A Perfection Collection of Stories To Keep Beside Your Bed
587383
A fine collection of both fiction and non-fiction short stories for the lover of the paranormal genre.

This reviewer personally enjoyed the fiction stories better however remember when reading the stories that sometimes "the truth" is stranger than fiction.

If you enjoy the paranormal genre or just want to read a couple of scary stories, then go ahead and grab this book. Place it on your nightstand and read a story or two before you go to bed. Just make sure you leave the video recorder on in your room to record any visitors that come to see you middle of the night!

This reviewer rates this book 4.1 stars (rounded to 4 stars). A 4.0 rating from this reviewer classifies Creepy Book 2 as a "Quality Read".

Anthony Wessel
Founder of DigitalBookToday.com
Founder of The Top 100 Free Kindle Book List (updated daily)
826465
I very rarely give reviews to things I buy on Amazon, but in this case I had to make an exception.

This book is a collection of many of the best stories from 2nd Story.  2nd story is a Chicago group of authors, who read give live readings of their work around the city.  Having seen a few of their performances, I can safely say that this book captures the best of what they have to offer.  It will make you laugh, make you cry, leave you happy, leave you sad, leave you inspired.  This very talented bunch of authors bare their souls in their stories, telling them from the heart, and engaging the reader from the very first page.

Highly recommended stuff.
4005339
I am one of those people who had read many of Roald Dahl's works (from _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_ to "Lamb to the Slaughter"), I never realized they were all by the same author.  As I grew older, I fell in love all over again with Dahl's books for children, but when I stumbled across this collection, I bought it, more or less, blindly.  I remember "Lamb to the Slaughter" being good, but I had not read any of the other works, nor did I know Dahl had so many collections of short stories for the more "mature" reader.
This collection is awesome.  Being a fan of the O'Henry style story and the Shirley Jackson dark humor, I enjoyed myself tremendously going through each story.  The writing is very clean and plot driven, so you can literally lose yourself in his stories the moment you begin them.  The excerpt from _My Uncle Oswald_ called "The Visitor" is especially devilishly delicious.
Dahl is one of my favorite writers, and I feel that this collection bears very well on the legacy he left us.
3083435
I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, so I was glad to have found this collection. I'm usually a sucker for longer novels and series, but I've gotten a bit burned out on them. These stories were like palate cleansers - just the right length, and not too heavy.

Frequent Flyers has a diverse group of authors and styles, so each story, in spite of the shared theme, feels fresh. Whether you're a romance lover or just a fan of travel-themed stories, this is a perfect collection to have on your Kindle (especially if you've got a flight in your future).

It's certainly a great cure for romance burn-out!
1334336
I finally caught up with "Just After Sunset", Stephen King's 2008 collection of stories, and had as good a time as I always do with King's occasional compilations of his shorter works.  This one has 13 stories, and a generous amount of entertaining, illuminating notes at the end, giving us a glimpse of where the stories came from.  The stories run the gamut: horror, black comedy, character studies, ghost tales, and- as I'm sure won't surprise you- stories that skillfully combine two or more of these areas.  Some tales are more memorable than others, but there's not a clunker in the bunch.

I actually listened to the audiobook version of "Just After Sunset", and it's a top-notch production, delivering memorable readings by skilled narrators such as Jill Eikenberry, Ron McLarty, Mare Winningham, and George Guidall.  Even Stephen King himself reads a story (as well as the closing notes), and he's not bad.  I especially appreciated the fact that there's a short musical interlude between each story, which lets the impact of one story linger for a few seconds before the next one begins.  It's a nice touch that I wish was employed more often in audiobooks of story collections.

If you've never read Stephen King before, this would be a good book to get a representative sample of the kind of work he regularly produces.  As well as the wide range of genres already mentioned, there's also a wide range of moods and styles here, echoing the variety of moods and styles that appear throughout King's vast catalog.  For example, a subtle and lyrical character study about a middle-class girl dealing with the hostility she's feeling from her rich boyfriend's blue-blood parents will shortly be followed by a vulgar, profane tale of a guy locked in a porta-potty by his insane neighbor.  Both stories are quite good, but for very different reasons.

