Actually Reading the Book I’m Named After (And All of Stephen King’s Other Work)

Before reading: Here we are again...a short story collection. I will say after the last collection I do have high hopes for this one but I am cautiously optimistic. As always, I will do an overall review of the collection as well as mini reviews of each individual story. Let's do it.  After reading: Guess what, you guys? I actually enjoyed this short story collection. So far, it is my favorite that I have read. Now, the format still is not my favorite by any means, but as far as short story collections go I liked this one. Each of the stories were entertaining in their own right and I didn't find any of them to be too long. If you're looking for a collection of short stories...this is one I would recommend! Willa: I thought this was a great start to the collection. I liked this story quite a bit. The concept was really interesting and I think it was the perfect length for a short story. There was some cringey dialogue but I can forgive it. The Gingerbread Girl: I thought th...

Before reading: Oh Duma Key... I have heard so much about this one and literally have no idea what it is about. I am going in mostly blind. I know many people rave about this one and enjoy it. I know (think?) that it is set in Florida. That's about it soooo, let's find out :) After reading: Alright, I get why people like this one. It was very very good. So far the 2000's King's era hasn't been the strongest but I think this may be a turning point. This was a long book and took me way too long to read it, but it was worth the time. I would describe it as being a mix of Bag of Bones and Black House. It was a great mash-up of horror, surrealism, drama, and heart. It felt like King but also felt different than anything else he has written. This book was very much a stand-alone which are few and far between when it comes to King.  This is a very supernatural book that feels weirdly grounded. It didn't seem to creep into the fantasy realm and wasn't straight up ho...