Top 10 scariest books of all time

[Kathy]

Tisha, I just recently read Dreamcatcher and I absolutely loved it! I have been told my many people to skip the movie, though.

[Kathy]

It has been a long time since I read Audrey Rose. I think I was high school. Besides the fact that I really liked it, I don't remember much else......I think its time for a re-read!

[Shannon]

Jesse,

Oh my gosh, I didn't even know there was an expanded version, so the original sounds fine if that's what you have!! I just picked up Shantaram as I think a few others are going to read along together and I don't think I can handle both of these BIG books at one time, so how does end of September or October sound to read it?

[Lorena]

Tisha - I did read Dreamcatcher, and I have to say I was not very impressed with neither the book or the movie. The book was OK, but I have a thing about bowels, I don't find them either funny nor creepy, and this book, well was just so full of bowel references that just made me grossed out, not scare. I couldn't eat for a couple of days after reading a few of the chapters.
As for the movie, the visual part of it was beautiful, the setting, the mountains, the first 20 minutes of it was great and then something happened and it went downhill from there, not to mention they changed the ending of the book!!!

[[deleted user]]

Shannon, October sounds great for THE STAND. I'm reading DRACULA that month too. Yes, King's original version runs about 800 or so pages in my hardback copy. The unexpurgated version, released twelve years later, is almost 400 pages longer, if I'm not mistaken. When King turned in the original, he was still not in a position to override Doubleday, his publisher. By 1990, he could publish his grocery list if he wanted...lol. Just my opinion, but I think his lack of editorial discipline has hurt some of his books since the 90s.

[Shannon]

Jesse, October it is. I'm hoping to pick up Dracula as well, since I haven't read that either. I think the time of year will be perfect for both books, I love a good scare. I agree, I haven't been too happy with King's most recent books and that definitely explains why. We'll stick to the original then.

[[deleted user]]

Very good. Do you have a copy? If not, you'll probably have to find it in a used bookstore because the "official edition" is the longer version.

[Lorena]

Jesse, I am planning an Autumm of all things creepy ... I bought the Shinning, Cell, A Dirty Job and planning to get Dracula and a few others for my wish list. I can't wait!

[[deleted user]]

Or of course your library may have it.

[[deleted user]]

Hey Lorena. You haven't read THE SHINING yet, if I remember correctly. That book and CUJO began my literary love affair with King...haha. THE SHINING is my favorite of his books by far, although I hear nothing but great things about THE STAND.

[[deleted user]]

And THE SHINING, for me, did what great books do. I read it when I was 12 and it just scared the s%*& out of me because of the supernatural elements. I read it again a few years back and I was terrified not so much by the ghosts as by the plight of the family. Of course I'm married with kids, so I've changed. And so the book changed for me, while maintaining its power. This is the power of books.

[[deleted user]]

If you do read it, let me know. I'm up for SHINING talk anytime. I just love that book.

[Lorena]

That sounds awesome, I'll give you guys a heads up, maybe if there is enough interest we can start a thread then. ;o)

BTW the shinning is highly recommended by a few others here, so you are not alone on your love for it ...

[[deleted user]]

Cool. I'm interested in your thoughts about CELL too. I tried, but could not get into that one. Unfortunately, I've had that problem with several of his later books, except for BAG OF BONES.

[Hayley]

jesse, I've got the new version of The Stand and its brilliant, I have been advised to read the new version by everyone who has read both. I can't wait to have a discussion about it.

I love Cell it is one of my favourites of his recent work. I think that he works the apoloytic(sp)story so well.

[[deleted user]]

Hayley,

Oh yeah? Hmmm, maybe I'll just be forced to walk into a bookstore and get it...lol. Don't twist my arm...lol.

[Charity]

I'm game. I've never read a King novel and The Stand has been on my TBR list forever. I feel like I'm missing out by not having read his books.

[Lorena]

So October it is people!!! We have a date with the Stand (I'll buy it) and then I'll read the Shinning, and cell. It would be like a S.King mini binge for me LOL

[[deleted user]]

Jump in Charity. Let's all read THE STAND in October.

[Shannon]

Yeah for all THE STAND readers! I think I have a copy of the original version at home, but Hayley has heard good things about the expanded version so which one shall we go for? I have a Borders gift card burning a big hole in my pocket ;o)

[[deleted user]]

The expanded version is probably easier to obtain. You guys let me know what you decide, so I can make sure I have the right version.

[Charity]

I'll probably be reading the as-King-had-intended expanded edition. Easier to obtain, like Jesse said, and I'll want the whole story.

[Shannon]

Sounds like a plan.

