The Running Man - The Stephen King Challenge #12

[Kenneth]

The 12th offering in The Stephen King Challenge. The Running Man was originally written under King's pseudonym, Richard Bachman. As always, please use spoiler and chapter/page/percentage tags.

[Terry]

I'm in for it, although I may be slow to get through it while I read along on a couple of other reads, too.

[Vicki Willis]

I want to read this one as well.

[Terry]

Glad you're joining along, Vicki!

[Latasha]

I'm starting Monday. this is not my cup of tea at all so I hope I will be very surprised. those are the best kind of reads.

[Vicki Willis]

Why not Latasha? What about it doesn't appeal to you?
I will start Monday as well.

Thanks Terry! It has been a while!

[Terry]

I agree, Vicki.

I've picked it up this weekend, so I guess I'm getting a running start on you gals! :-)

So far, it has a real dystopian feel, similar to The Long Walk, but maybe more in its future.

[Latasha]

Futuristic & dystopian. Not really my kind of thing. But I'm willing to give it a try.

[Vicki Willis]

First of all, I like my cover on this one. .
I am at 17%.
Love the short chapters, the book is flying by.
It seems familiar, I may have read it years ago. It does remind me of in the way it started with very little info and building from that.

[Terry]

I like the covers on both of those. I think you commented on that cover for The Long Walk back when we read that one. My copy is this one . Kinda boring, but fitting I guess.

I agree on the short chapters. It is going surprisingly fast. Have you watched the movie?

[Latasha]

Ok I've started this one. Did he just spoil it in the introduction?!

[Terry]

I skipped the introduction (the introduction in my copy is the one about being Richard Bachman). I hope not Latasha!

[Vicki Willis]

I am on kindle and I didn't have an intro.

I did see the movie when it first came out and I was a huge Arnold fan All I remember is the onsies they wore! Lol

I am at 30% and (view spoiler)[ found the whole selection process very interesting.
And the references to the culture of the day are fun. (hide spoiler)]

This is my kind of book! I cant wait to hear your thoughts Latasha.

[Latasha]

Well I think he did so I'm glad you skipped it Terry. It's ok so far.

[Latasha]

I'm at 68 hours and (view spoiler)[ he's just met Stacy & his family. (hide spoiler)]

[Kenneth]

Oh my god! The onesies!! I remember those.

[Latasha]

well, I didn't hate it lol.

[Terry]

Sorry you didn't like it so much, Latasha.

[Terry]

Vicki wrote: "I am on kindle and I didn't have an intro.

I did see the movie when it first came out and I was a huge Arnold fan All I remember is the onsies they wore! Lol

I am at 30% and found the whole sele..."

I was a fan of all those Arnold movies, too. Kinda cheesy, but fun. I like that the book is having a different storyline. I agree on the selection process (view spoiler)[ I wondered what characteristic of Ben's actually got him on the show. I like his character. (hide spoiler)]

[Latasha]

It's ok. At least I gave it a try.

[Terry]

I finished. (view spoiler)[ I think I was as shocked as Richards was when he found out his wife and child had been killed almost at the beginning of his run! Don't know why I hadn't thought of that. I absolutely believe he would have snapped and was glad he got his revenge. (hide spoiler)] Yes, Onsies and all, this was completely different than the movie. Glad we read it!

[Latasha]

so will we read different seasons or PET SEMETARY!! next? everyone has told me i need to read it and i bought it a while back but i was/am waiting to read it with the group but yay!! I'm excited we are almost to it!

[Latasha]

Terry wrote: "I finished. [spoilers removed] Yes, Onsies and all, this was completely different than the movie. Glad we read it!"

(view spoiler)[ i wasn't surprised they had been killed. i figured they wouldn't last long. i figured someone would kill them to get him to come to their apartment but..i don't think he would've fell for it. but I'm glad he got revenge too. (hide spoiler)]

[Latasha]

oh wow and Christine is coming up too. last time i read this i would've been 13 and it was the reason i avoided King like the plague until i joined this group. I'm sure i'll like it better this time around. i hope.

