Good Books

"Good books don't give up all their secrets at once."
-Stephen King

On the Back of the Turtle...

"See the TURTLE of enormous girth, On his shell he holds the earth."

Waiting

I am still waiting to get my hands on a copy of the last of The Dark Tower series...which is called The Dark Tower.

I am pretty psyched but also nervous.

If anyone has read the book already, do they have an opinion on it?

E-Book Confusion Update

This was posted on Stephen King's website:
" Dear Constant Readers,
Please don't believe the press reports that the e-book reader price for Under the Dome will be $35. This was the result of confusion from a press release from the publisher, what Big Jim Rennie would call a clustermug. It is true that you cannot order the book as an e-download until December 24th, but the physical book, which is a beautiful thing, you can pre-order for less than $9--so who's better than us?

Steve"

I love when he says constant readers because it reminds me of the last chapter in Song of Susannah.

Become a BETTER Writer (From the King himself)

Here are some of Stephen King's tips to becoming a better writer:

1. Get To The Point
2. Write a Draft, then Let it Rest
3. Cut Down Your text
4. Be Relatable and Honest
5. Don't care Too Much About What Others May Think
6. Read. A LOT!
7. WRITE A LOT!

For more in depth see The Positivity Blog.

COMING SOON

The Dark Tower: Sheemies Tale #1
Release Date: December 29th, 2010
Written by Robin Furth & Peter David Art & Cover by Richard Isanove

see spoiler here

Another Dark Tower sub-story! (Shit I have a lot to catch up on). This is, as well as the others, in comic form.

I have yet to read any of the comics. So... any help there? Has anyone read them? How do you feel about them?

Geektopia...prices too

Stand

"The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there... and still on your feet."
Stephen King

Little Sisters of Eluria

The Dark Tower: Little Sisters of Eluria
Release Date: December 8th, 2010

In book stores now, another story arc in the Dark Tower series. I am kind of skeptical, but I might give it a shot!



A link to the news Page!!!

Song of Susannah

Song of Susannah is the second to last in the Dark Tower series. I am looking forward to the end, but yet, in the same sense dreading it immensely.

This novel was written differently than the other Dark Tower books. It was much shorter, for starters, and tied in more with reality than any of those previously. It is hard to explain exactly what I mean without too many spoilers, but it was alright. It was not my favorite, or even in my top three. Mostly because well, it left me sad. Not because what happened, but because what was foreshadowed, and King is, well the king, of foreshadowing, and I have ominous feelings about the next (and final) novel.

However, if you like the series, definitely continue with it. This story, obviously, is about Susannah. It also brings the reader to more conclusions about her pregnancy, and gives more inside to the workings of this crumbling world (or should I say worlds?)

Not a quick paced read, however it is (as stated before) short. The chapters are called "stanzas" in true fashion of a song. It also brings back many memories from Wizard and Glass. It is truly a key in it's own right: a key to the Dark Tower series.

A good book, and a great continuation of an even greater series.

get a copy.

The Wolves of the Calla

I have just finished The Wolves of the Calla. It is the longest book out of the Dark Tower series, I'm pretty sure.

It was good. There were a few slower parts, but a good continuation of the series. There are several storylines going on at once, but they are defined easily, so the reader does not get lost. However, you definitely need the back story from the other books to understand this one. There are multiple references to the other Dark Tower books, proving that they should be read in order. (Except, maybe, Wizard and Glass would not be too hard to understand without the back story).

Jake becomes more developed as a character in this book than any of the others, except for maybe The Gunslinger.

The thrilling inner story of a town in desperate need is sure to enthrall lovers of suspense, westerns, and heros of all types.

You meet a major character from one of King's other well-loved books, who joins the tet in there current quest.

Susannah, meanwhile, is struggling with her previous disorder, as well as a new major problem, which leads into Song of Susannah.

Overall a good read! I give it 4 stars out of 5. Not 5 because there were parts that really drug along, and I feel this book gave one too many coincidences for my taste.

P.S. It is definitely worth getting the Dark Tower books with the pictures in them.

Another review
Get a copy

Cemetery Mag

HERE is a link to "Cemetery Dance" Magazine.

From a threaded discussion on goodreads.com (in the Stephen king group) I heard that this magazine has a column that exclusively deals with Stephen King news, reviews, releases, and other related issues. It looks pretty cool!

The Langoliers

I have just complete The Langoliers from Four Past Midnight.

And WOW! Very scary! It is an older read, which is more than likely the reason I kept thinking, "WOW! This is old-school scary!"

It really was! It is complete with twists and turns, and characters real enough they have to be from a King piece. My favorite character was by far Nick, which I am sure many would agree. It also has more than just a bit of a Sc-Fi edge to it, which fits in nicely with the plot. The story is short, but great for a quick read!

I would suggest it to fans of time travel, sci-fi, and the TV show LOST.

Get a Copy

However, I have heard nothing but bad things about the movie.

Summaries and another review.

The Movie

Currently Reading

Currently, I am reading "The Langoliers" short story from Stephen King's Four Past Midnight.

So, far it is pretty intense. I would have had it finished, in fact I am about one chapter away from finishing, but I became very busy.




