Has anybody else read Stephen Kings latest offering, Cell?

I must say I was very disappointed with it. After the first chapter I thought it was going to be lame but then I really got into it, I really enjoyed reading it, that was until I got to the end. Its as though Mr King was close to finishing it, got writers cramp, decided to call it a day, then just forgot to go back to actually go back and complete it!!

A really enjoyable book let down by a really poor ending.

Anyway, whilst we're on the topic, can anyone recommend me any books to read?

I've not exactly an expert when it comes to different types of books, different authors etc but hopefully I'll be able to help you to help me!!

As I said, I've just finished Cell which, apart from the ending, I really enjoyed. I've also recently read Creed by James Herbert which I also really enjoyed, I've got a few other James Herbert books that I haven't read yet (The Fog, The Dark, The Rats and another I cant remember the title of....) and have also just bought Angels & Demons (Dan Brown) after recommendation from a friend. PJ Tracy is another author I've been recommended.

Another book that I've read quite a few times is Bite by Richard Laymon, I must have only been about 12 when I got that and I love it!!

Does any have any more recommendations for me? I hope I've given you enough to go on!

If you don't like disappointing endings, then you hate James Herbert. Alswys thought his books were great apart from the endings. Always appeared like he runs out of ideas.

Angels and Demons is a good book, better than the davinci code in my opinion.

Have you tried Dean Koontz? Dark Rivers of the Heart is a very good book.

I actually thought Creed was good, I agree that the ending wasn't the best but it wasn't too bad. Thats the only James Herbert book I've read, I just bought a few off eBay cause they were only about a quid each.

I'm no book critic, far from it, so am quiet easily pleased! Its just that with Cell, there is no ending. The story just stops. Its not like he could make a second book out of it either cause you can only really get one more chapter out of the story.

Not tried Dean Koontz no but I'll have a look on eBay for Dark Rivers and get it. For how much they cost on there it doesn't matter if I read the first chapter and can't get into it!!

I actually thought Creed was good, I agree that the ending wasn't the best but it wasn't too bad. Thats the only James Herbert book I've read, I just bought a few off eBay cause they were only about a quid each.

I'm no book critic, far from it, so am quiet easily pleased! Its just that with Cell, there is no ending. The story just stops. Its not like he could make a second book out of it either cause you can only really get one more chapter out of the story.

Not tried Dean Koontz no but I'll have a look on eBay for Dark Rivers and get it. For how much they cost on there it doesn't matter if I read the first chapter and can't get into it!!

Creed was ok, but as far as Herbert goes, my favourite is '48 - set after a chemical attack on London by Hitler. Not really a horror, more a sci-fi/action thriller type thingy:)

Not read the cell - I'm a mahoosive King fan, but I have to admit, his recent fair has been sketchy at the VERY best.

What books do you suggest by King?

I don't want to buy loads just for the sake of it, I just want the pick of the bunch!!

What books do you suggest by King?

I don't want to buy loads just for the sake of it, I just want the pick of the bunch!!

His top three for me (in no particular order:) ) are -

The Dead Zone
The Stand *You HAVE to read this book - long but well worth it*
Firestarter

The Shining is good, but if you've seen the film, its impossible to put Jack Nicholson out of your mind.

Also one I really like, but a lot of people slate, is one of his newer books 'Desperation'. Like the Stand, long but good IMO.

I was reading the reviews of Cell on Amazon (to check if it was just me that thought the ending was crap, it isn't, lots of people are in agreement!!) and a lot of people compared it to The Stand.

I'll add those to the list and see how much I can pick them up for. I'll have a right pile of books to get through at this rate!!

I was reading the reviews of Cell on Amazon (to check if it was just me that thought the ending was crap, it isn't, lots of people are in agreement!!) and a lot of people compared it to The Stand.

I'll add those to the list and see how much I can pick them up for. I'll have a right pile of books to get through at this rate!!

I definitely think The Stand was King's Seminal work - I dont think he's ever really come close to bettering it.

My SK recommendations

- The Green Mile (even better than the film if possible)
- The Talisman (written with Peter Straub)

and if you want a totally 'un-Stephen King 'ish' Stephen King book, try 'Eyes of the Dragon'

I agree The Stand is brill.I have read most of James Herberts books some good some rubbish.Dean Koontz is a good choice for horror.

The Talisman added to my eBay watch list. Thats 12 now!!

I don't know why but I'm really into reading at the minute. I just want to pick a book up at every oppurtunity!!

The stand is as close to perfect as it is possible to come.

What does everyone reckon to 'IT'? Probably one of the scariest books I've ever read.

