November ScaredyKIT: Stephen King and Family

Now a tradition in the ScaredyKIT, November is the month to read a selection or two by the master of horror himself, Stephen King, or any of the writers in his family, which include his wife, Tabitha King; his son Joe Hill, who also pens a pretty good horror yarn; his son Owen King; and Owen's wife, Kelly Braffet. Pick something new, something old, something to reread, or something you've always wanted to read, and share your thoughts with us. Also please post your selections to the wiki: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/2020_ScaredyKIT

As is my tradition, I have saved my new Stephen King book to read this month, which this year is a collection of short stories called If It Bleeds. Looking forward to seeing what everyone else chooses!

I'm hoping to read the second book in King's Dark Tower series, if my library hold arrives in time. Otherwise, I may read Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill.

>3 mathgirl40: I may join you in Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill. I have the audio.

I'm going to go with End of Watch.
>3 mathgirl40: >4 luvamystery65: Heart-Shaped Box is remarkably creepy.

I am finally going to read The Shining!

I will likely choose the next Locke & Key by Joe Hill, but I need to check if I have anything else to choose from, as well. It's just what immediately comes to mind.

>4 luvamystery65: My hold for The Drawing of the Three just came in, so I'd better read that first before my loan expires, but I still hope to get to Heart Shaped Box later in the month.

>5 mstrust: Glad to hear that Heart Shaped Box is good and creepy. I've liked all of the other Joe Hill works I've read, so I expect I'll enjoy this one too.

>8 mathgirl40: Those library holds come first!

Sorry to report that I found If It Bleeds just meh on the whole. It's a collection of four novellas, and it felt rushed and underdeveloped to me. Disappointing. However, there is a story (the title story) featuring Holly Gibney, if you liked the Mr. Mercedes series and The Outsider. That was the best one in the collection, but I felt like it actually should have been developed into a full-length novel.

For this year's challenge, I have chosen The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

>6 JayneCM: I'm starting The Shining as well. :)
I hope it won't be scared so much that I have to put it in the freezer because it's an electronic version and that wouldn't be good for my ereader. (sorry I couldn't resist the Friends reference ;)

The movie The dead zone was on TV two weeks ago and I watched that but was not really impressed.

I've been spending a lot of time listening to audiobooks and cleaning my apartment to avoid watching the news. So far I've finished:
NOS4A2 - by Joe Hill
11/22/63
Doctor Sleep
Elevation

I'll read Doctor Sleep: a novel.

Here's the December link, https://www.librarything.com/topic/326339

I finished my Stephen King read of The Eyes of the Dragon and decided to also read Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill.

Locke & Key: Alpha & Omega / Joe Hill
4 stars

This is the final book in the Locke & Key series, so I don’t want to do too much of a summary so as not to give anything away. I guess I’ll just say that prom is coming up and although Tyler isn’t interested in going, his younger sister, Kinsey is going with her boyfriend. Things will come to a head after the prom.

I thought this was one of the better books in the series. As with the others, there is some gore. The illustrations are done very well.

I'm also listening to The Institute, but likely won't quite finish before the end of tomorrow, but I'll be close. Will include my review here.

I finished The Drawing of the Three, the second book in the Dark Tower series, and it was great. I've now started Heart Shaped Box, albeit a little late in the month.

I am listening to the The Institute. It's good and I am pushing through but doubt I can get it finished today.

>20 Kristelh:, finished 12/1/2020.

>21 Kristelh: Yay! What did you think?

>22 sturlington: I found it to be very engaging. I liked it and thought it less horror and more fantasy. I gave it 4 star rating for the fact that it was engaging. I liked the Minnesota connection as well being from Minnesota.

The Institute / Stephen King
4 stars

Luke is a very gifted kid. He is going to go to college already at only 12(?) years old. But, he doesnt’ get the chance. He is kidnapped and his parents are murdered. And taken to the “Institute”. There are other kids here. They aren’t necessarily super-smart like Luke is, but they have other gifts: telepathy, telekinesis. Things are done to these kids...

I really liked this. I listened to the audio and it the narrator was good. I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I’d like to say more, but don’t want to spoil it for anyone. At the same time, I’d kind of like to know what happens with the characters going forward.

>24 LibraryCin: The ending made me think there will be another one and it will at least be two books maybe a trilogy.

>25 Kristelh: Good thought! I hope so!

I'm a little late, but I finished Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill. I liked it a lot, as I have all of Joe Hill's works. He's not as prolific as his father, but I think his writing is just as good.