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You Like It Darker
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You Like It Darker
Joining in! I got my copy today and only paid $11 and some change thanks to my Barnes and Noble membership rewards that I had been saving! :) I am super excited because I always enjoy King's short stories, too.Ravyn )O(
Michael wrote: "Look for You Like It Darker on May 21, 2024, with a $30 hardcover price in the States. Twelve stories in 512 pages include five previously unpublished tales:
"Two Talented Bastids" (new)
"The Fif..."
Two Talented Bastids is so far my favorite! I’m on Danny’s Bad Dream currently!
I finally finished the first story! Definitely enjoyed it. Definitely 5 stars. Sort of a different take on the old "crossroads" tale. Excited to see what the next story is about!
Finished The Fifth Step. A short, quick one. Ending was definitely unexpected!
The Answer Man. What a beautiful story.
Hi Fellow King Readers,I have finished my read of Uncle Stevie's new book, "You Like it Darker", his seventh collection of short stories and novellas.
My Goodreads review has been posted in the following link:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The good news is that I really enjoyed most of these stories and I think that shows in my comments. I also group the stories into categories of how much I liked them.
Your list may be different than mine and that's more than okay. You may like some stories more than I did and some less than I did, and that will make for great discussion as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Let the fun begin and best wishes to everyone!
Scott.
To round off here are my brief thoughts on the last few stories:Laurie - Heartwarming tale, enjoyed the characters and the story. 4 ⭐️
Rattlesnakes - Spooky sequel, very very good. 5 ⭐️
The Dreamers - Chilling tale with great characters. 4.5 ⭐️
The Answer Man - Ponderous tale just on the edge of creepiness, great characters and plot. 4.5 ⭐️
Hoping everyone else is enjoying it.. :)
Finished - so bitter sweet, I always want more Stephen King! Of the 12 stories, TWO TALENTED BASTIDS and THE ANSWER MAN were my faves. Would love to hear which story/stories you enjoyed most/least and why.If you like you can read my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm almost finished with Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream. Loving this story and can't wait to see how it ends!
Just getting started and daring to bounce around. Love TWO TALENTED BASTIDS. Will keep you posted.
Nick wrote: "Just getting started and daring to bounce around. Love TWO TALENTED BASTIDS. Will keep you posted."I loved that one too! I could never bring myself to "bounce around" though....
Maybe it disrespects the author who probably worked hard to get the order of the stories just right.
Nick wrote: "Just getting started and daring to bounce around."I almost started with "Rattlesnakes" but opted to start at the beginning and prolong my anxiety for that tale.
The first time I read a short story collection I read in order, but if I revisit, I jump around, or read just one or two.
Mod
This sounds like the right way to do it.
ok, I just finished it. and my review is uplong story short, I liked it
the title was misleading
if it wasn't for it, it would have been a sure 5 stars
Rattlesnakes and Donny are my favorite
Unsurprisingly a lot of readers point out that they enjoyed Rattlesnakes. I need to find a way to work in a re-read of Cujo immediately followed by a Rattlesnakes re-read. It has been too long since I fretted over what was going on in that car and it's time to go back.
Derrick wrote: "I'm almost finished with Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream. Loving this story and can't wait to see how it ends!""Bad Dream" ?? UNPUTDOWNABLE. Okay, I put it down at 1:30 AM but had to finish it as soon as I got up and had breakfast. Great story, characters you really care about, a really idiosyncratic villain, and just enough of the supernatural to make it amazingly unexpected. FIVE STARS!! Probably could be released as a separate novella and should be.
So, did anybody think of another King story while reading "The Dreamers"?
Michael Roch: Most definitely. and the fifth step.
Nick wrote: "Derrick wrote: "I'm almost finished with Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream. Loving this story and can't wait to see how it ends!""Bad Dream" ?? UNPUTDOWNABLE. Okay, I put it down at 1:30 AM but had to f..."
Couldn't agree more! Easily the best story so far in my opinion. I just started reading Laurie and I'm curious to see where the story goes.
Home with Covid and I am thankful I managed to get this before I got sick. I'm four stories in (Danny Coughlin's) and couldn't be loving it more. If I could fan-girl squeal without coughing my guts out, I would. Fantastic way to pass the time between naps.
I just finished Laurie and I really enjoyed it! Rattlesnakes is up next and I'm super excited to get to it! I recently reread Cujo in preparation for the sequel.
I just finished and it was a wonderful collection!King proves to me, again, why he is still one of my all-time, life-long, favorite authors! I have always loved his collections and this one absolutely does not disappoint!
I would classify this collection as two novellas, two vignettes and eight short stories. I don't ever give spoilers but I will say that "Rattlesnakes", the sequel to "Cujo", was terrifying, and WHY? have I not read "Duma Key" yet?
The stories range from extra-terrestrial, to psychic phenomena, to the terrors of everyday life, the what-ifs, that lurk for all of us.
My personal favorite is "The Turbulence Expert", because, it's possible and who really knows that it isn't? Second is "Laurie", because even though there was a teeny bit of probable real-life terror, it was actually a darn sweet story.
King, at 75, still has the same power over this reader as he did when he first published "Carrie" 50 years ago. Selfishly, I hope that King continues to feel his 'need to write them' (his stories) continues for as long as he can continue thinking of them.
Shannon wrote: "I just finished and it was a wonderful collection!King proves to me, again, why he is still one of my all-time, life-long, favorite authors! I have always loved his collections and this one absolu..."
