Barb_and_Sean

I think Stephen King's writing has changed pretty dramatically in the last 10 years or so... I liked his early stuff (Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining... etc) but his more recent stuff has a touch of poignancy that I didn't find in his earlier works. Maybe I just missed it (granted it's been years since I've read most of the early stuff) but it just seems different now... we all get older and our viewpoints change, I suppose. The new stuff just draws me in a bit more and makes me truly care about the characters. I enjoyed Bag of Bones too... definitely one of his sadder stories.

I've heard that sailaway is VERY different for alaska cruises... we are goign on RCCL and normally there is quite the hoopla for the sailaway... did you see any type of celebration on your initial departure? We are bringing some first time cruisers and I'm hoping there's at least some type of festivities for when we set sail. I'm a bit of an iPod geek, and I've been trying to put together a "playlist" for the cruise... that's a fairly simple task for the caribbean (a little Bob Marley, a little Jimmy Buffett, some random reggae and some steel drums and you're set) but far more complicated for Alaska. I've about given up on my quest to find suitable Alaskan cruise music. :) So perhaps I'll download some books instead... suggestions of good scary stuff?

I loved Duma Key as well... I have to admit, it made me cry a bit. But then I'm a big wuss who loves scary books... talk about a strange combination, huh? Robert McCammon is a great writer, his older stuff is more classically horror type stuff... things like a take on Poe's House of Usher, werewolves, demons, etc. I loved them, because I am a horror geek... but his last two books are less true horror and more period fiction all taking place in the late 17th or early 18th centuries. Less SCARE more ambience.

Right now I'm reading a true horror novel, not for the faint of heart I fear... it's the new Bentley Little novel called "The Academy". His books are definitely more scary and truly horror novels than a lot of the current stuff being marketed in the genre. If you have never read (or listened to) any of his stuff, I suggest starting with "The Store". You'll never look at Walmart the same. :)

I too love the Caribbean... this tiem we are doing Alaska and I'm looking forward to the scenery but I worry that I'll miss the peace and serenity of truly being at sea with nothing but ocean around...

I love David Sedaris... I haven't read (or listened to) his new book but I've read older ones. As for Kindle I'm totally jealous if you get it! Hehe... I've been coveting one for awhile. I am trying to get into the listening to books phase (would be nice when I'm driving to and from work and traveling) but I'm still kind of a book reader. Hard to make the switch... I just finished "The Queen of Bedlam" by Robert McCammon and thought it was phenomenal. It's a sequel but can stand alone if one hasn't read the first book.

Jim, you like scary books? What was the last one you read? What recommendations do you have for a definite horror/scary book fan? I need some stuff to take on my Alaskan cruise at the end of this month... glad to hear you liked Alaska... I'm really looking forward to it. How was your exotic cruise?

Robert McCammon wrote several books that were in a similar vein as Stephen King. One, in particular, has a definite "The Body/Stand By Me" kind of vibe and is called "Boy's Life". It's a very good coming of age story with a horror bend. Later on he sort of 'retired' from writing and disappeared for awhile and showed back up with a book (a very very long book, that is sometimes sold as two seperate volumes) called "Speaks The Nightbird" which is a fantastic story set in the Carolina territory in the late 1600's with a witchcraft trial arc. Now he has come out with a sequel, which is called "The Queen of Bedlam" which has the same main character and is set in 1702 New York... it's got beautiful prose and the setting is fun and really interesting. If it's on audio book you really ought to try it out. And if not... try it anyways. It's really quite good... in my opinion, anyways.

How about Bag of Bones by SK, heard that one? Read by the author.

I really enjoyed the book "Bag of Bones" and would love to hear him actually read it. I may need to try that one first.

I enjoyed Duma Key as well, I am a big SK fan, while I echo your comments on the Dark Tower, I did still enjoy them. He is such a GREAT story teller that everything he writes is enjoyable for me to read (some are better than others). What is your favorite SK book? Have you read/listened to Dean Koontz Frankenstein books?

 

 

Jim

I don't know if I have a favorite SK book... I really liked Duma Key and it's freshest in my mind. I think Duma Key, Lisey's Story, The Stand, and The Shining may be my favorite SK books, though honestly I really love them all. I had a hard time with The Talisman which may explain why I really didn't enjoy the Dark Tower books. Actually... I should be honest... I only read the first Dark Tower book and disliked it so I didn't even try the others. Maybe they would make for good audio books to try?

I loved the Frankenstein books!!!!! I read them both and can't believe the third one still isn't out!!!!! While I enjoy the Odd Thomas books, I really think it is time for a Frankenstein book. Have you ever read Robert McCammon?

Okay... now I've got to try audio books. :) As for my typical genre, I'm a thriller/mystery/horror buff myself, but I'll read just about anything with words in it. As for the Stephen King stuff, I love his work but didn't care much for the Dark Tower stuff he did for awhile. I finished "Duma Key" awhile back and absolutely LOVED it. Have you read that?

Yes, "Odd Hours" is the fourth book in the Odd Thomas series. It's not as good as some of the others (in my opinion) but it was good.

I am a voracious reader, although real life sometimes gets in the way of my true reading passion. :) I usually read the books, but am thinking that listening to them on my iPod on my way to work would be nice. what genres are you mainly interested in? I am currently reading "Odd Hours" by Dean Koontz and "The Queen of Bedlam" by Robert McCammon. Both are quite good but in very very different ways.

okay... butting into a conversation here... Sundays at Tiffanys... is that the new James Patterson book? I've seen it at the stores and really enjoy his books (though they can be a little.... short for my tastes) and it looks interesting. What are your thoughts on it?

All of these are great caribbean cruising songs!!! I'd like to create a playlist for an Alaskan cruise... any ideas for a cooler weather trip?

I've also been "petted" and told I was too "pretty to be in a wheelchair". Usually this is done by little old ladies, who also talk to my husband rather than to me. I try to laugh it off... I figure you either laugh about it or you begin plotting world domination. And I just don't have time to dominate the world. Yet.

I use a manual sporty wheelchair due to a genetic bone disease. I've used it since I was about 5 years old (different chairs, of course!) and have had experience both good and bad with the chair. Stores are a problem -- people in wheelchairs have a tendency to become invisible once inside a store. I'm not sure how it happens, it just does. I am very "normal" (whatever that is) except for the fact that I cannot walk, however, sales people find it to be necessary to ask other people around me what I need. Those people aren't even necessarily with me. But somehow these people always seem to think that being "mobility challenged" (love that) means that you are unable to speak, unable to think, and just plain not there. And that's sad.

Elevators are a problem on the cruise ships, that I can attest to. I'm a rather assertive wench and I will just push my way in when it's my turn. My theory is I waited, just like these others did, and I will get on. If I run over their feet because they refuse to help make room, then so be it. :) I paid the same money for the stuff that I buy as an AB person does. I don't get a special "disabled discount" on things or cruises so I deserve to have the same courtesy extended to me as others have. My husband (like many others on here) has walked up the stairs to meet me because people won't make room for both of us to be together in the elevator.

I encourage children to ask me questions. What I find annoying is children and adults who just stare at me. I keep thinking "did I spill something on me?", "is something wrong with my hair?", "did I put on one blue shoe and one black shoe?" But then I realize that it's just the chair they are staring at. So, I stare back. Generally that makes them uncomfortable enough that they'll stop and walk away. Hehe.

Barb