These books become weirder and weirder with each volume, and this one is the weirdest so far.
To say that I didn't enjoy Wolves of the Calla would be aThese books become weirder and weirder with each volume, and this one is the weirdest so far.
To say that I didn't enjoy Wolves of the Calla would be a lie, but the book was too long. Though I love King when he writes big books, but this one was unnecessarily huge and 150-200 pages could have been cut off. This is one of the cases when King turns wordy.
Nevertheless, the book was entertaining and the characters were great, especially Jake, whose character-arc evolve dramatically but powerfully.
I loved meeting once again that character from 'Salem's Lot. His character and story were so much fun and terrifying.
And lastly, I had some issues with the last act. I wanted something mind-blowing to take place, alas, I wasn't satisfied.
Very good one but not great, but highly-recommended....more
We're all walking the green mile, sooner or later.
The Green Mile was the first book that I have read for #ConstantKingathon, a Stephen King marathon tWe're all walking the green mile, sooner or later.
The Green Mile was the first book that I have read for #ConstantKingathon, a Stephen King marathon that I've co-hosted with 2 friends on Bookstagram. It was also our pick for "the co-hosts' buddy-read" challenge, and we've read it with a bunch of other people.
When I started The Green Mile, it's been more than 6 months since I finished and enjoyed a Stephen King book. I tried reading Insomnia in the fall of 2019, and sadly, because I couldn't stand the fillers, I ended-up DFNing it; because of that, I was anxious that Stephen King might no longer remain as my favorite author of all-time . . . and boy, I was wrong!
Having read over 46 Stephen King books and loved more than 30 of them, I can tell you right away that The Green Mile is one of his best works; or if you would prefer: Simply, one of his masterpieces.
With The Green Mile, King has created some of his career's best characters, crafted with masterful ambiguity, many creations who were deep and tormented souls, who wanted nothing but to do good and BE good. Shining among them the most is the unforgettable and wonderful John Coffey.
Since I've seen the classic adaptation many times during my childhood and adolescence, I read John's dialogue, every time he spoke, in the voice of the great Michael Clarke Duncan, who played the role faithfully.
Our narrator, and main character, Paul Edgecombe, who, several decades later, is telling us what happened in 1932, is another outstanding King character. He is completely fleshed out; his flaws, goodness, and moral compass are all explored as he contemplates his old-age and compares what is left of his prisoners' life, who had walked the green mile on their way to Old Sparky, and his, as everyone around him has died or is dying, or losing themselves for the crime of getting old.
The other guards, Dean, Harry, and Brutal, made the book more complex with their characters' exuberant presence. And of course, who could forget Mister Jingles, who was the cherry on the top.
Percy made my blood boils with his stupidity, egoistic behavior, and bullying. He's definitely out there with Randall Flagg, as one of my favorite love-to-hate characters.
Del, a convict who would eventually walk the green mile after committing horrific crimes, was a fascinating character. Despite what he'd done, I grew to like his character, who was a great example of self-redeemance.
In conclusion, this book is amazing. It's funny, wise, and heartbreaking, and it gave me a punch to the heart so hard that I won't be able to forget.
This was my second time reading Inferno, and I must admit that I couldn't enjoy it as much as I did before.
There was an excessive amount of descriptioThis was my second time reading Inferno, and I must admit that I couldn't enjoy it as much as I did before.
There was an excessive amount of description of the architecture and monuments of Florence; you might feel like you are reading a tourist guide-book. I know, I know, this is a Dan Brown book, and I should always expect such tactic from him, but this time the description made the book a bit painful to read sometimes. In other words, it felt 'at times' that there were too many descriptions and less actions.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed how Dan Brown introduced us to Langdon in this book with an exceptional way; in other words, with no memory, making the book, by doing that, more challenging and ubiquitous.
Along with that, I so enjoyed reading about Sienna Brooks. She is an exceptional character, and I believe that she was attributed with enough respect and elegance, and she is undeniably beautiful in every way she might not understand or admit. I must add that I loved how mysterious and devoted she was depicted in Inferno.