[Lorena]

Woo Hoo we'll start a thread later on when we get started ;o)

[[deleted user]]

Sounds good, people. So we're decided on expanded edition?

[Lorena]

I will take whatever you guys decide since I have to buy it anyway (I don't do the library thing, I have possesive issues, can't let go of a book once it enters the house)

[Dylan]

Vanessa if you liked Funnelweb than you'll love Breeding Ground by Sarah Pinborough. I love all of her books. Breeding Ground's about alien spiders that were born through pregnant women and they start taking over the world. The book takes place in England. It's very well written and creepy. You'll love it. :D

[Dylan]

The Stand sounds awesome! I've been trying to read it for a year now and just coudn't find the time to read such a huge book. But I'm game for October. :D

[[deleted user]]

Well it figures. I went to the used book store to pick up an expanded STAND and they only had a copy of the original version...lol...Which ever version we agree on, I'll find a copy before October.

[Hayley]

Lisa that is the expanded version, it is complete and uncut because the version that was published first was edited and bits cut from it. I read this book in just under a week and couldn't put it down love it and can't wait to discuss it with you guys:)

[Lorena]

Man I can't wait for October now, and I better get reading faster because I have like 10 books to finish before then and all of them are like 500+ pages ... when did reading become a pressure ***LOL***

[Sherry]

Hmmm...I just might join you guys.The Stand is one of my all time faves.

[Rachelle]

I loved The Stand, it was the first one I ever read of his and I filched it from my dad. I woke up screaming for a week after I was done reading it, I was convinced the world was ending!!

[Hayley]

hehe thats quite funny Rachelle - it is a brilliant book.

[Lorena]

We will create a thread once we get started for all of your opinions ... this should be fun!

[Hayley]

yay, go Lorena, I'll have to get my copy out and brush up on my knowledge lol I don't want to put uninformed information in there!!!

[Tim (Mole) The Gunslinger]

Ive read both versions the extended version is better!It just explains more on how it happened I dont want to spoil!

[Chloe]

when did reading become a pressure ***LOL***

Lorena, I'm pretty sure that it coincided with membership in this group. :-)

[Charity]

Amen Logan!

[Lorena]

Yeah ... its TNBBC's fault! *** LOL ***

[alicia]

A thread of my favorite genre and i missed it! Yikes
I loved The Shining,Misery,by King
The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum
Haunted by Douglas Clegg.Bad Things by Tamara Thorne.In The Dark Richard Laymon.

[Kathy]

I'm totally game about reading The Stand in October with everybody! I have been itching for a re-read for awhile now. I wouldn't read anything but the extended version since I read it last. You have to read it as Stephen King intended, I think. I read the shorter version the first time, but so much is left out.

[[deleted user]]

Alright, so I'm getting so hyped about reading THE STAND. And since the extended version is soooo long, I'm going to order it online (gives me a good excuse..hehe) and start reading in September. Can't wait to read it and talk about it with you guys.

[Mandy]

Woohoo, glad I found this, I'm in for The Stand also in October, can't wait!!

[Shannon]

Yay! I will order the extended version as well and will be ready for October. :)

[Cookiesue9x]

The books that scared me most (and seem tame by today's standards)
1) Jaws by Benchly(I stayed up ALL night reading this book in Houston at a Nurse's state meeting and we were going to Galveston the next day(Galveston is on the Gukf of Mexico) Bum.ba...bum...ba
2) The Stand by Stephen King
3)Cujo by Stephen King
4)Rosemary's Baby by Levin(?), I read this when pregnant with my second (middle) daughter, and have always laughingly(?) said it "marked her for life"

[Dylan]

I've always wanted to read Jaws. Is it still in print? And is it better than the movie?

[Chloe]

Dylan, I read Jaws when I was really young and I still have a deep and abiding terror of the ocean. It should still be in print, I don't foresee it ever going out of print actually. Benchley is a good writer with a solid grounding in marine science so you get a more detailed book than than the movie, which always serves to heighten tension for me. Drown me in details and I'm happy. You should also check out Benchley's Beast if you ever had a fascination with giant squid.

I had totally forgotten about the "killer creatures of the sea" phase that I went through as a kid. I read a lot of freaky books.

[Dylan]

Thanks I'll look for it sometime.

[Lori, Super Mod]

With all this prepping for future reads, we might never need to have a group nom/vote session again!!!!

That would make my job 100xs easier...heehee..
I read The Stand eons ago, and barely remember it. This is going to be an October read, right? Thatll give me time to get a copy. I think that is one of the few King books I couldnt get off my mom. I too was a young reader of King... He was my first adult author!