The Dead Tossed Waves - Audio

Title/Author: The Dead Tossed Waves (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #2) by Carrie Ryan.

Narrator: Tara Sands.

Genre:  YA, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Sci-Fi.

Publisher: Listening Library.

Source: Library.

Synopsis:  Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves. ~Goodreads.com.

Midnyte Musings:  I have mixed feelings about The Dead Tossed Waves.  I liked it, but I had a lot of  issues.  I like the way that it is kind of a continuation of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but not necessarily a sequel.  It is the same world, a few of the same characters, but a different location and a different time.  If you only wanted to read The Dead Tossed Waves, you would not be lost. 

Things got off to a slow start but the story picked up and became more interesting as events became  more complicated.  I love the twists and turns the plot took.  It's a big world out there, but in this story the communities and connections are close and intertwined.  When Gabry discovers her mother, Mary, holds secrets that are a key to their past, she questions who she is literally and figuratively which is already in question because of her actions when she ran to safely while her friends were in danger.

The zombies in this book, or Mudo, or Unconsecrated, are frightening, but not the main aspect of the story.  They are more like the catalyst as to why the world is the way it is. Communities are secluded and the landscape is walled, fenced and barricaded so the undead can't invade and infect.  I don't really consider this Horror or "about zombies" because the story is about Gabry.  The zombies are background.

Although I did like Gabry to a point, she was also a character that for me was a bit too naive and sheltered to the point of her being a little shallow only because she doesn't know better. It worked because of the way she was raised, but it didn't mean she didn't irritate me at times.  I felt as a reader, I was inside Gabry's head more than in the story.  She belabored her thoughts way too much for my taste.  Showing inner turmoil is helpful, but not with every single move and decision.  Was it necessary for plot and character development?  Or was it filler?

I also didn't enjoy the love triangle between Gabry, Catcher (her childhood crush), and new boy Elias.  I thought her dilemma was interesting, but at the same time thought it was kind of convenient.  The issue with her childhood crush, Catcher, made reality easier, her choice obvious.  However, I did like how guilt and loyalty came into the equation.  The ending had Gabry making her choice in many aspects, but obviously there is another book.  If I can find it on audio I would listen to it, but I don't think I would read a print copy.

Narration: Tara Sands gave Gabry a very appropriate performance.  Her voice matched the youth and innocence of the main character and made the book exciting when needed.  I think people who loved Forest of Hands and Teeth, fans of Carrie Ryan, and lovers of YA will appreciate this book.

Starstruck Over:  The world building and mysteries.  

The Zombies of Lake Woebegotten

Title/Author: Zombies of Lake Woebegotten by Harrison Geilor.

Narrated by: Phil Gigante.

Genre: Horror/Humor.

Publisher: Brilliance Audio.

Source: Library.

Favorite Character: Julie.

Favorite Quote: "In this town, who would even notice if the dead started walking!" ~Rufus.

Synopsis:  The town of Lake Woebegotten, Minnesota is a small town, filled with orginary (yet above average) people, leading ordinary lives.  Ordinary, that is, until the dead start coming back to life, with the intent to feast upon the living.  Now this small town of above average citizens must overcome their petty rivalries and hidden secrets, in order to survive the onslaught of the dead. ~Goodreads.com. 

My Thoughts: This book started out slow for me.  I'm not sure if I had to get used to the narrator's  cadence or the pacing of the story.  I also had a problem with the timeline.  At first I thought the events were in a strictly linear order, but not all of them are.  So people that I thought had died made appearances and I got confused.  About half way through I figured it out and realized my error.  Don't get me wrong, I think the book is hysterical from the get-go.  It is just not fast paced.

The characters are pretty awesome.  Can you imagine a zombie outbreak in a town of reserved and kind of crusty midwesterners?  They aren't alarmed at first and in fact seem kind of bewildered until a town meeting is called and they have to show the citizens proof. 

