From December 2007 t0 May 2011 Ryan Buell was the host and central paranormal investigator on the hit A&E show, “Paranormal State.” The series, which was produced by Go Go Luckey Productions, followed several Pennsylvania State University students as they traveled the United States and documented cases of paranormal occurrences in a documentary-like style. The show was a massive success for the network, bringing in two and a half million viewers during its premiere episode; and also the numbers dipped as time went on, “Paranormal State” was still one of the top shows on A&E. As the show was beginning to near the release of its fifth and final season, Buell released a biography of sorts, chronicling his adventures during the first season of his show.
Released through It Books with co-author Stefan Petrucha, Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown is the story straight from Ryan Buell’s mouth as he talks about life before the paranormal, life before reality television, how the idea of “Paranormal State” manifested into a television show and tons of behind-the-scenes stories anecdotes from the show’s first season. His personal beliefs on the subject matter, basic paranormal questions and terminology, small bios of other investigators and extra details about season one are interlaced in this 372 page book. As a reality television fanatic myself, this was the most enticing book on Kindle at the moment. I watched “Paranormal State” with my best friend and her mother religiously for its first two seasons, so I knew I had to purchase my copy!
I think what I liked the most about this book is that it doesn’t have a sense of superiority about it. At one time “Paranormal State” was the most popular ghost hunting show on television and I’m sure that everyone involved with the project knew that. Still, Buell and Petrucha were able to write out all of these important stories without sounding condescending or mean spirited and they maintained a humble and easy to read tone that translated great onto the written pages. They never go out of their way to try and convince you that what happened on TV was real, either. Everything is stated plainly and without prejudice and you either believe what you’re reading or you don’t. And let me not forget to mention that Buell comes across as very genuine in this book and shows a lot of weakness in terms of his struggles with business and faith. In conclusion, there’s not a lot of boasting here, just cold hard inner monologues and retellings of experiences that changed his life.
Obviously, the second aspect that made Paranormal State: My Journey into the Unknown a must read is all of the behind-the-scenes information. From the moments where Ryan was pitching the show to gearing up for season two, everything is explored. His experiences at paranormal conventions. How he chose the members of his ghost hunting crew. How his personal life severely altered the train of production as the show was going into a period of development Hell. More-so, I think readers are going to thumb through it for the moments the where the authors dive deeper into some of “Paranormal State’s” darkest cases, including the infamous partial possession in a small family trailer home. If I remember correctly, the book even divulges information on several cases that didn’t make it to air. It’s just a really in depth coverage of season one that’ll have you feeling a bit nostalgic.
Since the show went off the air in 2010, Buell has become somewhat of a tabloid pariah due to his unfortunate battle with cancer, naked picture scandal, rumors that he steals money from audience members who buy tickets to his seminars and his recent same sex marriage (which doesn’t bother me in the least!). If you can put all of that negativity aside and remember back to a time when “Paranormal State” was first broadcasting on TV, then this is the book for you. To be honest, I don’t know where Ryan is headed with his career now. What I do know, though, is that I read the entire book in two days. I was glued to the pages. Check it out if you get the chance!
