The Art of Tim Burton

Director Tim Burton is known for his dark and eccentric films such as Beetle Juice, Edward Scissorhands, Mars Attack, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow, and Sweeney Todd to only name a few. His most recent directorial work Alice In Wonderland is in theaters. Although his films are more prominent, Tim Burton is an illustrator, painter, and photographer. In 1997, he published a book of illustrated poetry titled, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories.

The Museum of Modern Art (Moma), in New York City, is temporarily exhibiting many of Burton’s private artworks. The collection spans over 40 years, before the inception of his career to demonstrating the conceptualization of his distinguished characters in the apexes of his career through doodles on notebooks and napkins, sketches on drawing pads to canvas paintings. The exhibit includes movie costumes, figurines, movie posters, and video clips. For more detail information on Tim Burton’s temporary exhibit visit Moma, and online exhibit is available for viewing.

Concurrent to the exhibit inception, a book was created through garnering Burton’s artworks, making it a comprehensive presentation of the innovative mind of Burton with narratives from personal friends. Many of the illustrations are displayed in Moma. However, this book is not sold in Moma or popular websites. The book can be purchased at Steeles Publishing. There are two editions standard and deluxe, differing by deluxe edition including a cloth slipcase, hand signed inside cover, and a limited edition (of 1000) signed lithograph. Currently, the deluxe edition is sold out, but I was fortunate to receive it as a Christmas gift. Recently on ABE, I saw one copy selling for over $1000; it originally sold for $299. It is an exquisite book to own for a Tim Burton fan.

"Bibliomania" A Doodle Inspired By Me

This digital drawing was done by my dear friend who also created my blog banner. I am delighted by her creativity, capturing my love of books and ballet flats. To view more of her work visit her blog "Life Inspired Art".

The Washington Antiquarian Book Fair

Being such an avid reader and book collector, I am astonished to say I have never attended a book fair. On the contrary, it is not surprising; I have never scavenged through garage sales and thrift shops for a great find, and I rarely go visit a bookstore to acquire a first edition or that hard to find novel. Majority of capitalistic book chain stores only stock their stores with popular fiction and nonfiction, so there is no point wasting time strutting down to your local Barnes & Noble or Borders unless you are buying that newly release novel. Many of my acquisitions have been purchase via the Internet. With just a click of a button and a plastic card, my book collection has expanded.

Doing it the old fashion way, next week I will be attending my first book fair, precisely the Washington Antiquarian Book Fair.

What exactly is at this book fair? There will be 75 book dealers exhibiting rare books, prints, maps, and autographs. Lectures relating to antiquarian books, book appraisals, and a special exhibit of Aesop’s Fables will be the highlights.

The book fair will be held on March 5th & 6th, 2010. For more information visit the Washington Antiquarian Book Fair.

Robert Frost

I remember writing an analytical paper in high school (a very long time ago) about the eminent bard Robert Frost. My paper analyzed one of his most acclaimed poems, The Road Not Taken. Many would assert it is an unequivocal poem, but even Robert Frost remarked that it was a tricky poem, which I read repeatedly and always seem to discover a new angle to interpret. My devotion to the great American poet has not changed; I still admire and read Robert Frost's poems.

Friday, I was fortunate to come across while window-shopping, a signed copy of "You Come Too", displayed in a frame. A surge of excitement disseminated, it became the paramount of my day. I was no longer window-shopping; a bargain was struck, and I came home with a frame display of Robert Frost and a signed copy of his book mounted within the frame. (photograph of the upper left corner)

I am currently enthralled with Frost’s poem, Flower-Gathering.

Flower-Gathering

I left you in the morning,

And in the morning glow,

You walked a way beside me

To make me sad to go.

Do you know me in the gloaming,

Gaunt and dusty gray with roaming?

Are you dumb because you know me not,

Or dumb because you know?

All for me And not a question

For the faded flowers gay 

That could take me from beside you

For the ages of a day?

They are yours, and be the measure

Of their worth for you to treasure,

The measure of the little while

That I've been long away. 

Regional Ghost Story Books

Ghosts of St. Augustine
by Dave Lapham

Florida's Ghostly Legends and Haunted Folklore Volume 2
by Greg Jenkins

During a vacation, people proceed to gift shops often to buy gifts for those friends and family that were not able to make the trip and to take home a remembrance of a time of relaxation and exploration. When I go to the gift shops, I look for books, which will extract me from my mundane life into blissful memories. I was fortunate to discover some regional ghost story books in St. Augustine, FL. These books will be a great addition to my other regional ghost story book collection.

