I've got some recommendations to get out. As an artist I have to recommend the novel The Road, by Cormac Mccarthy. Incidentally, it's on Oprah's reading club from the year of it's release, and it's written by the guy who brought us the book No Country For Old Men (to those who actually saw the movie). The story takes place some years after some sort of (presumed) global holocaust. The world is turned to ash and the few survivors who are left scrounge for whatever hasn't been ransacked by looters. The focus is on a father and a son, traveling south to who knows where; not even they know what is there for them. Although it can be a bit slow at times, and the narrative is, for lack of a better word, unique, the degree of uncertainty is thrilling and compelling. I definitely recommend this book; in fact I'm gonna buy a copy when opportunity allows. Go check it out!

The other recommendation I offer is a very talented and up-and-coming artist, . Not only did I agree in a roundabout way to showcase my fellow artist, but he's a talented guy who deserves some recognition to begin with. He shows diversity but focuses on Gothic, dark art with an emphasis on vampires. In fact, one of my art contributions was a fan art of one of his femmes: [link] (OK my work sucks in comparison, but it's the thought that counts). Part of the "deal" is to choose some of my favorites of his. Here they are:

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Feel free to check out the rest of his gallery. It's quite a treat in the makings.