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The Friday 56 (With Bookish Beginnings): The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty + 50/50 Friday

 





On Friday's I take part in three weekly link ups - The Friday 56, hosted by Freda's Voice, Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader, and 50/50 Friday is a new weekly link up and it is hosted by Carrie @ The Butterfly Reader and Laura @ Blue Eye Books.  For The Friday 56, you choose a book, a book you have just finished, a book you are about to start, your current read, and share a line or a few lines that grab you (but don't spoil anything) from page 56 or 56% of the way through the ebook.  Post it and share your post's url on Freda's most recent Friday 56 post.  As for Book Beginnings, you share the first sentence or so and your initial thoughts, impressions, or whatever else it inspires, and then link up your post's url with Rose City Reader.   Then, for  50/50 Friday, every week there's a new topic featuring two sides of the same coin - you share a book that suits each category and link up on the hosts blogs.


Okay, it's time to pull out all the stops for Halloween!  This week I'm spotlighting one of my current reads, The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty.  The movie is absolutely chilling and I can't wait to see how this will compare - which will be more disturbing?  Personally, I'm betting the book will take home that prize!  By the way, this book will also fulfill the Black Cover square for my Fall Bookish Bingo.


Beginning:

The blaze of sun wrung pops of sweat from the old man's brow, yet he cupped his hands around the glass of hot sweet tea as if to warm them.  He could not shake the premonition.  It clung to his back like chill wet leaves.

56:

" 'Et clamor meus ad te veniat,' " he prayed with murmured anguish.  " 'Let my cry come unto Thee...' "

50/50 Friday: Favorite/ Least Favorite Scary Novel


Least - Red Rain by R.L. Stine - I was so excited to hear Stine was writing an adult book since I grew up with Goosebumps and Fear Street and absolutely loved them.  Unfortunately, I ended up DNF'ing it around 50 pages in - I was not impressed by the prologue and it just went downhill from there.


Favorite - Only the Dead Know Burbank by Bradford Tatum - This has been one of favorites from the last year - if you like well researched historical fantasy with a dose of gritty horror, and classic horror movies, then you absolutely need to get your hands on a copy of this book.

Have you read any of these books?  What are you reading this week?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!

Comments

  1. Ooh, perfect choice for Halloween! I especially like the Beginning. Really draws you right in.

    Thanks for the visit, and have a great weekend, Lauren.

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  2. OMG! Lauren, it's like you're putting all these up for me this month LOL

    I love the Exorcist - the film and the book. Oh, and I even enjoyed the (somewhat different) series.

    Now I want to re-read this!

    Have a great weekend - Luv Sass x

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    1. Haha! :) I've been meaning to try the tv series. A friend of mine has really gotten into, so one of these days I'll have to watch it for sure!

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  3. Great Halloween choice! I read this one years ago and got chills. I have a science fiction book this week - The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi. Happy reading!

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    1. I don't blame you there - I expect I will too! If I don't I'll be disappointed...

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  4. That's super scary!! Aaaah! I watched the movie, The Exorcist, and I thought it was sooo creepy.

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    1. It's absolutely chilling - and I hope the book is even scarier! :D

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  5. Ooh, The Exorcist brings back many scary memories. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  6. I LOVED The Exorcist. Even better than the movie, IMO

    https://carabosseslibrary.wordpress.com/2017/10/27/170/

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    1. Ooh, good to know! Thanks for sharing, Valentina.

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  7. Hi Lauren,

    For me, it either has to be the book or the film, one or the other, but generally not both. I am usually drawn in by whichever medium I happen to choose first and then the other formats just don't reach expectations!

    I haven't watched the film of 'The Exorcist' since I was a teenager, back when I could better stomach the horror and gore of it all. These days, I find the genre much more nauseating and the stuff of nightmares, whilst my 4 years younger brother thrives on the stuff!

    Good Luck with the Bingo and thanks for sharing :)

    Yvonne

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    1. Hi Yvonne,

      I know what you mean by that - I always have the other in mind when I'm checking out either the book or movie. Sometimes the one I've come across second will surprise me - hopefully that's the case here. :)

      Thanks for coming over, Yvonne!

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  8. LOVED the movie, but never read the book. Have no desire too either but I like it just the same. Hard to go back and read something after you see a film adaption though. :-) Happy weekend!

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    1. You know, that's kind of how I feel about it - maybe that's just the clowns though...

      Have a great one, Freda!

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  9. I don't read much horror but Only the Dead Know Burbank looks pretty great! I watched the movie The Exorcist but am not sure I want to read the book! Not sure I want that in my head. Great choice for this time of year!

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    1. It is fantastic, especially if you're a fan of silent film and early Hollywood. :)

      Thanks, Katherine!

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  10. I'm not sure I could handle the book. The movie is one of the most horrifying movies I've ever seen.

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    1. I'm not sure if I'll be able to either - we'll see!

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  11. I really liked the movie The Exorcist. I hadn't realized it was based on a book. I hope you enjoy it! I am sure it is even scarier!

    I never did read any of the Goosebumps books when I was growing up, but I bet I would have enjoyed them. That's too bad his adult book wasn't better. Only the Dead Know Burbank by Bradford Tatum sounds really good! I don't read a lot of horror novels, but I like them on occasion.

    I hope you have a great week, Lauren!

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    1. I didn't realize it was until really recently... I hope so too!

      Thanks for coming over!

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  12. Aww, bummer that the R.L. Stein book wasn't great. I'm definitely adding Only the Dead Know Burbank to my TBR now!

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  13. Ooh I think I'm most curious about Only the Dead Know Burbank. I'm glad that was a winner for you!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  14. I've heard lots of good things about Only the Dead Know Burbank, I need to get that book and give it a go!

    Thanks for linking up!

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    1. You've probably heard it from me, I bet! :D I bet you'd like it, Carrie!

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  15. Only the Dead Know Burbank sounds really good! I'm gonna have to check it out! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  16. Aw I'm sorry to hear you had to DNF Red Rain. I also love R.L. Stine's children's books (they continue to be a staple around the campfire when I go camping with my family!) and I was curious about his other works but maybe it's best to just stick to his childrens books. Have you seen the new Goosebumps? I have to say, that was a lovely movie :) Thanks for linking up, Lauren!

    Laura @BlueEyeBooks

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  17. Eeek! I am all for a great holiday read, but man I don't do the super scary. I hope that you enjoyed these ones. :)

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