|
Post by dem bones on Dec 24, 2007 8:42:38 GMT
We've not attempted an end of the year retrospective before so here goes.
What were the best books you read in 2007? Bear in mind we're pretty retro so it makes no odds if they were published in 2007 or 1907. If you discovered them this year then they're fair game.
Favourite book shop, charity shop and / or car boot sale finds of the year. Did you get to strike any off your 'most wanted' list?
Attend any decent events? Any rubbish ones?
Best magazines, small press, e-zines, etc of 2007. Identifying a particular issue or two would be nice.
Anything worthwhile on TV or at the cinema? Get hold of any good DVD's?
Sites, forums, blogs, etc.
I'm sure you get the idea. Expand the list and hijack the thread to suit.
|
|
|
Post by Craig Herbertson on Dec 24, 2007 10:09:34 GMT
Q ANTHOLOGY, A selection from the prose & verse of SIR ARTHUR QUILLER-COUCH. 1948 Just brilliantly written.
Bochum train station books, Germany, go out the back entrance and left. there it is across the street. One of those bookshops where you really feel might find an absolute bargain panorror no 30 only 2 quid
No events. My life remains uneventful.
Filthy Creations
Warriors of Zu Mountains ('m a sucker for Asian horror/fantasy
vaultoevil
|
|
|
Post by weirdmonger on Dec 24, 2007 10:16:12 GMT
A major discovery for me in 2007 was Vault of Evil. Thanks to all those who bring it to us.
I spent the year reading all Elizabeth Bowen fiction and internetising some samples from each novel chapter and each story. These works were not a new discovery particularly for this year - but one where I finally baked her pottery in the kiln of my life's main folder.
|
|
|
Post by David A. Riley on Dec 24, 2007 10:40:04 GMT
What were the best books you read in 2007? Bear in mind we're pretty retro so it makes no odds if they were published in 2007 or 1907. If you discovered them this year then they're fair game. I read a great many good books this year, mainly new ones by people like Gary Fry, Gary McMahon and Conrad Williams. I'm afraid it's not been a year for retrospection for me this time round.
Attend any decent events? Any rubbish ones?
Without doubt Fantasycon in Nottingham this September was the most decent. I could only manage one day this year, but it was enjoyable for the opportunity to meet people like Dave Sutton (again), Mark samuels (again), Charles Black, Gary McMahon, Gary Fry, etc.
Best magazines, small press, e-zines, etc of 2007. Identifying a particular issue or two would be nice.
The best small press for me was The Black Book of Horror - which I know I, like so many on this site, had a story in, so I am biased anyway, but the rest of the stories were so enjoyable, plus it had an amazingly good, evocative cover and you could tell that Charles took great pleasure and pride in putting it together. A close second would be the latest issue of Dark Horizons from the BFS, plus a good number of short story collections and novellas from the small press: World Wide Web and Other Lovecraftian Downloads, Rain, All Your Gods Are Dead.
Anything worthwhile on TV or at the cinema? Get hold of any good DVD's?
Too many good DVDs to list, though I was pleased at last to get hold of a copy of Night of the Eagle, starring Peter Wyngarde before he became a cult figure!
