Welcome to our latest episode of 'Sorry You Asked'', our weekly  video column with author Dr. Josh Bazell! 

Each week, Dr Bazell, author of Beat the Reaper will answer pressing and compelling medical questions no matter how bizarre or disgusting. This week Dr. Bazell answers...well watch the video! read more »

So, let me preface this by saying that I am not entirely comfortable with top ten lists, nor do I consider myself an expert on anything, much less what constitutes the best of the best. But after listening to me rant and rave over the years about whatever my latest book crush that week was, Dennis finally coerced me to compile my personal top ten list, as a feature for the website starting with 2009.

Now, I couldn't possibly get that list together by the end of December, or even January because I rely on the holidays to acquire some of those new, still-only-in-hardcover books (I can only buy so many books).  And so I aimed to post this on Valentine's Day.  After all, this  seemed fitting for a website like ours that celebrates the love affair we all have with books.

A couple of caveats before I post my own, highly personal list:

-I still haven't had time to read John Irving's 2009 release: Last Night in Twisted River, nor James Ellroy's Blood's a Rover, and both authors are favorites of mine.

-Many of the best books I read last year were published before 2009, or were released in paperback in 2009. Also, a couple favorites were still in manuscript form. So if I were to include all those this list would have to be a Top 20. 30? Of all those, the one that I am most compelled to mention is Kockroach by Tyler Knox; it is one of the most imaginative and  startling books that I've read since Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. 

The Cult's 'Top 10' Books of 2009
by Mirka Hodurova

(In alphabetical order!) read more »

UPDATE: New videos being shot this Friday, March 5th! So if you have a question, ask now! (In the comments section below)

Welcome to our weekly video column with author Dr. Josh Bazell! Ever had pressing and compelling medical questions you wanted to ask? Or perhaps you were just looking to debunk some medical misconceptions? Well then look no further. You've come to the right place. This is 'Sorry You Asked'!

Tune in to this column for updates on 'Sorry You Asked', a place where YOU ask the questions, and Josh does the answering (as long as his schedule permits). We have already posted the first three videos in the column on a new Features page.

Ep. 1 - "Do Cockroaches Really Get Stuck In People's Ears While They're Sleeping?"

Ep. 2 - "Is It True That A Man's Testicle Can Get Stuck In A Twisted Position?"

Ep. 3 - "Is It True That Getting Your Neck Adjusted By A Chiropractor Can Cause A Stroke?"

Josh Bazell has two personalities. The first, is as the author of Beat the Reaper, the stunning 2009 debut novel that garnered immense critical praise and is now being adapted by New Regency to star Leonardo DiCaprio. The other, is as the MD from Columbia who wrote Beat the Reaper while completing his internship! Here is where those two personalities collide.

Read our exclusive interview with Josh Bazell by Rob Hart, here: Paging Dr. Kickass.

If you haven't already, do yourself a favor, and read Beat the Reaper today!

 Order 'Beat the Reaper' Here!

Peter Straub is an awarding winning novelist best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres. He collaborated with Stephen King on The Talisman and Black House. His latest horror novel A Dark Matter comes out next week.

Praise for A DARK MATTER

“Peter Straub's new novel is a terrifying story of innocents-high school students in the turbulent sixties-who stumble into horrors far beyond their understanding. A Dark Matter is populated with vivid, sympathetic characters, and driven by terrors both human and supernatural. It’s the kind of book that’s impossible to put down once it has been picked up. It kept me reading far into the night. Straub builds otherworldly terror without ever losing touch with his attractive cast of youngsters, who age beautifully. Put this one high on your list.”
-Stephen King

He kindly took some time to answer ten questions from fans. Enjoy! read more »

J.D. Salinger, legendary author of such classics as The Catcher and the Rye and Franny and Zooey died yesterday at the age of 91 of natural causes.  He was in his remote house in Cornish, NH during the time of his death, where he lived for decades in a sort of self-imposed auscultation.

Salinger is responsible for the creation of one of American's most beloved rebels and antiheroes, Holden Caufield.  I read The Catcher in the Rye many times throughout my life.  I always found it a comfortable book to return to, whenever I'd be suffering from a reading drought.  It was also one of the first books that I can recall truly speaking to me as a youth.  

Let us take this time to remember J.D. Salinger and reflect in the comments below on what our experiences were reading his books.

Thanks to everyone that sent in such thoughtful questions. It was difficult to narrow it down to ten.

The following people should expect their signed copies of A Dark Matter  by Peter Straub soon!

Drum roll...

• Chris P, Supply, NC
  
• Brent C, Brooklyn, NY 
  
• Jerry F, Brainerd, MN
• Katherine M, Medford MA
  
• Carl L, Monroe, NY
  
• India R, Duck, WV
  
• Colin M, Lake Zurich, IL
  
• John K, Grand Rapids, MI
  
• Derek H, Tuam, Ireland
  
• Eric B, Hydeville, VT

-The questions and answers will be posted as an interview in February!

***

Order 'A Dark Matter' Here!

 We have GREAT news for fans of aclaimed horror writer Peter Straub:  A DARK MATTER, Straub's  first novel in six  years  is being released next month on February 9th!

To celebrate, Mr. Straub has kindly consented to a fan-based "interview".  He will answer ten questions and if one of those questions is YOURS, you will receive a free copy of A DARK MATTER before it hits your local book store!

How this works:

• Email your question to the following email address: PeterStraubInterview@chuckpalahniuk.net.
• Include your first and last name and your mailing  address, along with your question.
• We will then choose the 10 questions that go to Mr. Straub and notify you if yours is chosen. You will be identified in the the interview by your first name and city.
• If the same, or a very similar question, is asked, we will either choose the one that was submitted first, or the one that is more grammatically correct and eloquent. So choose your questions and your words carefully!
• The cut-off date for questions is next Thursday, January 28th at 9:00 PM, Pacific Time.

Peter Straub has received numerous literary honors such as the Bram Stoker Award (several times), the World Fantasy Award, and International Horror Guild Award. He's prolific and amazing and writes some damn scary books! read more »