There's something about Fall and Winter that say I should be reading scary novels or cozy mysteries. With the temperatures near 90 degrees in California today it is hard for me to imagine that it is Fall. Still, I decided to nudge Fall along last night and began
Salem's Lot by Stephen King. It has been almost a year ago that I announced on this blog my intention to read all of King's novels in the order they were published. Want to know how many I have managed to read this year? That would be 1, just 1 (Carrie)! So last night as I looked on my shelves for something to read and tried to imagine the start of Fall, I happened upon
Salem's Lot and began reading. I'm 100 pages in and have rediscovered that King is a great storyteller. The other thing that struck me is that there is something really claustrophobic about small towns and King does a masterful job of creating a sense of a small town closing in on it's inhabitants. So far there are lots of colorful characters with interesting back stories and a delicious sense of foreboding and foreshadowing. Luckily for me I've not seen the movie so I can only guess at what might happen next and that has me looking forward to reading more when I get home from work tonight.
Hope you are all reading something that is catching your interest.
Do you tend to read scary stories or cozy mysteries when the weather is cold? Have you read Salem's Lot and if so, am I in for a treat or a trick?
I tend to stay away from scary stories all year long! There is a little bit of fall in the air here today.
ReplyDeleteI read Salem's Lot just a few years ago because one of the characters (Fr. Callahan) shows up in King's Dark Tower series. I thought the book was excellent. I'm not sure it would make my Stephen King Top 10, but it might squeak in.
ReplyDeleteI do tend to read more scary stories when it's cold out. *yay* you're reading Salem's Lot. I enjoyed that one myself.
ReplyDeleteI did see the more recent film version, not the old one.
You are right, King does a great job at giving small towns that claustrophobic feel.
Enjoy reading Salem's Lot! It's perfect for this time of year.
It's a long time since I read Salem's Lot but I remember it was one of my favourite of Stephen Kings.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Fall is all about the RIP Challenge. So for September and October, I will have read (checking) 6 books that would qualify. 7 if you count Of Mice and Men, which frankly I should. Love this time of year, and I do love my Uncle Stevie. I read this book back in high school, so it has been awhile but I did love it. My son it reading it now!
ReplyDeleteI love reading a scary book or two in the fall. This year I'm reading The House of the Seven Gables as a group read and last year's highlight was We Have ALways Lived in the Castle. Read tons of Stephen King after college and Salem's Lot stands out as the scariest, or most memorable... don't remember anything else about it now, but sure loved it them. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI remember this being serialised on the tv when I was a child. There was a little warning that came up before the titles 'This programme may not be suitable for sensitive viewers'. Well, that was me in a nutshell! I'm easily terrified by films and television, but find it hard to feel scared when reading scary books. Hence, I stick to the books. I've been enjoying Carl's RIP challenge this year and have just received A Discovery of Witches in the post, which I'm looking forward to!
ReplyDeleteI am a total wimp when it comes to the scary stuff. The only Stephen King book I've ever read was Misery, and I did that on a dare. Never again, lol.
ReplyDeleteBy coincidence, I did review a cozy mystery today. Cozies are the only type of mystery I read for the most part :)
I wish it would be fall-like weather here...we have had a bout of ridiculously sultry weather, and now we're getting violent thunderstorms as I type...
Fall is definitely about Carl's R.I.P. Challenge. It's the only time of the year where I make myself read scary books! :-) I haven't read Salem's Lot but I'm hoping to read Under the Dome next month.
ReplyDeleteI've never read King so I can't help you there. I'm doing some scary book reading next month for Jenn's Bookshelves but other than that I don't really alter my reading for the seasons :)
ReplyDeleteKing is an excellent storyteller. I never think he gets enough credit for that. I read this when I was in high school and I remember sitting in our living room, at night, reading away when my dad walked in the room and I screamed and jumped about a foot in the air. It was darn scary!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me to put this on hold at the library - it sounds just like the book I'm in the mood for! It'll be my first King novel. About time, I know :P
ReplyDeleteI'm all about the scaries and the Gothic novels. Not so much on the mysteries. Not sure why I've never caught onto those. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Salem's Lot!
i went through a HUGE stephen king kick in high school--gobbled up all his books--but have since slowed down. i have listened to some of his more recent stuff on audio--under the dome, cell, lisey's story--but haven't read anything in a while. i AM doing a stephen king screen play--sorry, right number--with some of my students this week. it's creepy but fun and i guess i'm subconsciously getting in the spirit. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read too much by King, I'm afraid. I think I've read maybe two of his books so far. I did like one (Misery) and didn't care for the other (Cell). I keep meaning to try more by him though--I really want to read Dead Zone and Stand, among others.
