Joe Hill, Author

[ELazansky]

So no one read Preacher?

It’s on my list to get to eventually

[daniel_pyle]

I agree with the comments above. The Fireman is a good story, but not his best. I love Heart Shaped Box and Horns. Twentieth Century Ghosts is awesome too if you like short stories. If you like graphic novels, Locke and Key is spectacular!!

In terms of novels: NOS4A2>Heart Shaped Box>Horns>The Fireman

So no one read Preacher?

My wife did and loved it, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Definitely on my TBR list though.

[Garrell]

It is still my favorite, the TV show did it an injustice.

[ELazansky]

To get back on topic - I go like this:

In terms of novels: HSB>NOS4A2>Horns>The Fireman

The Fireman is one of the worst novels I have ever read. I know others like it, and that’s cool, but I found it to be terrible.

[Garrell]

NOS4A2 is one of my all time favorites. Loved it and didn't want it to end. Favorite Hill by far. Still gotta read The Fireman.

[daniel_pyle]

To get back on topic - I go like this:

In terms of novels: HSB>NOS4A2>Horns>The Fireman

The Fireman is one of the worst novels I have ever read. I know others like it, and that’s cool, but I found it to be terrible.

What did you dislike so much about it? I can see it being someone's least favorite Hill book for sure, but one of the worst ever by anyone? That boggles my mind.

[daniel_pyle]

NOS4A2 is one of my all time favorites. Loved it and didn't want it to end.

Same here. It's also the only one I've re-read so far, and I'm already feeling the itch for a third go-round.

[ELazansky]

To get back on topic - I go like this:

In terms of novels: HSB>NOS4A2>Horns>The Fireman

The Fireman is one of the worst novels I have ever read. I know others like it, and that’s cool, but I found it to be terrible.

What did you dislike so much about it? I can see it being someone's least favorite Hill book for sure, but one of the worst ever by anyone? That boggles my mind.

I just thought everything about it was bad - the plot, the characters, and the ending. To be honest, I can’t remember the specifics since it’s been a while since I read it. But I remember as soon as I was done I just couldn’t believe how bad I thought it was.

But that’s just me. I like a lot of things that others do not and vice versa, so you’ll just have to give it a read and decide for yourself.

[daniel_pyle]

How does everyone rank the collections? 20th Century Ghosts is my all-time favorite collection by anyone (sorry, Skeleton Crew), and Full Throttle has been my least favorite Hill release, although I still enjoyed it a lot, so for me it's:

20th Century Ghosts>Strange Weather>Full Throttle

If I had to try to merge everything together, I think it'd go something like this:

NOS4A2>20th Century Ghosts>Locke & Key>Horns>The Fireman>Gunpowder>Heart-Shaped Box>Strange Weather>Full Throttle

Although if you broke Strange Weather up into its separate parts, "Loaded" and "Snapshot" would move way up the list.

[Garrell]

I am guilty of not reading his short stories yet. For what is worth, I am way behind on reading lots of his fathers short stories even though I have been reading him since the late 70's. Not a short story guy.

[daniel_pyle]

Not a short story guy.

I can see that. It's definitely a different kind of entertainment. I've gotten more and more fond of shorter works as I've gotten older. Probably because my free time's gotten more and more limited. I've especially appreciated really good novellas the last few years.

[Ricky]

How does everyone rank the collections? 20th Century Ghosts is my all-time favorite collection by anyone (sorry, Skeleton Crew), and Full Throttle has been my least favorite Hill release, although I still enjoyed it a lot, so for me it's:

20th Century Ghosts>Strange Weather>Full Throttle

It's been YEARS since I've read 20th Century Ghosts, but I think this would be my ranking as well. That's not to say that Full Throttle is bad (I definitely enjoyed it and there's about 4 really, really good stories in there) but the other two are more consistent in the quality of their stories, I thought.

[swintek]

So no one read Preacher?

Loved PREACHER (they printed my letter in one of the early issues- won an original Ennis script!), and almost put it in my list with the others. It would've been the next title had I kept listing.

