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Any other Constant Readers here?

80 replies

modifiedmummy13 · 15/11/2017 19:02

I’m a massive Stephen King... just wondered if there were any more here, and what you’re reading?

I’m currently reading Finders Keepers (second in the Bill Hodges trilogy; follow up to Mr Mercedes).

It’s not his usual style, and I enjoyed his epics ie It, The Stand and Under the Dome more, but they’re fun and easy to read.

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Jonsnowsghost · 17/11/2017 18:35

Me! Massive fan, I have around 30 books displayed on shelves and the rest on my kindle - I've read all his books apart from the dark tower series, I couldn't get into them. I much prefer his older books and like a pp started reading around 13 with Pet Semetary being the first! Can blame my English teacher for that Grin
I really struggle to pick a favourite but I love Christine Smile

HumphreyCobblers · 17/11/2017 18:39

I used to be like you Jonsnowsghost, not getting into The Dark Tower. Then Remus persuaded me and I read them all and they have haunted me ever since.

I have never read Christine, I might get it tonight.

No one else for The Dead Zone?

modifiedmummy13 · 17/11/2017 21:12

Was it just me, or was anyone else freaked out by The Bad Little Kid in Bazaar of Bad Dreams?! I freakin hated him! 😂🙈

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Jonsnowsghost · 17/11/2017 21:29

Humphrey I love the Dead zone too :) Firstarter, It, The Shining, Pet semetary, Carrie, Misery, The Long Walk, The running man, Cujo, Bag of bones..all my top books! I also liked 11.something.63 (can never remember the title!) As it wasn't horror but was SUCH an intriguing concept. I read under the dome but I really hated the ending, the mayor of the town really got to me!

Maybe I should try the dark tower books, sure they're hidden away on my kindle somewhere.

Modified yes he's so creepy! Have you read Skeleton Crew? That's my favourite short story collection. It's the one with The Mist in.

Jonsnowsghost · 17/11/2017 21:31

This is my physical collection (as well as the two sneaky Harry Potters and random things on the shelves!) I'm proud of it Grin

Any other Constant Readers here?
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/11/2017 22:24

Am I allowed to post my cupboard again? It's now got the new Owen/Stephen collaboration on too. The only thing missing (I think) is Gwendy's Button Box which is a novella and a collaboration with another writer. Has anybody read it?

Any other Constant Readers here?
HumphreyCobblers · 17/11/2017 22:39

excellent collections both of you!

I have a lot on my kindle now, it is not the same

Jonsnowsghost · 18/11/2017 09:25

Yes I've read it, it's ok but not really Stephen King-y. I also didn't really like Sleeping Beauties.

ZepellinBend · 18/11/2017 10:20

Jealous of those with the physical collections. I moved abroad some years back and couldn't cart my books with me so they got dropped down the charity shop. Now they are all on my kindle but as Humphrey says, it's not the same.

I haven't read any of his short stories in such a long time, can barely remember any of them, will make that next on the list. I do like short stories and read Reddit's nosleep quite a lot.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/11/2017 14:16

Thanks, Jon. I'll probably buy it soon, as I don't want any gaps!

PepeLePew · 21/11/2017 08:54

Love SK and recommend him to many people. I tend to be suspicious of those who decline on the basis of it being "trash".

My favourites are The Stand (in fact my favourite book ever), 11.22.63 and Salem's Lot. IT wasn't as good as I hoped (I think I may be shouted down on this) and Under The Dome was terrific until the end (and I'm usually quite tolerant of his less-than-stellar endings).

I'd put in a word for some of the less well known/read books - The Long Walk is stunning. The Eyes of the Dragon is a wonderful book and a great way in to King for early teens, and dd is reading and loving Firestarter right now. I adore The Dark Tower series too, for the way they tie it all together. And some of the short stories are like a punch to the gut. I think he's at his best in that format.

Jonsnowsghost · 21/11/2017 09:01

The Long Walk is one of my top 10, it's so good for such a simple concept!

