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

Before reading:  I've been so excited to read Desperation  even though I don't know too much about it. Why? Because this is the first time we are getting back-to-back related books. Now, I'm not going to go too much into that here since Desperation came first but I will delve more into that in my next post! Besides that, what do I know about this book? Not much. I know that it is about a town with a bunch of characters...classic. I am a sucker for King towns and books about people living in those towns. I also know that people have strong feelings about this book and the one after it. Some people love this one and not the next one. Some people love the next one and hate this one. Some people love both. I'm hoping to be the latter!  After reading: I have such a love/hate relationship with that after-reading feeling. It is somehow both a fulfilling and an empty feeling. I suppose it is a testament to King's talent that he is able to instill that feeling so often. The ...

Before reading:  I honestly have no idea what Rose Madder  is about. I got it mixed up with Rose Red  so the fact that they aren't the same thing is news to me. I do know this is more in the realm of Gerald's Game and Dolores Claiborne . I've noticed more women King fans say they loved this one while men tend to say it wasn't their favorite. Color me intrigued.  After reading: This has happened before where I just get so into reading and enjoying a book that I don't take too many notes. That was the case with this one, so I anticipate this blog being short and sweet. Similar to others, because I don't take a lot of notes doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the book. I did enjoy this one, quite a bit. I just don't feel as though I have too much to say about it. I'll start off by saying that this was a very good book. Was it the best? No. However, it was quite good. Because I'm reading these books in publication order, that meant that this was the four...

Before reading: Insomnia  is kind of a mixed bag! I don't know too much about the plot, which I actually prefer. I know some people absolutely love this book and I know some people say they can't get through it. I have also heard that this book has given some people insomnia which I really hope doesn't happen because I love to sleep. I recently went on a Stephen King tour and got to see firsthand a lot of the places that are in this book so that was fun and will help me to be able to visualize as I read. I also am fairly certain this is the first book we get that directly ties into The Dark Tower  series, so I'm excited to see if that is true and if so, how it will be done. Overall, I'm going in mostly blind, kind of excited, and a little intimidated.  After reading: I understand now why people say this book gives you insomnia. It is because you stay up all through the night reading it because you can't stop and then when you do stop, you can't stop thinking...

Before reading: This one has me very intrigued. Initially, I knew nothing about this story. I vaguely knew of the movie but had no idea that it was based on a Stephen King novel. Now that I'm deep into Stephen King lore and the community, I have learned more things about this novel. First and foremost, I am aware that it exists. However, I also know that it is related to Gerald's Game, I know that it is somewhat kind of related to one of the short stories I just read in Nightmares and Dreamscapes , I know that it is yet another story from a woman's perspective (90's SK is a feminist), and I know that the movie seems to be a fan favorite and King readers are fans of both the book and the movie. I basically know nothing about the plot but I'm excited! I think this is going to be a good one. I don't want to type anymore I just want to start reading so bye! After reading: First time in a while finishing a King book has given me that post-read slump feeling. Finishin...

Hi! This is a little different than my usual posts but I went on a Stephen King tour and I just had to tell you about it! If you subscribe to my newsletter then you'll know that I am visiting with family in Maine. Now I've known about Stephen King tours but never really thought about going on one. You know how it is to do something touristy in the place you live...you just never think to do it. Also, I thought I knew a good bit of what was around and related to SK so I didn't think I really needed to go on a tour. And boy, was I humbled.  I was gifted a seat on the SK-Tours of Maine Derry Tour and will not stop raving about it for the foreseeable future. It was so much fun and our guide, Jamie, was incredibly knowledgable. I saw the spots that I've seen and have known about but I also learned so much more. Not only did I get to see places from Stephen King's stories but I got to see places from his personal life and learn more about the history of a town that I'...