Member: KentonSem
CollectionsYour library (1,857), Library Book - Reading (1), Currently reading (3), Read but unowned (3), All collections (1,864)
Reviews3 reviews
Tagshorror (807), mrs. (267), comic books (223), science fiction (204), the good charybdis (193), weird fiction (167), short stories (153), fantasy (135), check (121), anthologies (117) — see all tags
Cloudstag cloud, author cloud
About meI work in an academic library. I'm fascinated by the history of the horror genre in all media, psychotronic film, comic books, giant monsters of the deep and the ability of my cats to teleport. Please drop by and visit my LT group The Weird Tradition!
Currently Watching:
Dexter: Season 7 (2012)
About my libraryBooks are kept dry and on shelves.
GroupsThe Horror Film: History, Reference, and Beyond, The Red Circle, The Weird Tradition
Favorite authorsCharles Addams, Antonin Artaud, J. G. Ballard, Laird Barron, Algernon Blackwood, Ray Bradbury, Alan Bradley, Louise Brooks, James Lee Burke, William S. Burroughs, Ramsey Campbell, Jonathan Carroll, Philip K. Dick, Lord Dunsany, Will Eisner, Harlan Ellison, James Ellroy, Guy Endore, Dennis Etchison, Ian Fleming, Barry Gifford, Charles L. Grant, Günter Grass, William Hope Hodgson, Robert E. Howard, Shirley Jackson, S. T. Joshi, Stephen King, T. E. D. Klein, Kathe Koja, Joe R. Lansdale, Lautreamont, Fritz Leiber, Herbert Lieberman, H. P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, George R. R. Martin, Groucho Marx, Richard Matheson, Daphne du Maurier, Ed McBain, Michael Cisco, Michael Moorcock, Flannery O'Connor, Mervyn Peake, Edgar Allan Poe, Steven Puchalski, David J. Schow, Maurice Sendak, Michael Shea, Dan Simmons, David J. Skal, Clark Ashton Smith, Peter Straub, Jim Thompson, Thomas Tryon, Mark Twain, Voltaire, Karl Edward Wagner, John Waters, Michael Weldon, Manly Wade Wellman, Roger Zelazny (Shared favorites)
Real nameKenton Sem
LocationMonster Island
Emailkenton.sem
gmail.com
Account typepublic, lifetime
URLs
http://www.librarything.com/profile/KentonSem (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/KentonSem (library)
Member sinceMar 11, 2006
Currently readingThe Spirit Archives, Volume 22 by Will Eisner
Weird Fiction Review #3 by S.T. Joshi
Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle No. 1) by Neal Stephenson
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posted by paradoxosalpha at 10:09 am (EST) on May 7, 2012
posted by paradoxosalpha at 9:24 am (EST) on May 7, 2012
Dear Kenton Sem,
Thank you for the information on William Hope Hodgson's story, THE GHOST PIRATES. I will check that one out next after I finish reading THE NIGHT LAND. You said you haven't read THE NIGHT LAND yet. It is very good too, but I like THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND better, but did not know that THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND is his masterpiece. I probably have a link to THE GHOST PIRATES. When I started looking for THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND, I webbed up a bunch of sites with his stories and also biographical information and information about his books. I haven't read any of the biographical information yet, and will wait to read the information on each book after I read the book. Many reviewers are giving away the end of the book, and I don't like that! I didn't think they were supposed to do that!
I webbed up a bunch of stuff about Shirley Jackson and her writing, and bookmarked that too, for future reading, and was shocked when I saw that most of the reviewers had given away the ending of THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE (which I've already read). So now I'm careful which book reviews I read!
I did find out that all of William Hope Hodgson's work is in the public domain and on the Internet now. Unfortunately, Shirley Jackson's isn't. My brother tells me they keep extending the copyright. I don't think that is right. I am a writer, and don't believe in copyright, so I only post my stories on free sites, available to everyone with Internet access, and will only release simultaneous, nonexclusive rights to any of the publishers. I wrote for money back in the old hardcopy writing days, and made very little money--the publishers used to make all the money, not the writers. Someday I hope to have my own website to publish on, and will make money from ads if I can, but never again by selling my writing. Right now, I only have time to post my writing to my Facebook and a site called Writer's Network.
I am new to LibraryThing, and think it is great except for one thing. They let writers give e-copies of their books away in exchange for reviews, but won't let you do that if your work is freely available elsewhere. So I guess I won't be able to share my books here! I still may join the writer's community when I get time, though.
You got a real find on the vintage J.G. Ballard books! His books are very hard to find. I never could find HIGH RISE in any used book stores, when I looked for it, although I guess about everything can be bought over the Internet now. Unfortuately, his work is all still in copyright too, even though he is now dead. Do you have THE DROWNED WORLD? That is my favorite of his books. I have a hardback copy of THE CRYSTAL WORLD, Mama gave me, and she may have a paperback copy of VERMILLION SANDS in her library that I gave her years ago. It is very good too. I would like to live in VERMILLION SANDS!
