I used to read a lot.  I read books like I craft now.  I carried a book around with me everywhere I went.  I've become a lot more picky about what books I'll read.  The last couple years I've whittled my list of approved authors down to David Goodis, Jim Thompson, and Chuck Palahniuk.

Last night I finished Haunted.  I bought it a long time ago, but was kinda hoarding it.  I like to savor my books.  Recently I saw that he has a new one out, so I decided to read Haunted, since I know another one is waiting for me.

First, the cover is glow-in-the-dark.  I loved this.  It freaked me out the first time the glowing ghost face scared me on the bedside table.

Second, Chuck P (as I call him) completely succeeded at creating horror around ordinary things, the ordinary world - no supernatural monsters or magic. Sometimes, in the horror genre, whether it's a movie or a book, creators go way overboard with scares and weirdness.  You know what, the plain-old world can be a very disturbing, horrifying place.  And everyday-horror, that's the kind that crawls into your mind, your chest, and keeps your heart racing a little for days after you experience it.

Third, The book is organized with poems and short stories intercut with the chapters of the book.  Chuck P's books always seem effortless, simple, and straightforward.  Even with this intricate interweaving, the book is a breezy read.  Not to say I think he's slacking. I'm sure the appearance of simplicity and creating something easy-to-read takes an enormous amount of work and talent on his part.

Fourth, He wrote an Afterword, which is nice.  I like feeling like a part of the process, like the writer is thinking of me and talking to me.  And, to Chuck, "Thank you for writing."

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[photo taken DATE in CITY]

[title from the lyrics of "SONG" by BAND from "ALBUM"]