ReplyDeleteI've read most of his books! I enjoyed Salem's Lot alot....Vampires are well-done and creepy, and the scary house on the hill is very effective. My favourite though is The Shining, with It a very close second. Both of those scare me very much. I'm so glad you are joining in reading a scary book at this time of year, even if officially not for RIP 6, am I right?
ReplyDeleteThere is something about Oct that says we need to read something a little bit spooky, I agree!
ReplyDeleteKathy: I don't seem to be able to tear myself away from the scary reads. Our weather is warm again here so very "un-Fall" like at the moment.
ReplyDeleteTeresa: I look forward to seeing what happens to this character in the Dark Tower series!
ReplyDeleteNaida: I will need to look for both of these versions on Netflix!
ReplyDeleteCat: I enjoyed the book so much that I really kicked myself for not reading it sooner.
ReplyDeleteSandy: I really should have signed up for RIP. Let's face it, I read so much scary stuff year round that I would be able to complete some level of the challenge without even trying!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn: I love the Shirley Jackson book. That is such a creepy, wonderful read!
ReplyDeleteLitlove: I can't wait to hear what you think of A Discovery of Witches. I've heard some mixed reviews but I have it on my list to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteTheBookGirl: We are back to highs in the 80's again in California. I'm impatient for Fall to start!
ReplyDeleteVasilly: I've heard such good things about Under the Dome. I almost bought it at a used bookstore this past weekend but it was such a chunkster. I imagined myself getting tired of holding it and decided this might be a good one to load onto my Nook! Hopefully it is available.
ReplyDeleteMarie: When I really study my reading habits it seems that I read a lot of scary stuff all year long!
ReplyDeleteJenners: You are so right. He is a wonderful storyteller and people shy away from his work. It is scary but he spins such a good yarn.
ReplyDeleteAna (Nymeth): I can't wait to hear what you think of it!
ReplyDeleteAndi: I love the scaries!
ReplyDeleteNatalie: I was definitely on a King kick for a few years and then never read him again. We'll see how this project turns out with me trying to read all of his stuff. I imagine it will take me years!
ReplyDeleteWendy (Literary Feline): Oh, do read the Stand. It was a really good one and I think you will enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteSusan: The Shining is such a good one. I can't wait for that one since it is a reread for me and I know I am going to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteLeah (Amused): Now if we can just get our weather here in the Bay Area to cooperate and be cold so I will feel like reading more scary stuff!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool goal, to read King's books in order. I've only read a few of his but after reading his non-fiction book, On Writing, I have a clearer view of what was going on when he wrote his books. If you haven't read it already you may want to read that one first (it's NF so it's okay :)).
ReplyDeleteI once started one of King's novels and stopped around pg 15. I was scared. In the daylight. In my own house.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I should try again. I just finished a well written book that made me cry and cry.
So perhaps it's time for a little scare time?!!!!
Thanks for inspiration. I get so bogged down and forget to celebrate with book themes to match the holidays! Thought I might try WICKED, too, but that could take some time, eh?
Good luck with S'sL and I'll check back to see how you're doing/what you think!
Stopping by to say "Hello Kathleen" :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying your scary reads.
Stacybuckeye: I have read On Writing and found it to be a fascinating look inside an author's "process". Great suggestion!
ReplyDeleteOh: I definitely have to be in the mood for scary so you have to wait until you feel brave enough!
ReplyDeleteThanks Naida!
ReplyDeleteI actually quite like scary reads, but not scary movies. Haha!
ReplyDeleteAlice: I used to like scary movies a lot more than I do these days!
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