104:29 The Living Dead edited by John Joseph Adams

An anthology of zombie stories that Chris wanted me to read. I found it to be a typical anthology in which there were a couple that I really enjoyed, some that were good but not great, a handful that were ok but just barely, and a few that really had me wishing I could have that time back again and left me shaking my head as to why the editor felt the need to include them.

Some that stood out in the good category:

This Year's Class Picture by Dan Simmons - a teacher is nabbing zombie children after the apocalypse, removing their teeth, and then trying to treat them as students albeit ones that are chained to their desks. It was the first story in the book but even after months it has stuck with me: the haunting idea of someone so lonely as to do this and the children's reaction at the end.

Death and Suffrage by Dale Bailey - what happens when the dead come back to life because they want to vote? This story deals with that and how the politicians would react. Third story in the book but it also stuck with me.

Meathouse Man by George R.R. Martin - takes place in the future where special handlers control zombies for work purposes. Some of the themes are haunting (no spoilers) and it has me looking forward even more to reading his other books.

The Song the Zombie Sang by Harlan Ellison and Robert Silverberg - what happens when you can keep a brilliant musician alive and keep them performing for years. Brilliantly told and executed.

How the Day Runs Down by John Langan - Told in a style similar to Our Town with the Stage Manager directing things and walking you through people's lives as they deal with the zombie infestation. Fascinating idea and brilliantly told.

There were of course others that were good but those were the stand outs to me.

Page count: 486p/8,811p ytd