Stephen King Reading Challenge
So I finished Under the Dome on early Monday morning bringing my read count to 43. It’s a good thing I like his writing or I’d be scared of the remaining 18 books. Of course, with my luck before I get around to finishing this there will be more, at least there’s no end to the challenge so I have plenty of time to read them all.
I really enjoyed Under the Dome it was a neat mix of old and new. The story opens with what appears to be a perfectly normal day in a small Maine town and quickly descends into chaos, fear, and the best and worst of human nature. While I’ve seen it compared to The Stand, and on some levels feel it’s accurate, Under the Dome covers a much shorter length of time and demonstrates just how quickly the best and worst can be brought out of us. The ending is simple and eloquent and came as a pleasant surprise to me.
Warning to the faint at heart the body count is high, the details are graphic, and the language not always pristine. Then again this is a King novel and none of that should come as a shock. A must read for all King fans and anyone who enjoys a book that is part thriller, part horror, part reflection on human nature.
Stephen King Challenge
Books: 43 / 61 (70%)
The Published Works of Stephen King
- 1974 – Carrie (2 times)
- 1975 – Salem’s Lot (2 times)
- 1977 – The Shining (2 times)
- 1977 – +Rage (as Richard Bachman)
- 1978 – Night Shift
- 1978 – The Stand (5 times)
- 1979 – *The Long Walk (as Richard Bachman)
- 1979 – The Dead Zone
- 1980 – Firestarter
- 1981 – *Road Work (as Richard Bachman)
- 1981 – Cujo (3 times)
- 1981 – Danse Macabre
- 1982 – The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
- 1982 – *The Running Man (as Richard Bachman)
- 1982 – Different Seasons
- 1983 – Christine
- 1983 – Pet Sematary (2 times)
- 1983 – Cycle of the Werewolf
- 1984 – The Talisman (written with Peter Straub)
- 1984 – Thinner (as Richard Bachman)
- 1985 – Skeleton Crew
- 1985 – The Bachman Books (as Richard Bachman)
- 1986 – It
- 1987 – The Eyes of the Dragon
- 1987 – Misery (3 times)
- 1987 – The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three
- 1988 - The Tommyknockers
- 1988 – Dark Visions
- 1989 – The Dark Half
- 1990 – Four Past Midnight
- 1991 – Needful Things (2 times)
- 1991 – The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands
- 1992 – Gerald’s Game
- 1993 – Dolores Claiborne
- 1993 – Nightmares & Dreamscapes
- 1994 – Insomnia (2 times)
- 1995 – Rose Madder
- 1995 – Umney’s Last Case
- 1996 – The Green Mile (3 times)
- 1996 – Desperation
- 1996 – The Regulators (as Richard Bachman)
- 1997 – Six Stories
- 1997 - The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
- 1998 - Bag of Bones
- 1999 – Storm of the Century
- 1999 – The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
- 1999 – Hearts in Atlantis
- 2000 – Secret Windows
- 2000 – On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2 times)
- 2000 – Dreamcatcher
- 2001 – Black House (written with Peter Straub)
- 2002 – From a Buick 8
- 2002 – Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales
- 2003 – The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla
- 2004 – The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah
- 2004 – The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower
- 2005 – The Colorado Kid
- 2006 – The Secretary of Dreams
- 2006 – Cell
- 2006 – Lisey’s Story
- 2007 – Blaze (as Richard Bachman)
- 2008 – Duma Key
- 2008 – Just After Sunset
- 2009 – Under the Dome – 11/30/09
- 2010 – Billy Blockade
- 2010 – Full Dark, No Stars
* – These titles were re-released in a collection called The Bachman Books in 1985
+ – Rage was included in The Bachman Books from 1985 to 1997 when it was removed at the author’s request.
James Patterson Reading Challenge
So I sat down this morning with my first cup of coffee and finished the first Alex Cross book, Along Came A Spider. I must admit that I had previously relied on the movie to get me through the few books I have read in this series, serious mistake.
