2015, The Year I re-read Stephen King

[Dana Jean]

Yeah. Insomnia is another one that's better after reading Dark Tower.

I really liked Insomnia and Ralph Roberts is one of my favorite characters.

 

[krwhiting]

Has anyone else noticed how dark Night Shift, as a whole, is? Few of the characters in it are sympathetic. A lot of bad in that thing.

 

[morgan]

Has anyone else noticed how dark Night Shift, as a whole, is? Few of the characters in it are sympathetic. A lot of bad in that thing.

I started rereading this collection MONTHS ago. I have to keep putting it down because of my horrible nightmares!

 

[FlakeNoir]

I started rereading this collection MONTHS ago. I have to keep putting it down because of my horrible nightmares!

This happened to me with Full Dark, No Stars.

 

[morgan]

This happened to me with Full Dark, No Stars.

I understand - the violence against women is extremely difficult for me, personally. For some bizarre reason, when I read these things I can compartmentalize them differently and separate them from my own life. But the gore and infestation of Night Shift is difficult for me (I have trouble with a lot of SK's earlier works these days).

 

[FlakeNoir]

I understand - the violence against women is extremely difficult for me, personally. For some bizarre reason, when I read these things I can compartmentalize them differently and separate them from my own life. But the gore and infestation of Night Shift is difficult for me (I have trouble with a lot of SK's earlier works these days).

The reverse is true for me.

 

[Neesy]

I have Hearts in Atlantis and Duma Key. I don't have the others you mentioned. Yet. I'm looking forward to some rereads. Needful Things, It, Four Past Midnight and The Dark Half were four of my favorites from long ago. At some point I also need to get the DT series and read it in full. I'd only read the first 2 years ago.

Kelly

From a Buick 8 is rather interesting too, if you like a sort of 'science fiction' slant to your books.

and also - (it was intended to be a kid's book but I thought it was wonderful when I just read it a few years ago):

The Eyes of the Dragon - to me it was like a very well written classic fairy tale - I loved it!

 

[Kurben]

About 250 pages into Needful things. Boy, have i forgotten things!! I just remember some scenes. It is like reading it for the first time. But the cover ain't as good as Geralds Game. A bit lacking in imagination i think.

 

[Neesy]

About 250 pages into Needful things. Boy, have i forgotten things!! I just remember some scenes. It is like reading it for the first time. But the cover ain't as good as Geralds Game. A bit lacking in imagination i think.

 

[krwhiting]

I understand - the violence against women is extremely difficult for me, personally. For some bizarre reason, when I read these things I can compartmentalize them differently and separate them from my own life. But the gore and infestation of Night Shift is difficult for me (I have trouble with a lot of SK's earlier works these days).

I wonder. I'd noticed a trend in King's writing but I don't want to be too exact in claiming it because I don't think it's entirely true. But it appears to me that his earlier stuff is much darker than his later; particularly with respect to outcomes and characterizations. Does anyone else see that, or am I just analyzing too small a data set (I'm only on my twelfth book)?

Kelly

 

[Dana Jean]

Yes, I would agree with his early stuff being darker.

 

[Neesy]

I wonder. I'd noticed a trend in King's writing but I don't want to be too exact in claiming it because I don't think it's entirely true. But it appears to me that his earlier stuff is much darker than his later; particularly with respect to outcomes and characterizations. Does anyone else see that, or am I just analyzing too small a data set (I'm only on my twelfth book)?

Kelly

I wonder if his near fatal accident in 1999 changed him? (for the better it would seem) or perhaps he is just improving with age and experience (I hope!)

I would agree his earlier writing is overall darker. Plus he overcame a couple of addictions which is very admirable so perhaps that helped him to be more positive and optimistic.

 

[krwhiting]

I wonder if his near fatal accident in 1999 changed him? (for the better it would seem) or perhaps he is just improving with age and experience (I hope!)

I would agree his earlier writing is overall darker. Plus he overcame a couple of addictions which is very admirable so perhaps that helped him to be more positive and optimistic.

I remember when that accident happened. I was living in the Boston area then and it was HUGE news there. Everyone talking about it.

As for addictions; who can't relate to that? I think everyone has struggled with things like that enough to know in how dark a place you can end. And how good it feels to overcome it.

