King's short stories

Steven King has a new short story collection out.

My PERSONAL experience with King's novels is uneven. That aside, he is without a doubt one the best short story writers ever.

Here's a review:

Little Bites of Horror

A MUST read

Yesterday, I read "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. This novel is the winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize. It led me to something I've not done in a long time - read 300 pages in one sitting.

McCarthy also wrote the novel "No Country for Old Men."

Here's a description of the book:
"The Road" - Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winner bestseller from acclaimed novelist Cormac McCarthy ("No Country For Old Men"), "The Road" is a post-apocalyptic dramatic thriller about a father and his son walking alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food--and each other.

The novel COULD be classified science fiction or fantasy since it takes place in post-apocalyptic America, but it is truly a story about the relationship between a father and son on the edge of no longer surviving.

It is powerful, visual and vivid. And it packs an emotional punch I've not gotten from a book in a long time.

This is an aboslutely MUST read.

And for the record, the road is being made into a movie, scheduled for a 2009 release and staring Viggo Mortensen.

Sad News Indeed

George Chesbro, the author of the "Mongo the Magnificent" series of detective novels (as well as many other works of crime fiction), featuring a dwarf martial arts expert, died yesterday after a short illness. He was 68.

His death notice read:
NEW BALTIMORE - George Clark Chesbro, 68, of New Baltimore, died Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at St. Peter's Hospital.

Born in Washington, D.C. on June 4, 1940, he was the son of the late George W. and Maxine (Sharpe) Chesbro. An author of over 25 novels and nearly 100 short stories, George was a recipient of an Ellery Queen Award and had served as president of the Mystery Writers Association of America. Earlier in his career, George had worked as a special education teacher at Pearl River and at the Rockland Psychiatric Center where he worked with emotionally troubled teens.

Survivors include his wife, Robin N. Chesbro; a son, Mark Chesbro;, a daughter Michelle Chesbro; two stepdaughters, Rachael and Leah Gass; a sister, Judith (Richard) Ragone and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Services are private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send a remembrance in his name to the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204.

His web site describes his most popular character this way:
Dr. Robert Frederickson, also known as Mongo the Magnificent, is a criminologist, ex-circus headliner, martial-arts expert, and private eye, who also happens to be a dwarf. The Mongo series is a blend of mystery, suspense, science fiction, and the supernatural.

Chesbro is a great writer and his books are not only excellent mysteries, but they are fun reads. It is sad knowing we'll not read anymore exploits of Mongo.