Talk to you later.
Mary Hazel
posted by MaryHazelUpton at 12:45 pm (EST) on Apr 4, 2012
Dear Kenton Sem,
Thank you for your welcome letter to me when I joined your group "The Weird Tradition". I am sorry to take so long to reply, but I just joined LibraryThing, and when they sent me an e-mail with your letter in it, I tried to answer, and could not send you a reply. I just now figured out how to, hopefully, send a reply directly on their website.
Will write more later, but just wanted to let you know I'd gotten your message, and to thank you for taking the trouble to write to me. I am still reading William Hope Hodgson's book online, THE NIGHT LAND. I finished THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND. THE NIGHT LAND is very good too, but, so far, I think I like THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND best. I bookmarked a bunch more of his stories, and also biographies of him on my computer, and plan to eventually read everything he wrote.
I see you also like Stephen King, and J.G. Ballard, my 2 favorite writers.
It must be lots of fun to work in an academic library. I love libraries of all kinds, and can spend all day there just enjoying the books, when I have time. How wonderful to get paid for spending time in a library!
Sincerely,
Mary Hazel Upton
posted by MaryHazelUpton at 10:03 pm (EST) on Mar 21, 2012
Thanks for the heads' up on American Grindhouse. I'd actually seen the doc before, but forgot enough of it that it was sort of like watching it again for the first time. I'm surprised at the way they just brushed past The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Romero's Living Dead movies, but I guess there's only so much roon...
It convinced me to add Lord Love a Duck and Ilsa to my queue. I really wanted to add Truck Turner, The Tormentors and The Big Dollhouse, but they are sadly unavailable.
I'll be getting Blue Sunshine later this week. Have you ever seen it? I haven't, but it sure sounds promising.
posted by jseger9000 at 10:59 am (EST) on Oct 24, 2011
It's part of the Early Reviews program, so if you feel comfortable, please write a review for it (no pressure though).
posted by jseger9000 at 12:47 am (EST) on Oct 17, 2011
posted by Phlox72 at 2:01 pm (EST) on Mar 2, 2011
Hey...ya never know.
posted by OldSarge at 6:35 pm (EST) on Jan 31, 2011
posted by OldSarge at 10:26 am (EST) on Jan 17, 2011
posted by slickdpdx at 8:20 pm (EST) on Sep 28, 2010
http://www.horrorhostgraveyard.com/
http://horrorhosts.com/
http://shillingshockers.com/
Granted they're not as good as the older generation but at least keeping the tradition alive.
posted by OldSarge at 9:42 pm (EST) on Jul 22, 2010
posted by OldSarge at 5:05 pm (EST) on May 27, 2010
Beatles1964
posted by beatles1964 at 10:21 am (EST) on Dec 23, 2009
Yes, I used to have a much larger collection of horror magazines including the ones you mention, and things like the old Twilight Zone magazine that TED Klein edited. But most of my magazines were sold long ago. I still have runs of 'Eldritch Tal;es, 'Etchings and Odysseys', 'Whispers', and some Australian horror and sf mags like 'Bloodsongs', 'Aurealis', 'Eidolon'. Also a big collection of the Us 'Magazine of Horror' and 'Weird Tales'. gradually cataloguing all the magazines - will take ma while.
posted by 666777 at 8:29 am (EST) on May 5, 2009
posted by dkgarton at 3:41 pm (EST) on Apr 14, 2009
Having a day off as it's Easter Monday (Bank Holiday in the UK) and decided to watch "Soft for Digging" following your recommendation. It's amazing what you can do with a minimal budget if you know what you're doing - this is a very disturbing macabre film and I'm more than surprised that this hasn't picked up a reputation as something of a cult classic.
Cheers for the recommendation. Going to do something to cheer up my day now!
Charlie
posted by Charlie2300 at 10:20 am (EST) on Apr 13, 2009
Have you seen "Uzumaki" yet? I've just watched and it is staggering, mind-blowing. Straight into my top films of all time, easily. It is both very Japanese and Lovecraftian in character.
Truly truly awesome.
Charlie
posted by Charlie2300 at 5:47 pm (EST) on Apr 8, 2009
I wholeheartedly agree with you about "House of Leaves"; I just know that it's got to be worth reading through to the end. I shall have to barricade myself in at home and take a week's holiday before I dare encroach upon its pages again!
Charlie
posted by Charlie2300 at 12:18 pm (EST) on Apr 5, 2009
Thanks for the recommendation; I had not hitherto heard of "Soft for Digging" and was rather lucky in that there was a sole remaining copy available through Amazon (UK) at a ridiculously low price. So I've ordered it.
Further recommendations always appreciated.
