This is one of my top 5 all-time favorite books! (First Stephen King Read! Spoilers inbound)

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ThinBlueSmoke

Member
Jul 22, 2019
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I’m probably going to sound like a fraud saying that I’m a voracious reader when I mention the upcoming statement, but “11/22/63” is my first ever Stephen King read. I’ve had “Misery” on my bookshelf for over eleven years, but only as somewhat of a memento because, “Haha my mom looks like Kathy Bates’ character, Annie Wilkes, from the movie.” I never actually read it. Cheap excuse, I know. Anyway, I’ve never been a fan of the horror genre, so I’ve always steered clear from King’s books, although I’m entertained by the thought of reading “IT” since it such a highly heralded classic.

Anyway, I remember when “11/22/63” was about to drop; back in 2011, I was deadset on picking it up and reading it ASAP, but that, along with a couple of years that followed, was a dark time in my life, and by the time of its release, I just happened to forget about it since I was focusing on my life’s circumstances at the time. Over the years, I just never thought of the damn book!

I don’t mean for this to sound like an autobiography of sorts, but I’m going to keep going. Last month, I was visiting a man who is like a second father to me, and as usual when it comes to my visits, I was there for hours, and we were talking about books, and he said he’d wished he’d finished “11/22/63” by Stephen King, because he had borrowed his son’s copy but never got around to completing it, but he said he watched the mini-series on Hulu and enjoyed it. I was out of the freakin’ loop, because I never even knew the mini-series existed. I’d like to think I heard of it when it dropped in 2016, but my memory fails me.

Earlier this month, I binge watched the mini-series in one night and enjoyed it, immediately ordering the book from Ebay directly after finishing it. I finally received this week and I read it over the course of two and a half days. I have an addictive personality, so when I’m fixated on something it tends to command my entire focus, which is what happened with this book.

Man oh man oh man… what a read. I feel like I’ll still be thinking about it weeks from now.

As much as I enjoyed the show, I wish that I had read the book first, but I feel like my enjoyment of the show would have been thrown out the window just because of how much the show changed from the book.

Lite spoilers inbound...

I thought Sarah Gadon was amazing as Sadie in the show and did a great job, but King loved to write about her height, from Jake’s lens, in the show, constantly referencing her clumsiness in addition to her height, but Gadon is only 5’3” according to Google. Then again, I guess I should have qualms with Franco, too, as Google lists him at 5’11” vs. the written character of Jake being 6’4”. Not a big deal, I guess, but the book presses the matters on this often. Also, maybe my memory is already throwing me for a loop, but in the book Sadie is a pack-a-day smoker while I don’t recall the character smoking once in the show. Just a strange divergence from the book, in my opinion.

I am probably the only person on here who thinks this, but I’m going to throw it out there, anyway. “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller is a huge part of the book, especially being a part of the emotional ending, but it is absent in the show. I wonder if it has to do with not being able to get the licensing/rights to the song, but with that stated, it seems like a pointless change in the show ignoring that reason. Anyway, as for me feeling like I’m the only person who feels this: “Nothing Can Change This Love”, the song that is playing when old Sadie and Jake are dancing for the final time, is my all-time favorite Sam Cooke song, a song that I have sentimental attachment to for reasons I’ll avoid bothering listing here, and I enjoyed that touch vs. “In the Mood” even though the show switches up the ending by not using “In The Mood.”

I’m so depressed now, I can feel it in my bones. I’m sad that I’ve finished reading it and I have no idea what to do with myself now, as far as filling the void that I feel. I loved it so much. Impulsive, emotional reaction or not, but I feel I can safely say that it is in my top five all-time favorite reads even though I only finished it the other night and haven’t given myself the proper chance to allow the dust of proper perspective to settle.

The ending definitely induced tears, although I’m not what you would call a crying man myself, either. ;)

I have other questions that are failing to come to me at this time, but I needed to post about it. Needed to.

King seemed to have a penchant for writing about the 'thin, blue smoke' in this book, hence my username! My affinity for barbecue is the only reason I know what the heck that term means, to be honest, as all wannabe pitmasters chase it in the world of smoking meats.

I ordered "The Dark Tower" off of Ebay for my next read.
 

Doc Creed

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2015
17,221
82,822
47
United States
I’m probably going to sound like a fraud saying that I’m a voracious reader when I mention the upcoming statement, but “11/22/63” is my first ever Stephen King read. I’ve had “Misery” on my bookshelf for over eleven years, but only as somewhat of a memento because, “Haha my mom looks like Kathy Bates’ character, Annie Wilkes, from the movie.” I never actually read it. Cheap excuse, I know. Anyway, I’ve never been a fan of the horror genre, so I’ve always steered clear from King’s books, although I’m entertained by the thought of reading “IT” since it such a highly heralded classic.