I am also continuing to read the Dark Tower Series, and am currently on The Wolves of Calla. So far, very good. Interesting, and has a decent plot within it, even disregarding the other books (not that I would ever do so). I am particularly fond of the use of Father Callahan from 'Salems Lot.



Get a copy of Four Past Midnight.

Get a Copy of Wolves of Calla.

Quote

We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.
Stephen King

The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass

This particular novel was a good break. I mean that in the nicest way possible. I tend to get bored of a series after two or three books and need a break. However, The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass provides a break within the series.

It picks up where the last book left off, but heads in a completely different direction.

Instead of this being a story about Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy, this book tells one of the stories of Roland's past. Roland and the gang settle around the fire and Roland tells of how his great journey towards the Dark Tower itself truly began.

King writes a love story of incredible strength and beauty, while maintaining a good pace and continuing the breath-taking, heart-pounding action that Dark Tower readers love.

The reader finds new characters, new friends, and a new ka-tet in this story and becomes just as attached as they are to the ka-tet of Eddie, Susannah, Jake, Oy, and Roland. This new (or old depending on how you see it) group is defined by their relationships with one another. The story itself is mind blowing and heart-wrenching.

King brings up worlds from his other books (once again) and connects many, if not all, of his past works. Some people hate this. I personally enjoy it quite a bit, and it makes me more interested in a few of his books I have yet to read.

More "Romance-y" than other Dark Tower books, and much more of a western, but a good continuation. However, it is pretty long and a few bits of the story seem overly detailed.

A good read.

Get a Copy.

Someone else's review.

amazon review.

Full Dark, No Stars

It has begun!

"Full Dark, No Stars", released November 9th, 2010, is out! It contains four short stories:
1. "1922"
2. "Big Driver"
3. "Fair Extension"
4. "A Good Marriage"

I can't wait to read it!

It has 3 and one half stars on Amazon. Not great, but good. That's for sure.

A short description of each story.

Get a copy.

Stephen King on Words

"The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of because words diminish your feelings - words shrink things that seem timeless when they are in your head to no more than living size when they are brought out. "

-Stephen King

SK Quote

He had a massive stroke. He died with his tie on. Do you think that could be our generation's equivalent of that old saying about dying with your boots on?
-Stephen King

The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands

WOW. This book was a roller coaster. The ka-tet continues on their journey to the mystic dark tower in end world. The twists and turns and near constant suspense quite surprised me, however, because a friend of mine told me this book was "slow". Personally, I found this book much more climactic and interesting than the other two, particularly more so than the second.

Many things do happen in this book, although it does not have a rushing or dragging feeling to it. The characters become ever-more fleshed out, making the reader even more so attached to all of them. The characters run into many things that slow up their journey across the "Beam", including a nasty run in with a Guardian and the need to find a previous lost character. You get a better look into this world that once belonged to Roland, but as he is so fond of saying, "The world has moved on" and the full effects are shown in this novel.

This is one of the few book series that I have read lately that I have not felt like the original should have just been a stand alone. I am very greatful for the continuation of Roland's great quest and hope the books following this one will continue to impress me.

Get a Copy

A more in-depth review, including more pictures from the book. (By Brenda Krekeler)

*Official* DT movie news

The "mini-site" for the official news about the Dark Tower movies/TV series/etc. can be found HERE!

Book Lists

There is this website called Good Reads. It has groups for fans of specific authors (i.e. Stephen King) and I have joined a group for Stephen King. They pick a book every month to read. This is very convenient if you do not have a book club, but want to join one, and lack on time for meetings. There are reviews, discussions, and just general networking!! They even let you keep a book list, which is pretty awesome. Here is the website.


My personal list of Books!

Top Ten Stephen King Adaptions

The Mist made the list. See what else did: Top Ten Stephen King Adaptions!

The Stand Comic Book Series

How did I miss this? I knew the Dark Tower series was a comic series...I feel like I may have seen one of The Stand comics...my memory says I did. But...what?


Official Website.

Get A Copy

more

"With Signs Like These..."

Click Here to view Stephen King's Top 12 Entries on stephenking.com.

My personal favorite is "Let the Ka-tet Begin".


Now I am going to go look for my own ridiculous Stephen King references.

The Dark Tower Movie!

ComicBookMovie.com has reported that NBC Universal has set the release date for the first Dark Tower film. Opening May 17th 2013!!!


Roland! Come to the big screen!

Ron Howard (link) will be directing the first film, along with the first television season.

King says he has just been, "Waiting for the the right team" to get The Dark Tower series on the Big Screen (and little screen).

Full press release here.


more here

Stephen Kings Top Ten Movies according to about.com

About.com lists the top ten Stephen King movies:

1. The Shining (1980)

2. Creepshow (1982)

3. The Dead Zone (1983)

4. Silver Bullet (1985)

5. IT (1990)

6. Misery (1990)

7. The Dark Half (1993)

8. Needful Things (1993)

9. 1408 (2007)

10. Bonus Guilty Pleasure: Maximum Overdrive (1986)

Thoughts?

direct link

Top Ten Stephen King Books :AMAZON

Amazon's Top Ten Stephen King Books are:


1. 'Salem's Lot

2. The Stand (uncut)

3. Pet Sematary

4. Different Seasons

5. The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel

6. Night Shift

7. IT

8. Misery

9. Christine

10. Insomnia

How many of these have you read?