David
|
|
|
Post by Steve on Dec 24, 2007 13:50:33 GMT
Highlight of the year for me was not treading on a dead rat when I went into town the other day. I think that probably represented some sort of turning point in my fortunes. Oh, Rog told me that I have a fan in Roumania thanks to The Black Book, so that was nice. And that bloke in Black Static was very kind. Yeah, just thanks to Charlie really for including me and giving me a bit of self worth back. Haven't read any books this year, at least not all the way through ...apart from The Black Book obviously, he says hastily correcting himself... Best magazine is pretty much a given - everyone who's contributed, or just read it, is a star... as Aleister Crowley almost said. Best forum would be... well, this one. As Kev's said elsewhere, not only does Vault do a brilliant job of sharing all this knowledge and enthusiasm, it does it without ever feeling the need to stick its head up its own arse (well, they weren't his exact words...). I've never met anyone here I didn't like (apart from Rog ) and I'd even go so far as to call some of you friends... if I'd had a drink, the word 'love' might even be mentioned... That's it really... it's not much of an annual review, I'll grant you. I'll just wish you all the usual health, sustainable wealth, happiness and everything you'd wish yourselves and, you know... let's do it all again next year, eh? Steve
|
|
|
Post by redbrain on Dec 24, 2007 14:36:46 GMT
My favourite anthology discovered in 2007 is In the Grip of Terror edited by Groff Conklin - published by Perma Books in 1951. (Is that sufficiently retro for this site?) Nice cover (owing something to Salvador Dali), page edges tinted purple (a nice little touch, I think). It's survived its 56 years rather well - better than a lot of more recent paperbacks. Weirdly, I'd never seen a copy of this book before.
DVDs - I'll vote for The Wild Women of Wongo, which I watched a couple of nights back. It has been voted the worst film ever made. In fact, I think that Nude on the Moon is worse - a matter of personal taste, I suppose. That said, The Wild Women of Wongo is an undoubted classic of bad cinema (and quite bad enough for most people's tastes, I'm sure). In places, it is genuinely (and I suspect intentionally) funny. The cat fight is fun. I enjoyed the film. The Alpha Video version I watched is clearly not remastered. On the contrary, it is produced from a copy of the film which not only has damage to some reels, but slips at one point. I think that this is in keeping with the film - and adds to the fun.
|
|
|
Post by Calenture on Dec 24, 2007 15:22:43 GMT
I did begin making a list of Reasons to be Cheerful, meaning the things people have sent me. Some sort of sanity has made me delete the list as I'd be sure to miss someone out. Anyway, thanks people! Two wildly different but highly enjoyable books to come my way have been Ghoul Lover and Weirdmonger. One of the funniest films that I've seen this year wasn't horror - it was Nacho Libre - a Spanish film about a monk who wants to be a wrestler. I'm looking forward to reading Stephen Jones' monograph H P Lovecraft in Britain, which came through from the BFS recently (Les Edwards cover and illustrations). I'm not sure about the high point of the year. A story in The Black Book of Horror. Thinking the new FC would never get done, until Mr Goodwin stepped in, and getting the job done between us by Christmas - sheer blissful relief at seeing it done has had me vegging out in front of The Great Escape and The Railway Children these past two days. Proofreading Paperback Fanatic was real fun (possibly not for Justin ) - and it was something I really appreciated as originally I'd felt it was something I'd probably not be able to contribute anything to. Obviously it's not possible to list all the things that I've enjoyed reading or viewing. Best of all has been being a member here. Oh, and I don't think I've said Happy Christmas yet. Rog
|
|
|
Post by killercrab on Dec 24, 2007 18:32:11 GMT
What were the best books you read in 2007?>>
An easy pick for me - Richard Matheson's I AM LEGEND ( which I'd never read before). Probably best trash was Lewis' SPIDERS!
Favourite book shop, charity shop and / or car boot sale finds of the year. Did you get to strike any off your 'most wanted' list?>>
The Old Pier Bookshop in Morcombe ( that I detailed here earlier in the year).
Anything worthwhile on TV or at the cinema? Get hold of any good DVD's? >>
Getting a dvdr of CHOSEN SURVIVORS was cool. Picking up season 2 of THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN *probably* my most fun purchase - am concurrently reading one of Martin Caidin's Cyborg source novels. Bet I'm the only one here!
Happy yule everybody...
ade
|
|
|
Post by weirdmonger on Dec 24, 2007 18:42:30 GMT
The Old Pier Bookshop in Morcombe ( that I detailed here earlier in the year). Anywhere near the Bradford Arms? A wonderful Coming Forth of the Wedjet Eye to all of you. And all the very best for 2008. Here's back at you! des
|
|
|
Post by Johnlprobert on Dec 24, 2007 18:45:34 GMT
OK - in no particular order:
FantasyCon 2007 was great fun. Wonderful to meet the usual crew (McMahon, Fry, Finch, Samuels, Adams, Joel Lane et al) and for the first time David Riley and Charlie van Thal.
