# I'm reading . . . uh . . . \*cough\* . . . \[mumble\]Stephen King\[/mumble\]. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 26, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114 "2003-07-26T17:58:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/21 "2003-07-26T23:10:06Z")
I got hooked on H. Ryder Haggard some years ago and read all of those Alan Quatermain stories. The original Indiana Jones! ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/22 "2003-07-26T23:35:36Z")
Embarrassed about my reading choices? Never. But I forestall the inevitable pointing and laughing of others by only reading _Reader’s Digest Condensed Books_ in the privacy of my own home. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/23 "2003-07-27T00:04:16Z")
Try “The Stand” It’s far and away his best. An interesting tid bit about “It” Mr King and Peter Straub were close friends. They colaborated on a couple things. Straub outlined a story he planned to write, and showed it to his friend. Stephen wrote “It” and Peter wrote “Floating Dragon” Peter didn’t speak to Stephen for some time. ---
**Author:** ![Fibber\_McGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a6a055/32.png) [@Fibber\_McGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fibber_McGee)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/24 "2003-07-27T00:10:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > \*\* > Now that I’ve offended all the Stephen King fans . . . 🙂 Are you ever embarassed by your own reading material? \*\* I got some stares and giggles while reading the latest Harry Potter as I’m 26 and therefore not in what most peope consider the series’ target audience, but life’s too short not to read wht you like and naysayers be damned! So few people seem to actually read books these days that I figure I’m ahead of the game no matter what “crap” I may be reading. ---
**Author:** ![Bugnorton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bugnorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bugnorton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/25 "2003-07-27T00:51:33Z")
**Picunurse** , I, too, found _ **The Stand** _ to be not only far and away his best effort, but…IMO an extremely _good_ book in its own right, as in by anyone, writing in whatever genre. ---
**Author:** ![HeatMiser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecd19e/32.png) [@HeatMiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeatMiser)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/26 "2003-07-27T01:18:28Z")
I have a fairly complete collection of early Michael Moorcock “Eternal Champion” fantasy paperbacks. Now, Moorcock has come to be considered something of a major influence in SF (due in part to his editorship of _New Worlds_ magazine, an early vehicle for several very well-regarded SF authors) and he’s actually a decent writer who has grown into bigger and better things, but… Maybe I’m a victim of my own prejudices. Maybe it’s the cover art. I dunno. But I’d just as soon people not know the hours, days, weeks of enjoyment I’ve received immersed in this world of magic swords and epic battles between the cosmic forces of Law and Chaos. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/27 "2003-07-27T01:28:14Z")
I got lost in _Cujo_. As in “couldn’t put it down” lost. I was completely absorbed by his treatment of the dog’s POV. I re-read it three times. Now I think it’s been long enough that I can read it again. No, I’m not embarrased about anything I read. What a shame that would be. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/28 "2003-07-27T01:36:25Z")
Years ago, I had to go on a business trip so I grabbed the biggest paperback book in my boyfriend (now Hubby)'s house. It was **The Stand**. I tried to read SK’s stuff before, but he kept getting lost on tangents. But this was different! And GOOD! On the way home, the flight was delayed boarding at Dulles, so there I am reading this HUGE book. A flight attendant comes up and starts to tease me for reading a “slutty” romance book and being so engrossed in it. I laughed and said I was actually embarrassed to be caught reading Stephen King. I showed her the book and she asked “OOOoo, how far are you, have they gotten to Mother Abigail’s yet?” Yep, it’s a small world. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/29 "2003-07-27T01:40:44Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Ukelele Ike_ > Unfortunately, I followed it with the not-very-good Cujo, Christine, and Pet Sematery, so now I’ve given up on the guy. OMG, if you had also read Tommyknockers, you probably would have just hired a hit man to go kill him! I’m an unabashed and unashamed huge fan of King’s (I’ll vote for the “not a great writer, but a great storyteller” label), but these books sucked! ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/30 "2003-07-27T01:54:29Z")
No **Dead Zone** fans here? IMHO, if there’s anything worse than someone who never reads fine literature, it’s someone who’ll only read fine literature. IIRC, the Glass family’s bookshelves were described as containing a mishmash, from Sappho to the Hardy Boys. I always thought there was something really cool about that. OTOH, I was embarrassed on an airplane to find myself reading _Gone With the Wind_ whilst seated next to an African-American woman and her daughter. I know how to put the book into context, but I worried about how my selection would be interpreted & I surreptitiously put it away. When the plane landed the woman was reunited with her female lover & they commenced a PDA to end all PDAs, so I doubt she’d had anything but anticipation on her mind. I’d burdened myself with both an unwieldy book and unnecessary guilt! ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/31 "2003-07-27T02:35:30Z")