Last night in Key Largo there was a thunderstorm, and I just could not sleep, so I decided to read a few stories from both books. "Florida’s Ghostly Legends and Haunted Folklore" Volume 2, has a more detail description of the ghostly historical locations than "Ghost of St. Augustine" although the latter is entirely dedicated to St. Augustine.

Dexter, an inmate of the Old Jail in St. Augustine haunts the prison looking forlorn for all his nefarious activities. Legends say that tour visitors sometimes sense cold spots or a pungent smell of anonymous insanitary prisoners of bygone days. When I took the animated tour of the Old Jail, I sensed nothing. I have yet to experience anything paranormal; however, it does not discourage me from enjoying eerie tales. A tale from "Ghosts of St. Augustine", Flagler College the former Hotel Ponce de Leon is haunted by the philanthropist that founded most of St. Augustine, Henry Flagler. A student once had the luck to meet his acquaintance after being called upon through rubbing a tile delineating Flagler’s countenance. Viewing Flagler College from a trolley tour bus, I saw college students gamboling on the front lawn caked in shaving cream. Oh, how I wish my undergraduate days were like that.

Take care my small audience, from under a coconut tree.

Historical St. Augustine Desktop Wallpaper

Currently, I am on vacation. I enjoy traveling to historical destinations; yesterday, I visited the oldest European settlement in North America, St. Augustine, FL. It is a fallacy that Jamestown, VA is the oldest European settlement as well as the glorious fight of Col. George A. Custer also known as Custer's Last Stand or the latter (I prefer) The Battle of Little Bighorn.


Photograph of part of Castillo da San Marcos National Monument (Fort)

Photograph of three palm trees on the grounds of Castillo da San Marcos.

Click on image obtain larger image 2560 X 1600.

The Suicide Collectors

The Suicide Collectors
by David Oppegaard

In 1995, Stephen King’s television two-part movie The Langoliers (published in Four Past Midnight) aired on ABC. Since viewing The Langoliers, I became captivated by apocalyptic novels. I would assume most people would feel a sense of bereft being the only or among the few people left in the world. However, when I was a teenager, I daydreamed about what I would do if the Earth population dwindled. I would read and enjoy the downtempo silence, but of course sooner or later the silence would be a monotonous surging of frustration.

The Suicide Collector by David Appeared is an apocalyptic novel. The world’s diminishing population is due to multitude of suicide. Narrated through Norman the main character, travels to Seattle after hearing that there is a new flourishing community with a cure for the despair. Along his journey with neighbor Pops, they encounter a variety of people demonstrating an array of coping strategies such as a gangs, feral children, and a cult. Throughout the story Oppegaard keeps the reader interested through giving titbits of information about the mysterious dark cloaked suicide collector, who peculiarly knows when someone has given in to the despair. The million-dollar question, what has caused the despair also coaxes the reader on to the next page. Even though I enjoyed reading majority of Oppegaard’s first novel, the conclusion felt short and cheated. In fiction, sometimes there should be more.

So, I will be looking for another apocalyptic novel that can quench my thirst for a catastrophe with a few good characters. It should be stated Oppegaard’s characters were likeable and believable through his use of riveting flashbacks.

My Haiku

I have not written a haiku since my days of undergraduate studies, but after reading "Breathers, A Zombie Lament", I had a sudden urge to write one, of course inspired by life.

"Dilation Of Wan"

lonely dark abyss

shroud in constricting shadows

endless nothingness

A New Banner

For my small audience, I hope you like my new banner. Through the years, I have tried about three different banners none demonstrating my personal style. This banner reflects my eclectic taste. For instance, there is Vincienzo, the shark in a jar of formaldehyde on the right; he is my dead pet shark purchased as a birthday gift last year. To the left, my canopic jar and Buddha head are displayed. Lastly, a marvelous caricature of me adds a personal touch. However, to complete the banner there must be many books, which it indeed contains.

I commissioned an extremely talented artist, A. R. Khan to create this personalized banner, who just happens to be a very close friend. Her work is diverse; she paints exceptional abstract, surrealism, and realism (portraits). She has the ability works with many mediums to create a distinctive piece. Besides traditional painting, she is a seasoned book illustrator. She is an artist for hire with the keen talent for personalizing. You can view more of her work here Arkart.