Along Came A Spider starts in typical Patterson fashion throwing us right into the middle of the action. We get a look not only inside the mind of Alex Cross detective/psychologist, but a look inside the mind of Gary Soneji/Murphy a brilliant serial killer/kidnapper who has been planning the ultimate crime for years.
This book was fast paced, gritty, and at times utterly and completely terrifying. There were just enough plot twists to keep it interesting, although the speed at which it ends is abrupt condsidering the amount of time building to the finish.
All in all a good read that I’d recommend to anyone interested in crime, thrillers, or just a good story.
Alex Cross Series
- Along Came A Spider – 11/24/2009
- Kiss the Girls
- Jack & Jill
- Cat & Mouse
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Roses Are Red
- Violets Are Blue
- Four Blind Mice
- The Big Bad Wolf
- London Bridges
- Mary Mary
- Cross
- Double Cross
- Cross Country
- Alex Cross’ Trial (not part of the series)
- I Alex Cross
James Patterson Challenge
Books: 10 / 10 (100%)
I’m glad I’ve got one of these crossed off the list as I will be doing nothing but reading Under the Dome (Stephen King) for the next seven days. Got to love those non-reservable copies and the lady who was returning it as I walked out the library door. In I went right back in and it’s mine for seven days and seven days only. Wish me luck.
Women’s Murder Club Reading Challenge
Wow, I’d forgotten just how quickly Patterson reads. I think it has something to do with the short chapter length, keeps that feeling of moving forward ever present. Completing both of the Patterson Challenges may be easier than I thought.
This is definitely a jump right in kind of story, you are immediately thrown into the life and mind of Lindsay Boxer, a homicide inspector, who is facing a serious health crisis that causes her to question her life. She forms the “murder club” with Claire Washburn (medical examiner), Jill Bernhardt (A.D.A.), and Cindy Thomas (reporter) in order to help solve a series murders involving newlyweds. We get to see the story unfold not only from the perspective of these four amazing female characters; but from the perspective of the killer, who’s identity is a total surprise.
I really like how Patterson develops these characters, there is a real sense of who they are and how they view the world. The main storyline weaves nicely through the small asides that allow a deeper look into the main characters and their worlds. There were a few times I would have liked the pace to slow just a little but overall it was a great read.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, suspense, crime, drama, and even a little romance.
- Women’s Murder Club Series
- 1st to Die
- 2nd Chance
- 3rd Degree
- 4th of July
- 5th Horseman
- 6th Target
- 7th Heaven
- 8th Confession
Women's Murder Club Challenge
Books: 8 / 8 (100%)
James Patterson Reading Challenge
This is another great reading challenge from Yvonne of Socrates’ Book Reviews. Just read any 10 James Patterson books between August 15, 2009 (late again you see) and August 15, 2010. Audio and Ebooks are acceptable, previously read books are not.
Yvonne has provided linkies for sign up and reviews, and will post one for completion later in the challenge. You need to use the direct links to your posts (permalinks) not a link to your blog.
I’ve read a few of the Alex Cross books, but couldn’t pick out more than one for sure and I know what I read wasn’t in order, so I look at this as the perfect opportunity to start at the first Alex Cross novel, Along Came A Spider, and work my way through to the end, currently I Alex Cross. That’s more than ten books, fifteen if I’ve counted them right plus a bonus book “by” Alex Cross, but I’m unlikely to get through more than ten in the time I’ve got left.
As I read the books I will change the title color from my standard text color to navy.
Alex Cross Series
- Along Came A Spider
- Kiss the Girls
- Jack & Jill
- Cat & Mouse
- Pop Goes the Weasel
- Roses Are Red
- Violets Are Blue
- Four Blind Mice
- The Big Bad Wolf
- London Bridges
- Mary Mary
- Cross
- Double Cross
- Cross Country
- Alex Cross’ Trial (not part of the series)
- I Alex Cross
Women’s Murder Club Reading Challenge
I’m a few months late to this one; but I’m motivated to do it. I started this series when it was first published and kept up through the fourth book. Then I just never went back to them.
