recent reads; The haunts of Christopher Golden

 It's autumn. It's October. The time for spooky reads has arrived.

I thought I might again try for 31 short stories read in the month. The issue (not really an issue but, you know, *raises hand* reader-type here) with that is that I hop around various collections & anthologies and while I reach my month goal, my goodreads reading challenge invariably slips because it tallies complete books.

So, this year I decided to read short stories but stick with the book(s), as well. Pick one and read it through. Repeat.

Christopher Golden has a new collection out, THE GHOSTS OF WHO YOU WERE. Before getting to that book, I decided to dig into my TBR piles and pull out two older collections; TELL MY SORROW TO THE STONES and DON'T GO ALONE. The latter features co-writes.

Both collections were fun reads. Chris's short story telling has only gotten better over the years. The man can write a ghost story, among all the other weird and haunting tales.

 One tale was a co-write with Thomas Sniegoski, and was set in their The Menagerie series. It was a good calling card. I decided to take a detour and read the first novel, THE NIMBLE MAN. If you want wall-to-wall monster killing and fast-paced urban/dark fantasy action, you should give it a read. I'll be getting back to the series soon.

Great stuff for October!

Post Road Pumpkin Ale

I can't rip the image from the animation, but here's the webpage.

Brooklyn Brewery's Post Road Pumpkin Ale.

It was good. Not as heavy on the spices as the last, but the nutmeg was still a little strong.

Speaking of pumpkin, Dunkin Donuts seasonal Pumpkin Spice Muffins and Donuts are now available.

This morning's breakfast was iced coffee, pumpkin donut and AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" on repeat.

Yeah!

And the first pumpkin ale is...

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, from Delaware (not MD, as I misreported last time.)

This was one of the ones I would consider over-spiced. The nutmeg and allspice were overpowering, and the alcohol content was high. Not the smoothest or pumpkin-est.

Aside from that taste test, we had a quiet weekend with beautiful weather. Made sure to get some A.O.D. time with a book and a guitar. (Ass On Deck - our new deck that was built this summer - want to ensure I do more than just cook on the grill out there!)

But it's not even September

Yeah. I was supposed to keep this blog about my writing, but...

I was at the liquor store yesterday. I was grabbing some beer for our summer cookout. (For those who live in a state where beer is at the supermarket and liquor is a separate store, that's not how it is in Massachusetts.)

The Pumpkin Ales are out already. There were at least five different microbreweries with Pumpkin Ale on the shelf.

I enjoy Pumpkin Ale. I love autumn when Dunkin Donuts carries pumpkin muffins and pumpkin donuts.

But, come on, summer ain't over yet!

I like most Pumpkin Ales but it is a seasonal special and usually has spices and some brands overdo it. I think I'll note which ones I prefer this time around. I just wish I could buy one of each instead of a six-pack each to find out. And for those who say a six-pack shouldn't be an obstacle--well--spiced ales really aren't for bludgeoning brain cells en masse.

Yeah, I'm a beer snob.