Book Nook

In "NOS4A2" Joe Hill has penned what has to be the creepiest book of the year. His villain, Charlie Manx, is an undead sort of fellow in the tradition of Count Dracula. But Charlie doesn't imbibe that crimson fluid.  No, Charlie feasts on the souls of innocent children. See what I mean? Very creepy.

In this interview Joe Hill gives us a few clues about his inspirations and his process. You'll never look at a covered bridge again without flashing on Joe Hill's "NOS4A2." And don't even think about Christmas.

Whenever I start reading a book, I begin it with the hope that it will be so much fun to read that I won’t want to put it down. I never want certain books to end.

Books like “A Man Without Breath,” the latest installment in Philip Kerr’s noir series that features the long suffering homicide detective Bernie Gunther. Bernie is German. He was solving homicide cases in Berlin when Hitler took power in the early 1930's.

Frank Bill writes tough, gritty fiction that is informed by his experiences living in southern Indiana. Economic hard times have taken their toll on that region. As the manufacturing base has declined some folks have out of desperation resorted to committing crimes. Bill's first book was "Crimes in Southern Indiana," a collection of short stories that showed that this author is a rising force. The man can really write.

Lisa Scottoline published her first novel twenty years ago. Scottoline's early books were mostly legal thrillers. Her background as an attorney informs some of her complex story lines. Ever prolific, Scottoline is currently putting out 2 to 3 books a year; legal thrillers, crime novels, and a series of non-fiction titles that are collaborations with her daughter.

"On the Ropes" is a graphic novel that is the long awaited sequel to a book called "Kings in Disguise." Both books were written by James Vance and illustrated by Dan E. Burr. In this interview with James Vance we find out how technological changes have vastly altered the collaborative process that took place for "On the Ropes" when compared with how that original book came together. The internet has really streamlined their process.