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Which SK books have you read the most times?
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Victor
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Aug 10, 2015 10:55AM
I have only read the first three Dark Tower books twice. I really want to reread Cujo since that was my first King book I read.
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Twice -Gerald's Game, The Talisman, Rose Madder, Pet Semetary It, Needful Things, The Long Walk, The Green MileWant to read again -'Salem's Lot, The Stand
...and the re-reads were like 20-30 years apart
E. wrote: "...and the re-reads were like 20-30 years apart"You are quite the vision of restraint! I am a habitual re-reader. When I have a tough time picking a new read (despite the 100s of titles on my TBR) I always re-read something comfy.
Teresa wrote: "Ron wrote: "I so rarely re-read a book, but King book would be the author I would choose. More troubling, there are King books that I've yet to read even once."Get going, Ron! You're in for an i..."
Teresa, I'm jealous that you're starting Finders Keepers! You know when you have that "too many books on my to-do list" problem? But, I am really liking the idea of going back to those King books.
"Quite the vision..." lol
I'm actually not big on reading books again, however I can understand what you're saying.
If I'm not sure what to read next, I kind of 'eeny-meeny' some obscure books I've already got but never read. Usually something light or humorous. I've discovered some gems that way.
I just started Finders Keepers this morning.
I didn't read all of his novels yet (nearly there!), and I already want to re-read lots of them. Last few days Pet Sematary is constantly on my mind (don't know why, it's not exactly one of my favorites).
Susan wrote: "I didn't read all of his novels yet (nearly there!), and I already want to re-read lots of them. Last few days Pet Sematary is constantly on my mind (don't know why, it's not exactly o..."Are you reading by order of release date?
Yes, I do. Great way to observe the development of King's writing.
While I don't think reading in publication order is necessary, I do think it's fun to catch the DT references as they occur that way.
I'm sure you have which is a big part of why so many people end up re-reading King once they discover the DT. All those little Easter eggs along the literary path...
With so many books to read and so little time I personally don't think I will ever re-read any book within five-ten years of reading it. If I re-read any book, King will probably be the last author I re-read, the plots are neither thrilling nor complicated enough to come back a second time.I just wonder how soon do people re-read books?
I want to re-read It again but have read The Stand several times. Especially the uncut updated version. Hope I never read Tommyknockers again!
Seán wrote: "I've come across a lot of people reading his stuff in chronological order. It seems to be a thing."I've been reading them chronologically for the most part, but that's just me and my slightly OCD need for keeping everything orderly and in sequence. :)
Kandice wrote: "While I don't think reading in publication order is necessary, I do think it's fun to catch the DT references as they occur that way."Yes, that's exactly why I can't wait to go back and reread them!
Aditya wrote: "With so many books to read and so little time I personally don't think I will ever re-read any book within five-ten years of reading it. If I re-read any book, King will probably be the last author..."I read a lot and especially when I have read a few books that are disappointing I like reading something I know I will love.
I'm also one who reads more for style than story so that also lends itself to re-reads.
I've read IT eleven times. The uncut version of The Stand eight times and the older version three times.
Charles wrote: "I've read IT eleven times. The uncut version of The Stand eight times and the older version three times."Wow! That's dedication! I re-read his books constantly, but haven't read any that many times. Probably some of the short fiction, but none of the doorstops.
In a sense, I don't like to reread books, because I feel as though I'm missing out on another book. However, I have done it. I'd say the main reason the I chose to reread was because although I enjoyed the books, it felt as though I'd missed something. This was the case with both Misery and Carrie; I'd read them when I was younger, but as I felt a bit more mature, I wanted to go over them again.
Reenie wrote: "In a sense, I don't like to reread books, because I feel as though I'm missing out on another book. However, I have done it. I'd say the main reason the I chose to reread was because although I enj..."I am a perpetual rereader! Rereads of books I enjoyed is just so...comfy! And when they are good you always pick up something you didn't before or because something has changed in your life different things resonate with you. For me anyway. :D
Kandice wrote: "Reenie wrote: "In a sense, I don't like to reread books, because I feel as though I'm missing out on another book. However, I have done it. I'd say the main reason the I chose to reread was because..."Yes, Kandice, I do see your point here. I have noticed that an event that perhaps didn't mean anything to you on the first read, now has you in tears.
I find that to reread an old favourite can sometimes get me out of a reading slump too.
