Recommendations for a Stephen King fan.

[PG4003]

Originally Posted by Simon Wood

I would agree with Dean Koontz. Some of his books are a little ropey at times, but my favorites are: INTENSITY, VELOCITY, STRANGE HIGHWAYS, LIGHTENING.

Another book worth checking out just for the characters is Scott Smith's A SIMPLE PLAN. King raved about the book when it came out.

I'm a huge Stephen King fan also - I can't find anyone else who writes like he does. I just finished Scott Smith's A SIMPLE PLAN and I have mixed feelings about it. I didn't think it's anything like King's writing. I don't want to give any spoilers, but the moral issues in this book were disturbing.

[MelC]

Don't forget about Joe Hill. Apples and trees and all.

Mel

[idraw22]

Hi,

I think Stephen King was a fan of Ray Bradbury too. Some of his short stories seem simiiar to Bradbury too. Well, that's why I fell for King. But try him.

[Rique]

Originally Posted by Simon Wood

I would agree with Dean Koontz. Some of his books are a little ropey at times, but my favorites are: INTENSITY, VELOCITY, STRANGE HIGHWAYS, LIGHTENING.

Another book worth checking out just for the characters is Scott Smith's A SIMPLE PLAN. King raved about the book when it came out.

A Simple Plan is one of my all-time favorites. A terrific job of writing. I did not like his second (The Ruins) as much, but A Simple Plan is terrific.

As for Koontz, I find him too formulaic for the most part, however Intensity is quite good, I would agree. And Lightening.

-- Riq

[beespeckled]

I would also suggest Dean Koontz & King's son, Joe Hill. John Sau.

Robert McCammon, Swan Song. I loved Swan Song. One of my favorite all time books is McCammon's Boy's Life, a coming of age story w/spookiness.

John Connolly The Book of Lost Things a very entertaining, clever as well as a touching coming of age story. It has all the elements, creepy, black humor, adventure. David is an angry 12 year old boy grieving for the loss of his mother. Brooding in his attic room w/his books, he starts to hear the books whispering to him. I loved this book!

[Magnesus]

Koji Suzuki is similar but quite exotic at times (for me).
I also find George R. R. Martin's new fantasy series (A Song of Ice and Fire) similar in some regards.

[Rique]

Originally Posted by Magnesus

Koji Suzuki is similar but quite exotic at times (for me).
I also find George R. R. Martin's new fantasy series (A Song of Ice and Fire) similar in some regards.

I love GRRM, but to call ASOIAF "new" is just a little bit "off":

A Song of Ice and Fire:
o A Game of Thrones, Bantam Books, 1996
o A Clash of Kings, Bantam Books, 1999
o A Storm of Swords, Bantam Books, 2000
o A Feast for Crows, Bantam Books, 2005

I would recommend the series to anyone who loves the Fantasy genre (I call GRMM's work "adult fantasy", with a healthy sprinkling of medieval politics and history seasoning the offering).

However - be prepared to love it - and to get frustrated waiting for the next book in the series. There was a five year lag from A Storm of Swords to A Feast for Crows - and we have been waiting for the fifth book ("A Dance with Dragons") for five years and counting the days until six. When A Feast for Crows was published, the author rashly said we'd have Book 5 within a year - and it's been 5. Hence, the frustration.

So, if you have not read ASOIAF - and you decide to - I bet you will love it. And I bet you will join in with the thousands of fans who regulary check GRRMs "Not a Blog" (desperate for news of the next installment) - and who hope and pray for Martin's continued good health, welfare and inspiration!

Enjoy - if you dare.

[pamirick]

I'm an enormous fan of Stephen King as well, and I've read nearly everything he has ever published. I'm currently reading "Under the Dome" and I'm very happy with it. I would have to agree with many other posters here about Dean Koontz. His style is a bit different, but I've thoroughly enjoyed his "Odd Thomas" series, and I thought that "Life Expectancy" was one of the most entertaining books I have ever read, by any author. Another book by Dean Koontz that I really liked was "Intensity", but let me tell you, it was definitely an intense book.

[Magnesus]

Originally Posted by Rique

I love GRRM, but to call ASOIAF "new" is just a little bit "off":

Yeah, sorry. How time flies! I started reading the series in 2003 probably, so I didn't noticed the lags so much.

I personally don't like Dean Koontz books - every one I read had almost the same construction. You read one - you read them all.

[Rique]

Originally Posted by Magnesus

Yeah, sorry. How time flies! I started reading the series in 2003 probably, so I didn't noticed the lags so much.

No worries!

Originally Posted by Magnesus

personally don't like Dean Koontz books - every one I read had almost the same construction. You read one - you read them all.

I don't disagree - Koontz is formulaic. Still, I used to read him a lot until I moved on... and Intensity, among some others (read "Tick Tock" for a good laugh) are enjoyable.

-- Riq