Uncomfortably Dark: My Interview with Candace Nola

Fellow readers, writers, and Friends of the Macabre,

Consider the following an informal newsletter as to what I’ve been up to, writing/publishing-wise.

The very first review for my new book, MATTERS MOST MACABRE, is now in and it’s overwhelmingly positive. Talented writer/reviewer, Candace Nola, has awarded it a full five stars, as well as interviewed me for her excellent website, Uncomfortably Dark. We talk about writing, creative influences, horror fiction, and more.

Feel free to check out that interview/review here: https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/blank-page-5

Thank you, Candace!

For my fellow readers, if you’d like to purchase my latest book in kindle, or paperback, or hardcover, I would be immensely grateful! Matters Most Macabre can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Matters-Most-Macabre-Tylor-James-ebook/dp/B08Z7LM8TZ

Best,

Tylor James.

Full Throttle: Stories by Joe Hill (a book review!)

My first hardcover edition of Full Throttle, signed by Joe Hill, is among the treasures of my personal library.

I utterly adore Joe’s writing and have yet to come away disappointed. Full Throttle is no exception. I enjoyed every tale in this collection, but especially fell in love with By the Silver Waters of Lake Champlain. It is a take on Bradbury’s The Foghorn. It may arguably stand the test of time on its own literary merits, much like its predecessor.

Dark Carnival is also excellent, as is Faun, a Hemingway-esque safari tale which turns into an otherworldly fantasy, a la C.S. Lewis. In the Tall Grass, co-written with Stephen King, perfectly blends Joe and Stephen’s writing styles, producing one effectively creepy hybrid.

Out of everything in this fine collection, what sticks with me (though not quite as much as “Lake Champlain”) is a tale called Late Returns. I identified completely with the narrator’s voice, finding his encounters with ghostly book readers to be thrilling, intriguing, and more than a touch creepy.

In summary, all I want to say is — Great work, Mr. Hill. I can’t wait to read the next!

Thanks for reading.

Your friend and fellow book-dragon,

Tylor James.

The History of Philosophy by A.C. Grayling (a book review!)

I didn’t merely devour AC Grayling’s The History of Philosophy — I lovingly savored it. I occasionally even re-read sections, taking my time and genuinely enjoying it.

The amount of content covered within these 700 pages is prodigious! Yet Grayling’s writing is accessible and engaging, often with a charming touch of wit. While a more seasoned philosophical student may not be as blown away, I was quite impressed. Although familiar with most of the names in this book, I was not as familiar with their various metaphysical/epistemological ideas.

2500 years of humankind’s most ingenious thinkers and philosophical schools of thought serve as quite a formidable subject to pen within a single volume. Yet the author succeeds in this task brilliantly.

I did think the Analytical Philosophy section got (just a little) dry, but I continued reading, and am certainly glad I did. After having finished this mind-expanding tome while soaking in the sun up at the lake, I can confidently say that The History of Philosophy is now among my very favorite books.

I also high recommend listening to any talk/lecture by AC Grayling (British author, philosopher, and Master of New College of the Humanities in London) that you can find. His wisdom, knowledge, and rationalistic approach to life is of high value, especially in such precarious times as these.

Thanks for reading.

Your friend and fellow book-dragon,

Tylor James.