Muahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa Dear Bookworms!
I’m busting out my evil laugh to celebrate the fact that it’s October and I’m reading some scary books. Remember this summer when I went to BlogHer? One of the keynote speakers was Gale Ann Hurd- the executive producer of the greatest show currently on television, The Walking Dead. St. Martin’s Press was another of the BlogHer sponsors and they hooked up the attendees with a copy of The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga. FULL DISCLOSURE: I got this book for free. At BlogHer. Like I already told you. FULLER DISCLOSURE: I saw a Rick Grimes costume at a Halloween store today. I was sorely tempted.
If you’re not into zombies, you probably wouldn’t like The Walking Dead in any permutation: the comics, show, or novelization. If you do happen to be into zombies, you probably already watch The Walking Dead and YOU, my friends, are in for a treat. (New season starts October 13. Holla!) I’ve been holding onto this book since July because I wanted to read it in an appropriately spooky season. Now is the time!
Alright Walking Dead-heads. You know how The Governor was a super crazy bad guy? Ever wonder how he got that way? This book! It TELLS YOU! It starts at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse with Phillip Blake, his daughter Penny, his two high school chums, and his younger brother Brian. Their ragtag band is sweeping across Georgia, bashing zombie heads, and searching for a safe haven. Bashing zombie heads is not a clean business, so I’ll warn you that the language gets pretty gruesome. Blood and guts and gore. You know the drill. As we all know, it doesn’t take long after the dead begin to rise for the living to turn on one another. Plus, you know, living under the extreme stress of watching one’s friends and neighbors turn into blood thirsty un-dead monsters takes a toll on one’s psyche.
All in all, I found this book enjoyable. However. It’s clearly meant to be a companion to the show. From a narrative standpoint it could certainly stand alone, but I don’t think I’d have liked it as much if I weren’t already a fan of the show. I recommend this for all Walking Dead-heads for while the show is on hiatus. There’s a trilogy afoot, I might have to grab the next novel when I’m having my mid-winter withdrawals.
So Bookworms, tell me. Do you do anything to get yourself in the Halloween spirit? We haven’t yet watched Hocus Pocus or any of our Roseanne Halloween collection this year, but we DID watch Warm Bodies this weekend (which was oddly charming.) Scary movies, scary shows, zombies, witches, goblins! Let’s talk about them!
Quirky Chrissy
I love it when you write about a book I HAVE read. That being said, I wasn’t a fan. I found it to be a smidge predictable…as in I knew from Chapter 1 exactly how it would turn out. 🙂
Words for Worms
Psha- I did not see the twist coming. Did not see it.
Megan M.
I do want to read this, but my husband reads the comics and keeps me apprised of things that inform the show or deviate from the show, so I have a feeling I know what the twist is already. But I would still love to read the books. Show-wise, I was pretty disappointed in last season’s finale, so I hope they get on the right track this season!
I have already watched Hocus Pocus and my girls already have their costumes – my 6 year old wanted to be a witch and my 3 year old is Hello Kitty (really it’s just a cute dress with HK’s face on it and some cat ears, but whatever.) I haven’t dressed up since I was in college, though.
Words for Worms
I haven’t read the comics, so I don’t know if the books are meant to be strictly show-related or if they’re supposed to dovetail with the comics. I’m going to be Batman this year! 🙂
Liesel Hill
Sweet! I’m sure I’d enjoy this one. (Can’t wait for season 3 to start!) I’m participating in R.I.P. VIII this year, so I’m reading/watching scary stuff as well. I already read Kendare Blake’s Girl of Nighmares, which was fabulous, and I’m doing Dance of the Red Death this week. I’m also trying to get through a book of E.A.Poe’s selected works. Haven’t watched any horror flicks yet, but I have big plans! 😀
My R.I.P. Update post, if you’re interested. 😀 Happy Monday!
Words for Worms
Oh the Poe! I’ll have to check this out!
JoulesDellinger
Geez, now I’m sorry that I gave you my copy of the book…
NO I’M NOT because I HATE Zombies!!!!! :p
Words for Worms
Oh Joules, your contribution to the zombie enthusiasts was greatly appreciated.
Psychobabble
I stopped reading this post because I haven’t yet read my copy. Maybe this will be my Halloween reading……. can’t wait til SUNDAY!!
Words for Worms
I’m so stoked for Sunday!
Brittny
I just downloaded two books by favorite spooky author, Phil Rickman. And after reading Liesel’s comment I went and joined R.I.P. 8. 🙂
Words for Worms
RIP sounds like such a great time- I’m glad you joined up!
Jenny @ Reading the End (formerly Jenny's Books)
I am allllll about watching Practical Magic for Halloween. The sensible part of my brain knows it’s not that scary, but it scared the bejeesus out of me when I was twelve, and luckily those feelings of suspense and scariness have stayed with me.
Words for Worms
Oooh Practical Magic! That is pretty freaky, I always get the willies when I watch the exorcism part.
Charleen
I don’t really get into Halloween, but I do love Hocus Pocus.
Words for Worms
Hocus Pocus is the best!
Monika
fa la la laaaaa I’m not really reading this post because I’m catching up on season 3 right now on Netflix and don’t know if there are spoilers here (and holy cow did season 3 ever start out intense!) Love Walking Dead!
Don Royster
Gee, I am going to have to give up writing blogs. What can I say but I hate to toot my own horn but I do have one about zombies. http://unclebardie.wordpress.com/2013/10/04/what-about-them-zombies/
And I read The Haunting by Shirley Jackson and see the movie every year. Best haunted house movie ever.
Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader
I keep thinking about reading these! I love the show more than is reasonable 😉 Maybe one day I’ll get around to the comics
Words for Worms
I haven’t read the comics, just this novel, but I looooove the show. I had an in depth conversation with some coworkers about samurai swords recently. Apparently, though Michonne is the baddest of all the asses, a katana is actually a pretty crappy zombie fighting weapon. So. In case of apocalypse? I’m sticking to baseball bats. Too bad I don’t do sports and don’t actually own a baseball bat…
Melinda
Maybe you should read Prince of Mist 😉
I watch The Conjuring at the cinema, and 2 weeks later I’m still freaked out, so I don’t think I will be reading scary books anytime soon 🙂
Words for Worms
I have to be very careful about my scary. I can only handle things I don’t believe in, and ghosts/evil spirits I keep my distance from!
Chelynnah
The second book is also good- The Road to Woodbury. Then they have finally just released the third book this month called Fall of the Governor. I’ve read the first two – awesome! Can’t wait to start the third.
And TWD starts again this week!!
Words for Worms
I’m so excited for Sunday!!!