What are you reading?

[Vogel]

In On Writing, King mentions a childhood illness that confined him to bed, a period during which he read a lot of books. I've often wondered if this is the source of this awareness of how being isolated from the mainstream makes people behave differently.

Interesting. Could very well be.

The Stand is my favorite King book.

About 400 pages in. No complaints so far. It's getting really good.

[thatollie]

For those that are interested, my favourite Stephen King book is Pet Semetary.

[herron]

"The Tenth Justice"

by Brad Meltzer

[Clarius]

Week #15/Book #15. Tales of Hoffman. Freud based his essay on them and a myriad of writers were inspired.

[kateD]

Thunder Dog -- a true story about a blind man and his guide dog escaping the WTC on 9/11/01. Captivating!

[Clarius]

On holiday last week so week #16 was a double feature. Read King's On Writing travelling to/from Malta, and Matheson's The Incredible Shrinking Man after I got home. For week #17,this week, it's King's Mr Mercedes.

[Mrs N]

Are we really only seventeen weeks into this year, seems longer.

The Colour of Magic - Terry Pratchett

[Emery]

Just finished The Weight of Blood by McHugh and now reading The Winter People by McMahon.

I read Stephen King over ten years ago, nothing recently, but the one that kind of stuck with me is Needful Things.  I'm not even sure it was that good, but the premise of what would you do to obtain you strongest desire interests me.  I remember reading the Stand, but there was so much going on that it is hard for me to recall the details fifteen years later.

Here's my take on King.  His writing is great.  Conversational and flows.  At times it feels like he's sitting there and recounting the story by fireside.  The problem is, and this is personal opinion, but he must write a book on every idea that pops in his head.  If you take his catalogue and cut it by 2/3rds I would argue it would actually be stronger overall. 

[bailish]

Just finished The Maze Runner by James Dashner and set to begin the sequel, The Scorch Trials.

[Clarius]

Here's my take on King.  His writing is great.  Conversational and flows.  At times it feels like he's sitting there and recounting the story by fireside.  The problem is, and this is personal opinion, but he must write a book on every idea that pops in his head.  If you take his catalogue and cut it by 2/3rds I would argue it would actually be stronger overall. 

If you've never read King's On Writing I recommend it. He talks about his own output, his reading list while writing Hearts..., and which, and why some, of his published books/stories don't work. You can, if you wish, skip the first hundred odd pages of autobiography, but I think it's worth reading to see how that writer was made.

[Emery]

If you've never read King's On Writing I recommend it. He talks about his own output, his reading list while writing Hearts..., and which, and why some, of his published books/stories don't work. You can, if you wish, skip the first hundred odd pages of autobiography, but I think it's worth reading to see how that writer was made.

I read it and really enjoyed it, but still can't shake that there is some self-editing that needs to take place--especially now that he is sober.  I think Hemingway said that every author needs a bullshit detector.  Sometimes I don't think King's detector works that well, even without cocaine and other drugs. 

I some ways I am envious that he can write a bestseller so intoxicated he can't remember writing a single word.  I struggle and he is obliterated and can produce.

[Clarius]

I some ways I am envious that he can write a bestseller so intoxicated he can't remember writing a single word.  I struggle and he is obliterated and can produce.

Remember one thing about King. Writing is all he has ever done. He's been in training since he was a child.

[herron]

Remember one thing about King. Writing is all he has ever done. He's been in training since he was a child.

He did spend a brief time as a teacher. He also worked in a laundry (the same one his mother worked in). He readily admits his early drinking problem. When King was two years old, his father (a merchant seaman) left the family under the pretense of "going to buy a pack of cigarettes" and never returned, so kudos to his mother for raising him well. He undoubtedly had reasons to drink (or thought he did), but he conquered that in the early 80s ... so he's been writing sober for more than 30 years.  

And the man knows how to tell a story.  

[Clarius]

^ Yep, but in common with Enid Blyton, and probably countless others who also did other things, the writing was the constant undercurrent to their lives.

[Gyppo]

^ Yep, but in common with Enid Blyton, and probably countless others who also did other things, the writing was the constant undercurrent to their lives.

You say that as if it's a bad thing ;-)