Above photograph of the real Vincienzo. 

Add A Little Pizzazz To Your Vocabulary

I am nowhere near the vicinity of cool. Trying to be trendy with the latest syntax is not my forte. For instance, I once told my friend “let’s roll with it” in front of her younger cousins, which are going to the New York City Public School of hard knocks. They corrected me rather quickly, and I was very embarrassed. However, occasionally, I will flabbergast myself with a clever, urban, raunchy slang.

Last night chatting with a girlfriend on AIM, I employed the term coochy-cobweb to describe the amount of sexual activity in her life. She is not too far from my inept hip (Do people still use that word to define cool?) vocabulary, so we both had a good laugh. I need to give props to Urban Dictionary. We had hours of fun flipping through Mo’ Urban Dictionary at the local Barnes & Noble and then visiting their website. We even made a compilation of the most hilarious words from A to Z, selecting one word from each letter. Be cool, be hip, be snazzy, check out our list courtesy of Urban Dictionary, and maybe you will apply these words in your daily vocabulary surprising the younger generation with your attune ability to adapt.

AIM rape – The act of messaging someone over and over against their will.

Barfarrhea – Diarrhea while vomiting, Barfarrhea is often caused by food poisoning.

Churched – Kinda like “you got served,” except it’s much better. No one likes the church; when you get churched, you got dissed and nobody likes you.

Double bagger – A woman so ugly that having sex with her is only possible with the use of two bags; one over her head, and a second bag over your own head in case her bag falls off.

Electrosexual – Someone who chooses video games over sex.

Fap – Often used to suggest that something is attractive. The onomatopoeic representation of masturbation.

Gigaholic – A geek who just needs to have the latest and fastest computer. My friends call me this.

Highway salute – An extended middle finger from a fist thrust forth while driving in a gesture of anger towards a person to which it is aimed.

Inbox rot - To neither accept, nor decline a friend request from someone on Facebook or Myspace. Used in situations when you don't want to accept someone's friend request, but you also don't want to be rude by declining them.

Jump the couch - A defining moment when you know someone has gone off the deep end. Inspired by Tom Cruise’s behavior on Oprah.

Kraft singles – Dollar bills. Derived from another slang term that refers to money as “cheese.”

L bomb – When someone unexpectedly tells you that they love you. Usually comes out of the blue when you least expect it and are not prepared to respond.

Mad props - A way to say “thank you.”

Naplash – What happens to you when you start nodding off and then you jerk your head back suddenly. It happens a lot when staying on the computer too long. Very dangerous if driving.

Onion booty – Booty that looks so good, it makes a grown man want to cry.

Pop off – To tell someone to fight you or do something, rather than just standing there talking about it.

Qeef – To fart out of the pussy

Retail therapy – Shopping as an outlet for frustration and a reliever of stress.

Sexsuade - To convince someone to agree to, accept, or do something, usually by using the promise of sex (explicit or implicit) or by withholding sex until you get your way.

Thunderwear – Underwear for the extremely obese those who make the earth tremble when they walk. Specifically; thunderbra, thunderthongs, thunderpants.

Uggo - An extremely ugly person. This term is used when you are too lazy to say "extremely ugly person", so, alas, uggo was created.

Voicejail - The loop of options one gets stuck in when trying to navigate voice mail settings.

Whiskey dick - When you've had too much to drink and have a girl back home and cant get it up to perform the deed.

X-Bomb - A completely spontaneous urge to shit that has no "holding" potential. You feel it, and you have literally seconds to find somewhere to put it. The actual shit is usually more gaseous and wet than solid doo-doo, and typically explosive. (The term can be used as both a verb and a noun.)

Youniverse - The entirety of creation that relates to one specific, narcissistic individual. Used to indicate that a particular person has knowledge only of him or herself -- their universe consists only of them.

Zwog - To eat whatever you find under and between the keys on your keyboard.

Leash, Bone, and Acquired book before release date

I had to do a few errands today. One of them was to buy a new leash and bone for my mother's dog, Tiffany. Tiffany is an American Pit Bull with the sweetest temperament. I insist, she thinks she is a Chihuahua. She shies away from aggressive dogs. Even a teacup Yorkshire terrier can have her shaking like a leaf. Demonstrating Pit Bulls are not innately aggressive, but people make them aggressive. 

