Reading in Bed

Andy and Amanda review a varied collection of books; with subjects including travel, near death experiences, horror and near future sci-fi.

Dead Men Naked by Dario Cannizzaro

Would you go on a road trip with Death?

Lou's couldn't say no to that question. If you witnessed the inexplicable death of your best friend Neil and were haunted by visions of the Grim Reaper and a giant black crow - your answer would be yes as well.

Embark with Lou and the anthropomorphic embodiment of his own Death on a tequila-induced journey and descend from cities to desert to chase Angelene, a charming exotic dancer who holds the secret to save your soul, all the while poetically ruminating on the meaning of life, the universe, and the saving grace of love.

Buy on Amazon or read on Kindle Unlimited.

www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Men-Naked-Dario-Cannizzaro-ebook/dp/B071DP6G9T/

This month, Andy and Amanda share their book related news, and review a mixed collection of books: from gothic to crime and everything in-between. 

The Double – Ann Gosslin

Following a violent outburst at an awards ceremony, Vidor Kiraly, a prize-winning neuroscientist and Cambridge don, is sent to an isolated psychiatric clinic in the Swiss Alps. When the clinic’s director, Anton Gessen, tries in vain to unearth the missing pieces of Vidor’s life, he suspects his reluctant patient is not who he appears to be. After one of the patients at the clinic goes missing, Gessen has reason to doubt Vidor’s self-proclaimed innocence. But what is he hiding, and who might be next?

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The book can be purchased on Amazon and from other booksellers.

Your can find out more at her website: https://anngosslin.com

In this month's episode, Andy and Amanda review poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

Wesley Yorstead Goes Outside explores the life of Wesley Yorstead, a thirty-three year old graphic novelist who suffers from a severe case of agoraphobia that has kept him shut inside for over five years. When he meets Happy Lafferty for the first time, delivering groceries on behalf of her father’s neighborhood market, Wesley can’t shake the inherent magnetism between them and seeks to get to know this young woman who invades his space—both physical and mental. As their relationship grows more intimate, the restrictions of his situation become an even greater obstacle. When Happy’s past life catches up to her, Wesley must decide if he can finally leave his apartment to help. A meditation on anxiety, fear, and human connection, Wesley Yorstead Goes Outside asks the reader to consider what our fears take away from our lives, and how we might overcome them.

The book has already received some praise. Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean said: "A dark jewel of a story, as funny as it is heartbreaking, as heartbreaking as it is true."

Alena Dillon, author of Mercy House and The Happiest Girl in the World, had this to say: “Succinct, artful, and full of heart; there’s never been a character like Wesley Yorstead.”

You can buy the book on Amazon

Or find out more about the author at her website: https://stephanieharperauthor.com

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The new “Ghost of Me” podcast (as mentioned at the start of this episode) is available on Anchor.

https://anchor.fm/amanda-steel0

In this month's episode, we review books about poetry, hoaxes, lockdown and more. 

In a slightly different format to our usual Reading in Bed Extracts episodes, the author of this week’s book reads two of his own poems.

(Audio used with permission from Spoken Label)

Gormless – Rich Davenport

Rich Davenport is a comedy poet, stand-up comedian and musician from exotic Bolton, in the UK. He has gigged all over the UK, spreading mirth and making loud noises.

He was first encouraged to compile a book of his poems of extreme gormlessness by Hovis Presley in 2003. After accidentally winning a couple of poetry slams, other encouraging individuals said the same thing.

And now, finally, here it is, with fabulous illustrations from the marvellous Minty B

Gormless can be purchased from Chinbeard Books.

A preview of the new podcast by Amanda Steel. Each week she will be reading a chapter a of her book, Ghost of Me. 

Hong Kong Rocks – Peter Humphreys

Nick Powell, arriving in Hong Kong with his soon-to-be-ex-wife Lennox, finds himself drawn into the political machinations affecting the city as the Occupy movement takes root. A fatal accident exposes the factions vying for control of the SAR and gives Nick the second chance desired by many Hong Kong expats, but will he make the most of the opportunity, or find himself on the wrong side of history? Shifting between a variety of unique voices, HONG KONG ROCKS (a Proverse Prize 2018 finalist) is part thriller, part meditation on the challenges facing a special autonomous region punching above its weight.

"'Hong Kong Rocks' is a story set in an alternative present; it is in part a whodunit, with the who and the it constantly in doubt. At the centre is a group of dissolute, middle-aged, expatriates, who are held more or less upright, or let fall by surer, stronger women. Dissolution, however, has its consequences, in conflict with either the newly introduced Deportation Act, or two cross-border goons, or both. And, as the tale reaches its finale, we cannot but agree with the narrator that Hong Kong is 'hotting up'."—Philip Chatting, author of "The Snow Bridge and Other Stories", Winner of the Proverse Prize 2014.

"Funny and twisted, in Humphreys’ spirited novel Nick and a garrulous band of expats are caught in the shifting societal landscape of Hong Kong. Nights drinking at the Brolly, missing friends, the Occupy movement, fear of deportation and the threat of discovery by Chinese agents, all loom large. As his freedom hangs on the edge of a precipice, Nick seizes on the absurdities, secrets and joys of a life lived with regret."—Maria Roberts, author of "Single Mother on the Verge", Penguin.

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The book can be bought from

UK Amazon: https://amzn.to/38qkbSj

US Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hong-Rocks-Proverse-Prize-Publications-ebook/dp/B07YP3V824/ref=sr_1_1

The book is also available on Kindle Unlimited. To take up the 30-day Kindle Unlimited offer, if you’re in the UK, please follow the Affiliate link below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-dbs/hz/signup?tag=amandasteelwr-21