Books Stephen King Recommends discussion
This topic is about
The Passage
Dec 2011 - Jan 2012 Group Read
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The Passage by Justin Cronin General Discussion
looks like I should be starting this read before Christmas and finishing up while onboard a ship in the Caribean. I can deal with that! ;)
I have had this book on my TBR pile sine it came out! Forgot about so now going to read it next!Cindy
Mod
Did you know this is the first book in a planned series of three? The second book is due out in 2012. You can read more here (be warned, there are SPOILERS):
Justin Cronin Interview
You are sooooo going to love this book, its great.
When this book first came out - I did not know that - but have heard about the other 2 from various discussions here on Goodreads.
This book is 100% amazing!
I am so excited to start reading this book, but I am reading another one right now and will finish that one first, then on to The Passage!!
I'm about 150 pages into this book. Glad I got an early start because there is NO way I can finish this book before my e-copy from the library is going to terminate. There are 2 other people with a hold on the book so it'll be at least a month before I can get back to it. In the meantime I'll finish reading SK's 11/22/63.
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Yeah, this one is pretty big! Hope you don't have to wait too long to borrow the book again, Lonnie!
I loved The Passage! I am going to use notes from a previous discussion thread on another group to post on the parts I through IV threads today and on the postscript. Each of my comments leaves a summary of how I felt at the end of each part and the questions I had in my mind as I read up to that point. I may not be able to add additional comments "safely" at each stopping point without going too far ahead, but hope my questions help spark some good conversations. Lonnie - I am reading 11/22/63 now and loving it!
I must agree with Sai King, Debra! As I listened to The Passage on audio, the real world disappeared.
Debra wrote: "Stephen King called The Passage "enthralling", and said that "It has the vividness that only epic works of fantasy and imagination can achieve." He also said: "Read this an the ordinary world disappears." "
Mod
I would love to re-read this book, but there are just so many other books that are waiting to be read!
I just got my copy, so I will be joining in the discussion later on !!!
I'm afraid I won't get to this one until January!!! :(
Got it for Christmas, so I'm in!
Mod
With all the spoiler alerts on the other threads, I'm afraid to even open them! :-) I've started reading and I'm certainly wrapped up in the story line, if a bit impatient to see how many of these characters that have been developed in such detail play important roles later on. Lacey is a good example. Once I finish Part One, I can at least get in on that discussion.
I forgot my book on a friends car last week doing last minute X-mas shopping.. as soon as I get it back I will continue ...
I'm debating on starting this one now - I think I am getting intimated by the size, I don't want to take a month to read this book - how is it going so far for everyone who just recently started????
Mod
I can't put it down. It's a page-turner, so far. I think you might be surprised at how fast you get through it.
I'm nearly finished but one thing that is bugging me is the point of view keeps changing and sometimes I am on the second page of the chapter before I realize who is writing (sometimes Pete, sometimes Alicia, etc.).
Mod
I wanted to point out that there is no need to use the spoiler tag to hide spoilers when discussing specifics sections of a book, as the group agreed that each section of a book could be discussed freely without using them. The only exception is this "general discussion" thread. This thread is only for general discussion and should not include anything that would spoil the story for anyone.
This is why I include the words "SPOILER ALERT" in the title of each book's section discussion thread. This is to warn folks they shouldn't read any book section discussion until they've read that part of the story.
Hope that makes sense.
Happy reading!
I know this makes me odd man out, but I'm sorta iffy about this one. At first I was very enthused, but that seemed to change the more I actually knew.
Mod
That must be frustrating. I hope it picks up for you. But, I'm sure the book isn't everyone's cup of tea. I'll look forward to reading your comments, even if they aren't positive. It makes for good discussion!
Ok, I started last night - going pretty good so far.....
Lonnie: I listened to it on audio and I think that helped with the POV, but gave me fits keeping up with the timeline. Not sure which trade-off is better. ;)Lonnie wrote: "I'm nearly finished but one thing that is bugging me is the point of view keeps changing and sometimes I am on the second page of the chapter before I realize who is writing (sometimes Pete, someti..."
Debra wrote: "blackbara wrote: "I know this makes me odd man out, but I'm sorta iffy about this one. At first I was very enthused, but that seemed to change the more I actually knew."That must be frustrating. ..."
I think for one thing, that reading as I do, in bits and pieces rather than a long sit-down time, that the POV shifts are bothering me. And I also think I've read one too many apocalyptic stories lately! But I'll keep reading.
Does the 2nd book come out this year?? Does anyone know???
I really want to start talking about this book, but I don't think I am far enough, I am still in part I.
