March 2024 Reading List

This month I dove into The Deep by Nick Cutter, which I read as a follow-up to his chilling body horror novel, The Troop, which I held off reading for a lough while, but when I finally took the plunge last month, I found it chilling. I became an instant fan of Mr. Cutter’s so I decided to make The Deep my next read in his oeuvre. This novel transports readers to an underwater laboratory in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, where protagonist Lucas, a disheartened veterinarian, is thrust into a mission amidst a global plague known as “The Gets.” This disease devastatingly strips away memory, escalating from forgetting trivial items to critical functions like swallowing. Lucas’s journey isn’t just a battle against biological horror but a poignant, strained attempt to reconnect with his estranged genius brother, Clayton, who might possess a cure amidst the oceanic abyss. That cure might be an unknown species, possibly an alien species.  Cutter’s prose, while replete with stomach-churning horrors reminiscent of his earlier work, shifts slightly, melding a David Cronenberg body horror with an underwater thriller akin to James Cameron’s The Abyss. The mix creates a less cohesive narrative but retains a squirm-inducing quality that Cutter fans will appreciate. Though it diverges somewhat from its core horror, the estranged brothers' dynamic and the apocalyptic stakes kept me hooked, solidifying my interest in Cutter's unique blend of terror and human drama.

Stephen King's The Dead Zone was a major part of my March re-reads, a novel that stands out for its exploration of fate and free will through the life of Johnny Smith, who awakens from a coma with psychic abilities. King plots an intricate course that blends personal tragedy with socio-political commentary, a rare structured approach from an author known for his sprawling narratives. The story's strength lies in its deep dive into character and setting, which paints a vivid picture of 1980s America—a period that feels almost dreamlike now. Revisiting this book, especially in our current tumultuous times, I found new relevance in Johnny’s foresight and dilemmas, which reflect the universal fear of a doomed future. This novel continues to resonate with me, revealing new layers with each reading, and remains a favorite for its profound character studies and gripping plot.

It by Stephen King

Another King classic, IT, found its way back into my reading schedule. This hefty novel, which I tackled in bursts, juxtaposes profound terror with intricate human vignettes, set against the backdrop of Derry, Maine. King’s narrative prowess shines as he alternates between the past and present struggles of the Losers’ Club against a shapeshifting horror. The childhood encounters with IT, filled with genuine fear and bravery, contrast sharply with the somewhat overstretched adult confrontation. King’s exploration of friendship, memory, and the passage of time enriches the narrative, making each character’s journey both personal and universally resonant. Despite some narrative indulgences, the novel’s deep dives into the psyches of its characters are where King truly excels, offering readers a dark mirror to their own childhood fears and adult anxieties.

My focus shifted from fiction to non-fiction with Remembrance: The Letters of Ray Bradbury. This collection offers a window into Bradbury’s life through his correspondence with a diverse array of individuals, from mentors and peers to protégés. These letters not only illuminate his development as a writer but also his thoughts on the creative process and the business of writing. Spanning from his early days as a budding author to his later years as a literary giant, the letters showcase Bradbury’s evolution and the breadth of his influence. Reading this book was a profound experience, particularly as I engage with the Bradbury Short Story Challenge. It provides both inspiration and practical advice, serving as a mentorship from one of the literary greats. The insights into Bradbury’s artistic journey and personal philosophies added a rich layer to my understanding of his impact on literature and beyond.

On the physical fitness front I checked out a pair of books I read years ago, but which felt might be worth revisiting now that I a little older.  The Golden Rules by Bob Bowman, recounts the famous Olympic swim coach’s time training Michael Phelps.

Like many books from coaches of famous athletes there are lists of rules and standards, which separate the champions from the rest of the competitive field. In most cases, 99.99% of us will never compete at that level, but what I appreciated about Bowman’s book was the way it illustrated the effectiveness of clear goal setting.  Once an objective is stated, a detailed game plan for achieving that goal can be constructed and followed to success.  Bowman points out that champions like Phelps, for all their natural gifts, are also dedicated to their training and diligent in their goal setting, both of which contain several useful examples of how you can do the same in your own life. 

I also recently re-read Rich Roll’s Finding Ultra. I admit it.  I am a sucker for stories about unhealthy people who completely overhaul their lives and go on to become incredible athletes. Rich Roll may not be an entirely household name, but he is one of the folks ho helped put ultra marathons on the map.  Not bad for a forty year old overweight alcoholic.  Roll’s story about how he, with his wife and family;’s help, overhauls his life is filled with both useful and uplifting anecdotes. His success was not merely in helping to find and define his sport, but in living a healthy and fulfilling life. The stories of some of his runs are incredible. Plus, chapter 8 is one of the more insightful chapters into how to train for an ultra, and what it means to completely change one’s life, particularly at a time when, or most people, bad habits are so ingrained that the notion of change seems impossible.  Roll proves there is no such word.  I recommend both books highly and suggest the audiobook version so you can listen while you undertake your own fitness journey.