[BigJoeHillfan]

Don't forget "Gunpowder" it is a little hard to find sometimes, but it is one of my favorite Hill books.

[daniel_pyle]

Don't forget "Gunpowder" it is a little hard to find sometimes, but it is one of my favorite Hill books.

I like it too. I really wish he'd continue it.

[BigJoeHillfan]

Don't forget "Gunpowder" it is a little hard to find sometimes, but it is one of my favorite Hill books.

I like it too. I really wish he'd continue it.

I asked him about it at the last signing I went to and Joe said he is planning on doing a sequel, but other thing keep popping up and it keeps getting delayed. Hopefully someday.............

[Hunchback Jack]

I liked many of the stories in 20thCG. I cannot remember a single thing about Strange Weather, despite having read it less than 3 years ago.

On rereading the synopsis of it, I vaguely remember three of the four stories, and remember they were ... okay. They seemed like ideas that Hill wasn't sure how to develop past the initial premise.

HBJ

[Brian861]

I liked many of the stories in 20thCG. I cannot remember a single thing about Strange Weather, despite having read it less than 3 years ago.

On rereading the synopsis of it, I vaguely remember three of the four stories, and remember they were ... okay. They seemed like ideas that Hill wasn't sure how to develop past the initial premise.

HBJ

Have to disagree, Peter at least about one story in SW, Loaded. Maybe the best of Joe's work to date.

[Hunchback Jack]

I liked many of the stories in 20thCG. I cannot remember a single thing about Strange Weather, despite having read it less than 3 years ago.

On rereading the synopsis of it, I vaguely remember three of the four stories, and remember they were ... okay. They seemed like ideas that Hill wasn't sure how to develop past the initial premise.

HBJ

Have to disagree, Peter at least about one story in SW, Loaded. Maybe the best of Joe's work to date.

I must admit, that was the one I couldn't really remember. Time for a rereead, mayhap.

HBJ

[Brian861]

I liked many of the stories in 20thCG. I cannot remember a single thing about Strange Weather, despite having read it less than 3 years ago.

On rereading the synopsis of it, I vaguely remember three of the four stories, and remember they were ... okay. They seemed like ideas that Hill wasn't sure how to develop past the initial premise.

HBJ

Have to disagree, Peter at least about one story in SW, Loaded. Maybe the best of Joe's work to date.

I must admit, that was the one I couldn't really remember. Time for a rereead, mayhap.

HBJ

At least that one, my friend. Now Aloft. Ugh. Don't even waste your time rereading that junk.

[daniel_pyle]

Have to disagree, Peter at least about one story in SW, Loaded. Maybe the best of Joe's work to date.

I agree. Top-notch stuff. "Rain" was the one story in that collection I didn't really care for. I'm not sure why exactly—it wasn't anything I could put my finger on—something about it just didn't jive for me. And it could have been the mood I was in at the time. I'll definitely re-read the whole collection at some point. Maybe when the Cemetery Dance S/L comes out.

[ELazansky]

This may be of interest to some - https://www.humblebundle.com/books/joe-hill-idw-comics

[daniel_pyle]

I agree with the comments above. The Fireman is a good story, but not his best. I love Heart Shaped Box and Horns. Twentieth Century Ghosts is awesome too if you like short stories. If you like graphic novels, Locke and Key is spectacular!!

In terms of novels: NOS4A2>Heart Shaped Box>Horns>The Fireman

This may be of interest to some - https://www.humblebundle.com/books/joe-hill-idw-comics

That's a great deal. I already have most of these on Kindle/Comixology, and all of them in hard copy, but it would be nice to have DRM-free digital copies too. Thanks for the heads-up!

[cit74]

This may be of interest to some - https://www.humblebundle.com/books/joe-hill-idw-comics

Thanks Eric - again I think I have them all in hard copy somewhere...but will download to get the files and read easily on my iPad....

[Br!an]

This may be of interest to some - https://www.humblebundle.com/books/joe-hill-idw-comics

I grabbed the whole set. Thanks for posting.