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Jul / Aug 2015 Group Read - 11/22/63 by Stephen King
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Bill
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Jul 14, 2015 06:23PM
This is the thread for 11/22/63, one of the Jul/ Aug group reads. Crystal nominated this book and will be moderator of the group read. Congratulations on selecting this book by Stephen King. Enjoy the discussions.
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*** SPOILERS after comment 42 ***Well I just finished this audiobook this morning and was sooooo excited to hear that it was chosen for the group read as it was wonderful and I can't wait to talk about it.
Here is my review:
review for audiobook - 5 stars story ♫ 5 stars narration.
This is my all time favorite Stephen King book! I had chills, I laughed, I held my breath, I hoped, I dreamed, I feared and (once when my son tapped me on the shoulder during a scary part.... I screamed a blood curdling scream). This book was FANTASTIC and perfect. I cried at the end! This book took a lot of work and I thank Stephen King for writing it. I'm so thankful he didn't write it in 1972 when he originally planned to do it, because, I don't feel it could have been half as good as it is now. I loved hearing Stephen King speak at the end and talk about his feelings on the book... very wonderful.
As for the narration!!!!!!! I would never be able to gush enough. The narrator was positively wonderful. He LIVED the story. I could feel his every emotion and he did such a fantastic job with all the character voices. He played the part of 30+ different people and everyone he did was spot on! I will look for more works from this narrator. He was fantastic and he really brought the book alive for me.
Sounds like an all around wonderful experience. I love when it's my turn to have one.I will be reading the hardcover for this group after, like so many others, I read Go Set a Watchman. Wish work and such like weren't getting in the way right now,but I will be back with Stephen and all of you sometime on Friday.
it's no fun when RL squeezes out reading time. I look forward to seeing what you think.
I haven't read 11/22/63, but I am a Stephen King fan and added it to my shelf. I appreciate the nomination! I may pick it up from Amazon later this month.
This is a great book that will stay with you long after you have read it.
Kathryn wrote: "This is a great book that will stay with you long after you have read it."True. I can so see that happening. It's fresh for me, but I'm thinking of it constantly. BTW, what did you rate it Kathryn?
got a sweet price on a hardcover copy (used) - should receive in the mail tomorrow:)
Jeanine wrote: "got a sweet price on a hardcover copy (used) - should receive in the mail tomorrow:)"Oh , that is awesome. I love when that happens.
❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "This is a great book that will stay with you long after you have read it."
True. I can so see that happening. It's fresh for me, but I'm thinking of it constantly. BTW, what did..."
I gave it 5 stars. This is goofy but whenever I see something on the news about the assassination, in my mind, it happened the way it did in the book.
True. I can so see that happening. It's fresh for me, but I'm thinking of it constantly. BTW, what did..."
I gave it 5 stars. This is goofy but whenever I see something on the news about the assassination, in my mind, it happened the way it did in the book.
Kathryn wrote: "I gave it 5 stars. This is goofy but whenever I see something on the news about the assassination, in my mind, it happened the way it did in the book. "That is awesome Kathryn... who knows... maybe this IS the real story. LOL
I'm glad to hear you gave it 5 stars.
Crystal, I found the thread! I missed that it was posted. Congratulations at being the moderator. I won't read your review until I finish the book myself. I'm going to start reading right now ...
Yay Kathy.... Thanks much, I'm happy to moderate. I'm super impressed that your giving it another try. Third time's a charm... or at least I hope so. *fingers crossed
I think the premise of the book is very clever - to go back in time and live in the past for years with the goal of stopping the Kennedy assassination. And then the consequences if you actually succeed. For me this is one of King's best books.
❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "Jeanine wrote: "got a sweet price on a hardcover copy (used) - should receive in the mail tomorrow:)"Oh , that is awesome. I love when that happens."
I've got the book and started reading it - can't wait to see how it goes")
Both of the July/August selections perked my interest. Since I already purchased 11-22-63 but havn't read it and the price at BnN for e-pub of The English Spy was $15; S. King wins out! Must finish another book before starting it, however. I'm really looking forward to it.