The Dracula Society dinner where I got free wine, an award, and got to talk to Renee Glynne (continuity girl on almost every British horror film of the 50s-70s) wasn't bad either!
Best Books: Valley of Lights by Stephen Gallagher Havoc Swims Jaded by David J Schow Unbecoming by Mike O'Driscoll Our Lady of Darkness by Fritz Leiber LoveDeath byDan Simmons Dirty Prayers by Gary McMahon Sanity & Other Delusions by Gary Fry
Worst Book: Cell by Stephen King
Best Antho: Black Book of Horror. Seriously loved it and we need more of this. I was so pleased Black Static gave it a good write up
Film:
Getting to see the Hammer Dracula, The Beyond, & Horror Hospital all on the big screen
Worst films:
Paradise Lost Hatchet Dead Silence
Best Live Stand-up: Russell Brand
Best TV: The Mighty Boosh
Best Breakfast: Jericho Cafe in Oxford
Best Wine: Alsace
Best Hotel: Some huge one in Beijing I've forgotten the name of
Most Dangerous Bit:
Jumping onto moving train at Mongolian-Chinese border
|
|
|
Post by justin on Dec 24, 2007 22:07:43 GMT
Best graphic novels of the year- Conan by Joe Lansdale and Timothy Truman (Dark Horse) The Exterminators vol 3 (Vertigo) The Walking Dead vols 6 & 7 (Image)
Reclaimed pulps- The Night Hunter series by Robert Faulcon/Holdstock The Heirloom by Graham Masterton Worms by James Montague
Small press- Filthy Creations From the Tomb Paperback Parade
Web-sites Groovy Age Bear Alley Can't think of any others...
Book-shops Zardoz Books online Kirk Ruebotham book-dealer The Book Barn in Clutton just outside Bristol
New Year's honours list To everyone who posts on this site. The Paperback Fanatic would not exist without everyone's enthusiasm and contribution.
|
|
|
Post by andydecker on Dec 24, 2007 23:33:05 GMT
Favourite book shop, charity shop and / or car boot sale finds of the year. Did you get to strike any off your 'most wanted' list? Amazon marketplace got me some remarkable affordable finds. Nearly completed some western series of the Piccadilly Cowboys and got some books I saw here, like Brian Ball´s Venemous Serpent and some of those slaver novels. New books were rather blah this year. The only new(er) horror writer I discovered which truly delivered was american David Wellington with his Zombie Island and 13 Bullets. Best magazines, small press, e-zines, etc of 2007. Identifying a particular issue or two would be nice. Paperback Fanatic wins hands down. Anything worthwhile on TV or at the cinema? Get hold of any good DVD's? Too much :-) Got Razor Blade Smile which is must have seen trash, and on the other spectrum things like Agatha Christie´s Poirot which I just love as craftfully done period pieces. Tv stuff like Deadwood or Rome was a joy to see, even if Deadwood didn´t ended but just stopped. Sites, forums, blogs, etc. Great Blogs are frankensteinia.blogspot.com/ and thehorrorsofitall.blogspot.com/Both are doing great work where frankly you ask yourself why they do invest so much work. The former is just crazy on all things Frankenstein, the latter is about pre code horror comics which can be more fun than I ever thought. The worst? Overpriced comics which didn´t deliver any longer, british hardcover prices (15,99 for the slim new Shaun Hutson )
|
|
|
Post by killercrab on Dec 25, 2007 1:03:06 GMT
The Old Pier Bookshop in Morcombe ( that I detailed here earlier in the year).
Anywhere near the Bradford Arms?
To be honest I have no idea. It's on the seafront - has about 60,000 boxes of books outside - inside , well the minotaur would get lost without a ball of twine. Spent something like 50 quid or more the last visit!:-)
ade
|
|
|
Post by dem bones on Dec 26, 2007 10:57:27 GMT
Books ....