[Terry]

I think Different Seasons would be next. I just ordered that one and should have it in the next couple of days.

[Latasha]

ok, I'm going to see if my library has it. there is usually a waiting list for King's books. that's why i always ask what's next.

[Latasha]

John wrote: "Latasha wrote: "ok, I'm going to see if my library has it. there is usually a waiting list for King's books. that's why i always ask what's next."
It's also in The Bachman Books, so se..."

oh thanks! they had different seasons but there is 6 people ahead of me. i went ahead & reserved it.

[Latasha]

John wrote: "Pet Semetary is one of his books that I probably won't ever reread. Not that it's not good, but the subject bothers me a lot, for some reason"

oh no! I hate to hear that. but don't tell me why just yet!

[Vicki Willis]

I finished this today. I loved it. Thought it was great. I liked the setting in the future (not SO much in the future now) and reading about society then. I was surprised that (view spoiler)[his family was dead. Then I was wondering if they were really dead. I liked thst he went out blazing on his terms. I couldn't figure out how it was going to go. (hide spoiler)]

You know... after reading this one and The Long Walk and Thinner, I think the books by Bachman are my favorites. I read more King when I was younger, but these have been my kind of books!

[Terry]

Vicki wrote: "I finished this today. I loved it. Thought it was great. I liked the setting in the future (not SO much in the future now) and reading about society then. I was surprised that [spoilers removed]

Y..."

I agree, the Bachman books do seem to have a different tone to them than his others. I've liked all of those that I've read, too.

Glad you liked The Running Man. It certainly was different than the movie in almost every sense! I certainly did sympathize with Richard's character.

[Rhian]

I read this month's ago for the first time I absolutely loved it I then watched the film just to see how it compared I thought it was rubbish

[Myst]

Terry wrote: "I think Different Seasons would be next. I just ordered that one and should have it in the next couple of days."

Pretty sure the order for the rest of the year is:
Different Seasons (82)
Christine (83)

2017
Pet Cemetary (83)
Cycle of the Werewolf (83)

[Terry]

Myst wrote: "Terry wrote: "I think Different Seasons would be next. I just ordered that one and should have it in the next couple of days."

Pretty sure the order for the rest of the year is:
Different Seasons ..."

That's the order I thought also, Myst. Hopefully, we can get them in a little quicker than that though! I'm ready to move on to Different Seasons when everybody else is.

[Latasha]

I'm on a waiting list :(

[Vicki Willis]

I read Different Seasons a long time ago, but it remains one of my favorites. I am going to skip this one and catch up with you guys soon! Had fun with The Running Man though!

[Latasha]

Myst wrote: "Terry wrote: "I think Different Seasons would be next. I just ordered that one and should have it in the next couple of days."

Pretty sure the order for the rest of the year is:
Different Seasons ..."

thanks!

[Latasha]

i just found this at a near by library. I'm going tomorrow to pick it up so I'm ready whenever everyone else is.

[Latasha]

I picked up different seasons today. that book is huge!

[Kenneth]

Different Seasons is one my favorites. I can't wait to get into it!

[Terry]

Should we plan to start Oct 1?

[Terry]

I think Ken was wanting to wait to start on the 15th if that works for everybody.

[Latasha]

Ok. Maybe I can finish up one of the 2 I'm reading.

[Kenneth]

It's definitely a case of too many books, too little time. Does anyone else suffer from that malady? Lol.

[Terry]

Absolutely, and on top of that, a work schedule that keeps jumping up and getting in the way as well! I'd love to join a bunch of the group reads out there, but no way to fit them in.

[Kenneth]

That pesky work thing always seems to get in the way of some good reading. I think along with lunch breaks, we should get an hour of reading break every day.

[Terry]

I would definitely sign up for that.

[Latasha]

Yes ken, yes! I got in over my head in October. Pass that reading break list my way please!

[Latasha]

do you care if I start the thread for different seasons? I can do it this evening.

[Terry]

I've actually gotten started on it already since its a large book!

[[deleted user]]

I am new and jumping in on your challenge. I have ordered The Running Man from my library, hopefully I will be able to read along.