Kelly

 

[krwhiting]

Just finished Night Shift. Starting The Bachman Books.

Kelly

 

[AchtungBaby]

I wonder. I'd noticed a trend in King's writing but I don't want to be too exact in claiming it because I don't think it's entirely true. But it appears to me that his earlier stuff is much darker than his later; particularly with respect to outcomes and characterizations. Does anyone else see that, or am I just analyzing too small a data set (I'm only on my twelfth book)?

Kelly

I think you're right, but he can still be brutal when the situation calls for it (I'm thinking of the baseball boy in Doctor Sleep, and there are many other examples).

 

[RandallFlagg19]

Good job! Keep us posted on your progress.

Read during January 2015

January 2 – 6 Nightmares and Dreamscapes

January 7-9 The Dark Half

January 10- 13 Bag of Bones

January 14-17 Hearts in Atlantis

January 18 – 20 Just After Sunset

January 21-22 Cell

January 23-25 Christine

January 26 -27 Gerald’s Game

January 28- 29 Pet Sematary

January 30 – 31 The Gunslinger (reread)

 

[FlakeNoir]

Read during January 2015

January 2 – 6 Nightmares and Dreamscapes

January 7-9 The Dark Half

January 10- 13 Bag of Bones

January 14-17 Hearts in Atlantis

January 18 – 20 Just After Sunset

January 21-22 Cell

January 23-25 Christine

January 26 -27 Gerald’s Game

January 28- 29 Pet Sematary

January 30 – 31 The Gunslinger (reread)

Wow...

 

[Kurben]

Just Finished Needful things... Wow. I had almost totally forgotten about it. I remember back in the late 80-ties (after Misery say) and until the late 90-ties i thought King was losing it a little with exception of Dolores Claiborne and The Green Mile which i always held high in regard. Now, since late last year, i have been rereading some of this books and coming to the conclusion that i have been unfair to King. They are just a little different. Books like, Tommyknockers, Geralds Game, The Dark Half, Four past Midnight and Needful Things. Among them it is really only Tommyknockers that really doesn't do anything for me now. Needful Things was the best of these books so far and i am really good i gave it a new try. Others that i haven't yet reread but that fall in that same cathegory is Insomnia, Bag of Bones, Rose Madder, Dreamcatcher and Black House. I can only hope that they will also look so much better revisited as Needful things did. I guess Hearts in Atlantis also belong here. I remember liking one of the stories very much, the otthers not so much. Perhaps i was too busy digging up archaeological treasures during the 90-ties to really immerse myself. Not letting it take the time it demanded? I don't know. But from what i've seen so far these stories are good in their own way most often. They are not Salems Lot, Carrie or the Shining, they are different but they are good! Not quite sure where i go from here. I must mull that one over a bit before deciding.

 

[AchtungBaby]

Just Finished Needful things... Wow. I had almost totally forgotten about it. I remember back in the late 80-ties (after Misery say) and until the late 90-ties i thought King was losing it a little with exception of Dolores Claiborne and The Green Mile which i always held high in regard. Now, since late last year, i have been rereading some of this books and coming to the conclusion that i have been unfair to King. They are just a little different. Books like, Tommyknockers, Geralds Game, The Dark Half, Four past Midnight and Needful Things. Among them it is really only Tommyknockers that really doesn't do anything for me now. Needful Things was the best of these books so far and i am really good i gave it a new try. Others that i haven't yet reread but that fall in that same cathegory is Insomnia, Bag of Bones, Rose Madder, Dreamcatcher and Black House. I can only hope that they will also look so much better revisited as Needful things did. I guess Hearts in Atlantis also belong here. I remember liking one of the stories very much, the otthers not so much. Perhaps i was too busy digging up archaeological treasures during the 90-ties to really immerse myself. Not letting it take the time it demanded? I don't know. But from what i've seen so far these stories are good in their own way most often. They are not Salems Lot, Carrie or the Shining, they are different but they are good! Not quite sure where i go from here. I must mull that one over a bit before deciding.

BAG OF BONES. BAG OF BONES. BAG OF BONES.

 

[morgan]

BAG OF BONES. BAG OF BONES. BAG OF BONES.