In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed the chapters that feature some of the supportive characters: The Provost, Knowlton, and Dr. Elizabeth Sinskey.
This was really not a bad book. I just wish I did not re-read i; however, when I will perceive this book, I wouldn't do that by judging it according to this re-read, but the first time I read it and enjoyed enormously. With a 3-star rating and an original 5-star one, I highly recommend you read this book!...more
This novel easily takes a 5-star rating. My journey through Angels & Demons is as epic and mind-blowing as my first time reading it 10 years ago. It hThis novel easily takes a 5-star rating. My journey through Angels & Demons is as epic and mind-blowing as my first time reading it 10 years ago. It has every single aspect and topic I adore and cherish in a novel: Secret brotherhood, symbols, art, murder, non-stop suspense, the Vatican architecture. #10YearsWithDanBrown ...more
This volume of the Harry Potter series is pretty much intense--more than any of the former books. The story gets darker and darker as Lord Voldemort hThis volume of the Harry Potter series is pretty much intense--more than any of the former books. The story gets darker and darker as Lord Voldemort has finally returned, and along the way, we experience moments of rage, sympathy, sadness, horror, and resilience
What I appreciate the most about this book is how we are exposed to a dislikeable Harry Potter; I mean, the guy has gone through A LOT of shit, and he deserves to be angry and wants to stay alone all the time. Moreover, I also enjoy how much I love to hate Professor Dolores Umbridge; I hate her even more than Voldemort--and this says a lot.
Overall, this book is extraordinary, and it earns the position to be one of my all-time favorite books....more
3rd and last time reading Gone Girl. Knowing the twists already and having watched the movie so many times, I couldn't love the book as much as I did 3rd and last time reading Gone Girl. Knowing the twists already and having watched the movie so many times, I couldn't love the book as much as I did during my 1st time.
'You think the dead we have loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your fath'You think the dead we have loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him.'...more
This is the most stunning and mind-blowing novel I read in my life. Funny, The Da Vinci Code is the main reason why I fell in love with books; the firThis is the most stunning and mind-blowing novel I read in my life. Funny, The Da Vinci Code is the main reason why I fell in love with books; the first time I read it is when I was 12-year old, and ever since then I've been reading books with non-stopped pace.
I have always been fascinated by symbols, secret societies/brotherhoods, history, conspiracies, and most importantly, Leonardo Da Vinci and the Mona Lisa, both of whom are the main source for my passion for the Renaissance arts.
In the Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown has created THE most brilliant, extraordinary novel ever. He delves into history with an epic depth, and recounts it with authenticity like no other writer could.
Robert Langdon is my ever beloved character in fiction. I just love how his brain works, how he unfolds the historical facts for the other characters and discovers these mysteries with heart-beating pace. I especially like that Micky Mouse watch element in the Robert Langdon series, and its importance to Langdon's character development.
Not one detail in The Da Vinci Code is left unsolved or undetected, and Dan Brown leaves nothing for random. I thoroughly enjoy how Dan Brown's books are recounted within less than 24 hours, and reading those books you would feel that a lifetime have gone since starting the novel. Moreover, starting each chapter by richly describing the settings is an important aspect in Dan Brown's books in setting the reader on the right track and doubling the astonishment of the actions that are taking place.
Ultimately, I would like to add that reading this masterpiece as part of my Dan Brown Marathon, and also as a celebration for my 10th anniversary of reading books, and 10th anniversary of reading The Da Vinci Code for the first time, along with having Inferno the movie released on my birthday, had my heart growing with endless nostalgia and heartwarming emotions.
Stephen King's first short-stories collection, Night Shift, is a hit-and-miss for me. One time I would read a great and mesmerizing story, then, expecStephen King's first short-stories collection, Night Shift, is a hit-and-miss for me. One time I would read a great and mesmerizing story, then, expecting the next story to be as good or even better, I end-up being somehow disappointed (Though not always).