Anyway, after going to PetSmart, I stopped next-door to Borders. There I saw a new horror anthology edited by Peter Straub. The anthology Poe's Children, represents horror writers that do not write stereotypical horror gore, but share aspects of the eminent Edgar Allan Poe's dark literature. The book includes 24 short stories with some heavy weight horror authors such as Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill, Ramsey Campbell, and David J. Schow. When I went to enter my new book into my digital library, I realized this book is not supposed to be available until October 14. This is the first time; I was able to get a book before the release date. I know it is not extraordinary, but to me, it is very cool.

A Series For The Horror Lover In You

My heart filled with glee after I discovered Wordsworth Editions. It is a UK publishing company, which sells affordable books. I am thrilled that Wordsworth Editions has a series of books for horror enthusiast, like me. The series is entitled Tales of Mystery and The Supernatural. Thus far, there are 52 books in the collection, and today I have received my first book from it, Sweeney Todd or The String of Pearls by Anonymous. 

My intention is to collect the entire series. It may seem to be a simple plan, but some of the books are quite difficult to find, because the publishing company is based in the UK. Most of the books are out of stock on Amazon, so I will have to buy it from an Amazon Seller or on EBay. However, the books that are in stock on Amazon are eligible for special offers, which is the 4-for-3 promotion.

Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

I have read the Harry Potter series and the Twilight Saga. Yet, I must admit children books are not on my foremost list of books to read, but Neil Gaiman’s latest novel is a children’s book called The Graveyard Book, which meant I had to read it.

How is it possible for a baby or child to survive without human tending? There are circumstances that feral animals such as wolves and monkeys have embraced children, nurturing them as their own. Fictional stories, The Jungle Book and Tarzan of the Apes have romanticized this notion, as it has enthralled children and adults. Neil Gaiman an admirer of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book has written his own version of unpredictable nurturers.

After a cold-blooded murder of his family, a baby is thrust into the world without a soul. With the killer on the hunts to eliminate the entire family, the baby soon to be name Nobody Owens (nicknamed Bod) needs protection. Denizens of a graveyard amalgamate to support Bod, and welcome him to his new home, the graveyard. The support of the supernatural provides Bod with supernatural abilities, but he is still vulnerable.

Gaiman weaves a world of not only ghost, but also of an intricate supernatural realm. Each chapter of The Graveyard book is entertaining, revealing subtle information that illuminates about the characters and the main plot. Fantasy, and supernatural enthusiast should definitely read Neil Gaiman's new book.

Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House

by Shirley Jackson

Last week I reread Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House for a book group discussion. It was the first time that I participated in a book group and reread a book; both experiences were illuminating. Members’ different perspectives enabled me to view the book in many dimensions. For instance, it never occurred to me that just maybe the house was not haunted, Eleanor Vance, the protagonist might just be, in layman's terms, crazy, and the other denizens of Hill House, deceitful.

Another interpretation, Hill House is haunted and targets Eleanor, the most vulnerable inhabitant. As for me, I agree with the latter, but it is a moot issue. The validity, I would argue is the third person omniscient narrator that describes Dr. Montague intent of his research at Hill House, which would absolve him of any disingenuous behavior. Nevertheless, Eleanor also narrates the story. Lastly, the treacherous library scene, and the words Eleanor utters before the tragic end, demonstrates there was a paranormal event-taking place at Hill House. The disputable interpretations of The Haunting of Hill House substantiates it is a brilliantly written psychological horror. Reading attentively (for me a reread) reveals repletion of foreshadowing and correlations among characters.

Short Synopsis:

Dr. Montague, an erudite man pursues to validate his premise of uncovering supernatural phenomena through conducting research in an infamous haunted house called Hill House. He seeks out individuals with paranormal abilities to aid in his quest. Cold spots, loud banging, and mumbling voices are just a few of the abnormal events that occur at Hill House.

The Book of Lists: Horror (Stephen Kings Favorite Horror Novels)

Saturday I went hiking and Sunday, I went to the bookstore; it was the ideal weekend. In the bookstore, I stumbled across a book called The Book of Lists: Horror. Of course, I picked it up off the shelf, thumb through it, and decided to buy the 410-page paperback dedicated to lists, in particularly horror. I have noticed lists captivate many people online. I immensely appreciate a fine list. To enrich my knowledge of a particular genre, I search for specialized book lists. Most book lists contain books exemplary to the genre. For me, it is a great way to discover books that I may have overlooked throughout the years.

