Downhills Don’t Come Free by Jerry Holl
I’m not going to lie: I haven’t gotten through this book in the last month because it’s turned into a slog and I was considering stopping reading it. I even placed my Bookshop.org order with the intention of starting another book (more on that in the next section).
I was disappointed in how the story started to unfold. Or rather, not really unfold. At least for the majority of the first half of the book, rather than engage in any real reflection on the effect the journey was having on him, any side stories about the land or peoples he was passing by, or really anything of substance, the story settled into a grind of ‘I got up, I pedaled more miles than I thought I could (go me!), and here are some superficial interactions or observations I had along the way.’ In short, not very entertaining.
This changed with Chapter 27, which I read this morning.
Ironically, it was a day he spent on the Ferry from Vancouver Island to Port Angeles, Washington. Without miles to ride (and poorly narrate), the author engaged in some reflection of his trip so far, in the differences between the nearly deserted north country and the comparatively crowded Vancouver Island, and the conversation he had with his fellow ferry riders about the doldrums of modern life in America and stretching yourself beyond your self-perceived limits. Better though it may be, the author’s self-deprecating tone borders on irritating false modesty.
I’m going to finish the book, but I needed something else that I could dig into.
The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste
A fellow member of The Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers posted about this book, saying something along the lines of ,’There are authors that I see have a new book and I just buy without question. Gwendolyn Kiste is one of them.’ So I immediately added the book to my cart.
I started reading it 4 days ago, and I’m 66 pages in. Written in first person, limited perspective (and you all know how I feel about that by now), the story is nonetheless engaging and intriguing. The story revolves around a mystery (much like her other book that I’ve read: The Rust Maidens) that the narrator is trying to unravel with the help of a paranormal investigator.
Usually, a story told in limited experience isn’t as full of a narrative experience, since the character is experiencing the story at the same time of the reader. However, there are things that Talitha (our MC) isn’t admitting to herself or Jack, the paranormal investigator. In that way, Jack serves as a narrative foil, filling out the story and allowing the reader a role in the story, since we’re in the same boat as he is.
So far, the book is definite recommend.
The Werewolf at Dusk and other stories by David Small
Recommended to my by my wife, this is a collection of three graphic short stories.
If you’re an aspiring writer, even if you’re not going to practice other forms, I’d still suggest going out of your way to experience stories in as many ways as you can. More than just the easily accessible screen based media or books, see a live performance of something, pick up a graphic novel, listen to a narrative podcast. Man can not survive on bread alone.
I love comics and graphic novels. It’s just not something that occurs to me to read on a regular basis. Which is why I’m grateful when people suggest them to me. I’m looking forward to diving into this book and spending time, not only reading the words, but poring over the art and fully digesting the stories.
The Chimerical Dark 