation, but I will say that I liked it better.

Owen (McPhee) is tired of being bullied at school, imagining his revenge when he meets the mysterious new neighbor, Abby (Moretz). While she's the strength he so desperately needs, her secret might be too much for him to handle. Meanwhile, a policeman (Elias Koteas) becomes obsessed with the random attacks spreading throughout the city. As days pass, Owen takes Abby's advice while the law closes in on the mystery.

The acting was the best I've ever seen in the vampire genre - something I needed after watching Queen of the Damned. Again, it's not better than the original, but I did like it better. Final conclusion? Five stars.

Man, I sucked with summaries. I promise I'll work on it. Until next time, happy huntin'.

Check out the deals @ BetterWorldBooks

It doesn't get better the second time around

My second reading of The Stand by Stephen King wasn't as smooth as the first. Not sure if it's because the book is sorta fresh in my head or because the complete & uncut edition is just slow moving.

The story didn't pop this time around. And it felt lagging with the additional material that was promised to help build characters. I didn't see the need for any of it, other than King feeling the need to show off his awesomeness - which isn't all that much if this is what he thinks its summed up to. I wanted to like this book because it was the first book I stomached by King and one of my favorite miniseries from my childhood - despite how cheesy it really was. 

This version doesn't add much to the story. If anything, it just adds filler and no one really cares for filler. In many instances, I felt I was reading On The Road - wanting to take a red pen and mark off what was unnecessary. I'll wait another few years to pick up the edition again, hopefully the story will improve with the less that I remember. Then again, it might have just been a fluke that I loved it so much the first time around. Oh well, here's hoping that Duma Key reads better. I hear it's promising. However, the same source told me to try out this edition of The Stand.

I'm on to the next book already, though. Tess Gerritsen's The Sinner. It feels like a winner already. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

After-Work Book Hunt

I thought about snapping a picture of the copy of Stephen King's Duma Key that I purchased (bargain priced!) yesterday at Barnes & Noble after work, but I'm not in the mood. I thought I deserved a little something after my first day of work so I asked my co-work to drop me off at Barnes so I can do a little shopping. I'd seen Duma Key on the bargain table for a few weeks not, but I never thought of buying it until earlier this week. It seems my Stephen King guru, Eddie, finally convinced me without having to mention the book again. When I approached the table yesterday, I saw the book wasn't there anymore. Thank you holiday stocking! The book was, however, placed underneath the table along with several other novels. Currently I'm on the look out for a bargain priced copy of King's Under the Dome, because it looks like a challenge for 2011. Sadly, I don't think I'll find a copy until 2011. I might have to splurge on the softcover or purchase a hardback on Amazon, eBay, Half, or some other online bookstore.

Along with the novel, I picked up the November issue of The Writer which includes the article "25 Tips to sharpen your writing" by Ronald Kovach. Maybe I should read it, take notes and revamp this blog again to lure more readers in. Though, I have also thought that if I get a following - no matter how small - I could start having monthly giveaways, including copies of my favorite novels, gift baskets and other knick knacks. Maybe if I did that, I'd get a following. 

If you wanna know about my job, I suggest you check out Chapin City Blues. The two posts you should be eying are [Redacted] and It's not easy being green. Oh well, until next time...keep on huntin'.

Things Aren't Going So Well

I picked up the complete and uncut edition of Stephen King's The Stand as I was advised to by a friend. It's been about a little over a week now and I'm only on page 244. I don't know if it's because last year's read was a fluke - I read the 800+ pager, or the original publication - or the added 200 pages are boring me. The book's moving slowly causing me to move slowly, as well. 

I've recently got a new job, so that's going to put a damper on my book blogging, as well. I don't know how long I'll keep said job, but the chances are slim. I'm hoping for a better job with less stress induced activities - I'm a sales representative for an electrical provider that uses 100% wind power. I'm not allowed to name names according to the orientation. It's all good, whatever. 

I'll attempt to post a few of the entries I've been planning for a while. Some are a bit dated now - like HBO's Boardwalk Empire - but it's better than nothing, right?

It was an offer I just couldn't refuse

I just might be depressed because I've been doing a lot of e-shopping lately. Mostly on eBay and Amazon. And my book e-hunting led me to shopping eBay one night, leading me to find a four-book lot of a Mario Puzo collection. It included The Godfather, The Last Don, The Family and Omerta. The price was $3.99 plus $4.39 shipping, a total price of $8.38. 

Other recent purchases include Beauty's Release and the collection Nightmares & Dreamscapes (the miniseries, not the book, which I own already) from eBay, plus purchases from Amazon include Let the Right One In, Cities of the Interior and The Belly Off! Diet, which will probably sit on my shelf, looking pretty. 

16 Books on Baseball

I'm not going to lie to you - I don't know a lick of spit about baseball. I work at a stadium every summer now for three years (would've been four years if a certain former team didn't hire the crew back that one summer), and while I enjoy watching the crowd get riled up by the sport, I don't know what's really going on the field. 

My baseball job is more behind the scenes. My job - as well as the jobs of others who fall into my category - is important. While we're not exactly invincible - we can get fired and can be easily replaced - without people like us, then the game wouldn't be the same. We're the seller of peanuts, the cleaners of bathrooms and, in my case, the washer of clothes. Because this is a book blog and not a sports blog, I decided to do a little research about books on the subject of baseball. They are both fiction and nonfiction, extending from true stories about people who shaped the game and changed the way we see it to books dealing with how baseball works much like our lives, economics and so on. 

So grab a pencil bookworms - or better yet, just hit print - because I'm winging it here: 

1. The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America by Joe Posnanski
2. Baseball and Philosophy edited by Eric Bronson and Bill Littlefield 
3. The Red Sox and Philosophy edited by Michael Macomber
4. I Never Had it Made: An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson by Jackie Robinson and Alfred Duckett 
5. Blockade Billy by Stephen King 
6. Watching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-Experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks by Zack Hample, a must book if you're anything like me. 
7. The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John Ritter
8. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
9. Odd Man Out: A Year on the Mound with a Minor League Misfit by Matt McCarthy
10. The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn
11. Summer of '49 by David Halberstam
12. Line Drives: 100 Contemporary Baseball Poems edited by Professor Brooke Horvath PhD and Mr. Tim Wiles 
13. Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu: John Updike on Ted Williams by John Updike
14. Fathers Playing Catch with Sons: Essays on Sport [Mostly Baseball] by Donald Hall
15. Steinbrenner: The Last Lion of Baseball by Bill Madden
16. Casey at Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 by Ernest L. Thayer.

Regardless who you are, Casey at Bat should've been your requisite introduction to baseball, which is why it is last on this list. While I've only skimmed through some of these books, they were selected not on merit of their title or subject, but by their rank on the best seller list on Amazon, as well as their importance to the game. You won't find the obvious here, either, minus the Jackie Robinson book. I did my best to steer clear of Babe, DiMaggio and the like. Some books were selected simply because while they pertain to the subject of baseball, they also interlock with life and morality. Most are nonfiction, some are poetry and fiction and books for children. 

Check out more books on the sport at Amazon: