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Dana (24 KP) rated Salem's Lot in Books

Mar 23, 2018  
Salem's Lot
Salem's Lot
Stephen King | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror
8
8.1 (50 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have not read too much by Stephen King, but I do consider him a great author. This book, in drawing inspiration from Bram Stoker's Dracula (which I didn't know until I read the forward of the book) is an excellent read! Like all of his books, there was the overarching creepy vibe to the setting and the characters. I didn't really trust any of them at any point in the story, which I think is the point. There is no reliable narrator in this.

It was cool to see the allusions to Dracula, the almost letter writing style was awesome because it comes directly from the source.

This book begs the question of what would happen if Dracula took place in a modern day town of middle America and answers that question well. I can't wait to pick up another book by Stephen King!
  
The Black Phone (2022)
The Black Phone (2022)
2022 | Horror, Thriller
8
7.8 (9 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Retro feel (1 more)
Cinematography
Don't hang up!
Good to see this after a long delay for it's release, think I saw a trailer late summer last year. Wasn't sure what to expect, looked a lil low budget more of an indie thriller.
Well it definitely exceeded expectations. Set in 1978 the whole look and feel of the film is great. It visually looks like it was made around that time with a strong retro vibe to it. Story wise it felt like a Stephen King adaptation. There is a strong element to the likes of Stand by me or even Stranger Things in terms of growing up and friendship while over coming a difficult time. Along with a supernatural twist and ideas from the genre, it has a great combination which together make it a really enjoyable watch. Check it out if you are a Stephen King fan especially.
  
Different Seasons
Different Seasons
Stephen King | 1982 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
4
8.8 (18 Ratings)
Book Rating
Very different from Stephen Kings usual work. (0 more)
Just Becasue
Not on my top ten list of Stephen King books that I have read, that is for sure. Different Seasons was completely different from his usual work and I do understand that was kind of the whole point. Sadly as a big Stephen King fan the difference was not really appreciated all that much. Shawshank Redemption is my father's favorite movie so it was past time that I finally read the story it was biased off of and sadly to say I can not understand what all the hype was about. The same goes for The Body as Stand By Me is considered a popular move (again one that I have not seen) yet the book was unimpressive. Apt Pupil was disturbing yes, but it was the one story out of the four that was hardest for me to get through, it just drug on and felt like it got no where. Finally I come to The Breathing Method which I was much happier with. Yet even that final story felt like it could have offered so much more if it wasn't cut short.
  
11.22.63
11.22.63
Stephen King | 2012 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
10
8.8 (47 Ratings)
Book Rating
It hooks you straight away, brilliant writing. (0 more)
Contains spoilers, click to show
Stephen King always managed to draw me into his books. But with this one I was totally hooked and it was on my mind long after I finished reading it. The idea of going back in time to potentially change something so huge, it stays with you! I've read this book 3 times now and will undoubtedly read a lot more!
  
On Writing: a memoir of the craft
On Writing: a memoir of the craft
Stephen King | 2000 | Biography, Reference
9
8.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Most of the hints and tips (0 more)
Assumes every writer works the same (0 more)
Helpful
Great book. I read it in a couple of days and it was exactly what I was looking for. I am not a Stephen King fan as I am not keen on the fantasy/ horror genre, but this book is non fiction. The first part of the book is a short memoir of writer's growth and early experiences, I found this part both funny and insightful and not at all what I expected from Stephen King. The 'On Writing' part was excellent. The author's hints and tips are subjective yet honest which is refreshing. Not all writers work the same and King is clear that this is only advice and may not be suitable for everyone. Bad habits and grammatical no-no's were probably the most helpful pieces of advice for myself, his huge dislike for the 'adverb' is something I may find myself becoming accustomed to in my own work revision. For non writers, do not dismiss this book, it is a little jewel that gives the reader a close and personal account of the authors honestly and quirks. I really loved it.
  
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Sarah (7798 KP) rated If It Bleeds in Books

Jul 3, 2020  
If It Bleeds
If It Bleeds
Stephen King | 2020 | Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Masterful writing
I know I'm biased when it comes to Stephen King as he's my favourite writer, but I don't think anyone can deny how brilliant a writer he is. Not pretentious, just masterful writing, and this definitely comes across in this collection of stories.

The titular story and the one with the returning Holly Gibney, If It Bleeds, is definitely the best story in the book. After reading The Outsider I've definitely had a better appreciation of Holly as a character so it was nice to see her back again, especially as this story follows on in a way from the events in The Outsider. The other 3 stories in this book are good, but they don't quite match up to If It Bleeds, to the point where the first stories are barely memorable. They're also not quite as horror filled as you would come to expect from King, which was slightly disappointing. In all honesty if it hadn't been for If It Bleeds, this collection probably would've only gained itself a 6. Still I'll always enjoy reading a Stephen King book, even if this collection isn't one of my favourites.
  
    Later

    Later

    Stephen King

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Book

    #1 bestselling author Stephen King returns with a brand-new novel about the secrets we keep buried...

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Sarah (7798 KP) rated It in Books

Sep 9, 2017  
It
It
Stephen King | 1986 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror
9
8.8 (95 Ratings)
Book Rating
King at his finest
Epic, multi character novels are what Stephen King does best and It is a fantastic example. The characters are all well written, well developed, flawed but all loveable in their own ways. The plot itself is a mix between a coming of age and a horror story, and keeps you reading throughout this 900 page + novel. The finale does get a bit too bonkers in parts and there are a few aspects of the story that are a little unnecessary, but it's a sign of a great book when you get to the end and feel so sad that it's over.