The Book of Lists: Horror lists not only horror literature, but also almost anything related to horror. For instance, it lists the top six grossing horror movies, top ten horror-themed rock ‘n’ roll songs, ten horror cocktails and how to make them (Bloody Mary, Vampire, Zombie, Werewolf, Frankenstein, Exorcist, Mummy, Devil’s Tail, The Hemorrhaging Brain, and Headless Horseman), and etc.

The literature section, chapter two, titled “For the Love of God, Montresor! The Literature of the Dread” contains some remarkable lists by prominent writers such as Bentley Little, Poppy Z. Brite, Jack Ketchum, Ramsey Campbell, Thomas Ligotti, Tim Lebbon and more. The lists encompasses topics about locations, surprising horror writers, revealed horror writers' pseudonyms, one hit wonders, apocalypses, original book titles and much more.

Sample List from The Book of Lists: Horror

Stephen King’s Ten Favorite Horror Novels or Short Stories

1. Ghost Story by Peter Straub
2. Dracula by Bram Stoker
3. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
4. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
5. Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco
6. Casting the Runes by M. R. James
7. Two Bottles of Relish by Lord Dunsany
8. The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen
9. The Colour Out of Space by H. P. Lovecraft
10. The Upper Berth by F. Marion Crawford

Left: One of the many waterfalls I saw while hiking. Photo taken by me.

Nightmare Before Christmas Bookends

It’s September 17th, and you know what that means, there are only 44 days until Halloween and stores are ready, supplied for demand. I have a fondness for this ghoulish holiday. Stalking across my neighbors’ threshold, wearing a sinister witchy costume, filling my plastic pumpkin with an ample supply of candy is reminiscent of my childhood. The colorful costumes, the glow of jack-o’-lanterns, the dry corns hanging, the brisk cool air, and the ground ablaze with dry leaves commences my holiday spirit. I have digressed from the topic, which is The Nightmare Before Christmas bookend set, but the movie evokes Halloween nostalgia. In addition, as a Tim Burton admirer, I love the claymation film, and Danny Elfman’s songs and score contributes to the enchantment of the film.

Anyhow, I consider myself lucky; I purchased the last set of bookends and candleholders. After some (Velma) snooping, I found out that these items availability at the Disney store are limited. It is not even selling on the Disney online store. The Nightmare Before Christmas bookends are of the Mayor’s car. The headlights actually lights up as well as the back hanging lanterns.



The Nightmare Before Christmas bookends now supporting my Easton Press 13 Classic Horror collection.


(front of car) side and front view


(back of car) back view


(back of car) right side view


(back of car) left side view

Richard Matheson's Button, Button: Uncanny Stories (The Box)

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories

by Richard Matheson

Revered Richard Matheson is well known for his novella I am legend, which has recently again dawned our motion picture multiplexes, starring Will Smith. It is not the only literary work of Matheson to make it to the big screen. I can think of at least two other films based on Matheson's novels. The first to thought, Hell House and the second is What Dreams May Come starring Robin Williams. In 2009, another motion picture, starring Cameron Diaz will be added to Matheson's credit, based on a short-story Button, Button. Renamed to The Box, the movie will be release in theaters late March. In addition, Button, Button was also adapted to an episode of The Twilight Zone. Only eleven pages long, it might be a surprise that this very short story will soon be a movie. Keep in mind it is not the quantity but the quality that is salient. It is a unique and intriguing story.

Teaser Synopsis: A surprising gift with a peculiar offer, sometimes if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A couple gets an offer too sweet to resist, money, but someone will have to pay the price with life.

I have never been an enthusiast of anthologies or short-story collections. Although I must admit, I own quite a few anthologies. Button, Button: Uncanny Stories a short-story collection, is an instant gratification book. Each story is engaging by the first page, but I have my favorites, which are Mute, Dying Room Only, and Clothes Make the Man. After reading Matheson's Button, Button: Uncanny Stories, I am inclined to start reading more short stories.

Psychological Horror

A Winter Haunting

by Dan Simmons

I own quite a few Dan Simmons' novels. For years, I intended to read Carrion Comfort (considered to be a vampire classic). When The Terror was publish, I purchased it planning to enjoy a good read. I actually started reading The Terror, but the heavy hardcover was a deterrent. Thus, A Winter Haunting is the first Dan Simmons novel that I have read.

