I have been a Stephen King fan for approximately 15 years and have recently joined a Bookclub full of SK virgins. I talk about his books all the time, but nobody has read even one! My turn to pick a book is coming up and I really want it to be SK. Here's my problem though... It can't be "too long" or "too scary". I really want my bookclub to love SK as much as I do and need a perfect book to get them hooked. Please help!
Bookclub Suggestions
- Thread starter JeJohnson
- Start date
-
This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.
Dolores Claiborne is usually my first choice for non King reading adults or, if they like a bit of the paranormal, The Dead Zone.
Welcome to the site. 
The Green Mile is not too long and is a good one for discussion.
The Green Mile is not too long and is a good one for discussion.
Dolores Claiborne, The Dead Zone, Joyland, Different Seasons, Mr. Mercedes. The options are endless.
...The Colorado Kid, because of the "unsolved mystery"....
Welcome to the SKMB! Keep posting! I decided a way back that my choice for noobies is The Dead Zone. Then I read somewhere that that one is also sK's choice for noobies.
If they want a short one with thats not violent at all they could try The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon. Otherwise the Dead zone, The Green Mile or Dolores. If you want to it to be a little more scary Cujo or Carrie
Thanks for the suggestions everybody! I didn't especially love Dolores or the Dead Zone, so selfishly I wouldn't want to read them again. If The Dead Zone is SK's choice however, it's hard to argue with him! The Green Mile is a good idea but I know a few people have already seen the movie. There are a few suggestions that I haven't read yet. Looks like I have some work to do.
What is everybody feeling about Misery? It might be too graphic and bloody, but you have to have a little gore.
What is everybody feeling about Misery? It might be too graphic and bloody, but you have to have a little gore.
Misery would be a great choice-- short, sweet, and totally ballsy.Thanks for the suggestions everybody! I didn't especially love Dolores or the Dead Zone, so selfishly I wouldn't want to read them again. If The Dead Zone is SK's choice however, it's hard to argue with him! The Green Mile is a good idea but I know a few people have already seen the movie. There are a few suggestions that I haven't read yet. Looks like I have some work to do.
What is everybody feeling about Misery? It might be too graphic and bloody, but you have to have a little gore.
Firestarter, maybe?
I don't like it (at all), but I know many do. And it's relatively short/not too scary.
I don't like it (at all), but I know many do. And it's relatively short/not too scary.
Misery is a great book. Didn't mention it because you didn't want anything to scary. BTW... don't you think they have seen the movie made from Misery? After all it won an Oscar for best actress (Kathy Bates). How about Cujo? It does have a little gore. and a dog.... and a little kid....Thanks for the suggestions everybody! I didn't especially love Dolores or the Dead Zone, so selfishly I wouldn't want to read them again. If The Dead Zone is SK's choice however, it's hard to argue with him! The Green Mile is a good idea but I know a few people have already seen the movie. There are a few suggestions that I haven't read yet. Looks like I have some work to do.
What is everybody feeling about Misery? It might be too graphic and bloody, but you have to have a little gore.
They may have seen the movie, Misery. I haven't asked yet. Cujo is the first book I read so that's a really good idea too!
I think I am revising my thoughts as I am reading all of these suggestions. I think a little scary is okay but paranormal scary would be too much for the group.
There really isn't one perfect book to hook everybody. I wish this question had one perfect answer, but the bottom line is no matter which book I pick, some people won't like it... but hopefully most people will.
I think I am revising my thoughts as I am reading all of these suggestions. I think a little scary is okay but paranormal scary would be too much for the group.
There really isn't one perfect book to hook everybody. I wish this question had one perfect answer, but the bottom line is no matter which book I pick, some people won't like it... but hopefully most people will.
But isn't that the idea of something like a book club? If everyone liked everything, there would be no real discussion.
That's what is so great about this board: we don't all always agree on SK's books and we all (pretty much) get along and have some good, spirited discussions.
Welcome. Some very good suggestions here. Try Full Dark No Stars. Some very good discussion topics there. Let us know how you get on.
Joyland, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Wind Through the Keyhole, The Eyes of The Dragon
I think those would be good books for soft new SK virgins.
I think those would be good books for soft new SK virgins.