Anyway, I remember when “11/22/63” was about to drop; back in 2011, I was deadset on picking it up and reading it ASAP, but that, along with a couple of years that followed, was a dark time in my life, and by the time of its release, I just happened to forget about it since I was focusing on my life’s circumstances at the time. Over the years, I just never thought of the damn book!

I don’t mean for this to sound like an autobiography of sorts, but I’m going to keep going. Last month, I was visiting a man who is like a second father to me, and as usual when it comes to my visits, I was there for hours, and we were talking about books, and he said he’d wished he’d finished “11/22/63” by Stephen King, because he had borrowed his son’s copy but never got around to completing it, but he said he watched the mini-series on Hulu and enjoyed it. I was out of the freakin’ loop, because I never even knew the mini-series existed. I’d like to think I heard of it when it dropped in 2016, but my memory fails me.

Earlier this month, I binge watched the mini-series in one night and enjoyed it, immediately ordering the book from Ebay directly after finishing it. I finally received this week and I read it over the course of two and a half days. I have an addictive personality, so when I’m fixated on something it tends to command my entire focus, which is what happened with this book.

Man oh man oh man… what a read. I feel like I’ll still be thinking about it weeks from now.

As much as I enjoyed the show, I wish that I had read the book first, but I feel like my enjoyment of the show would have been thrown out the window just because of how much the show changed from the book.

Lite spoilers inbound...

I thought Sarah Gadon was amazing as Sadie in the show and did a great job, but King loved to write about her height, from Jake’s lens, in the show, constantly referencing her clumsiness in addition to her height, but Gadon is only 5’3” according to Google. Then again, I guess I should have qualms with Franco, too, as Google lists him at 5’11” vs. the written character of Jake being 6’4”. Not a big deal, I guess, but the book presses the matters on this often. Also, maybe my memory is already throwing me for a loop, but in the book Sadie is a pack-a-day smoker while I don’t recall the character smoking once in the show. Just a strange divergence from the book, in my opinion.

I am probably the only person on here who thinks this, but I’m going to throw it out there, anyway. “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller is a huge part of the book, especially being a part of the emotional ending, but it is absent in the show. I wonder if it has to do with not being able to get the licensing/rights to the song, but with that stated, it seems like a pointless change in the show ignoring that reason. Anyway, as for me feeling like I’m the only person who feels this: “Nothing Can Change This Love”, the song that is playing when old Sadie and Jake are dancing for the final time, is my all-time favorite Sam Cooke song, a song that I have sentimental attachment to for reasons I’ll avoid bothering listing here, and I enjoyed that touch vs. “In the Mood” even though the show switches up the ending by not using “In The Mood.”

I’m so depressed now, I can feel it in my bones. I’m sad that I’ve finished reading it and I have no idea what to do with myself now, as far as filling the void that I feel. I loved it so much. Impulsive, emotional reaction or not, but I feel I can safely say that it is in my top five all-time favorite reads even though I only finished it the other night and haven’t given myself the proper chance to allow the dust of proper perspective to settle.

The ending definitely induced tears, although I’m not what you would call a crying man myself, either. ;)

I have other questions that are failing to come to me at this time, but I needed to post about it. Needed to.

King seemed to have a penchant for writing about the 'thin, blue smoke' in this book, hence my username! My affinity for barbecue is the only reason I know what the heck that term means, to be honest, as all wannabe pitmasters chase it in the world of smoking meats.

I ordered "The Dark Tower" off of Ebay for my next read.
Excellent first post, Smoke. Glad you introduced yourself and shared your reading experience. I know you said you don't like horror but may I suggest you pick up that copy of Misery and dig in. You won't be disappointed. Then, if you dare, read Pet Sematary, my favorite. Welcome!
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
I’m probably going to sound like a fraud saying that I’m a voracious reader when I mention the upcoming statement, but “11/22/63” is my first ever Stephen King read. I’ve had “Misery” on my bookshelf for over eleven years, but only as somewhat of a memento because, “Haha my mom looks like Kathy Bates’ character, Annie Wilkes, from the movie.” I never actually read it. Cheap excuse, I know. Anyway, I’ve never been a fan of the horror genre, so I’ve always steered clear from King’s books, although I’m entertained by the thought of reading “IT” since it such a highly heralded classic.

Anyway, I remember when “11/22/63” was about to drop; back in 2011, I was deadset on picking it up and reading it ASAP, but that, along with a couple of years that followed, was a dark time in my life, and by the time of its release, I just happened to forget about it since I was focusing on my life’s circumstances at the time. Over the years, I just never thought of the damn book!