But whether you read or listen to "Just After Sunset", it's safe to say that you'll experience a book that you won't immediately shake off.  Stephen King's books tend to linger for a day or two after you finish them, and this one was no exception, at least in my case.  Experience the haunting characters and situations in "Just After Sunset" and see if you agree.
1397223
Night Music: Nocturnes, Vol. 2 is the second story collection by author John Connolly. Connolly is one of my favourite writers and this collection is a good example of why. The range and diversity of these stories guarantees that there is a little something something for anyone with a love of all things supernatural from the creepy horror of Razorshins to the sweet sadness of A Haunting. It contains 12 stories and novellas and, as in any collection of stories, I Iiked some better than others. My favourite is the novella The Caxton Lending Library & Book Depository. In this wonderfully imaginative tale, after authors die, their characters, at least those that have become part of our collective consciousness like Anna Karenina or Dracula, move into a hidden library in the British countryside.  This august establishment plays a role in another story, Holmes on the Range which is a rather quirky tale about the possible consequences of an author killing off a beloved character and later bringing him back to life. The book ends with a fascinating and often laugh-out-loud essay titled I Live Here in which Connolly discusses the writers and books that influenced his own writing among other things including his definitely not-stalking of Stephen King.

If you're a fan of the supernatural or just good writing and are looking for something that you can read at your leisure at this busy time of year, this may be the perfect solution although, warning, you may find yourself so engrossed in this collection you may forget to put it down to get back to those other things.

4.5
4482433
I loved this collection. Yes, loved.

Each story centers around a different resident on the 13th Floor - a mysterious, magical hideaway - and each one is as different as night and day. The stories are dark, tense, romantic and marked with hearts of gold, but never run the danger of repeating themselves. They flow from the very first page, not letting go even at the end. I could have read more.

I especially enjoyed the length of the stories, perfect for a couple hour read before bed. And the length definitely didn't make them any less captivating. My only critique: There should be at least 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 more apartments, so that the thrill would have no end.
3394536
This anthology has various fantastic stories from some of the most talented authors in the field. I really loved reading it and there is something for everyone, including the most diehard reader. You really should get this book!

Mirrors in the Attic by Daniel B. Johns
Fated by Kimber Kahn
Unexpected Winter by CR Guiliano
Son of a Preacher Man by Julie Lynn Hayes
Over the Road by Patricia Logan
Snowed In Truth or Dare by Donya Lynne
December's Dilemma by Ike Rose
His Name Was Harley Manfield by TA Webb
Cat vs Dog by AJ Llewellyn & Serena Yates
Changing Currency by Sara York
3252870
I love this book. I ended up buying extra copy to give as gifts to all of my friends with kids.  The stories are easy to read and something about the voice and tone is really comforting.  I like that there are 30 stories and that it is written so that you read one story a night for a whole month. And by the time you have finished all of the stories, you are ready to start over again!  the pictures are so imaginative and drawn in a style that matches perfectly with this book.  I am a nanny and also sister to young ones so I have had my fair share of Pinkalicious and Clifford the Big Red Dog and this trumps them all.  Plus, all of the stories have morals to them, and every one is unique.  Who doesn't like stories about rabbits and elves, witches and octopuses??? This book is golden.
1104387
great collection of encouraging stories,  I like it by my bedside to read a story before I go to be
1768414
This is one of the best collections I've read in a long time. I read it cover to cover in two short days. I discovered many new authors whose work I'll continue to follow. I found the two most outstanding stories to be "Jack of Souls" (I can't wait to buy the whole book , 'Jack of Souls, Unseen Moon,') by Stephen Merlino, and "The Jade Woman of the Luminous Star," by Sean Williams. My life would be slightly less complete had I missed those two stories.
1750521
I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection, but then, I'm an avid Anne McCaffrey fan: I loved all of the Pern books, and I thought -  it couldn't get better than this. Then, I loved the Pegasus series (The Rowan, Damia, and the rest). But, the Crystal Singer books are great, too - you get the idea!  These  short stories evoked worlds that were familiar and worlds that were new to me - each world interesting and complex, a treat to visit.  As usual, Anne's stories lift the spirits with hopeful endings, except the one sad story "Habit is an Old Horse" - skip it if you prefer.  Two additional treats in this book: 24 lovely illustrations and eight autobiographical pages by Anne herself.
4379397
Each of these stories is a dense, tightly packed narrative that proves to be immensely satisfying as the story unfolds, and the layers are artfully stripped away.  This is one of those collections where you find yourself reading each short story more than once to pick up all of the gems you missed in the first read.  The prose is lovely, with an elegant lyrical quality that flirts with mysticism without ever allowing the work to  decline into genre writing.  My favorite story, Green Peas and Lightening, straddles both the gritty realness of world the narrator is living in (one rife with death and abuse) and the "otherworldliness" of God the Sun, who inhabits an innocuous milk cooling shed.  Highly recommend this collection for a relaxing evening by the fire.
2931549
This is a wonderful collection of short stories. I'm almost halfway through and haven't found one that I don't like. The one with the 2 guys camping is just beautiful. Very moving.