Great review and commentary, Shannon. I agree completely, though I think I personally love Danny's Bad Dream the most. Thanks.
I finished Rattlesnakes which I thought was awesome. Loved all the Duma Key references too. Wasn't expecting that! I also finished The Dreamers and I thought that one was good too. I'm not a huge fan of the Lovecraftian stuff but it worked well here and I enjoyed the story.
Only one more story left in the book now! Excited to finish the book while at the same time wishing there was more....
I just finishing Danny Coughlins Dteam and really enjoying it.
The Answer Man... what a great way to end the book. I cried!
I just got my copy from the local library. I’m about 40 pages in to Two Talented Bastids.
I finished the book a couple of weeks back and really enjoyed it overall. Here’s my scores for each story:Two Talented Bastids - 3.5/5
The Fifth Step - 4/5
Willie The Weirdo - 5/5
Danny Coughlins Bad Dream - 5/5
Finn - 3/5
On Slide Inn Road -3/5
Red Screen - 3.5/5
The Turbulence Expert - 4.5/5
Laurie - 5/5
Rattlesnakes- 3.5/5
The Dreamers - 4/5
The Answer Man -5/5
Miranda wrote: "The Answer Man... what a great way to end the book. I cried!"I really agree with you on this one, Miranda. It was a perfect ending.
Adrian wrote: "I finished the book a couple of weeks back and really enjoyed it overall. Here’s my scores for each story:Two Talented Bastids - 3.5/5
The Fifth Step - 4/5
Willie The Weirdo - 5/5
Danny Coughlins..."
I'm right with you on most of these. Thinking I should go back and reread several of them. Although I would have given The Dreamers a 5... Classic horror. It would have made a great episode of the twilight zone.
Finished the Bastids and then The Fifth Step. I really enjoyed The Fifth Step. For such a short read I enjoy that kind of thing. Just enough to get you going.
Here's the link to my review where I also rated the individual stories! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I had the most awful weekend ever. Mt family was away. Ny bank account was hacked snd 900 dollars was stolen from. My car had kittens over the weekend under my end table, I don't know when because I can know longer get my. I've been called 4 days I a row from creditors when I called them to let them know what happened and gave them my new info. To top it all off my husband called me and starting yelling at me over he thinks I should have taken care off. I'm sorry that's my bitch fest of the day. I'm just about fed up.
Nick wrote: "Adrian wrote: "I finished the book a couple of weeks back and really enjoyed it overall. Here’s my scores for each story:Two Talented Bastids - 3.5/5
The Fifth Step - 4/5
Willie The Weirdo - 5/5
..."
Thanks Nick. Yeah it’s a great collection with the main thing being there aren’t any absolute duds.
I hear you. I feel better today.
I read and enjoyed You Like It Darker. What books are designated for June and July? Is there a non-king book? Thanks.
Mod
Looks like it should be Gwendy's Button Box....
I'll have to get back with you on the non-King book, stay tuned :)
Looking forward to starting Rattlesnakes. For me it's 5 stars for Two Talented Bastids, Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream, The Turbulence Expert and Laurie!
Panda wrote: "Unsurprisingly a lot of readers point out that they enjoyed Rattlesnakes. I need to find a way to work in a re-read of Cujo immediately followed by a Rattlesnakes re-read. It has been ..."I thought the same thing while reading Rattlesnakes!
just finished Danny Coughlin’s Bad dream and its my favourite so far. I agree with Nick- unputdownable, characters I care about and just enough of the supernatural. I ‘loved’ the villain!
I've been enjoying this latest collection of short stories & novellas & only have the last two to read. This is about the longest story, Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream. Absolutely loved this one, pretty sure there will be a film before long. One thing though, the ending. Now I did like how it ended & it will be fine for the film version. However, I thought it was going to go in a different direction, which it didn't, so I will share how I thought it should end here. Spoiler Alert - Only read the following if you have already read this story.
Danny settles his affairs at the trailer park, packs his belongings & drives away to Boulder. On the way, he sees a young girl at the roadside, a hitchhiker. He pulls over & calls to her. She walks to his car, opens the door & gets in. Danny drives off. The End.
Danny settles his affairs at the trailer park, packs his belongings & drives away to Boulder. On the way, he sees a young girl at the roadside, a hitchhiker. He pulls over & calls to her. She walks to his car, opens the door & gets in. Danny drives off. The End.
I’m reading this book’s stories at it is laid out. So far without a doubt Danny Coughlin’s Bad Dream.
But I must say the short shorts are fun.
Good times for sure.
Where else have I read Laurie? I know the story but can’t place the book it was in originally. Or was it..?
Todd wrote: "Where else have I read Laurie? I know the story but can’t place the book it was in originally. Or was it..?"
I read Laurie too, I think it was released online.
Todd wrote: "Where else have I read Laurie? I know the story but can’t place the book it was in originally. Or was it..?"
It was on his website in 2018. No announcement or anything, it just showed up like a gift! Then it was included as a bonus on the Elevation audiobook.
Stephen King Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
Cujo (other topics)Cujo (other topics)
Night Shift (other topics)
Jerusalem's Lot (other topics)
The Waste Lands (other topics)
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So far, Danny Coughlin is my favorite, but Two Talented Bastics is a close second. I really liked On Slide Inn Road too... feels like a location he could ..."
I thought The Turbulence Expert was a good one, hope you enjoy it.. :)