And now a differemt enquiry; have you attempted to wade through "House of Leaves" (Danielewski, Mark Z)? I'm not after a review; I simply want an opinion upon whether to persist in trying to read it as I've failed miserably to complete it twice now. In my mind, it has moved beyond being a chilling novel and has acquired the status of a research project!
Cheers
Charlie
posted by Charlie2300 at 4:01 pm (EST) on Apr 3, 2009
Given your predeliction for psychotronic film and the horror genre, can I recommend to you a film that I've just watched me this evening? It's appears to be relatively unknown and (based on IMDb rating), in my opinion, seriously under-rated. The film is "Crazy as Hell" (2002) starring Eriq La Salle, a psychological thriller/horror and it's about.....not telling! Don't read the reviews on IMDb because they contain spoilers that you really don't want to know prior to watching the film.
I was impressed.
Charlie
posted by Charlie2300 at 8:27 pm (EST) on Mar 30, 2009
Was wondering if you'd be interested in reviewing my new novel and posting your comments here as well as a few other book-related sites. Saw you liked The Wasp Factory, and I thought you might like my novel since it's also about a disturbed adolescent and a bit dark. I could e-mail you the novel in an e-book format if you'd like. Let me know if you're interested. Here's a link to a summary in case you're interested:
http://christophertusa.com/blog/?page_id=1687
Thanks,
Chris
posted by cmtusa at 11:57 am (EST) on Mar 25, 2009
When I watch a movie, it's more often than not, "Psychotronic". When I read, I gravitate to what I call the pre-WW II fantasists. Just joined your groups and will post when I have more time.
Be seein' you
posted by Gregzilla at 12:52 pm (EST) on Nov 15, 2008
Here's wishing you the best in all aspects of your life.
-Jeremy :)
posted by JeremyCShipp at 6:27 pm (EST) on Nov 21, 2007
Thought I'd make contact since you share 13 favourite authors with me. That's only one less than Mayorwhitebelly. I sent you a friends invitation a few days ago.
Cheers
Leigh Blackmore
posted by 666777 at 4:03 am (EST) on Sep 3, 2007
Happy cataloging to you.
posted by coffeezombie at 10:33 am (EST) on Aug 9, 2007
1001 Books to read before you die, 9/11 Truth, Ace Doubles, Altered States, Alternative Fiction, American Civil War, American Postmodernism, Antiquarian Books, Awful Lit., Baker Street and Beyond — show all groups , Ballantine Adult Fantasy, BBC Radio 3 Listeners, Book Arts, Bookcases: If You Build/Buy Them, They Will Fill, Books in Books, Books on Books, Booksellers, Booksellers who LibraryThing, Booze!, Canon, Cartoons, Cheeseheads of Wisconsin (COW), Comics, Covers, Cthulhu Mythos, DAW Books, Dostoevsky, Duniverse, Edward Gorey, Eureka! finds, Experimental Film and Video, Football Season Is Over, Getting Published, Hardboiled / Noir Crime Fiction, Lost Generation, Made into a Book, Made into a Movie, Mark Twain, Moby Dick, Modern Collector, Modern Library Collectors, mugwumps, MySpace, Nabokov!, New authors first editions, One Hit Wonders, Penguin Classics, Presidential Literature, Pulp Fiction, Pynchon Pandæmonium, Reading Great Books, Real Ale (& Other Beers), Reprint Please!, Science Fiction Fans, Sex Between the Covers, SF, horror and Fantasy Romance, SlashThing, Steampunk, T.S. Eliot, Tesla, The Oz books, Thing(amabrarian)s That Go Bump in the Night, Tragic Hero, Wallace Stevens, Weird Fiction, Westerns
posted by Dannelke at 2:27 pm (EST) on Aug 8, 2007
It's a pleasure to read your posts, man. Nice to meet you, and keep posting!
posted by john_sunseri at 8:24 pm (EST) on Aug 7, 2007
LMK if you want/need to upgrade your THE LOST AND THE LURKING from PB to HC SFBC edition. It's the alternate grey cover shown with the listing. I have two at the moment. It's a tough call because PB 1st to book club is sort of a lateral. There's no "extra" material but there is a picture of the author.
- Barney
posted by Dannelke at 9:42 pm (EST) on Nov 24, 2006
posted by israfel13 at 4:48 am (EST) on Aug 31, 2006
Interested in what you thought of "Johnny Got His Gun" which is a book I read years ago but have been thinking a lot about recently for no particular reason. Have you seen the film version (I haven't since it's hard to come by and I've heard it's not worth the effort, but I've never communicated directly with anyone who has actually seen it). Happy cataloging.
posted by coffeezombie at 7:57 pm (EST) on Jul 20, 2006
- Barney
Swidgin, PA.
posted by Dannelke at 11:10 pm (EST) on Jul 7, 2006
posted by KentonSem at 12:33 pm (EST) on Mar 14, 2006
posted by Dannelke at 6:03 pm (EST) on Mar 13, 2006