The characters are varied, unique, quirky and odd.  There is Julie, the ex-military soldier who came home to take care of her grandfather and has a unique side job besides being a waitress.  And of course, the former superintendent who unbeknownst to all (or most) is a serial killer.  He is quite colorful and brings interest and mayhem to the otherwise boring town.  Yes, boring even though there is a zombie outbreak.  I also think Eileen, the Mayor's wife is a great character.  Conniving and a bit selfish and she has some tricks up her sleeve as well. 

I wouldn't consider this a straight up Horror story although there is some gore and gruesome scenes, although they are mostly tempered by the humor.   Points for the clever author name as well, which also lets the reader kind of know what to expect.  There is also another book by the same author, The Twilight of Lake Woebegotten which looks pretty funny as well.

Narration: At first I wasn't keen on the narration.  Gigante felt plodding and I felt it was more suited for a bedtime story so I could nod off.  However, as the story progressed I began to appreciate the tone and it lent itself well to the spoof.  It kind of reminded me of the Saturday Night Live skit "Deep Thoughts."  The accents were also perfect and made the dialogue more humorous.

All in all: A hysterical and wacky tale of zombies with action and terror in it as well.

World War Z.

Title/Author: World War Z by Max Brooks.

Narrated by: Ensemble Cast.

Genre: Horror, Speculative Fiction, Dark Fiction.

Publisher: Brilliance Audio.

Source: Purchased.

Favorite Character: Christina and Jessica.

Synopsis:  The Zombie War came unthinkably close to eradicating humanity. Max Brooks, driven by the urgency of preserving the acid-etched first-hand experiences of the survivors from those apocalyptic years, traveled across the United States of America and throughout the world, from decimated cities that once teemed with upwards of thirty million souls to the most remote and inhospitable areas of the planet. He recorded the testimony of men, women, and sometimes children who came face-to-face with the living, or at least the undead, hell of that dreadful time. World War Z is the result.
 
This invaluable chronicle reflects the full scope and duation of the Zombie War, but most of all, the audiobook captures with haunting immediacy the human dimension of this epochal event.  Facing the often raw and vivid nature of these personal accounts requires a degree of courage on the part of the listener, but the effort is invaluable because, as Mr. Brooks says in his introduction, “By excluding the human factor, aren’t we risking the kind of personal detachment from history that may, heaven forbid, lead us one day to repeat it?"

Note: Some of the numerical and factual material contained in this edition was previously published under the auspices of the United Nations Postwar Commission. ~Product description.

My Thoughts:  World War Z is a re-imagining of the world if a zombie apocalypse occured. Not just the world around a few characters or the world in one town.  But the entire world. Different countries, towns and citizens have different issues and deal with the outbreak in various ways. 

What makes this book very unique is the way it is executed.  Told in varying perspectives from politicians to soldiers to the commoner it encompasses not just personal accounts, but political, socio-economic, and cultural impacts.  Zombies simply make civilization as we know it break down, but the catalyst could have been anything - disease, natural disasters - which I guess one could argue that zombies are a disease and a natural disaster as well.  Although I didn't understand all the political ramifications, I felt the outcomes were very thorough and detailed. 

World War Z is not just a zombie book.  It's a look at how our world could change from the comforts and perhaps even some of the hardships that we are familiar with.  It's a glimpse into a realistic future that we may not all survive. 

My favorite characters were the two women in the story, yeah call me biased or maybe it *is* just a coincidence.  Christina Eliopolis is a pilot who bugged out of her plane and had help in her survival via her walkie talkie.  Her story has a supernatural or psychological twist, depending on how you view it.  Jesika Hendricks told the story of her childhood experiences during the outbreak, which included sorrowful and gruesome details.  

Narration: The cast that portrayed the characters did a very good job.  Again the women who spoke for  Christina and Jesika are very engaging and so are most of the narrators.  Notably the bodyguard.  Alan Alda and Rob Reiner have wonderful voices to begin with and portrayed their characters nicely. 