LurpakIsTheOnlyButter · 21/11/2017 10:34

My bookshelf

Any other Constant Readers here?
longdaysandpleasantnights · 21/11/2017 20:59

I adore Stephen King, I have been reading his books for well over 20 years now. The first one I read was Pet Sematary and I think that’s the scariest one for me, the bit where Louis does the lone walk to the burial ground to resurrect Gage gives me chills.

If you like podcasts there’s a good one called The Stephen King Cast where he reviews each book in the chronological order of publication. (Which appeals to me because that’s how my bookcase is organised, in order of publication! Blush)

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/11/2017 18:03

Yes to The Long Walk - it's superb.

intrusivethoughts · 26/11/2017 10:20

Constant reader for over 25 years. Started on mums books probably Carrie and Christine. Love the way his stories cross over, Dolores Claiborne and Gerald's game are a couple of my favourites.

dragonara53 · 26/11/2017 10:32

I read all the time, although I am having a bit of a break at the moment. Usually I read about two to three books a day as I prefer to read than watch TV. I have real books that I buy by my favourite authors in my bookcase ( which is getting pretty full now)and I have a kindle fire. My favorite authors are John Connolly, Charlaine Harris and Janet Evanovich. At the moment. On my kindle I like the Spookshow books and Granny Smith mysteries. But I will try most books if the blurb sounds good.

Tavimama · 26/11/2017 11:37

Massive fan over here (waves with enthusiasm)! Started reading his books as a wee thing with Salem’s Lot and Carrie and didn’t really look back. Remember the agony and impatience of waiting for the Green Mile books and the 80 Mile round trip for each book! Lost my enthusiasm during my 30’s but found him again in my late 40’s. I am also a member of the Facebook fan page called Stephen King : Constant Reader Fan Club where we discuss the books, films and generally discuss everything King. Looking forward to seeing the Dark Tower and It movies - they’re on my Christmas List.

ThatWhiteElephant · 26/11/2017 14:08

Stupid question alert!!!
Is the term ‘constant reader’ specific to SK?

Tavimama · 26/11/2017 16:26

SK usually welcomes his ‘Constant Readers’ in his forewords and afterwords - it pretty much applies to his readers Smile

modifiedmummy13 · 26/11/2017 17:18

@Tavimama Will look out for the fb group!

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modifiedmummy13 · 26/11/2017 17:22

Here's my shelfie. Really need to reorganise but I have three other massive book cases and would really like all my books in order in one room. #dreamon 😂

Any other Constant Readers here?
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autumnboys · 26/11/2017 17:32

Ooh, me! I met my best friend 24 years ago when someone in halls of residence spotted we had the same SK book on our shelves. We went to see him at the Royal Festival Hall in 1999.

When my sister rang my husband to tell him I was in labour with DS1 and he should come home, she also instructed him, at my request, to go to the supermarket on the way to the hospital to buy me the Wolves of the Calla, which came out that day. He said in some horror 'how can she think about reading at a time like this?' That story may out me to anyone who knows me, as he still tells it as proof that I am some sort of SK obsessive. (He did get the book and I read most of it propped on the pillow next to ds1's little head during feeds). Our first born is now 14 and starting to read a bit of SK Grin

Murine · 26/11/2017 18:30

I haven't read any for years but this thread is inspiring me to. I really liked Insomnia, though I may be in a minority!

burblish · 27/11/2017 10:20

Another Constant Reader here: first picked up a SK book when I was 14 and on holiday, and have been utterly hooked ever since. Annoys me no end when people dismiss his writing as “just” horror/trash - he is a wonderful writer (although I question whether his editor is always on the ball! I don’t mind verbose but sometimes his works can get a bit flabby). Big thumbs up for his short story collections, too - I agree with the shout out for “Skeleton Crew” in particular, but “Night Shift” is right up there, too. I suppose my least favourite SK books are “Desperation”, “Dreamcatcher”, “The Regulators”, “Lisey’s Story”, “Gerald’s Game” and “The Tommyknockers” - but then again, I didn’t like the first couple of Dark Tower books or “Insomnia” when I first read them, only to reread them a few years later and absolutely love them, so maybe I ought to revisit some of these! From his lesser known (relatively speaking!) cannon, I adore “The Talisman” (the one he co-wrote with Peter Straub) - anyone else?

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