NEW BOOK RELEASE: Full Dark, No Stars

Stephen King's new collection of short stories, Full Dark, No Stars is to be released on 11-9-2010. It has been marked #43 in the top Amazon 100 for the past 28 days.

Check out the info here!

Will you be picking up a copy?

Maybe this is a good chance for me to start on some Stephen King short stories...

The Tommyknockers

Late last night and the night before,
Tommyknockers, Tommyknockers, knocking at the door.
I want to go out, don't know if I can,
'Cause I'm so afraid of the Tommyknocker man.



The Tommyknockers (1987):

Definitely for the alien/UFO fanatic. This novel is creepy and grotesque, yet hard to put down.

The main characters are writers (well, on writer and one poet)as happens a lot in Stephen King's writings.

The actual plot takes a while to get going, but the beginning is by no means slow or boring. Once the plot gets going, it is hard not to be afraid of visiting Haven, Maine. The town is next to Derry, which comes from the IT storyline. There are multiple references to IT and Derry in the novel

(Speaking of Haven, there is a new SYFY series based on the town that Tommyknockers takes place in. A friend has told me that the Tommyknocker story line has not taken place in Haven yet, but it feels like it is headed in that direction. see here for TV info).

The novel encompasses many characters, not just the writer and the poet. All of the people in the town become involved in this thrill ride of a horror novel.

A great read, especially if you are looking to have nightmares involving eerie green light.

read more!

The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three

Get a Copy

The Drawing of the Three is a continuation of the Dark Tower series. It was published in 1987.

This book begins exactly 7 hours after the first book, The Gunslinger (see previous post) ends.

Roland, the main character, continues in pursuit of the Dark Tower by gathering companions to help him along the way.

Without going into too much detail (again I do not like to post spoilers) Roland gathers these companions by being thrust into their time/world through miraculous free-standing doors. (It makes more sense when you read it). These companions were foreseen by the Man in Black.

Roland encounters many problems being thrust into eras far different from his own, but is constantly dealing with (life-altering) problems in his home world as well.

A beautiful continuation of The Gunslinger, The Drawing of the Three continues to impress and begins to get the reader addicted to Roland's own addiction; finding The Dark Tower.

More! With Spoilers...

The Gunslinger Review

I will do my best to keep reviews spoiler free. Especially because I typically look at reviews to decide if I want to read a book or not and it upsets me greatly when people post reviews that simply summarizes the book.

Get a Copy

So, The Gunslinger (The Darker Tower I):

It tells the story of the gunslinger, Roland of Gilead, and his quest to catch the man in black, the first of many steps towards his ultimate destination - the Dark Tower.

The opening of the book is kind of slow. (It is divided into multiple "books".) It also took me a few to realize that part of it is a flashback, not currently happening.

The main character, The Gunslinger himself, Roland is likable, and yet, very easy to dislike at the same time. There is a touch of fantasy, reminding me of Lord of The Rings, in his back story. He has a determination that is super realistic, making him seem, well, real.

The settings give extra depth to the story, supporting a feeling of fantasy emphasizing the feeling of the great journey which lies ahead of the main character. The supporting characters are fleshed out in great detail, giving the story a touch of realism that Stephen King is famous for.

The story itself is intense and emotional, leaving the reader wanting more after the last page is turned. Luckily, this is the first of a rather lengthy series.

I would definitely recommend it to those who are fans of Lord of the Rings and other fantasy realms. It has a lingering touch of horror, and will not disappoint King's fans in the least.

For More in Detail...spoilers!!!

favorite Movies list

Here is my personal favorite list of Stephen King movies (top ten)

1. Stand By Me

2. The Green Mile

3. Misery

4. Carrie

5. Needful Things

6. Children of The Corn

7. The Running Man

8. Secret Window

9. 1408

10. The Mist

favorites list novels

I have read a lot of Stephen King. Not nearly all of them, I am especially lacking when it comes to his short stories, however, I have quite a bit under my belt.

My current list of my top ten favorites is:

1. The Stand

2. Cell

3. The TommyKnockers

4. 'Salem's Lot

5. Firestarter

6. The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower Series).

7. The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower Series).

8. Pet Sematary

9. Cujo

10. Gerald's Game

A quick bio

This is a quick bio, most of the information was gathered from here.

Stephen Edwin King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947. He is the second son of Donald and Nellie Ruth Pillsbury King.

Stephen made his first professional short story sale, called "The Glass Floor", to Startling Mystery Stories in 1967. Throughout the early years of his marriage (to Tabitha Spruce), he continued to sell stories to men's magazines. Many of these were later gathered into the Night Shift collection or appeared in other anthologies.

In the spring of 1973,Doubleday & Co. accepted the novel Carrie for publication.

(The rest is history or so they say.)

The Kings have three children: Naomi Rachel, Joe Hill and Owen Phillip, and three grandchildren.