All in all: An interesting look at the world if faced with a zombie apocalpyse.  The different narrators and shorter accounts kept things interesting.

And yes, I saw the movie and enjoyed it.  It has echoes of the book, but as I'm sure you've guessed it is very different.  I didn't love the movie as much as some of my friends however.  I wonder if I'm desensitized to zombie shows/movies.  

Virtual Zombie Walk - Author Interview with Dr. Steven Schlozman: The Zombie Autopsies.

As the walking dead rise up throughout the world, a few brave doctors attempt to find a cure by applying forensic techniques to captured zombies.

On a remote island a crack medical team has been sent to explore a radical theory that could uncover a cure for the epidemic. Based on the team's research and the observations of renowned zombie expert Dr. Stanley Blum, THE ZOMBIE AUTOPSIES documents for the first time the unique biology of zombie organisms.

Detailed drawings of the internal organs of actual zombies provide an accurate anatomy of these horrifying creatures. Zombie brains, hearts, lungs, skin, and digestive system are shown, while Dr. Blum's notes reveal shocking insights into how they function--even as Blum and his colleagues themselves begin to succumb to the plague.

No one knows the ultimate fate of Dr. Blum or his researchers. But now that his notebook, THE ZOMBIE AUTOPSIES, has been made available to the UN, the World Health Organization, and the general public, his scientific discoveries may be the last hope for humans on earth.

When I contacted Dr. Steven Schlozman for a speaking engagement over the summer, he accepted immediately.  I was touched by his enthusiasm and friendliness and impressed with his kindess and generosity.  I was intimidated at first (okay I still am a bit, because I mean, look at his credentials below), but Dr. Schlozman (who our organization nicknamed "The Zombie Doctor.") is also extremely down to earth and approachable.  I thought he would be a perfect candidate for an interview for the Blogger Virtual Zombie Walk and he once again eagerly agreed. 

1. How did your interest in zombies come about? Were they always your favorite "monster?"

I don't think zombies were my favorite, but they were "a" favortie. When I was a kid, I watched what they used to call the "Creature Features" on Saturday morning television. I remember they were on the UHF stations, and they were a campy mix of the classics along with the Hammer Horror stuff and some more modern stuff. I loved the wolf man back then, and had that gypsy curse memorized as if it held real power. I started liking zombies a lot with the Evil Dead movies, even those aren't really zombies. They just got called zombies, and that brought me back to watching again as a young adult some of the zombie movies that basically scared the poop out of me when I was a kid. I distinctly remembering sneaking in to see Dawn of the Dead and then not being able to get home on my own from the theater. (I had to call my folks). Now I see zombies as a great proxy for all sorts of difficult questions - how do you define being human, when, or is it ever worth giving up, how can we better understand the marvels of the brain, and so forth.

2. What led you to write The Zombie Autopsies?

Actually, I was sublimating after I found out my wife had Breast Cancer. She's fine now, but at the time I was super-scared, so I stayed up late and watched whatever was on TV. The original Night of the Living Dead was on one night, and I realized that the "zombies" had diagnosable symptoms - in other words, you could assign brain dysfunction to much of their behavior, and you could at the same time examine the way fear makes non-zombie-like characters act with the impuslive rage of the classic zombie. That brought me to a fake medical paper which I presented at the Coolidge Corner Theater before a showing of Night of the Living Dead, then contact with folks in Hollywood, and eventually the book contract. I also had lots of inspiration from Max Brooks, George Romero, and Matt Mgok, all zombie enthusiasts who were kind enough to allow me to befriend them.

3. The Zombie Autopsies is more of a diary, an account...what made you choose this style to tell your story?

I wanted a kind of versimilitude - the sense that the documents were found and had to be pieced together. I wanted the reader to feel just like the protagonist; getting sicker exactly as the mystery is being solved. The most facile way to do this seemed via the first person format.