I'm actually reading this as slowly as I can because I don't want it to end! I feel as though each tale should be savoured and thought about.

The writing style is excellent with such depth and intensity that the stories, although short, feel as though they are full length. The description invoved is fabulous. This is a really good read and the length of the tales make them perfect for lunch times or coffee breaks.

Highly reccommend!
4258179
I enjoyed this collection of short stories because each was, in its own way, a mini masterpiece. Dave Eccles' writing style is captivating. Story lines are unique and characterizations are rich. Weird, funny, scary, endearing, insane, heartwarming, are just some of the emotions that run through this wonderful collection. My daughter works at a dentist office and I just had to share "The Teeth Police" with her. "Autopilot" was one of my favorites, because I have an aging parent and can relate.  I think that's what makes Eccles writing so special, you might feel compelled to share one of these stories with someone because they are so good. There is something in this collection for everyone. A great find. While there are a couple of erotic short stories in the collection, I would highly recommend this book to even the most conservative reader, because it is just that, a wonderful collection.
3160898
This was my first book I chose for myself to read for a new "leave the house and all electronics behind on Sunday mornings and go read for an hour" plan with my husband. As I already love anthologies, and I knew I'd be pausing for a week between sessions, it was a perfect fit.

When I first came out, my brief experiences with the gay club scene were exactly that: brief. I had one brush with a rave, as well, and it was a wall of exclusion that was as clear as the bright colours everyone wore: You Should Leave. So part of me was worried I'd find these stories wouldn't let me in either.

Instead, I was drawn in almost from the start, and impressed at how Hyers' characters walked such a range within what does become a very tightly explored theme throughout. There are voices here we never get to see in most queer books: these aren't your upper-class pretty twinks and muscleboys enjoying the clubs (though they are also there, they aren't the characters who bring the stories to life). The voices shared in these stories are poor, they're Latino, they're the eyes who watch from within as well as without, and they've existed before, during, and after the hey-days of many versions of the DJ-hosted worlds of music, dance, and raves.

The drugs flow freely, the lines blur and criss-cross in an ever-changing maze of who is allowed in, and who will never be. There's violence on the page as often as there is compassion (with a few scenes that left me flinchingthough my own tolerance for violence on a page is set quite low). Manhattan (and New Jersey) are represented here in a way I've not encountered before, and I'm the richer for having read them. If there's any justice, this anthology will get noise.

Specifically, quite a few tales struck me. 'Stuart and His Mannequin' tucked itself neatly aside my love of the speculative and strange; 'Bosom Buddies' had pitch-perfect balance between the hopes, joys, injustices, and frustrations of the drag world; 'Mariposa in Outer Space' was outright brilliant; and the final tale, 'Spinning the Record,' was the perfect final beats to a series of tales that never let the rhythm pause for a moment.

I'm really, really glad to have read this collection, and will be seeking out more from Robert Hyers.
3832453
"Forbidden Texts" is a collection of stories from a group of talented authors. Each of the four stories were entertaining on their own, but two grasped a hold and wouldn't let me sleep until I finished. I'll mention those two stories briefly(while avoiding spoilers). Before I go into that I should list the other stories in the collection.

 Introduction by David Bain
 "Rookwood"  by Rick Kennett & Bryce Stevens
 "An Uncommon Stew" by Nicholas Knight
 "The Love of a Good Book" by Christine Cornell
 "When Satan Sings The Blues( 13 Sinful Selections from a Little South o' Heaven)" by James Newman

 The first story that I found outstanding was, "The Love of a Good Book". Konrad Walpole is the ultimate 'bookworm' always on a hunt for a good book at a good price. He know that to find the best books you have to look not in bright and booming bookstores; no the best finds came from others who collected books out of love.
On one such trip, the bookish Konrad stumbles upon the book with it's tacky navy blue cover. He had never heard of the author or title, but a quick skim of the pages and Mr. Walpole was sucked into the tale. Konrad and his wife will find the new book to much to pass up.

I loved this story because I could be Konrad. I love looking, buying, and reading books. When I find the perfect book I'm glued to it till I finish it.

Up next is, "An Uncommon Stew". A reporter has the privilege of attending an elite charity dinner soiree  held by Grayville's wealthiest resident Randolph Brackenmire. The meal was to die for, but the stew was something else. Guests often taking seconds and thirds followed by sex and bizarre occurrences.

The reporter digs deeper and soon find that the wealthiest man in town is not what he seems and his plans for Grayville and soon the world are even more dire.

This story has a nice blend of action,horror and strangeness that I couldn't help, but fall in love.

Overall "Forbidden Texts" is a great read with creepy fabulous stories.