In this collection, I gave each story the following rating, chronologically from the first story in the book to the last one:
1- Jerusalem Lot: The first great short-story in this collection is a re-visit for me to the town of 'Salem's Lot, Stephen King's vampire novel, which takes place less than a Century before the novel. 5 Stars.
2- Graveyard Shift: A story about mutilated rats. Big and nasty creatures. 4 Stars.
3- Night Surf: Takes place during the spread of the flu virus, Captain Trips, from King's The Stand. This one I couldn't care less about. 1 Star.
4- I Am The Doorway: A strange, somehow a dream-fever-like story. Fun and creepy. 4 Stars.
5- The Mangler: One of King's most disturbing tales that won't let you feel safe, even when the lights are on. 5 Stars.
6- The Boogeyman: Kinda fell flat for me. I was expecting something creepier, but the ending, man, THAT ending was unnervingly good. 2.5.
7- Gray Matter: And from this story to the next two, the book gets irritatingly boring. 1 Star.
8- Battleground: Hated this story from the core of my heart. 1 Star.
9- Trucks: Couldn't get into this one at all. 1 Star.
10- Sometimes They Come Back: WOW! This one was vintage King. A story that will test your insanity. My second favorite one in this collection, and one of my favorite short-stories ever. 5 Stars.
11- Strawberry Strings: This one was so, so, so amazing. Loved every scene, sentence, word, description, setting, events. Loved how King has written this dark slasher story in a very limited amount of pages. And that BIG reveal was crazy. 5 Stars.
12- The Ledge: This one was good. No more. No less. Though I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed the short-movie. 3 Stars.
13- The Lawnmower Man: I still don't know what this story is supposed to mean or be about. Still it was OK. 1 Star.
14- Quitters, Inc: This one was suspenseful. I liked the concept and the execution. 5 Stars.
15- I Know What You Need: This one was quite a fun one, creepy and fast-paced. 5 Stars.
16- Children of the Corn: I have read this one a few months ago, this year, and I remember myself completely invested in it. One of my all-time favorite stories by King. 5 Stars.
17- The Last Rung on the Ladder: This one started out slow, but it drew its way smoothly into a heart-breaking ending. It touched me, because it reminded me of the close relationship I have with my younger sister, like the narrator with his younger sister. 4.5 Stars.
18: The Man Who Loved Flowers: Very small but still enjoyable. Though I'd would have liked it more if King developed it a bit longer. 3.7 Stars.
19: One for the Road: Another story that is taking place in 'Salem's Lot, this one takes place two years after the epic ending of 'Salem's Lot the novel. Enjoyable to a certain level. 3 Stars.
20: The Woman in the Road: This one also was heart-wrenching. 4 stars.
All in all, the average to the entire collection would be: 3.43 over 5. HOWEVER, since this is the book that would complete my 2017 challenge, and because it is Stephen King, AND because the 5-star stories are solid reads, I'm going to rate it 4 stars....more
Duma Key was the second book that I planned on reading with a friend on IG as part of #ConstantKingathon that I was co-hosting.
Unlike the first one, Duma Key was the second book that I planned on reading with a friend on IG as part of #ConstantKingathon that I was co-hosting.
Unlike the first one, The Green Mile, which was a 5-star read, Duma Key is now my 1st DNF of 2020.
This is so far my 3rd DNFed King book (Blaze & Insomnia are the first 2), and as a Constant Reader of Stephen King, it really pains me to leave a work by him unfinished.
The greatest sin of this book is that it was very boring and repetitive beyond anything I've read this year. It is well-written (of course, it's by King!), but there is too much fillers, and it didn't know where to go for the first 200 pages; it might have been a King masterpiece in my eyes if those first 200 pages were shortened. Alas, it was never meant to be.
I really have no idea what to rate Duma Key: 1 or 1.5, or even 2-2.5 stars .... so I'll leave the book unrated and forget all about it, without even attempting to learn about the ending, or anything after page 286....more
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