True Barbara.... it is a great idea for a book. The author note at the end said he originally wanted to write it in 1972 but the research was so daunting as he was working full time. I'm so glad he waited so he could do the book justice
Just finished 11/22/63. It was superb. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors and he did not disappoint, Like several who posted before me I'm glad he didn't write it in 1972. I gave it five stars.
❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "it's no fun when RL squeezes out reading time. I look forward to seeing what you think."Thank you, Crystal. It's kind if you to say that. Now I must read fast and all day. I can do that ;-). Apropos of nothing, me ma's name was the same as yours but spelled Christal. Rumored to be one of the feminine versions of Christ,like Christine or Christobal. Boy, did her head grow too wide to fit through the door when a German nun told her that. Thanks, Schweister :P
Portia wrote: "❆ Crystal ❆ wrote: "it's no fun when RL squeezes out reading time. I look forward to seeing what you think."Thank you, Crystal. It's kind if you to say that. Now I must read fast and all day...."
;-).... that's pretty funny! I once read that my name meant "A Clear but deceptive woman." Not sure exactly what that means because I can't lie to save my life. LOL
Olivia wrote: "Just finished 11/22/63. It was superb. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors and he did not disappoint, Like several who posted before me I'm glad he didn't write it in 1972. I gave it five st..."YAYAYAYAYAYA!!!! Olivia, I'm so glad you read it and that you enjoyed it. 5 stars! Awesome. :-)
that's great Stephanie....come back and let us know what you think about it.
I have it on reserve at library. Can't wait.
Great Ami, I hope you get it soon
Stephanie wrote: "I have heard so many great things about this book and love Stephen King.... Going to try to catch up with the group in early August!"
I think you'll love it, Stephanie!
I think you'll love it, Stephanie!
With thanks to Kathryn, I just found this thread and look forward to checking back in later. I'm about halfway through, just finished Part 3. The book is really good!!
I'm glad you like it Brenda, it's one of my favorites. As people read it, I'm looking forward to the discussion.
I have got this book last year but haven't come around to read it yet. Thanks for giving me a reason to take it off my shelf. I will start reading it soon.
on chapter 5 right now. I must say I am quite pleased so far. In some of his books, Stephen King gets totally stuck on a character description (what I call "S**t or get of the pot" syndrome) but I have not seen that happen yet in 11/22/63:)
true Jeanine.... and it never happens in this book.... he follows really well and I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the whole time
I meant it flows really well. I'm on my phone and it thinks it knows what I want to say....
I just finished this book. Wow. review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Has anyone ever been asked "If you could change anything in your past would you?".
I'm not sure I would now, but if it had a reset button I'd sure as hell try a couple of times just to see. LOL
Still waiting on it to arrive. Hopefully next few days :)
Great review Freda! I'm glad you loved it and gave it 5 stars. Thanks for reading it with us and sharing your thoughts!
Ami wrote: "Still waiting on it to arrive. Hopefully next few days :)"Fingers crossed that it is soon.
Freda wrote: "I just finished this book. Wow.
review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Has anyone ever been asked "If you could change anything in your past would you?".
I'm not sure I would ..."
Yes, Freda, but it seems that things happen for a reason and hopefully we can learn from the past.
review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Has anyone ever been asked "If you could change anything in your past would you?".
I'm not sure I would ..."
Yes, Freda, but it seems that things happen for a reason and hopefully we can learn from the past.
Freda wrote: "I just finished this book. Wow. review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Has anyone ever been asked "If you could change anything in your past would you?".
I'm not sure I would ..."
Freda, I pondered your question a bit. Sure, I think about the "what ifs" in my past and how would my life be different. But if I really was to have that ability, I don't know if I could use it on such a small scale. Without knowing how disastrous the consequences could be, I'd probably want to try something major to make the world a better place.
When is it OK to start discussing specifics in the book?
Brenda, I think we can start now.
SPOILERS AHEAD..... READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
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OK, here's one question I had. The second time Jake went down the stairs, he noticed little things that were different. Why didn't Al say this would happen? He gave me the impression that a reset was completely the same.
