ZOMBIE, OHIO & LET ME DIE A WOMAN: TWO BOOKS YOU MUST READ BEFORE YOU DIE

Homework? Bitch, Please.

Now that midterms have FINALLY taken a seat back in the life of BJ-C, I was able to sit back and do some recreational reading.  I'm a total bookworm, but I've forced myself to avoid the stacks of novels sent to me in place of some War Poetry and Kristin Linklater's books on "freeing the natural voice".  Don't get me wrong, I'm psyched to study Theatre and English...but there's an assload of reading required for both of these majors.  ANNNYWAY.  Two AMAZING authors, Scott Kenemore and Alan Kelly have sent me copies of their books Zombie, Ohio and Let Me Die A Woman.  Both of these books are horror essentials and tickle two very different parts of my personality.  It is for this reason that I've decided to review them together.

 Scott Kenemore is no stranger to Day of the Woman.  The man has four full length zombie books out already, and took a dive into the world of novella with his newest addition Zombie, Ohio.  This Chicago native has managed to weave a tapestry of horror, humor, and intellect.  This one is less of a "OMG ZOMBIES" book and more of a murder mystery, which adds an even more incredible twist to the traditional zombie novel.  The story focuses on Peter Mellor, a regular college professor who dies in a car accident without realizing he's actually dead. Peter then reanimates but has no idea he's a member of the walking dead and hopelessly attempts to readjust to society.  While the poor man attempts to put together his life, figure out who the hell killed him, and reconnect with his loved ones, zombies begin a reign of terror.  Kenemore does have quite the graphic detail for all the gorehounds out there, but his writing style is something I always enjoy.  It's written with much intelligence, but sprinkled with dark humor and the ever popular sarcasm.  Kenemore is a truly talented author and has painted us a grimly wonderful post-apocalyptic world to escape to.  

 AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

Alan Kelly is a genius.  There, I said it.  If John Waters had a baby with a foul mouthed, quick witted, feminist, pulp fiction star...it would more than likely star in this Irish author's debut novel.  I'll be completely honest when I say that it's almost difficult to put into words just how awesome this book is.  This is the sort of novel that has to be experienced, rather than just reviewed.  The tale tells of Bunny Flask, with the help of her friend Kiffany, who has fought hard to champion women working in the horror genre in the magazine 'Blood Rag'. (Can you see why I'm so obsessed with this?)  Unfortunately, the magazine is bought out by the chauvinist greed mongler, Mick Jones.  When Alice Fiend is brought into the picture, Bunny's world seems to be over as she knows it.  After everything falls apart, Bunny decides to make her own future...with weaponry!  This book is gritty, filthy, violent, hilarious, and represents everything great about the pulp fiction novels of yesteryear.  It's nearly impossible to believe that this is a debut novel for how vivid the characters are written and how powerful the storyline is.  Alan Kelly may not have written a book that will work for every audience, but it exceeds with flying colors for those with even the slightest interest in pulp fiction.