It, Talisman, Salem's Lot, and The Shining. 3 times each.Of the others the only other one that I've read twice is Misery, Tommyknockers, and The Gunslinger.
I don't often repeatread books.
I never reread books, not even beloved King. Re-open them for favorite scenes maybe. Always hungry for the next big bestseller.
Dark Tower. Twice. That's 2 x 7, plus the add-on just once = 15
Misery three times, IT twice, and From A Buick 8 twice.
weirdly enpugh Hearts in Atlantis about three times
The books I've read the most would have to be Desperation and The Dead Zone. I've read them at least three times. I've also read certain Dark Tower books multiple times, but never read the entire series from start to finish more than once.
I rarely re-read books, but I've read IT twice. Loved it both times.I've also re-read the first three Dark Tower books, but the second time around was because I was translating them into Indonesian.
Oh, I've also re-read The Eye of the Dragon because the first time I read it I was wowed. It was probably one of the first fantasy novels I read. But when I read it the second time, I'd already read so many great fantasy books that The Eye pales in comparison.
I am an obsessive rereader, but of King's books, I think the titles I've reread the most are The Dead Zone and 'Salem's Lot. It could be twenty times each. I don't keep track, but I've been rereading them periodically since they were published. The Dead Zone is not my favorite King story, but the structure is magnificent and the town as a character in 'Salem's Lot gets me every time. No one does that like King.
Salem's Lot for sure. I get a craving to re-read it every single year. I don't why. I've probably read it 8-9-10? times since I first read it as a teenager.Second runner up would be the original seven Dark Tower books. I've read them all the way through 3-4 times, but I've probably read Drawing of the Three and the Waste Lands two times more than the others and W&G one time less, haha. Sorry, W&G, you took more time to grow on me, but you have.
But the last chapter of book 7, Coda, I've read at least 20 times. I think its the best writing I've ever read. Whenever I see it in a bookstore I pick it up and I have to stand there reading it til the last line. Every time I read the last line I get goosebumps. So good.
Wes wrote: "I've read IT eleven times. The uncut version of The Stand eight times and the older version three times."This is amazing. I just read IT for the second time. And I know one day I'll reach eleven times like you because it's just that good. I want to re-read it again right now (right here and now!)
I love re-reading books, and I think King is one of the authors whose books seem better every time.
This is an easy and hard question to answer. I have Read the Stand at least seven to eight times, the same with the long walk Carrie at least four times three, no four times for IT tommy knocker five for the Talisman, Green Mile, Apt pupil, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank redemption, Silver Bullet, and Eye of the Dragon. Two for all the rest. I think that covers it all LOL
I'm not a heavy duty re-reader, but when I find a book I like I often take it with me on road trips and listen to it with my family, that cranks up the numbers a bit, in light of that: Joyland - five times, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (a great book to listen to with teens and even pre-teens) - five times, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption - probably five, 11/22/63 - probably four, On my own, I've read On Writing - about eight times, W&G - four. Christine -four. Under the Dome - Three.
Kandice wrote: "I am an obsessive rereader, but of King's books, I think the titles I've reread the most are The Dead Zone and 'Salem's Lot. It could be twenty times each. I don;t keep tr..."I just started listening to the new audiobook of The Dead Zone. It's read by James Franco who seemed not to be doing so well when it started but now that' I've gotten into it sounds great. BTW, this is one of King's favorite books.
Nicole wrote: "Salem's Lot for sure. I get a craving to re-read it every single year. I don't why. I've probably read it 8-9-10? times since I first read it as a teenager.Second runner up would be the original ..."
I like this idea, Nicole, I'm going to get down my old copy of book 7 and give the coda a re-read.
Nicole wrote: "Salem's Lot for sure. I get a craving to re-read it every single year. I don't why. I've probably read it 8-9-10? times since I first read it as a teenager.Second runner up would be the original ..."
I'm with you on Coda. I don't know how many times I've read that part of the series and, like you said, goosebumps every time.
Nick wrote: "I just started listening to the new audiobook of The Dead Zone. It's read by James Franco who seemed not to be doing so well when it started but now that' I've gotten into it sounds great. BTW, this is one of King's favorite books.."It's Joe Hill's favorite book of his father's as well. I really want to listen to the Franco audio and did put my name on the waiting list at the library, but I'm number nine and may have to buy it first. I was not happy about Franco being cast in 11/22/63, but he completely owned that character so I am willing to give him a chance with the audio. I just hope he doesn't sound stoned as he reads, which I've noticed he sounds a lot.
Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "I just started listening to the new audiobook of The Dead Zone. It's read by James Franco who seemed not to be doing so well when it started but now that' I've gotten into it sounds gr..."Kandice: He does sound stoned when he starts out, but he gets better and better as he goes along. In the end, his voice seems perfect. BTW, I can't find your comment saying King doesn't write good sex scenes, but I wanted to ask you about it. I thought his scene in Hearts in Atlantis was very well done. But really, in your opinion who does write good scenes like these?
Nick said "BTW, I can't find your comment saying King doesn't write good sex scenes, but I wanted to ask you about it. I thought his scene in Hearts in Atlantis was very well done. But really, in your opinion who does write good scenes like these?" I'm not Kandice but I want to comment. He may not write good sex scenes but he can write a hell of a love story!
ElleEm is right! His love stories are amazing, but I always feel like his sex scenes are just off. I don't mean only because of the travesty in It either.
Kandice wrote: "ElleEm is right! His love stories are amazing, but I always feel like his sex scenes are just off. I don't mean only because of the travesty in It either."Okay, so I'll ask again... who gets it right? who writes sex scenes that ring true, aren't gratuitous but don't lessen the relationship of the characters in the story?
Nick wrote: "Kandice wrote: "ElleEm is right! His love stories are amazing, but I always feel like his sex scenes are just off. I don't mean only because of the travesty in It either."Okay, so I..."
Okay that would depend on whether you want to know about the physical meaning of love or the emotional meaning of love. Yes there is a difference, for example in J.R.R. Tolkien you can see the emotional meaning of love by Sam's willingness to please Frodo and do what ever it took to protect and help him. But in The Mammoth Hunters, by Jean Auel you see the Physical act of love between Ayla and Jondalar written in excessive detail at times. You also see the emotional side but not nearly as much as y do the physical side. She does a good job of showing Ayla's love for Rydag who she relates to her son.
Nick, that's a good question and I don't really have an answer because I don't read novels that contain a lot of sex. I have never read any of the 50 Shades of Gray novels and I doubt I ever will. I have been reading Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series (don't judge, lol, these are light reading and funny) and I think she does them well. Now they aren't full blown descriptions but you get the point and they are kind of steamy.
ElleEm wrote: "Nick, that's a good question and I don't really have an answer because I don't read novels that contain a lot of sex. I have never read any of the 50 Shades of Gray novels and I doubt I ever will. ..."Ellem, have you read the earth children by Jean M. Auel, I know I mentioned her acts or should I say her descriptions of physical love but in all honesty it isn't that often and it is fairly well written. OK my turn to admit to and ask not to be judged, it is considered a Chic Lit and yes it is my guilty pleasure. I know a sad old man LOL.
I can't NOT jump into this conversation. haha.I've always thought that King is good at writing love stories and sex scenes. I mean, there are the weird or disturbing scenes like in IT, but I guess those are different because they're MEANT to be "off". But I think that when KIng sets out to write a tender sex scene between two characters who you want to see together, they are done well, in my opinion. I mean the scene in the Dead Zone (view spoiler) or in Wizard and Glass with (view spoiler) [fans myself] Those are great scenes.
(I am ashamed to admit that I have dabbled in cheesy historical romances at times and, in comparison, King is pretty good at writing those "steamy" scenes. )
mrbooks wrote: "ElleEm wrote: "Nick, that's a good question and I don't really have an answer because I don't read novels that contain a lot of sex. I have never read any of the 50 Shades of Gray novels and I doub..."I think we're all allowed our own guilty pleasures. And I've read part of that Jean M Auel series. ( I think up to book three). What I read was pretty enjoyable.
I don't know what's a more damning admission, the fact that I read romance novels or that I write novels. But I started reading romance novels just so that I could write these kinds of scenes. I think King does it really well... even in The Shining, especially in The Dead Zone W & G and Hearts in Atlantis. I liked 50 shades, but the sex scenes in those books are terrible. If you want to read well-written romance try Sherry Thomas, a woman who came to the US from China with no knowledge of English and now is an excellent writer. I'm going to have to reread one of her books so that I can review it.
Me. Brooks, I have read the first four in that series and the first three were great. She does do a good job with writing those scenes Nick, thanks for the recommendation and I will pay closer attention next time King throws in a sex scene.
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