Oldie but Newbie here!

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not_nadine

Comfortably Roont
Nov 19, 2011
29,655
139,785
Behind you
Just a thought..? Maybe we should only refer or recommend books that we have actually read for a informed approach to a legitimate question for the OP's child. :jaded:

My first SK book was 'Salems Lot. I was about 13 years old, and it had me hooked on Stephen King thereafter. It scared the heck out me, but I loved loved that it could make me laugh at the same time.
How is that possible? I was a goner.

Now there is cussing in the book. And some references to sex. But I don't recall anything that I could not handle.

The scene with Ben and Susan was pretty mild - the only other thing I recall is with Royce? and the shotgun

Welcome to the boards, CKFoster Hang around, we are a good bunch - let us know what you decided.
 
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twiggymarie

Daughter of One
Mar 17, 2011
332
1,911
Texas, United States
My kid started with The Green Mile, but she thinks and reads on a post-college level. She's also a couple years older than he is. She had tried reading Desperation at about 11, and got quickly creeped out.

Depending on what he's into, what he's interested in reading, and more importantly what you guys are comfortable with him reading, The Eyes of the Dragon, and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon are some great places to start off at. I started off with It when I was 11, and personally, the couple of sexual parts in there went waaay over my head until I read it as an older reader. My brain just completely forgot about it with all the other crazy things going on in the book. So, to agree with Skiimom, it'd boil down to personal discretion.

Welcome to the boards, and I hope he likes his books, whichever y'all decide on!
 

CKFoster

New Member
Apr 13, 2017
4
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Wow! Thanks everyone for the replies and amazing info! I have read a lot of SK so I knew my favorites probably weren't appropriate. Lol. He likes sci fine and crime shows (older sister is forensics major at Texas A&M) so he's used to watching those types shows and movies. I just tend to lean on the more conservative side this time. They are exposed to so much these days. I'm going to look for those books today and we will start there! Thanks so so much! Everyone have a happy Easter!
 

Holly Gibney

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2016
153
783
46
Welcome, CKFoster! It is very nice to have you here! I am a recent arrival myself, and can confirm that they are an extremely welcoming, respectful, intelligent and just plain friendly bunch. :)

If your son likes crime fiction and sci-fi, I would recommend Mr Mercedes. If he enjoys it, you can always progress to the sequels (Finders Keepers and End of Watch). It's not exactly scary - it is more of a really well plotted and well told detective story, with a wonderful cast of characters. There is some sex, but without much detail; a couple of the characters just end up in a relationship.

You can't go wrong with The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon either. :)
 

morgan

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2010
29,353
104,579
North Dakota
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Zone D Dad

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2017
359
1,829
Chicago Suburbs
My first was also Salem's Lot which I read at about 12, but there are definitely some questionable elements. I'd definitely recommend The Long Walk if he's ok with the violence aspect of it. Also, how about one of the collections such as Night Shift? I read that one pretty early on and I don't recall any of it being objectionable.
 
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