Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Some reading suggestions

My New Year's resolution was to update the blog weekly. And so, on February 28, I present my first post of the year. So much for that...

Some recommended reads from 2011...


1) THE ART OF FIELDING, by Chad Harbach. Incredible debut.

2) LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN, by Colum McCann. One of the best novels I've read in years. Just extraordinary on every level.

3) THE OUTLAW ALBUM, by Daniel Woodrell. A true master at work.

4) EMILY, ALONE, by Stewart O'Nan. Again -- a true master at work. Stewart plays at a whole different level. And proves it again with THE ODDS, which was released in the past month, two books published in just 10 months, displaying not only an astonishing level of talent but an ability to produce consistently while still expanding his range. The Springsteen of literature!

5) MR. THUNDERMUG, by Cornelius Medvei. A baboon who learns to talk struggles with British society. A laugh-out-loud read.

6) 11/22/63, by Stephen King. One of his best novels in years, a terrific story, thought-provoking and moving.

7) THE IMPOSSIBLE, by Cole Louison. A non-fiction account of skateboarding culture. I've never watched the X Games, never ridden a skateboard, and found it fascinating and incredibly readable.

8) THE DROP, by Michael Connelly. I think it's the best Bosch book in a long time, and that's saying something, because Connelly doesn't miss.

9) THOSE ACROSS THE RIVER, by Christopher Buelhman. If you like your horror to ease from a slow-burn menace to a flat-out, twisted meanness, this one is for you.

10) BRINGING ADAM HOME, by Les Standiford. A thorough and gracefully written account of the horrific and haunting murder of Adam Walsh.

Books to look for in 2012 that will not disapoint:

1) THE COVE, by Ron Rash. April release.
2) LIVE BY NIGHT, by Dennis Lehane. October release.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

The real cats behind THE RIDGE



Discussed in Parade Magazine and on NPR. More to come about the Exotic Feline Rescue Center around release of the paperback edition of THE RIDGE. Couldn't think of a more worthy cause for those considering a unique Christmas gift -- sponsor a big cat! www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org




http://www.parade.com/news/2011/10/behind-the-scenes-big-cat-rescue.html

http://www.parade.com/news/2011/10/animal-rescue-michael-koryta.html

http://www.npr.org/2011/10/21/141578806/zanesville-animal-tragedy-echoes-ridge-plot

Two New York Times Notable Books in one year


Honored to report that the New York Times included both THE CYPRESS HOUSE and THE RIDGE in their "best of 2011" roundup. Marilyn Stasio writes:

FAVORITE SUPERNATURAL MYSTERY

"Michael Koryta easily takes top honors for two eerie novels, THE CYPRESS HOUSE (Little, Brown, $24.99), a 1930s gangster story with spooky undertones, and THE RIDGE (Little, Brown, $24.99) , a ghost story set in an old mining region of Kentucky."

THE CYPRESS HOUSE was also voted one of the 15 best horror novels of the years by the members of the GoodReads community, and both books were generously mentioned in the Miami Herald by the accomplished novelist/historian Les Standiford, whose latest release, BRINGING ADAM HOME, was a fine and heartbreaking history of the murder of Adam Walsh. Les says:

“I have just finished two books by Michael Koryta, who has turned a certain corner from straight-up mystery into historically based thrillers with a supernatural tinge. The new one is The Ridge, featuring a lighthouse built improbably near a large feline rescue center atop a mountain in Kentucky, and in paper is The Cypress House, a ’30s noir set in a creepy inn on Florida’s west coast. These are stylish and intelligent escapes, rich with the author’s appreciation for the power of place and a world that sometimes eludes reason.”

Meanwhile we continue to hope for good things on THE CYPRESS HOUSE film development front from the always-busy Chris Columbus and 1492 Pictures, who had another great year with the tremendous success of THE HELP, which posted the longest run at the top spot in the box office of any movie since THE SIXTH SENSE in 1999. Not bad!

We should have some updates on film news for SO COLD THE RIVER shortly...