Black Book Of Horror: Here's a confession. I anticipated Mr. Black's collection with equal parts excitement and trepidation - what if i didn't like it? As it turned out, it's my book of the year. It's probably sacrilege to say so but, much as I've enjoyed several stories in the eighteen Mammoth Book Of Best New Horror's, I've never really warmed to the series and, by virtue of the fact that it really is a collection of horror stories, Black Book fills a void for me: I've finally developed an interest in contemporary horror. Something else. I come from a 'scene' where there was plenty of chest beating - "I'm gonna do this! It will be the ultimate!", etc - that mostly amounted to fuck all end product. I love the way Charles quietly went about his business. I don't want to embarrass the man but I was greatly impressed by the way he conducted himself through what must have been a very tough job.
Of the oldies, Daniel Farson's adorably bonkers Transplant (thanks Mark) reduced me to a quivering jelly of gibbering glee. Erik Erickson's The Sorcerers is a far more sober read, an excellent black magic thriller. I got really into all things Richard Lewis I could lay my slimy hands on. Hardly retro, but new to me, I'm definitely up for more Michael Marshall Smith after picking up his What You Make It collection. If I could write, I'd have retired on More Tomorrow and considered my work on earth was done. There were many, many more, but these were the ones that sprung straight to mind.
Nothing to do with them being Vault contributors and fine gents to boot, but among my other big 'discoveries' (ie, i'd not read them before) of 2007 were John Probert and Mark Samuels whose published work I plan to hunt down the next time i have a few bob.
Magazines
Paperback Fanatic is my pulp bible, pure and simple. In my weirder moments I believe there's some kind of benign, white voodoo at work in the Vault adventure (hence my more drama queeny moments) and that sheer force of will makes things happen. I felt that with Pulp Mania and I sure did with Filthy Creations. That section of the board only really came about because of Franklin. Steve, Rog, Vicky and Charles ran with it and there was suddenly a magazine out of nowhere! It still floors me how quickly that came about. Along with The Black Book Of Horror, Filthy Creations is my trusted source for new fiction. Scream "you're biased!" all you wish but bear in mind I've contributed nowt to any of them.
Sites/ boards.
Beyond the Groovy Age Of Horror and Trash Fiction continue to inspire. The late Bob Rothwell's Dennis Wheatley info still strikes me as the model for all author tribute sites. My 'discoveries' were Bear Alley and Hal Astell's reviews.
Unfortunately for all of you, there's a part 2 to follow which takes in events and stuff ...
|
|
|
Post by sean on Dec 27, 2007 13:21:04 GMT
Best anthology: The Black Book of Horror. I loved it's straighforward no-frills horror feel, and the way that CB went about producing it without a load of fuss and bother is to be applauded.
Best novel from 2007: The Grin of the Dark by Ramsey Campbell (there's a surprise). A seriously fucked up internet based horror novel which involves a silent film comedian who appears to have been written out of film history. This one has a general paperback release this coming year and is well worth picking up.
Best novel discovered this year: Ulysses by James Joyce. A very funny book, hard work at times but worth it. To stop my brain from going all floopy I read a bunch of novelisations in between segments of the JJ (Bride of Frankenstein, The Cassandra Crossing, Night of the Living Dead, Halloween 3 - reviews coming shortly).
Best film discovered: Punishment Park (1971)
I've just treated myself to a reasonably priced Robert Aickman collection from Amazon, looking forward to that...
Bye-bye to : Peter haining, Ira Leving, Karlheinz Stockhausen
Hello to: the increasing number ofreligious types of all different creeds and colours becoming loudly offended at the drop of a hat
Best Magazine: Well, judging from looking at no3, Filthy Creations is certainly up there with the best. Also, Whispers of Wickedness is worth a look, one of those rare breed - a long running horror mag...
Best new music : Fuzz - Alice Donut
Best newly discovered music: Anton Webern
blahblahblah
|
|