Last month I picked up the first book again and wondered if I should reread them and finish the series, finding this challenge answers that question. YES!
The goal of this challenge is simply to read all the existing titles in James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series between August 15, 2009 (told you I was late) and August 15, 2010. Yvonne provides linking for signing up, reviews during the challenge, and later in the challenge a linky for completion. Her only request is that you only count books read during the challenge and that you link to directly to posts (permalinks) not your blog.
I’ll update with a new post each time I finish a book and change the color of the title in the list from my standard text color to purple. There are eight titles currently published in this series:
- 1st to Die
- 2nd Chance
- 3rd Degree
- 4th of July
- 5th Horseman
- 6th Target
- 7th Heaven
- 8th Confession
Stephen King/Richard Bachman Reading Challenge
The goal of this challenge is simply to read all the works of Stephen King/Richard Bachman. There is no limit to time and you are free to include books you read before the challenge started.
Since Stephen King was the first adult author I ever read and I continue to love his work today I thought this was a perfect challenge for me. A good way to motivate myself to read anything I haven’t already read.
Below is a list of the published works of Stephen King, books that are in red are the books I have read, the four in pink were read as the collected work The Bachman Books. If I’ve read a book more than once I will note it after the title. It should be noted that not all of these works are currently in print and that some works include previously published works.
The Published Works of Stephen King
- 1974 – Carrie (2 times)
- 1975 – Salem’s Lot (2 times)
- 1977 – The Shining (2 times)
- 1977 – +Rage (as Richard Bachman)
- 1978 – Night Shift
- 1978 – The Stand (5 times)
- 1979 – *The Long Walk (as Richard Bachman)
- 1979 – The Dead Zone
- 1980 – Firestarter
- 1981 – *Road Work (as Richard Bachman)
- 1981 – Cujo (3 times)
- 1981 – Danse Macabre
- 1982 – The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
- 1982 – *The Running Man (as Richard Bachman)
- 1982 – Different Seasons
- 1983 – Christine
- 1983 – Pet Sematary (2 times)
- 1983 – Cycle of the Werewolf
- 1984 – The Talisman (written with Peter Straub)
- 1984 – Thinner (as Richard Bachman)
- 1985 – Skeleton Crew
- 1985 – The Bachman Books (as Richard Bachman)
- 1986 – It
- 1987 – The Eyes of the Dragon
- 1987 – Misery (3 times)
- 1987 – The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three
- 1988 - The Tommyknockers
- 1988 – Dark Visions
- 1989 – The Dark Half
- 1990 – Four Past Midnight
- 1991 – Needful Things (2 times)
- 1991 – The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands
- 1992 – Gerald’s Game
- 1993 – Dolores Claiborne
- 1993 – Nightmares & Dreamscapes
- 1994 – Insomnia (2 times)
- 1995 – Rose Madder
- 1995 – Umney’s Last Case
- 1996 – The Green Mile (3 times)
- 1996 – Desperation
- 1996 – The Regulators (as Richard Bachman)
- 1997 – Six Stories
- 1997 - The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
- 1998 - Bag of Bones
- 1999 – Storm of the Century
- 1999 – The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
- 1999 – Hearts in Atlantis
- 2000 – Secret Windows
- 2000 – On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2 times)
- 2000 – Dreamcatcher
- 2001 – Black House (written with Peter Straub)
- 2002 – From a Buick 8
- 2002 – Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales
- 2003 – The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla
- 2004 – The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah
- 2004 – The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower
- 2005 – The Colorado Kid
- 2006 – The Secretary of Dreams
- 2006 – Cell
- 2006 – Lisey’s Story
- 2007 – Blaze (as Richard Bachman)
- 2008 – Duma Key
- 2008 – Just After Sunset
- 2009 – Under the Dome
- 2010 – Billy Blockade
- 2010 – Full Dark, No Stars
* – These titles were re-released in a collection called The Bachman Books in 1985
+ – Rage was included in The Bachman Books from 1985 to 1997 when it was removed at the author’s request.