4. What kind of research did do for it?

Fun Research! I had to bone up (no pun intended) on infectious diseases, epidemiology, religious dogma, and history. I had to see how the UN writes treaties, and I had to better understand that notions by which we define humanity. This brought me to doctors, scientists, philosophers and writers.

5. Did you find anything that surprised you?

I was suprised by how many zombie fans there are! I'd call folks out of the blue and sheepishly explain to them why I was calling and what I was researching, and then we'd spend the next 20 minutes just reliving our favorite zombie films. I also found what I guess I expected but was happy to have confirmed - that fans of the genre are largely non-violent, fascinated by the intellectual questions that the genre evokes, and consistently nice.

6. How did you find the illustrator?

My editor found her. Isn't she awesome? The book wouldn't be the same without Andrea.

7. What do you want people to take away after reading The Zombie Autopsies?

I want them to see how tenuous our definitions are...what makes us sick, what makes us well, what makes us alive, what makes us dead, and how badly we can behave in the face of stress and fear, but how ultimately were pretty special as a species.

8. Does your work as a psychiatrist somehow tie in to your zombie hobby?

I work with kids. To that end, the playfulness of being a child psychiatrist lends itself to taking outlandish concepts and making real use of the ideas they bring.

9. Why do you think there is such a huge trend toward zombie entertainment today? Do you think it will change? Lessen? Go away?

I think fear and uncertainty, just like the shambling body walking towards you in movie that might be your injured grandmother or might be a zombie, lend themselves to this genre. Zombie are so deceptively impersonal...if that grandmother is a zombie, she doesn't know you, though she looks like she should. Sort of like banks...if that bank says it has a loan but really takes your money, then we react badly and frenetically. That seems not a bad way to describe our drift towards impersonal modernity.

10. If there was a zombie apocalypse what would be the first thing you would do?

Write stories. That's how Homer stayed alive!

11. Can you share your exciting news about The Zombie Autopsies?

Well, it's been optioned by George Romero and the first part of the script is done. Fingers crossed that it'll make it to the big screen. I'm currently working on the sequel.

Steven Schlozman, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Lecturer in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He earned his Medical Degree at the Brown-Dartmouth Program in Medicine, and completed his training in general psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and his Child Psychiatry Residency at the MGH/McLean Program in Child Psychiatry.

He is currently the Associate Director of Training for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Program at the MGH/McLean Program in Child Psychiatry, and Co-Director of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry for Harvard Medical School. Clinically, he works with children, adolescents and adults in both psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic treatment settings, and he serves as the pediatric psychiatry consultant to the pediatric transplant unit at the MGH Hospital for Children. His academic work focuses on curriculum reform and educational endeavors at the medical student and post graduate levels, as well as on the psychiatric treatment of medically ill children. His first novel, The Zombie Autopsies, was published by Grand Central Publishing in March 2011

For another terrific article that delves a little deeper into Dr. Schlozman's research, check out this post by Mark Strauss HERE.

To purchase The Zombie Autopsies, click HERE.


CONTEST:
~I am giving away three (3) copies of The Zombie Autopsies to three (3) different winners.

TO ENTER:
~Leave your name (use what I can announce on the blog if you win) and e-mail address on the Rafflecopter form.
~Leave a meaningful comment below about something from this interview.
~That's it! No need to follow, tweet, or like unless you want extra entries.

RULES:
~Winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter.
~This contest is international!  As long as Amazon or Book Depository delivers to your address.
~Winner may choose Hardcover, paperback, kindle or audio edition.  (Price not to exceed $16.00)(Audio edition from Amazon only).

~Please see my contest policy HERE.
~This contest ends on October 25, 2012 at 12:01am.
~If winner does not contact me within 72 hours (3 days) of my first e-mail, unfortunately another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A huge thanks to Zombies Everywhere for organizing this Zombie Walk. Don't forget to visit all the other blogs that are participating!

