On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
The synopsis at StephenKing.com says, "On Writing is both a textbook for writers and a memoir of Stephen's life and will, thus, appeal even to those who are not aspiring writers." The book is a lot more about the author than the craft, which is good, because the parts about the author are better than the parts about the craft. I did enjoy the craft section, but I wonder if people who don't teach writing would like it. For a fan of the author, it's a must-read. And it's short (especially for Stephen King).
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Speaking of short, this book is only 5 hours, 36 minutes as an unabridged audio book. In addition to its length, it's a departure for King because it seems to be written for a younger audience. The protagonist is a nine-year-old girl. According to StephenKing.com, the book flap calls it "a classic story that engages our emotions at the most primal level ... a fairy tale grimmer than Grimm, but aglow with a girl's indomitable spirit." I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Mist
Yet another short Stephen King book. I believe this was originally published in a collection of stories, then adapted to the screen, then published as a stand-alone novella to cash in on the movie. I saw the movie before I read the book, then watched the movie again after I read the book. Enjoyed the book and the movie (both times).
Duma Key
Duma Key is typical Stephen King. It is long (over 21 hours as an unabridged audio book), with a main character you care about, with writing that makes you want to keep reading, and an ending that makes you think, "Really? Is that it?" I've always suspected that King's endings result from deadlines rather than design. But as always with King novels, the pleasure is in the moment, in the page-by-page experience of reading. He is the King of raconteurs.
Mid-Life Confidential
This book is not available for Kindle; in fact, it's not even in print. In the First Foreword of On Writing, King mentions his experience with "a rock-and-roll band composed mostly of writers" which actually toured as recently as 2010 (see http://rockbottomremainders.com/) You can learn more about the book at StephenKing.com (be sure to read the "Community Thoughts"). Stumbling across this book led me to one of my most rewarding reading experiences.
3 comments:
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I just finished reading The Mist. Definitely a short story for King but I enjoyed it. He always pulls you in and sometimes his stories drag on but this one didn't have a chance to. His books all seem to have some religious aspect, and it's rarely positive. I wonder if he had some early religious brainwashing that he grew to resent later on.???
It reminded me of another King book, The Dome. It's been awhile and I can't remember how he ended it, but I liked it and thought it would make a good movie. At least I can't remember how the phenomenon of that story was resolved, but I do remember how the relationships in the story either ended, or were left to go on.
You did it! Now create a blog of your own!
LM
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