New Feature: Top Shelf Short Stories

I don't think I've plugged my favorite podcast here, which is INSANE because they are awesome and the podcast is all about books. My most favorite podcast (offered in iTunes, but they also have other platforms) is Books on the Nightstand with Michael Kindness and Ann Kingman. If you have not listened to this podcast, you have no idea what you're missing. Also, their website kicks major butt. 

Anyway, I got the idea of Top Shelf Short Stories because of Ann Kingman. Ann's resolution for the new year was to read a short story each day for a year. I, on the other hand, am not so ambitious, and am settling for Top Shelf Short Stories for the month of October (and maybe I will prolong it, depending on how I do). 

So, dear reader, I need your help. I have plenty of short story collections, but I am rather greedy when it comes to the written word. SO - here is where you come in, reader. I'd appreciate any story recommendations! If you can't think of any, don't fret! I'll be hosting polls so you can vote for upcoming stories or authors. I'm making this part up as I go! :D

Stay tuned and please, join in and give me your recommendations!

Review: Dreams of the Dead

Dreams of the Dead
by Thomas Randall

Synopsis

Kara Foster thinks the hardest thing about moving to Japan will be fitting in as an outsider. But dark secrets are stirring at her new school. When Kara befriends Sakura, a fellow outsider whose rebellious nature sets her apart from the crowd, she learns that Sakura's sister was the victim of an unsolved murder on school grounds. And before long, terrible things begin to happen.

It starts with nightmares - strange, otherworldly dreams that wake Kara in terror every night. Then more students start turning up dead, with strange marks on their bodies. Is Sakura getting revenge on those she suspects are responsible for her sister's death? Or has her dead sister come back to take revenge for herself?


Review

I think I should start off with telling you, dear reader, how I very much love horror stories, be it in books, tv or movies. I should also add that my favorite kind of horror stories are Asian ones. So, I might be biased in reviewing my latest read.

This story begins with Kara and her father moving to Japan after the death of Kara's mother. With the worries of attending a new school in a new country comes the eerie feeling of something not being quite right. The sudden unsolved murder/death of a student a few months before has some people on edge. Little does Kara know that the school she's attending and the people within have many secrets to hide.

I haven't read many reviews about this book because I figured someone would ruin it for me. In my opinion, I think that many people do not understand or enjoy Asian horror stories. Maybe they find it too fantasy-like or gruesome, but I love the darkness of the stories. Many of them are about revenge and I think that's a topic we tend to gloss over in our fiction. Dreams of the Dead is a quiet book and that helps the tone for suspense concerning the plot. When I say quiet, by the way, I mean that it's slow and steady in parts which helps build the thrill. I can see how some who are used to action-filled horror stories or movies might be turned off by this, but the Japanese books I've read so far do a really good job at letting the suspense build slowly. I quite enjoy it.

I wish parts of the book had been a bit more detailed and the book longer, in general. Regardless, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any horror/suspense fan.

Extra

The book is a part of a trilogy called The Waking. Both other books are already out, but I have only been able to find the third in ebook form...which makes me very sad. If anyone knows where I can get an actual copy (if it exists) please let me know!

For fans of:

Ryu Murakami
The Ring
The Grudge
Asian horror

Rating

Manga Review (5)

Demon Love Spell Vol 1
- Mayu Shinjo

Release Day: December 4, 2012

Synopsis:

This story is about Miko, a young girl whose ancestors have all been protectors of the Otsubaki shrine. It is in Miko's blood to exorcise demons and protect others - except Miko can't sense them like her parents and those before her can. 

Then, one day, Miko meets Kagura - an extremely powerful demon with the face and body of a handsome young man. However, it doesn't matter what he looks like, he's a demon and Miko's duty is to exorcise demons...right?

Review:

Demon Love Spell Vol 1 is a comedic, fun and romantic manga that I was very grateful to review! Miko is loveable as an "almost-failure" demon slayer who gets sucked in by Kagura's charm. Kagura is an extremely likeable demon who gets his energy from the sensual vitality of young women. When Miko catches Kagura "in the act," she casts an incantation to get rid of him...with hilarious results! It doesn't take long for Miko to realize, however, that getting rid of a demon is not as easy as she thought it would be.

What could have been dismissed as another "playboy" romance (in this case, a demon playboy...), turned out to be an endearing and comedic story of a boy and girl who need each other for more than just love or infatuation, but for survival as well. If you're a fan of romantic comedies - this one is for you!

Review: Audition

"She's like smoke: you think you're seeing her clearly enough but when you reach for her there's nothing there."


Aoyama is a man who, since the death of his wife seven years prior, has not done much dating or even thought of it. That is, until his teenage son, Shige, comments that he might want to think about finding himself someone to be with. 


Neither could imagine, just how literal Aoyama and his film-maker friend, Yoshikawa, would take that advice. Together, they stage an audition for younger women who believe they are hopefuls for a new movie, when in reality, they are auditioning to become Aoyama's new love interest. Enter Yamasaki Asami, a gorgeous ex-ballerina. She's got the looks and voice to die for and it doesn't take long for Aoyama to fall for her. 


But that's only the beginning of the story. 
______________________________________________________________


Audition is a short book (less than 200 pages) that packs a surprising story within its pages. It draws you in with how an individual could possibly find him/herself in this type of situation and then takes you on a roller coaster ride for its riveting conclusion. I had not read any books by Ryu Murakami and all I really had to go on was the fact that I had watched the film adaptation (more about that later) years before. 


Typically, I don't like seeing the movie before the book, but in my defense, I didn't know it was based on a book! Either way, the fact that I saw the movie first did nothing to deter me from picking up the book. I believe that it is the male point of view that makes this book out to be as interesting as it was - that and its final ten pages. Readers of this blog (you are out there, aren't you?) already know that I don't like to give spoilers (and yes I'm aware that there's probably so much I've already said or shown that it's also inevitable), so just take my word for it: if you like Asian horror, horror in general or simply appreciate a great suspense/thriller, this is for you. It's also a quick read (it just takes me forever because its me lol). 


And here's the inevitable recommendation: Audition is a fantastic Asian psychological horror movie based on the book. I saw it a long time ago (and now that I've read the book, I need to watch it again), but I did enjoy it immensely. But remember, this is a horror film so expect blood (just a warning...I mean, look at the book/movie cover...).