Zombies Everywhere
Retro-Zombie
Halloween Blues
The Southern Northerner
Martha's Journey
Annie Walls
GingerRead Review
App'y Talk
Kweeny Todd
Jenny's House of Horrors
Bubba's Place
Fictional Candy
herding cats & burning soup
Author Sherry Soule Blog
Paranormal research Group Blog
Adult Urban Fantasy by Sherry Soule
Moonlight Publishing Blog
Candid Canine
Ghost Hunting Theories
Above the Norm
A Dust Bunny In The Wind
Faith McKay
Zombob's Zombie News & Movie Reviews
Flesh From The Morgue
The Living Dark
Some One Else's Cook
Stumptown Horror
Forget About TV, Grab a Book
Zombie Dating Guide
Strange State
The Paranormalist - Renae Rude
Idée Fixe
Random Game Crafts
WhiteRoseBud's Tumblr
Gnostalgia
Book Me!
Carmen Jenner Author
Sarasota Zombie Pub Crawl
Not Now...Mommy's Reading
Love is a Many Flavored Thing
Its On Random
Ellie Potts
Attention Earthlings!
Horror Shock LoliPOP
The Spooky Vegan
The Story In...
DarkSide Detectives Blog
Something wicKED this way comes....
Julie Jansen: science fiction and horror writer
Author/screenwriter James Schannep
The Zombie Lab
Creepy Glowbugg
Pickleope
Sharing Links and Wisdom
Midnyte Reader
This Blog Has A.D.D.
Carol's Creations
Jeremy Bates

Bad Taste in Boys.

Title/Author: Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris.

Genre: YA/Horror.

Publisher: Delacort Press for Young Readers.

Source: Borrowed from a friend.

Favorite character:  Kate and Jonas.

All in all:  Adorable!  

Synopsis: Someone's been a very bad zombie.

Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steriods are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate! She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town . . . and stay hormonally human.~Goodreads.

My Thoughts: When I saw this cover before it came out and found out what it was about I wanted to read it.  It was lieing around my guest room (where my books live) for a long time and I kept passing it over.  But I needed something light and easy to read, plus it's not a tome (only 201 pages).  I am happy to say this book surpassed my expectations.

I was caught up in the story right away and in Kate's awkward, self proclaimed dorky voice.  She is funny and self depracating, but does not come off as whiny or a constant "poor me" type.  In fact, she is anything but a victim as she navigates the mystery of the zombie outbreak and what's more proving it so the powers that be believe her. All the while she is also dealing with High School and her crush on one of the Football players, Aaron. 

I also liked that some of the more popular kids were also her friends.  Kiki is a cheerleader and gorgeous, but also nice and befriended Kate without any agenda.  I thought this was refreshing and original.  She does have some trouble at school and with certain people, but does not lament or dwell too much on it, but uses humor and practicality and seems to accept and at times thrive in her place as a geek. 

Although her mom is overseas teaching and her dad is a bit preoccupied, I still like the fact that she seems close to them.  And, I love the relationship between her and her younger brother Jonas.  They are so cute and very enjoyable to read about.  Jonas is hysterical and heroic and everyone should have a brother like him. 

The romance is present, but not the main concern.  Aason is on her mind, at some times more heavily than on others, but Kate's main concern is the "zombie virus" and what or who is behind it.  She's got her priorities straight. 

Although Kate's humor made the scary parts a little less so, I still thought they had some real "bite" to them.  (Sorry.)  There was gore and zombie run-ins and close calls. 

The story and plot move and make this a fast, fun, thrilling read.

Challenges:

Dust & Decay

Title/Author:  Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry.

Genre: YA/Horror.

Publisher: Simon and Schuster for Young Readers.

Source: Library.

Favorite character: Tommy Imura. 

All in all: Fast, fun, action packed.

Cover: Unique and powerful.