Picking up A Winter Haunting at a bookstore, I did not realize that it is a sequel to Summer of Night; there was no indication in the synopsis. I read the entire book without the slightest clue that there was a prequel. I am not sure whether I will read a Summer of Night now or ever, but I will certainty read more Simmons' novels.

A Winter Haunting is a cleverly written suspenseful psychological horror. Dale Stewart, an English college professor has hit a snag in his life when he commences an affair with a graduate student, Clare Two Heart. On sabbatical, Dale travels to his childhood hometown of Elm Haven to seek solace. He rents the home of a decease childhood friend Duane McBride, who is narrating the white-knuckle winter events.

Although the story is slow paced, and I would rather there have been less flashback of Dale's romance with Clare, the adage, patience is a virtue is quite true for A Winter Haunting. Simmons uses Henry James' short story The Jolly Corner to establish a certainty of reality within his own story then breaks it all down. Are there really ghosts? The evocative prose supplies the mind's eye with classic horror scenes, simply, CGI free. Con: The esoteric, cryptic messages was annoying but engaging at times. 

Reading on your iPhone

If you are an iPhone user, and love reading, you will be delighted with version 2.0 apps. A long time ago, I was a PC user, but after my hard drive crashed, and I lost irreplaceable files, I switched to an Apple and never looked back. The only thing that I miss about a PC is Microsoft Reader. Nevertheless, I was still able to use Reader with my Hewlett Packard phone. After giving up my HP phone for an iPhone, I soon started to miss my digital reading device on the train, or while stuck in traffic.

Now iPhone has different apps that can read electronic books. The free application eReader only read books bought or uploaded from their online eBookstore. Their site does provide a few free books. Another application BookShelf cost $9.99. It supports uploading your own electronic books in various formats such as.txt, .html, .fb2, .pdb, .prc, and, .mobi. However, both apps lack the ability to read .lit format, which is a Microsoft Reader format. Anyway, I am on a budget and I do not want to buy an app to read public domain books, which is not compatible with the .lit format (University of Virginia Library has many free electronic ebooks in .lit, pdb and html). Searching for an app that would read .lit, I found Stanza. Right now Stanza is free on Beta version. Their website LexCycle, has a free library of public domain books that can be uploaded to the iPhone once downloaded to a Mac. Furthermore, there is no restriction where to obtain electronic reading material. Stanza’s supports numerous formats.

Odd Thomas Series

Odd Thomas
by Dean Koontz

Many years ago, I read Demon Seed by Dean Koontz. Since it has been such a long time, I cannot remember the details of the novel or even the denouement. Nevertheless, I remember never wanting to read another Koontz’s novel. It was an interesting plot, a home monitoring smart computer develops humanistic emotion of obsession for the lady of the house (Susan), who is a twice survivor of abuse. I recall enjoying the fast pace novel, but hating the conclusion. Now, today, I cannot remember why I hated the end, but it is the reason I have shunned Koontz’s novels.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that Dean Koontz published Odd Hours, fourth installment to his Odd series, which is currently seventh on the New York Times book review bestseller list. I had heard that the series is very interesting, narrated by a young man (Odd Thomas) of twenty-years-old, who is a short-order cook in the arid Californian town of Pico Mundo with the gift to see dead people and other things. Odd creates a memoir recounting his life experiences seeing the dead, conveying, and fulfilling their wishes. In Odd Thomas (book one), Odd takes a proactive approach when an abundant amount of ominous visitors “bodachs” surround a strange man and then denizens of Pico Mundo. Odd must protect the people he cares for and save Pico Mundo from a grand massacre.

I am glad I gave Dean Koontz another try. Even though M. Night Shyamalan has already made The Six Sense, and it is a great movie, Odd Thomas is nevertheless creative and interesting though it does have similar aspects to Shyamalan’s most popular film.

The first chapter is gripping, disclosing Odd Thomas' talent and his proactive approach towards the dead. Aspects of the story unfold slowly never revealing too much but not being overbearingly concealed. There is a stirring plot twist; just when everything seems to be revealed and only the pursuit seems to matter, more questions arise. In addition, even an element of the conclusion was unexpected.

I will surely be reading Forever Odd soon.

For more information on Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas series visit Odd's website Odd Thomas. There you can view Odd's webisodes called the Odd Passenager An Odd Thomas Story.