AD Cramer

stone cold classic

Revisado: 12-30-23

I find that famous classic novels can be very hit or miss, but Moby Dick was an absolute joy to read. It alternates between being a deep dive into 18th century whaling boats and a man vs animal action movie and at its best it was a thrill ride that I couldn't stop listening to.

The text is so rich that this is one of the very few books Id like to find time to actually read to capture everything I might have missed listening while I was running errands.

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Strange but fun story.

Revisado: 12-22-23

Weird, twisty story that wasn't always easy to follow but was still fun to read. The audio was off putting at the start but I got used to it.

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Solid pulp horror

Revisado: 12-22-23

I really struggled with whether to give this book three or four stars, but ultimately it's missing a key element that prevented me from rating it higher.

I'll start with the good and say that the author creates some really good stories within his larger scenario that were both horrifying and fascinating. I did have some fun with this book and the different survival strategies people used.

Where it fell short for me though is that the author never makes a persuasive argument for WHY it all happened. Creative slaughter is great but I want to know what drove normal people into a murderous rage.

He takes some swings at blaming smart phones and social media but they never feel persuasive or well reasoned.

Stephen King has told these types of stories (The Mist, Under the Dome) several times and he always shows in detail how societies breakdown which makes the mayhem that follows feel much more meaningful.

There's just no real reason for the people in Fantastic land to behave like they do. They're isolated, but still in America with plenty of food and water. They know people will be coming to rescue them.

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One of the most influential books in scifi

Revisado: 11-25-23

Like many short story collections, this book has some absolute classics, some that are good and a few that are entirely forgettable. It's largely centered on high concept scif and horror, with a few thrillers and even a drama or two thrown in.

However what makes it stand out beyond the stories itself is how influential it clearly was not only in its own time but even today.

Beyond how many of these stories were turned into movies and TV episodes, it's clear that so many modern sci-fi and thriller writers and directors were inspired by his story telling style and approach to creating fantastic worlds and situations. JJ Abrams entire "mystery box" obsession could have been directly inspired by this book.

Matheson seems to be on the B-tier of classic sci-fi and horror writers but this book shows that not only is he a master of his craft but someone whose impact has penetrated deep into our culture, televisions and theaters.

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An engaging and clever story

Revisado: 11-25-23

I liked this book, although not quite as much as some of the more adoring reviews. However, that's not to say I don't understand why people seem to love it.

It is very well written, with clever plotting and characters you want to spend time with. I respect how the author is able to pull together different story points that could feel contrived but instead come across as natural and she does deliver satisfying payoffs.

I don't personally give it five stars because the story wasn't quite as biting as I like my drama. It's not exactly cozy but it is gentle without too many hard edges, despite some of the tragedy that is part of the back story.

However it is an engaging and very human story and if you enjoy a softer style of drama, you'll probably like this book.

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A forgotten classic

Revisado: 11-25-23

While this one doesn't rate as highly as some of Steinbeck's all-time classics in many respects I enjoyed it just as much as Grapes of Wrath or Of Mice and Men.

On its surface this is a book a scientific expedition to document marine life in the Baja sea, on a deeper level it's about meaning, purpose and what does it mean to live life well.

While there's is plenty of writing about the expedition itself, I consider this more of a philosophy book as Steinbeck spends ample time considering where do we really find value in life. Zen and the art of tide pool collecting would have been a good subtitle.

This is one of those books that really makes you pause and reflect on your own life, which in some respects is the highest compliment you can pay a book.

I'm extremely happy that I discovered this one and I can imagine that this is one I'll revisit in the years to come.

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Fun and bizarre thriller

Revisado: 11-25-23

This is a real head trip of a book. It's a fun and twisty tale involving elements of thriller, scifi and Lovectaftian horror.

The story follows a group of people trying to understand the mysteries of the downtown LA apartment building they live in. Part of the book is about the mystery and the other part is about watching these disparate strangers come together and form a real team to discover the dark and bizarre history of their building.

It's not particularly intense or dark. It's more of a fun PG-13 mystery that take an occasional R twist. But the plotting is clever and I liked the characters so it was mostly pretty enjoyable to read.

Not an all time classic but creative and well-written enough to be worth the read

The narrator is mostly good but there are two characters who sound basically the same.

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A great true crime thriller

Revisado: 11-03-23

I knew very little about the Westies before picking this book up but I quickly became fascinated by them, largely due to the authors ability to bring these characters to life.

They weren't crime world kings like Al Capone or John Gotti. They were just the toughest guys in a tough neighborhood and while their reign wasn't long, they did make an indelible impression during their time on top of Hells Kitchens criminal hierarchy

The author expertly spins a narrative around dozens of characters and crimes to give the reader a fully realized and compelling portrait of a legendary gang.

A must read for any fan of true crime stories.

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Creepy in the best way.

Revisado: 10-15-23

I enjoy books by both Stephen King and Koontz. While King excels at creating wildly imaginative monsters and fantasy worlds, Koontz has him beat for his understanding of real human evil.

The antagonists of Silent Corner are unquestionably evil but they are also all too human and recognizable as people you could actually know in your own life and that's a big part of why I enjoyed this novel so much.

While this story features plenty of action, it has the tone of a 70s paranoia thriller like Three Days of the Condor. you're thrust into a world where no one can be trusted and there are large and unseen malevolent powers who can quietly destroy your life on a whim.

The story works because even in the quiet moments you can almost feel the forces of evil closing around you like a fist. I found the mystery to be very compelling and really enjoyed the main character Jane Hawley.

The narrator is excellent except for some of the male voices where she sounds like a teenager on the cusp of puberty.

However her voice is perfect for setting the tone and atmosphere of a very creepy and dark thriller.

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Pass on this one

Revisado: 10-09-23

Normally a big Heinlein fan, including of his less popular work, but this one really missed the mark for me

I actually enjoyed the first half which is a fun and light hearted adventure romp, but I really couldn't stand the second half which is an endless slog that goes nowhere.

Unless you like listening to a man endlessly reflect on his relationship with a beautiful woman and how it makes him feel, you probably have better ways to spend your time.

On the other hand Bronson Pinchot is a hall of fame level narrator and his mastery of multiple voices and character is really remarkable.

Still even with great narration, this book grinds to a halt halfway through and isn't worth your credit.

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