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It does come out in 2012, but no month has been posted, yet.
Mod
That's ok, Linda. The discussion threads aren't going to go away. lol
very true - I guess I want everyones opinion so far - I will just have to get thru part I first, then I can read the spoilers and start talking!!!! :)
My thoughts exactly, Amber!Amber wrote: "I thought I had read that it doesn't come out until the end of summer, but I don't know where I would have seen that. What I DO know is that I'm anxiously awaiting it's release!"
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I will be adding my comments on the last sections of the book later this evening.
OMG Debra, you are done!!! when did you start - clearly you are a much faster reader than I am.......
Linda: It took me from August 17 to September 24 to finish The Passage. I listened to it on audio and was sorry to see it end. Linda wrote: "OMG Debra, you are done!!! when did you start - clearly you are a much faster reader than I am......."
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I'm apparently a very fast reader, and read The Passage in about 3 days. It was a page-turner for me. Not sure if this is an indication, but I read 157 books in 2011. Is that a lot? I'm challenging myself to 175 for 2012.
I'm going back through the book and writing down a few notes for the discussion, cause I've got some unanswered questions and know there are things I hope will be covered in the rest of the trilogy.
I'm going to be adding those comments soon, I promise! (Got to stop reading 1Q84, which is fantastic, btw, and get my comments in for The Passage! My bad!)
Mod
"
It takes longer to "read" a book on audio. But it can be very rewarding. I'm glad you liked it, Ann!
Debra: I piggy backed audio and Kindle versions to finish 11/22/63 in a shorter window, and yes, audio books take longer but are well worth it for the immersion into the story with a good narrator. I love my audio books and listen every day, mostly while in the car, but often also on my Nano or Sansa Clip+ MP3 player.
I read 63 books in 2011 and 21 of them were on audio. I sometimes read more books in a year, but about that number of audio books per year is consistent for me.
Debra wrote: "Linda wrote: "OMG Debra, you are done!!! when did you start - clearly you are a much faster reader than I am......."I'm apparently a very fast reader, and read The Passage in about 3 days. It w..."
Uhhhh, yes 175 is a lot!!!! My challenge for 2011 was 104, I got to 95 including print books and audio, but I started audio's late in the year. This year my challenge is 100. I am sure that I will make that goal. I also agree with you and Debra regarding audio books, some do take longer to listen to, Like I am listening to
by Louise Penny and it seems to be taking forever, even though the book is only 7 discs. I think it is because there are a lot of things going on in this book.
Mod
blackbara wrote: "I know this makes me odd man out, but I'm sorta iffy about this one. At first I was very enthused, but that seemed to change the more I actually knew."I wasn't enthusiastic after Part 1, but there were numerous passages in the rest of the book that I thought were outstanding. Have you finished it? If not, I'd be interested to hear how you feel at the end.
BTW - Please Check out the "Special opportunity for SK fans" under the "Having Fun Yet" discussion.
mmm, seems I won't get my book back until a couple of weeks, I guess I'll be finishing it after the discussion has ended. I'm already past mad, now I'm just sad !!! :(
I'm so sorry Scarlet!! Well - just know that we will be here to talk with you after you get your book back....
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Yeah, no worries. We aren't going anywhere! I'm sure the discussion will continue for a while.
I just got a Nook! I opted for the black & white - not back lit as all color versions are - because of my reading habits, which include reading myself to sleep. Hours a day on my computer at work are hard enough on my eyes as it is; I don't need to compound that. I very rarely listen to audio books other in my car, my penchant for music coupled with a nice stereo usually trumps what I listen to while driving. My daughter and I like to read to each other while in the car, less so now that she is away at college. I especially enjoy our ongoing commentary while reading to each other.My average number of books read per year is something over 100, probably closer to 150, and has been in that range for a number of years. I expect that number to increase, especially now with audio books available to borrow free at our Library. We'll be getting downloadable ebooks on Valentine's Day, with audio books becoming available the following month.
I 'love' my Library.
I really need to get going on this book, I am loving it, but keep getting distracted by other stuff. This is what happens to me when I am reading a large book.... sigh.....
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Stephen King called The Passage "enthralling", and said that "It has the vividness that only epic works of fantasy and imagination can achieve." He also said: "Read this an the ordinary world disappears."
More from King: "You've heard about this ripping (literally) yarn; summer's the perfect time to read it. Zombie vampires called ''virals'' overwhelm the world, and mankind's only hope rests with an immortal little girl from Iowa. The book's white-hot center is a rousing chase set on a train racing balls-to-the-wall through the Nevada desert. If it doesn't raise your pulse, you're probably a viral yourself."