Brenda wrote: "OK, here's one question I had. The second time Jake went down the stairs, he noticed little things that were different. Why didn't Al say this would happen? He gave me the impression that a rese..."Brenda... my thought was that maybe Al wasn't paying as close attention... he knew that if you said something different at the same store... it would be different conversation but if you said the same thing, then their response would be the same as before... But, maybe he never noticed the color of the ticket and just assumed differences were because he said something different.
This was the first Stephen King book I read (in autumn 2013) and I really enjoyed it. Since then I've also read Mr Mercedes, and have Finders Keepers on my shelf. Freda - there's at least one thing in my past I'd like to change. Just a pity I don't have the ability to make that happen!!
That's great Vikki. I'm glad you enjoyed and that you've gone on to read more of Stephen King. I still need to read Mr Mercedes.... can't wait. Changing one thing... can change so much.
I read this about a year ago. One of my favorite King book, right behind the Green Mile. I was a little intimidated because it was so thick and thought it would take a while, but a friend highly recommended so I took the plunge. I love the time-travel aspect and the love story. I thought the end was bitter sweet. Stephen King rarely gives us happy endings, so considering that, Jake was pretty lucky as far a King characters go. I also loved the historical aspect and learned a lot. I even did some research after finishing the book on Oswald and found King stayed as close to the truth (or what was reported) as possible.
This book stayed with me for weeks after I finished it. I kept thinking about the plot and the whole butter-fly effect theory. This book hit all of my criteria for a 5 star. I would like to read this again one day. It was a little soon for a reread now because it was still fresh in my mind. For those who has never read Stephen King and enjoyed this book, I suggest reading "The Green Mile" & "Shawshank Redemption". Neither are the typical horror story for which King is known. A lot of people are actually surprised when they find out King wrote them. For the record it only took me four days to read. I was worried about the thickness for nothing.
I give this book 4 stars. It was paradoxically one of the most fascinating books I've read, and at times the most boring. I didn't understand why so much time was spent on the first trip, when the focus of the book was 11/22, and for this reason I was frustrated by what I considered to be pointless wandering. Then, when the point was made clear, the back story became interesting in hindsight, but getting past it was a problem. I had trouble mentally making the time shifts and was annoyed when I was engaged in one scene only to be abruptly taken to another. This was especially true for the ending. I hated it. Here the hero went to so much trouble and effort to make a positive difference in the world (I would say an apt allegory of a life) only to succeed with such negative effect. A true horror story ending by the master. That said I found the writing to be excellent and I’m always impressed by the way King personifies inanimate things, in this case, time, that doesn’t want to be changed. Crystal, I’m glad you proposed this book and that it was chosen, otherwise I would never have gotten through it, and now that I did, it has given me lots to think about.
Lucy wrote: "I read this about a year ago. One of my favorite King book, right behind the Green Mile. I was a little intimidated because it was so thick and thought it would take a while, but a friend highly re..."Awesome comment Lucy! I'm so glad you read it and really enjoyed it. I haven't read either book you recommended.... I've seen the movies but never read the books. I may need to remedy that soon! Lucy, I recommend that if you read it again, you choose the audiobook! It was amazing.
Kathy wrote: "I give this book 4 stars. It was paradoxically one of the most fascinating books I've read, and at times the most boring. I didn't understand why so much time was spent on the first trip, when the ..."Kathy, I'm so glad you read and enjoyed. Sorry that you had some issues with the book in the beginning and the end. I found it interesting that he could only go back to the same day/place/time. SO, it seemed such an amazing task to live there... wait so long and take on so much to help change the events on 11/22/63. I'm with you, I was upset that the world was so horrible. But, that definitely made the decision to go back and do a reset really easy. But, like you said.... true to Stephen King.
Thanks for reading and coming to post your thoughts! It's great to hear what you think.
Oh wow, still reading book, but just learned that "X has more [whatever] Carter has liver pills" wasn't some kind of reference to Pres. Carter like the jelly beans...as I always have assumed! In Chapt 7, Chas says it to Eppling & I was thinking Jimmy Carter wasn't known up in Maine in 58 since he was still in the south. So, after good old Google, learned there was a pop product called "Carter's Little Liver Pills" I've learned lots of things so far in this book from the old days but this was the funniest/most interesting so far for me.
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