Never been embarrassed by anything I’ve read. Can’t imagine why I would be. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/32 "2003-07-27T03:36:22Z")
You’re reading _It_ and you’re not sure you’ll like SK? Heh. Wait until you get to the kiddy porn, that outta put paid to any SK books for a good long while. (P.S. I like SK a lot, I’m just sayin…) ---
**Author:** ![DaPearl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@DaPearl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaPearl)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/33 "2003-07-27T04:30:21Z")
Nothing to be ashamed of, _The Stand_ is my all-time favorite book. I used to read a ton of his books. My other favorites were _'Salem’s Lot_, _The Shining_, _Apt Pupil_, _Misery_, and though some people seem to dislike it, _Pet Semetary_. Its been awhile since I’ve read his stuff, maybe I’ll finaly get around to _It_ which I’ve never read. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/34 "2003-07-27T13:29:30Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by fessie_ > No Dead Zone fans here? Oooh, oooh, me, me!! I loved The Dead Zone! The movie didn’t suck too bad, either. Thought Christopher Walken was a great choice! Even hubby liked The Dead Zone, and he’s not a fan of King’s (he enjoyed The Green Mile, too, which, IMHO, is the best of King’s later works). ---
**Author:** ![TeaRoses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@TeaRoses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaRoses)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/35 "2003-07-27T14:00:27Z")
I was about to say “No, no way, I read Harry Potter, the Princess Diaries, and Regency romances completely without shame.” Then it hit me that I never, never take my Pokemon comics out in public (I’m 36). Some lines just aren’t meant to be crossed. ---
**Author:** ![Bugnorton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bugnorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bugnorton)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/36 "2003-07-27T14:02:28Z")
**DaPearl** , ooohhh, just wait! You are in for one good scarefest with _ **It** _. Think evil clowns, grown-up kid heroes, a noble mission, in short, all the stuff that makes SK novels at their best unforgetable page-turners. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/37 "2003-07-27T14:34:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > \*\*I got lost in _Cujo_. As in “couldn’t put it down” lost. I was completely absorbed by his treatment of the dog’s POV. I re-read it three times. Now I think it’s been long enough that I can read it again. > \*\* Thank you! I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes **Cujo**. But **The Dead Zone** has to be my favorite. I also like **Misery** and **Eyes of the Dragon**. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/38 "2003-07-27T14:57:04Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Rabid Child_ > I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes Cujo. Not the only one, perhaps, but definitely in a minority. I thought it was one of his worst. For one thing, in the beginning of the book, he kinda sorta hinted that there was something supernatural going on, and then never followed up on that! WTF? My thinking about Cujo was that it might have been a pretty good short story, but there simply wasn’t enough there for a whole novel. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/39 "2003-07-27T15:40:36Z")
**Cujo** was – I was going to say “masterpiece of plotting” but I’m not well-read enough to call **anything** a masterpiece. But it was pretty good, the way he strung together all those coincidences that resulted in the Donna and Tad in the Pinto in the barnyard with Cujo. What started it? Cujo being bit, then the affair, the problem with the food color in the cereal? Someone even had to win a lottery, for pete’s sake. But it all worked. He did say he was strung out while writing that – I think he talked about it in **On Writing** , didn’t he? The dog POV was good too, I’d forgotten about that. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114/40 "2003-07-27T16:01:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Podkayne \* > \*\*I am not the sort of person who reads Stephen King. I am, in fact, the sort of person who, observing another person reading Stephen King, lifts my eyebrows, sniffs, and says, “Oh, yes, I hear that he’s a _very popular_ writer.” \*\* Oh, I thought I was the only one that thought like that! Of course, I say the same things about other best-selling writers too. \*\* > [@](#): > > I don’t mean to imply that everything else I read is great literature. Mostly I read lowbrow > scifi crap–but it’s _obscure_ crap and therefore not immediately recognizable as crap to most people. \*\* Are you my long-lost twin??? I really like obscure, interesting science-fiction that most “mainstream” readers wouldn’t appreciate. How sad is that? 😛 \*\* > [@](#): > > Are you ever embarassed by your own reading material? \*\* Well, not… embarrassed, exactly. But I do read a fair number of juveniles, and have recently started reading manga. Sometimes it occurs to me to wonder how silly it looks for a 50-year old woman to be reading kids books and “comic” books. But I don’t really care. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-reading-uh-cough-mumble-stephen-king-mumble/191114.md?page=3)