I don’t mean for this to sound like an autobiography of sorts, but I’m going to keep going. Last month, I was visiting a man who is like a second father to me, and as usual when it comes to my visits, I was there for hours, and we were talking about books, and he said he’d wished he’d finished “11/22/63” by Stephen King, because he had borrowed his son’s copy but never got around to completing it, but he said he watched the mini-series on Hulu and enjoyed it. I was out of the freakin’ loop, because I never even knew the mini-series existed. I’d like to think I heard of it when it dropped in 2016, but my memory fails me.

Earlier this month, I binge watched the mini-series in one night and enjoyed it, immediately ordering the book from Ebay directly after finishing it. I finally received this week and I read it over the course of two and a half days. I have an addictive personality, so when I’m fixated on something it tends to command my entire focus, which is what happened with this book.

Man oh man oh man… what a read. I feel like I’ll still be thinking about it weeks from now.

As much as I enjoyed the show, I wish that I had read the book first, but I feel like my enjoyment of the show would have been thrown out the window just because of how much the show changed from the book.

Lite spoilers inbound...

I thought Sarah Gadon was amazing as Sadie in the show and did a great job, but King loved to write about her height, from Jake’s lens, in the show, constantly referencing her clumsiness in addition to her height, but Gadon is only 5’3” according to Google. Then again, I guess I should have qualms with Franco, too, as Google lists him at 5’11” vs. the written character of Jake being 6’4”. Not a big deal, I guess, but the book presses the matters on this often. Also, maybe my memory is already throwing me for a loop, but in the book Sadie is a pack-a-day smoker while I don’t recall the character smoking once in the show. Just a strange divergence from the book, in my opinion.

I am probably the only person on here who thinks this, but I’m going to throw it out there, anyway. “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller is a huge part of the book, especially being a part of the emotional ending, but it is absent in the show. I wonder if it has to do with not being able to get the licensing/rights to the song, but with that stated, it seems like a pointless change in the show ignoring that reason. Anyway, as for me feeling like I’m the only person who feels this: “Nothing Can Change This Love”, the song that is playing when old Sadie and Jake are dancing for the final time, is my all-time favorite Sam Cooke song, a song that I have sentimental attachment to for reasons I’ll avoid bothering listing here, and I enjoyed that touch vs. “In the Mood” even though the show switches up the ending by not using “In The Mood.”

I’m so depressed now, I can feel it in my bones. I’m sad that I’ve finished reading it and I have no idea what to do with myself now, as far as filling the void that I feel. I loved it so much. Impulsive, emotional reaction or not, but I feel I can safely say that it is in my top five all-time favorite reads even though I only finished it the other night and haven’t given myself the proper chance to allow the dust of proper perspective to settle.

The ending definitely induced tears, although I’m not what you would call a crying man myself, either. ;)

I have other questions that are failing to come to me at this time, but I needed to post about it. Needed to.

King seemed to have a penchant for writing about the 'thin, blue smoke' in this book, hence my username! My affinity for barbecue is the only reason I know what the heck that term means, to be honest, as all wannabe pitmasters chase it in the world of smoking meats.

I ordered "The Dark Tower" off of Ebay for my next read.

Hi and welcome!!
 

osnafrank

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2017
7,121
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Germany
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FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Thanks for the welcomes, everyone. I appreciate it. Not to steer too far off-topic, but why is the board only available for a limited time each week? I tried to find out after I signed up but couldn't see an explanation anywhere.
Hi and welcome. :smile:
Ms. Mod is Stephen's personal assistant and as she is now in semi-retirement the board is only open for posting during her days/nights of work. (Tues, Wed, Thurs) as she didn't want the volunteer Mods having to work on the days that she doesn't. People can still PM/profile post each other once they're off the moderation period. (min 10 days and 100 posts)
 

ThinBlueSmoke

Member
Jul 22, 2019
6
40
32
Hi and welcome. :smile:
Ms. Mod is Stephen's personal assistant and as she is now in semi-retirement the board is only open for posting during her days/nights of work. (Tues, Wed, Thurs) as she didn't want the volunteer Mods having to work on the days that she doesn't. People can still PM/profile post each other once they're off the moderation period. (min 10 days and 100 posts)
Thanks a million for the explanation! I was just curious. Had no idea about that, in regards to Ms. Mod being Stephen's personal assistant. That's amazing! Really nice of her to be considerate of the rest of the mods' collective time like that. I'm happy to be here. Seems like a great community. I've also just joined (as of last week) the Stephen King subreddit over on Reddit.
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
Thanks a million for the explanation! I was just curious. Had no idea about that, in regards to Ms. Mod being Stephen's personal assistant. That's amazing! Really nice of her to be considerate of the rest of the mods' collective time like that. I'm happy to be here. Seems like a great community. I've also just joined (as of last week) the Stephen King subreddit over on Reddit.
My I also suggest having a look at;
A special place many of the SKMB members go to as an alternate for the closed times.