Tuesday, December 15, 2009

you can thank Aaron for this post

I am taking my cue from Aaron Polson and making a list of the small press purchases of the year. It was a worthwhile investment. There is some incredible reading out there that doesn't have Stephen King, Dan Brown, Nicholas Sparks, or Stephanie Meyer on the cover. I did fairly well. Many of the books or magazines I purchased featured works of those in my blogroll. It is great to have such amazing writers in my online circle of friends. So- without further ado- the books I bought over the last year from the small press. (and I have read most of them. Believe it or not.)

1. The Monster Within Idea by R. Thomas Riley (Apex Publications). In the top 5 books I have ever read. Easily.
2. Sand magazine subscription (Strange Publications) I look forward to the new format next year and hope I can take another subscription out.
3. Shroud Magazine (Shroud Publications) I think I took this one out this year, it may have been late last year. Well worth it, even though they have gone quarterly now.
4. Necrotic Tissue subscription (Stygian Publications) I haven't read these cover to cover yet, but I really like what I have read so far.
5. the Sour Aftertaste of Olive Lemon by Cate Gardner (Bucket O'Guts Press) this chapbook was amazing. If Nate offered a subscription on his press I would take it out as well.
6. Jack of All Trades by K.C. Shaw (Ancient Tomes Press) One of the nicest books I have read all year. My wife and I both enjoyed this one.
7. Malpractice (Stygian Publications) I actually received this one as a prize and have only read some of the stories in it. I like it so far.
8. Devil's Food (The Monsters Next Door) This one is gruesome, through and through.
9. Return to Luna (Halley Rilley Press) Some very good science fiction in this antho. If you like sci-fi I can't recommend it enough.
10. Monstrous (Permutated Press) I bought this book for 2 reasons. Aaron Polson and Steve Alton are both in it. It is great if you like the giant creature movies from the 50's, and I do.
11. Phantasy Moste Grotesk by Felicity Dowker (Corpulent Insanity Press) Wow, I don't know if there are any copies left (I believe it was limited to 26 copies) but if there are you should read it.great looking chapbook as well.
12. The Art of Science by Ransom Noble (4RV publishing) this short YA book is very cool and I went to school with the author.
13. Debris by Barry Napier (Library of Horror Press) I haven't read this one yet but I have read many of the stories in it and I don't think anyone would be disappointed in what he has put together. This one is on my early list TBR for next year.

Well, as far as I can tell that is it. I don't know what subscriptions I will be taking out this upcoming year or who in our group will be published next but I am looking forward to it. I knew it was going to be one hell of a year for our little group and I was not disappointed. Good luck to everyone next year. I look forward to breaking the bank buying all of your single titles again next year.

14 comments:

Fox Lee said...

Thirteen in all - a great horror number! ; )

Jeremy D Brooks said...

Good list...

OK, I'm seeing a trend here. I'd better do my list today.

Cate Gardner said...

Fabulous list - Olive once again thanks you. 'Debris' is still lingering on my to buy list, so I'll probably make that my first purchase of 2010.

I still can't get over how delightful Kate's book was. I can't imagine anyone disliking it.

Jamie Eyberg said...

Nat- I hadn't even thought of that.

Jeremy- I was going to do something about the books my blogroll had put out this year, but this works as well.

Cate- Olive was worth every penny, and now I do believe it is collectible. :)

Katey said...

I really like the idea of subscriptions to the chapbook lines for Bucket O Guts and Strange Pub-- I'd take those out too. Never even thought of it, but man. Good call!

A very good list-- I even have a few of them (and a few on the way!) myself, so I can back up your good opinion of them wholeheartedly.

Aaron Polson said...

Man...I have to pick up the R. Thomas Riley book. Top 5? That's a must read.

Jamie Eyberg said...

Katey- maybe we can throw a bug in their ears and get that done.

Aaron- They were brutal stories and I don't know if it was my mood at the time or what, but they are very well done. He has a real knack for flash fiction. Not for the faint of heart.

Felicity Dowker said...

Great list, and many of those items are in my own bookshelf, too. And agree with Natalie - lovin' the 13 items!

There's definitely no copies of my chapbook left, though, hasn't been for a while now. Which is a *good* thing, right? :o)

Jamie Eyberg said...

Felicity, welcome back to the fray. That is a great thing that there are no copies left. Fantastic even. :)

Danielle Birch said...

I have quite a few of the publications in that list as well and concur they were a great read.

Jamie Eyberg said...

Danielle- It is a bitch having talented friends.

T. Haven said...

Thanks for the shout out Jamie. I'm glad you enjoyed the collection. "Brutal", I'll take as a compliment :)

Thomas

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Jamie Eyberg said...

Sorry for anyone who received that last post, that is the problem with anonymous postings but something I can deal with. They have delete buttons for a reason.