I want this to be a platform for EVERYONE within the horror community; authors, publishers, bloggers, reviewers, actors, directors, artists. I could go on, if you work in the genre then you are more than welcome to apply for the job.
For the sake of Twitter characters and in looking for something a little more punchy, I’ve now decided to call this feature The Graveyard Shift. (#GraveyardShift)
The rules are quite simple…
You are invited to imagine yourselves as warden for an old graveyard, and choose eight books, preferably horror/dark genre, to take with you to cover your shift; here you can discuss why you chose the books.
As well as the books, wardens are allowed one song/album to listen to. Again, an explanation for this choice is required.
You must also discuss one luxury item you can bring, which must be inanimate and not allow communication.
If you’d like to take part in The Graveyard Shift then please submit an application to gavin@kendallreviews.com
A new shift is about to begin and the warden is…
Steve Stred
What is ‘Deserted Graveyard Reads’? Well, Gavin from Kendall Reviews has asked this question on Twitter;
“You are invited to choose eight books, an album and a luxury to take with you as you’re left as watchman of an old graveyard.”
Let’s start out with the easy one…
Song/Album
Six Feet Under By Haunted
This was the album that really put death metal over the top for me. The cover art, the vocals, the tempo, the lyrics. Chris Barnes and Co. crafted a stunning debut release that I still listen to frequently and that has influenced a lot of my writing.
Next up – let’s go with the luxury item.
Luxury Item
This one’s tough. I’m going to assume food is provided as well as some sort of shelter. I’m also going to assume that something to play the album on will be provided ie: record player, CD player or digital player with headphones.
So, I’m going with comfort. And for that, I’m going to choose a Snuggie. The perfect reading companion! Part blanket, part hoodie, you have full-body warmth and comfort as well as arm movement and even a very handy pouch style pocket. I actually used to have one of these, but my wife didn’t think I used it much (I DID AND YOU KNOW IT! Ha!) so she stuffed it in a goodwill bag. Now some other jerk gets to enjoy its amazing warmth and softness.
Books
Eight Books. Well good lord. Only eight! I mean, I could just bring my Kindle and have access to the 700 books I have on there right now, yeah!?
Ok, I’ll play along.
The Only Child By Andrew Pyper.
This is essentially four books in one. We get the adventure/thriller/mystery of the chase after the escaped patient. We get the patient who claims to be the inspiration behind Frankenstein’s Monster, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Dracula. I mean, you got a lot of bases covered there.
Those Who Came Before By J.H. Moncrieff.
Once again, we get a few books in one here! Moncrieff delivers a powerful police thriller, filled with folklore and mystery. Outstanding.
The Neverending Story By Michael Ende (translated to English)
I love this book so much. Most of us are familiar with the first half of the book – because the movie is almost scene by scene of the first half. The second half is a darker, deeper dive into Sebastien as well as how power can corrupt.
The Art of Racing in the Rain By Garth Stein.
This book destroyed me. My former colleague Graham recommend this to me. I loved the POV and how things played out and the ending, wow. Just fantastic.
The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman.
I mean… this is probably the book sitting in the bedside table of the watchman’s house, yeah? This was my very first Gaiman read and I loved it. A really well done retelling of The Jungle Book, but I felt it more atmospheric.
Lisey’s Story by Stephen King.
My favourite King book, the back story of this being the first release after King was struck by the van and almost died while on a walk, elevated this one for me. I loved the back and forth between the dimensions/realms.
A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire Book 3) by George RR Martin.
Of all of the GoT books, this is my absolute favourite. It’s a book that on its own has a beginning, middle and end, while most of the other books in this series have to answer to each other or works towards building different aspects of further books. This one is just pure fun.
The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle Book 1) by Patrick Rothfuss.
The book that broke my reading slump. About a decade ago, I found I was struggling to find new authors to me or anything that caught my interest that wasn’t King. I fell into a slump, where I didn’t read anything for months on months. Even my wife was worried. Usually I’d have three or four books by the bed on the go. Then my buddy John Wesley recommended this one and I was hooked. Kvothe and crew sucked me and made me fall back in love with literature. Now, I patiently wait for book three.
There we go! That’s what I got and what I’d bring. I’m really excited to see what the rest of you will be suggesting!
Steve Stred
Steve Stred writes dark, bleak horror fiction.
Steve is the author of three novels, a number of novellas and four collections.
He is proud to work with the Ladies of Horror Fiction to facilitate the Annual LOHF Writers Grant.
Steve is also a voracious reader, reviewing everything he reads and submitting the majority of his reviews to be featured on Kendall Reviews.
Steve Stred is based in Edmonton, AB, Canada and lives with his wife, his son and their dog OJ.
You can follow Steve on Twitter @stevestred
You can follow Steve on Instagram @stevestred
You can visit Steve’s Official website here
A great warden of the Night Shift, Steve has chosen well and I would never have thought of a Snuggie or ever seen one, I must have led a sheltered life? A well balanced choice of books to while away the hours, a couple I need to check out but I’ve never heard of the album before even though it seems quite appropriate.