Corey Taylor Books Review: Angry, Hillarious and Venom Driven!

Corey Taylor Books Review: Angry, Hillarious and Venom Driven!

Hi guys! Rather excitedly I have finished another Corey Taylor book and all I can say is…Holy Shit-snacks.

I couldn’t wait to share some thoughts, opinions and general ramblings on all three of these sarcasm dripping, anecdote fuelled works of literary anger!

Now I am a huge fan of all things Corey Taylor. His skills as a frontman for both Slipknot and Stone Sour are incredible, he can break your heart with emotional lyrics or have you charging through brick walls with pure raging anger and exhilaration, and this Duality (sorry) is clear in his writing. 

Corey Taylor aka The Great Bigmouth writes in a beautifully personal manner in his multitude of books. It is like reading an audiobook (bear with me) in the way every word and inflection comes straight from mouth to paper. You feel as though he is telling you these stories personally, some at a bar, some sat around a campfire and others in the cosy comforts of a family home.

So here are my thoughts on his first three books: 

‘Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good’,

‘A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven (Or How I Made Peace With The Paranormal And Stigmatized Zealots & Cynics In The Process)’

‘You’re Making Me Hate You: A Cantankerous Look at the Common Misconception That Humans Have Any Common Sense Left’

(I am aware there is another book now, but my poor empty pockets have not yet gotten round to purchasing it. So there may be an update when I learn how to be financially stable)

Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good

Seven Deadly Sins by Corey Taylor
Seven Deadly Sins by Corey Taylor

“The seven deadly sins are bullshit. Everybody still here? Anybody converted to Scientology because I let fly this little nugget of reality? No? Then we may continue.”

There it is the crux of this book and what a brilliant, honest and in your face read it is. If people were expecting a tell-all autobiography or gossip-ridden tour diary then they are bound to be mildly disappointed with Corey’s first book. However, if you are looking for a hilarious modern take on a concept as old as time and the written word, then you have found the right book for you.

In ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ Corey discusses the outdated and guilt-ridden concept of sins, what they are, who commits them (spoiler alert, that’s probably every bugger on the planet) and what they mean in the modern world.

How can such archaic concepts still be used to shame people for their actions? Am I damned to be known as a glutton for going back to the buffet a third time? Cause honestly that shits gonna happen!

Even with his unorthodox writing format, Corey manages to construct some very good arguments that, no matter which side of the fence you fall on, are very entertaining to read. He walks the reader through his past discretions with personal anecdotes of his own ‘sin’ fuelled early life making sure there is no true judgment. Cause nobody wants to read a book that just tells you how much of a prick you are and how amazing the author is, do they?

Now this isn’t a dry, preaching rant, nor is it a big ‘fuck you’ to morality. It’s opinions, it’s questions and a crazy entertaining rollercoaster ride through Corey’s mind. I honestly love the argument made within this book, and the embrace of human mistakes being simply part of the journey of life. Shit goes wrong, but it can change, just take everything in moderation kiddies… and don’t be an asshole.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Heaven (Or How I Made Peace With The Paranormal And Stigmatized Zealots & Cynics In The Process)

A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to Heaven by Corey Taylor
A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to Heaven by Corey Taylor

“When you are young, if you are anywhere near a group of same-aged folk and you want to freak each other out, you tell ghost stories.”

The follow-up book to Seven Deadly Sins is an interesting, tangent taking look at the other side of the veil. This is not a direct address to his first work, these books are not sequels, they do not follow each other in story, simply in tone. And that tone is the voice of C.T.

I was very excited when I picked this book up, I’m a huge fan of horror, ghost stories and anything supernatural, so I couldn’t wait to delve into some scary ass shit.

Corey still writes in his usual ‘here are all my thoughts at once, asshats, decipher them for yourselves,’ style, which I adored in Seven Deadly Sins, and still love in this book. But I must admit some chapters lost me, maybe that’s more of a reflection on my attention span, but I found myself simply wanting the next story, the next scare.

I wasn’t, however, expecting the profound theories and personal rationale for the paranormal. And as much as I appreciate the inclusion of them, and there are some solid hypotheses in there, it would often take me away from the moment. I mean, don’t bring maths to my campfire stories, you cruel cruel man! 

Luckily, around the corner, Corey always seemed to be waiting, torch held under his chin and flashing his best manic grin, with a chapter of personal paranormal experience. And when I was rewarded with those chapters I was very satisfied. His personal recounting of ‘The Cold House’ and his sons encounters with ‘The Shadow Man’ are brilliant reads.

The story of him assembling his own Scooby Gang to investigate a haunted school is equal parts creepy and goddamn hilarious! It almost made me want to rent my own Mystery Machine and head off into the creepy unknown myself. It is this enthusiasm for his stories, and theories, that make this book so enjoyable to read.

So, to the Adoptive Father of Ghost Children and Drunken Fighter of The Shadow Man, I say thanks for sharing with us.

You’re Making Me Hate You: A Cantankerous Look at the Common Misconception That Humans Have Any Common Sense Left

You're Making Me Hate You by Corey Taylor
You’re Making Me Hate You by Corey Taylor

“I can’t remember who said it, but there’s a great saying that goes, “Dumb should hurt.”

Any book that starts with a story of overindulgence leading to a fully grown man both vomiting and shitting himself has already won me over. I know I’m incredibly classy and mature aren’t I?

Of all three of Corey’s books this has to be my hands down favourite, maybe something about the ranting anger and contention just releases something within when you read it. Maybe I’m just a grumpy, miserable bitch. (I’ll leave that open to interpretation).

So far The Great Big Mouth has touched on sins and morality, the paranormal and religion, and in this book he lets loose on humans and their stupidity! This book is filled with brilliantly angry rants about everything from the pure noise of modern music, battle royales at airports and the most unforgivable fashion trends he has suffered through.

Yes, this guy….

Corey Taylor wearing Satin Blazer 

IMAGE SOURCE

THIS GUY!!

Corey Taylor's Amazing Suit
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Writes about fashion! 

And it’s beautiful!

There is a particular story about a young boy he renames ‘Milt’ that almost had me in tears while reading it. Is it wrong to laugh at a grown man calling a young child a dick? Because I challenge you not to accidentally release a little bit of wee when you read it, and I promise I won’t judge you if you do.

Throughout the chapters of this tirade fuelled book, you can rise to superior heights of ‘Ha, that’s some dumb shit, glad I don’t do that’ crashing back down to the sinking depths of ‘Fuck, I might be the idiot this chapter is defining!’ But it is all with good humour, a pinch of salt and the tequila shot that goes with it that these points are made. Corey is honest and self-deprecating to make the reader feel less like they’re being attacked and more like a general in the army against stupidity.

So we are not alone in our stupidity, it is simply a human condition. It just comes down to the extent and daily schedule of that stupidity. After reading this I wasn’t scorned, I didn’t feel I had been berated. I just knew that it’s okay not to be perfect because as Mr Taylor says, we can learn.

So now I’m off to see if I can smoke through my belly button! Wish me luck!


So, do you agree that Milt is a dick? Are there any other books like these that you have absolutely loved? Let me know what you thought!

Hope you enjoyed! :).

Bombshells&Blueshells

0 thoughts on “Corey Taylor Books Review: Angry, Hillarious and Venom Driven!

  1. This blog is a great way to pass the time when you have literally nothing better to do. And I do mean literally….

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