Synopsis: In post-apocalyptic America, 15-year-old Benny Imura and his friends set out into the great Rot & Ruin hoping to find a better future but are soon pitted against zombies, wild animals, insane murderers, and the horrors of Gameland. ~Goodreads.com.

My Thoughts:
Twisty, turny Dust & Decay.  Oh how you entertained me and surprised me again and again.  You may not think a book can keep your attention for a little over 500 pages, but this one kept mine.  Just when I thought that nothing was around the next corner, Maberry would throw a grenade in the story.

Dust & Decay is fast paced and easy to read.  The writing is lovely yet brutal when the circumstances call for it.  The world itself is still pretty.  Trees, flowers, bees...and Mayberry does not forget to show us that.  But events have made humans and humanity ugly and that is shown as well.  The contrast is interesting.

A great plot device is Nix's journal entries.  She asks questions that the reader may ask and also gives important workings of the world in Dust & Decay, including zombies.  I would bet that a lot of the scientific details in Nix's journals is accurate since I know that Maberry is very conscious about research.  I also really appreciate how the events of the first book Rot & Ruin are peppered throughout the book, not recapped all in one place and only important pertinent information is given.  And the humor!  Let's not forget the humor throughout.  It gives a refreshing break from the stressful plot.

The zombie mythology and the slang that comes out of this world is pretty cool.  "If you look into a zombie's eyes you will see how you look as a zombie."  Chilling isn't it?  How some people feel that the zoms are the meek that are inheriting the earth.  The questions and theories are laid out for the reader by the characters.  The slang is also a lot of fun that the Bounty Hunters use.  The world building is subtle, yet thorough and organic. 

I also really like how the romance is played out between Benny and Nix.  They truly love each other, but both question the reality of being "in" love.  Is it only because they've known each other for so long?  Or because of what they went through together?  Either way they have a bond which grows stronger as events unfold.

Many of the characters go through transformations.  Harsh words, contemplation and regret lead to change between many, but I feel most dramatically with Lilah. She realizes that people she has been avoiding all her life, may actually care for her.  It was interesting to watch her deal with the implications of that.

Two of my other favorite characters are Dr. Skillz and J-Dog.  I love their surfer slang and attitude.  Surfers can be so zen and they show it with humor and class in the midst of defending themselves and their friends.  Sally Two Knives is also a great character, a tough woman who always does the right thing and I loved the Greenman, with his gentle ways and contemplative words.  I think he is the Yoda of the land. 

Someone stated to me that they felt the dialogue is a bit preachy at times.  I can understand this opinion, but it didn't bother me.  Sometimes people need things spelled out for them to roll around in their mind.  Benny and Nix's adventures are always going to be lessons and Tom has to try to be the teacher so that they can survive.  However, for the most part, the story lets the characters learn without someone having to point out the right and wrong of it. 

At first I didn't like the alternate point of views, but it was used sparingly until the end when it was needed most.  I liked how I saw the different "scenes" of the book simultaneously and got to know different characters a bit better.

This is a first rate book that everyone should read.  Adults, kids, reading groups, zombie lovers.  I definitely see it becoming an important piece of fiction and it has very teachable moments. 

***Spoiler Alert: (Highlight to read): I usually would make a much more subtle reference to this part, but I HAD to talk about it!  I really never thought that Tom would die.  In fact there was a time in the book when it seemed close but I even wrote a post-it note on my book notes, I was nervous but I knew Maberry would never kill my Tommy.  But he did!  Another twist!  I was upset, shocked, and so very, very sad.  However, it also felt kind of "right" somehow and I felt Maberry made a good choice.  Sometimes it drives me crazy when everyone lives.  (Although I'm still upset it was Tom.)  To kill off someone who is a legend and seems unstoppable is a bold move.  Tommy was almost too perfect to live and his death will make him martyr like, at least in my eyes.  End Spoiler Alert***

Challenges:

Other editions: