If you like Stephen King

[Mattcake]

List your two favourite books by SK, and the reasons why you chose them. Only two, I know its hard if you like King, but no cheating

I've read most of his books, but not all of them. I don't scare easily, can't wait to see some recommendations here.

Okay.. mine change day to day, but if I have to pick two:

1. "It". Horror at its best, one of the few books that gave me actual nightmares. I never liked clowns to begin with, this book sealed the deal for me. A bit too long, maybe, but it's worth it, as he sure takes his time to develop each character's depth. The ending is very satisfying, not to mention creepy.

2. "Dolores Claiborne": I chose this one over his more classic books because Claiborne showcases his range like no other King, except maybe "Dark Tower". Dolores is the anti-heroine: foul mouthed, annoyingly opinionated... a murderess? Extremely engaging read, once you get used to her voice. The story line is deceptively simple for once, but it has many layers lurking beneath the surface. I love the way "DC" ties in with "Gerald's Game". Vera Donovan is an unforgattable character. Yeah, I'm happy I chose this one

Your turn!

[RyanRed]

I only have 1 that needs to be mentioned.

"Needful things"

Because I can relate it to my drinking past. How we hurt others to get what we wanted "alcohol"

Sad really.

-Ryan

[jaynedoe]

:
only two??!!!!

ok.... #1 always is The Stand. I quit counting after reading it 11 times and that's been years ago (it's the complete uncut version - talking about a chunker!) I love all the "huge" characters in that book. And it's something that could really happen.... probably easier than we would like to think.

#2...... depends on my mood i guess... i really like Bag of Bones, so I'll go with that for today I like it when he has writers as characters.

Thanks for the thread matt...i will be interested to see what others pick too.

[SoberJennie]

Needful Things & Dolores Claiborne

...they're just his "best", imo.

[SoberJennie]

Oh no... now I've gotta say... The Shining & Misery rank up there. SO hard to decide.

[Dee74]

I really like SK's short fiction, and it's something he doesn't seem to do as much anymore, so Night Shift would be one...probably It for the other if I can't cheat

D

[Newtosoberlivin]

Oh fun!!! I LOVE King!!!

A recent collection of short stories (I've read it twice) would be "Everything's Eventual." I honestly couldn't put it down until I had read every story (but that's not unusual when I read his short fiction).

Also Duma Key, set in FL and not ME but a great story and chilling read!!!

[HopefullHusband]

The Stand and Under The Dome. I love the long very detailed stories where you get to know several story lines and characters.

[Fandy]

This is a tough one...I've been a Stephen King fan since Carrie came out in the 1970s...(remember "dirty pillows")? lol

but my most favorite are Dolores Clairborne, one of the few books that translated well into the movies...she took the abuser and fought back...an eye for an eye.

The Stand..I have the original 1450 page version, i try to read it once every few years, it never disappoints, especially Mother Abigail.

I do have his latest collection of shorts loaded onto my new e-reader thingie, but haven't gotten to it yet.

Great thread topic! thanks.

I noticed that no one like Insomnia???

[HopefullHusband]

I liked insomnia. Just couldn't list my top 20. :-) I liked the dark tower series too. My dogs name is Detta but the ending killed it for me.

[Fandy]

I read his book with Peter Straub, "Black House"..was not my favorite..but I read it.

[Mattcake]

HopefullHusband, did the ending of the Dark Tower series disappoint you? (no spoilers please!!)

Fandy, my best buddy ranks Insomnia as his #1 favourite. It's a good read.

[HopefullHusband]

Without spoilers I was upset at the extended ending, in fact most of the last book but I wouldn't say that it's not worth reading. I loved the series just thought it was going to go in a completely different direction. Hey I liked it enough to name my dog after one of the main characters.
I have read everything King has written, I started with Tommyknockers then my uncle told me to read them in order they were written to catch all the little things he injects from earlier books. Like when in Tommyknockers they rode through Derry to get more batteries the guy said something along the lines of Damn I must be crazy but I coulda swore I saw a clown in that sewer.

[traid77]

Good topic Matty,

The Eyes of the Dragon.....one of those pump your fist in the air, feel good stories of good vs evil similar to the short Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

(Note that Shawshank is technically a short, so while being a favourite, it's technically a book, sooooo one more?)

Christine.....read this just before I turned 16 and was able to drive. Thought it was a great premise.

Wishing another 24 to all,

Traid.

[Fandy]

IT....of course.....he's been in my drain too many times...after I drank.

someone gave me "The Dark Half" book/......the library sells them for $1.00 as they replenish their books...He had waaay too many, but they are "too good" to toss out. I loved it again.

[Mattcake]

Originally Posted by HopefullHusband

I have read everything King has written, I started with Tommyknockers then my uncle told me to read them in order they were written to catch all the little things he injects from earlier books. Like when in Tommyknockers they rode through Derry to get more batteries the guy said something along the lines of Damn I must be crazy but I coulda swore I saw a clown in that sewer.

Yeah, I love those little cameos. His wife Tabitha also borrows from his books - btw, her novels (plain fiction, not horror) are amazing and totally underrated. The Nodd's Ridge series - masterful, highly recommended.

[RubyRose]

I love Stephen King! He's the only author I have an entire collection of hard-backed copies. They take up an entire book case of their own. My favorites (Wow-only 2) Would have to be The Tommyknockers and The Shining. I wouldn't go to the bathroom by myself for months after that one. I admit I still, 30 years later, have to keep the shower curtain open and the toilet lid up! I'm probably one of the only Mom's who rocked their babies to sleep with the "Tommyknocker" song - late last night and the night before - you know the one I mean!

[onlythetruth]

I love SK. My favorite books are The Stand and The Talisman, and the whole Dark Tower series (yes, I was disappointed in the ending, but that hardly matters--it's the journey that counts!)

[ChickenStu]

The Shining and The Stand are probably the top two for me.

But special mention has to go to The Dark Tower II: The Drawing Of The Three, The Dead Zone, and the absolutely majestic Different Seasons.

[stairs]

Yes, Stephen King rocks. Cujo, Carrie, that one about the vampires, the old ones are great, and The Stand, IT, The Shining is classic, Tommyknockers.