Recommendations

[Mr. Palmer]

Do you put trust in Stephen King's recommendations? Whether it's for books, film, or music?

If so, what has he turned you on to?

Personally, I've been burned a time or two by his recs. It's rare that I follow them anymore. Now, the only time I put stock in them, is when I'm positive it's a surefire bet. Like when I enjoy a band's previous album, and he mentions that the follow-up is decent. Times like that...

How about you?

[rjt65]

Shhh to be honest i tried a bunch of the books and suffice it to say we have different thoughts! There were loike 2 that i stopped reading--- and that was the end of that....

but he also recommends some good ones (see R. Mccammonn, and Gaimen) not sure if he rec. them but i do believe he has....

to each his own

[cinephonic]

I read 'Case Histories' by Kate Atkinson based on his recommendation and I really enjoyed it. When I get a chance I'll read the rest of her Jackson Brodie books.

[Drawn to Ka-tet]

Music.
Sai King turned me on to Slaid Cleaves. I listen to his music all the time now.

Long days and pleasant nights.

[Mr Nobody]

Mixed bag, for me. The ones I've enjoyed, I've loved. The ones I've not got into, I've more or less loathed (they're often also the ones I've had to work hardest to get).
Still, if we all liked exactly the same stuff, the world would be a dull old place.

[jlessl]

Actually, I posted a separate thread about book recommendations. I've only been disappointed in one (The Road, by Cormac McCarthy), but the following have been great -

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Heartsick by Chelsea Cain.
The Ruins by Scott Smith
The Night Gardiner by George Plecanos
The Terror by Dan Simmons

I've since read Collins' recent book, Catching Fire, which is the second in her trilogy started with The Hunger Games.

Another SK recommendation, The Garden of Last Days by Andre Dubus III, I'm awaiting from my library, which lame as it is, had to request it from another better resourced library. I'm looking forward to reading this.

As for music recommendations, well, I have no comment on that. But with regard to his his recent column (entitled "The One That Got Away") in the 10/09/09 issue of ET, he recommends the (pretty much straight to DVD) movie, Carriers, and I have reserved that on Netflix. I'll try to remember to report back once I've seen it.

[Mr. Palmer]

I've read the Simmons and Smith material. I agree that they were both decent.

[Mr Nobody]

I recently read The Road. I, too, was underwhelmed by it. I don't know what I was expecting, really. In a lot of ways, it was what I got but for some reason the story never really took off, for me. It was pretty obvious how it was all going to end, and it kind of blathered on without answering any of my Big Questions (i.e. what the hell had happened? Nuclear war? Supervirus? Both? Neither?). Maybe the answers were there but I never got them (nor was I much interested by that time, but I'd got over halfway through and I hate quitting on a book).

About the only positive from The Road was that it was a library loan, not something that had cost me hard cash.

[jlessl]

Mr. Nobody - I did buy the book. Wish I hadn't really. Hoping the movie will be better (which would be unusual, usually the books are better, but hey, who knows?).

[Twilight2388]

I have only been fortunate enough to read 2 of His EW articles and I don't remember any recs in those but I will always buy books at my used book store that have his critiques on them, the best of all of these were The Ruins and Edgar Sawtelle. Don't forget that every person has different criteria and tastes when it comes to books, a rec is just someone elses opinion. I don't count on them unless I am at a loss as to what I want to read next, otherwise I go by what I know I like.

[Chelle71]

Read the Story of Edger Sawtell....beautifully written.

[ashiepoo84]

Read the Story of Edger Sawtell....beautifully written.

i read this one, loved the book.

[Blackbeard]

I enjoyed it as well. Great book.

[GreenEyes]

I recently read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman after SK referred to it as partial inspiration for short story "N.", and loved it...almost as much as I loved "N."...man, that particular tale gave me chills! Also recently read "The Doll Who Ate his Mother" by Ramsey Campbell (originally was intrigued by the title, but was sold by SK's praise for the book on the cover) but only found it so-so. Each to their own though :smile2:

[Mr. Palmer]

Ramsey Campbell is a literary monster. I love all his work.

[cunninghamair]

I pulled The Road out from the bottom of the "pile." I liked it. It was different. Also, Poisonwood Bible by Kingsolver. Also different, but I enjoyed it. I've had better luck with his list than Oprahs (ducking under the table!)

[mrob44]

For my birthday this year (late Feb) my g/f got me a bunch of books from Kings recommendation article. Most were hits, but some I didn't particularly like. The Tenderness of Wolves was one I could have done without. Also, The Road bored me.

[Doc Wilson]

Stephen has about the worst taste in music of anyone I've ever encountered.

I agree, his book recs are a mixed bag. The one I enjoyed most was the original I Am Legend novel.

[JohnK]

Of course I trust his recomendations. I'm not into a lot of his music choices, but the more I read his works and see him in various interviews, the more that I see that he is a down to Earth guy who would be cool to hang out and shoot the breeze with over a couple of sodas. I am sure that most of you would agree.

[mojomofo]

I recently read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman after SK referred to it as partial inspiration for short story "N.", and loved it...almost as much as I loved "N."...man, that particular tale gave me chills! Also recently read "The Doll Who Ate his Mother" by Ramsey Campbell (originally was intrigued by the title, but was sold by SK's praise for the book on the cover) but only found it so-so. Each to their own though :smile2:

OMG- I haven't thought of "The Doll Who Ate his MOther" in years! It was on my mom's bookshelf growing up, and I finally snuck it out and read it. I don't really remember it, but I will always remember the title. Kinda sticks with ya!

[sam peebles]

I really loved The Road. I thought it was amazing. And I am Legend was awesome too, much better than the movie.

[cwalrus]

I'm trying to find SK's film recommendations so I can netflix them. I know there was an article a couple of months ago where he mentioned some independent horror films he really enjoyed. I think Funny Games was one of them with Michael Pitt and Tim Roth. What were the other films?

[cwalrus]

Is SK going to update his favorite films for 2009 since I think the last one with Funny Games in it was for 2008?

[davemelnick]

I have The Ruins also.:grinning:QUOTE=jlessl;331824]Actually, I posted a separate thread about book recommendations. I've only been disappointed in one (The Road, by Cormac McCarthy), but the following have been great -

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Heartsick by Chelsea Cain.
The Ruins by Scott Smith
The Night Gardiner by George Plecanos
The Terror by Dan Simmons

I've since read Collins' recent book, Catching Fire, which is the second in her trilogy started with The Hunger Games.

Another SK recommendation, The Garden of Last Days by Andre Dubus III, I'm awaiting from my library, which lame as it is, had to request it from another better resourced library. I'm looking forward to reading this.

As for music recommendations, well, I have no comment on that. But with regard to his his recent column (entitled "The One That Got Away") in the 10/09/09 issue of ET, he recommends the (pretty much straight to DVD) movie, Carriers, and I have reserved that on Netflix. I'll try to remember to report back once I've seen it.[/QUOTE]

[jprendable]

I read 3 books a week and alot of those are recs. from Sai King...very rarely does he disappoint...check out Sarah Waters...The Little Stranger...good stuff there.

[boogerb53]

He turned me on to The Story of Edgar Sawtale. One of the best books I have read in a long time. The story was very fulfiling.