My favorite reads of 2018!
Wrapping up 2018 a month into 2019, with a few books that I never got to. But the time comes where I have to let some bygones be bygones and wrap the year up. There are still books I have been sent for review that I absolutely intend to review. The reality remains that the most important part of running this blog is that I maintain the joy that I find in reading this stuff, and not let workmanship get in the way of that.
As such, this list is ONLY of books I have actually read, obviously. The biggest difference for this year is that I have included for consideration in the list some books that are 'reprints'. Only one made it in, but I felt the need to clarify.
That being said: LET'S WRAP UP 2018 AND GET TO READING 2019s BOOKS!
These are in no particular order, as I believe that each and every one of them is worth your reading.
As such, this list is ONLY of books I have actually read, obviously. The biggest difference for this year is that I have included for consideration in the list some books that are 'reprints'. Only one made it in, but I felt the need to clarify.
That being said: LET'S WRAP UP 2018 AND GET TO READING 2019s BOOKS!
These are in no particular order, as I believe that each and every one of them is worth your reading.
This one was an almost total surprise for me. I had read Jason Parent previously, with his debut With Hides Within. That book was very good, psychologically based horror with some dark humor, so I expected something similar. I couldn't have been more off the mark. This is pure splatter and fun, with Parent demonstrating he is an incredibly versatile writer. I loved this one with every fiber!
I've been singing the praise of Patrick Lacey long before this blog existed. Bone Saw is an exemplary piece of why. It's a horror lover's dream. I have had the fortune of meeting Pat a good handful of times at conventions, and he filled me in on this one, a good year or so before its release. It was well worth the wait...Lacey has yet to disappoint me. If you love horror, particularly of the tounge-in-cheek, nightmarish kind, you will love Lacey.
This book is one of many that I have discovered through my engagement with the absolutely fantastic Facebook community, Books of Horror. For my money, it's the best group on the subject around. Not is it full of dedicated readers, it's got a good amount of authors who participate, both veterans and novices. Justin Woodward is one of the newer guys. And he just blew my mind with this one. I look forward to reading anything this guy touches if Tamer Animals is indicative of his work.
With the "Paperbacks from Hell" buzz, has come a whole lot of reprints of older material has been popping up. I was hesitant at first to include these for consideration on a best of 2018 list, when they may have made a list or two in their day of initial publication. Some of these are best kept in the past...but Shadow Child is not that. It's an exemplary piece of 80s Horror fiction, that has been painstakingly preserved by it's nurturing father, Joseph Citro. As an added bonus, this thing comes to the brim with cool extras, like interviews, candid photos and illustrations that really separate from the pack. A must buy.
J.Z. Foster is another new author on the scene who came across my radar via the fantastic Books Of Horror group. Foster has had a helluva year, with not one, not two, but three titles being released. AND it's his inaugural year as a published author! His debut prior came just a month before this one...and he nails it here with his sophomore effort. Dark, goopy and monster-filled, this one is worth a look.
This one was recommended by Glenn Rolfe, one of my favorite 'new school' horror authors. But more about him in a few...The Goat Parade is a virtual smorgasbord of horror of all types, but it's roots are deeply in the horror of humanity. It's got something for everyone, with the exception being those with faint-hearts...which probably isn't you if you're reading this blog. So...get to it! Read it!
GLENN ROLFE! There he is. I've mentioned versatility as a strong-point for authors...well, when it comes to the 'new' guys, I can't think of someone more versatile. He does the creepy stuff well, he does slower horror well, and of course, 'cuz I dig him, he kills it in the nasty gore department. He's always fun to read, and The Window, his latest offering, is no exception. It helps that he is a very nice guy who stays very involved in the horror fiction community. It's another must-have...and as of this writing, it's just 7.99 for a paperback on Amazon...so, what are you waiting for!?
Hayward & Lacey. Two guys who made my best-of 2017 collaborating on a title!? Obviously a must-read for me this year, and it certainly did not disappoint. Take note: Lacey is the only guy who made my best of list twice this year. You're missing out. I swear it! Of note, I recently read a review comparing these guys to Skipp and Spector...take notice!
Sorry about the lousy picture on that one...sunlight messes me all up! Last but not least, Tim Meyer killed it on this one. Probably one of the most fun novels on the list, this is a slasher/monster movie fan's dream in a book format. I hadn't read Meyer prior to this, but I intend on making a habit of it moving forward. I suggest you do the same.
And there you have it! My favorite reads of the year. Did I miss your favorite book? Comment below, let me know! 2018 was a helluva year for Horror, and 2019 is looking very promising as it stands. I look forward to each and every book I get to...including the ones I missed this year.
Cheers!
You have excellent taste. Two I published, one I would have published if another press hadn't snatched it up first and one that I was about to publish until... well, the author and I had a disagreement :(
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for reading and reviewing this books from Sinister Grin this year, one I had the pleasure of editing. And as well, so happy The Window made the list too, another I was proud to edit. Lots of other good works here for sure from quality writers. Next year, I'll have to send some books to you by some women writers too! Thanks for all you've done, even with your move, this year. :) Have a great 2019!
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