Tried reading Kings new one (the name escapes me but published just after Cell) and thought it was the biggest load of arty drivil I've ever read.

That Richard Laymon book I mentioned, Bite, it came out in 1996 so that means I was 11 when I read it!! At that age I should have been reading Beano!!

I even had LA Confidiential when I was 11 (although 11 years later I still haven't read it......). Got Cat & Mouse at the same time aswell, anyone read that? I haven't yet!! Can't remember who it's by now....

IT, was a scary book I do agree.I haven't read a good horror in ages.I read a Stephen Smith book last very funny:hihi:

The Rats is a pretty good book (at least I thought so when I read it a looong time ago).

If you've got LA Confidential then read it because it's excellent.

IT is another fine choice - as are Carrie and Cujo. Even though its not one of his horror novels, I also love Dolores Claiborne.

I think basically, you cant go wrong with with any of his stuff, pre-96. (Having said that, I never liked Shawshank Redemption as a story. One of the few instances when the film was much better than the book, IMO)

My own Personal favorite is Misery... the book is much better than the film..

Try...The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon...:o

i like kings books but feel that sometimes they just end in the middle of the rd... but maybe thats how he wants you to feel/think??

Have you read... Weave World ....A magic carpet that has found its way to Liverpool, England,
proves to the the portal into an alternate world from where
the Seerkind monitor Earthly events. Horror master
Clive Barker's second full-length novel, a complex work of
fantasy more than horror.

or... Clive Barker's...the great secret show.

For me Kings lesser known works are his best, try Different Seasons and The Bachman Books. His more recent stuff is really not up to much, Cell is the best thing hes written in a long time.

My favourites are Misery, The Stand, and The Green Mile. The Green Mile is my favourite of the three.

The Green mile is brilliant, as is IT and Christine isnt half bad either.

A lot of Kings stories DO tend to just peter out though and I find that annoying.

one of my fave was IT, read while on hol in malta years ago, came back with a white face coz i couldn't put it down, think the only King book I haven't been able to get on with was Liseys Story, usually his books get bought without even reading the back, not many authors you can say that about :P

What books do you suggest by King?
If you've got the time the Dark Tower series are well worth reading.

the only King book I haven't been able to get on with was Liseys Story
I read that in about 3 days, and while it isn't brilliant i did fly through it. It's very different to his other work which i liked. As a writer he's willing to try something new.

A couple of Stephen King's to avoid (in my opinion) are Rose Madder and Lisey's Story.

I'd recommend The Talisman (written with Peter Straub) and the follow up, Black House (also written with Peter Straub).

The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon was a lot better than I thought it would be. Some of his colection of short stories (Graveyard Shift) are really very good too.

Lisleys Story! Thats the dreadful book whos name escaped me. Absolute rubbish!

The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon was a lot better than I thought it would be. Some of his colection of short stories (Graveyard Shift) are really very good too.
I like his short stories, I've got Nightmares & Dreamscapes and another one, the name of which escapes me. I bought it in Chicago cause I wanted something to read on the way home!




What do you think to PJ Tracy? 'Want To Play?' is one that I've been recommended.

I think most of Stephens King's book are worth the read, yeah he's had a few stinkers but I'd say 90% of his are really good. I would certainly recommend The Stand, Bag of Bones, The Shining. Possibly my favourite was (although not A book alone) the Dark Tower series, the last book was a bit of a let down but then again after 7 books which were all fantastic, building the storey and pace all the way, there couldn't possinly be a perfect ending in my eyes.
I would also recommend The House Of Leaves by Mark Danielewski - a strange and at time shard read but certainly entertaining and worth the trouble.

I love his short sories. Nightmares and Dreamscapes, Skeleton Crew and Graveyard Shift are all great. You might like some James Herbert books too.

I'd recommend you read Haunted and Choke by Chuck Paliahniuk, brilliant.

I also take every oppurtunity possible to try to get people to read graphic novels. Try Watchmen or Maus.

Maus is very good, it's the story of the holocaust told from the writer's father's perspective, using animals.

It's not childish though. It's very effective.

My copy of Angels & Demons has just come, yay!!

Digital Fortress & Deception Point are advertised in the back. Are they any good?

My copy of Angels & Demons has just come, yay!!

Digital Fortress & Deception Point are advertised in the back. Are they any good?

Sorry, but I cant abide Dan Brown - quite how he's made a career from writing mystifies me:huh:

I got about halfway through the first chapter of 'Deception point' and gave up. A better title would have been 'Whats the point'.

Sorry:(

Sorry, but I cant abide Dan Brown - quite how he's made a career from writing mystifies me:huh:

I got about halfway through the first chapter of 'Deception point' and gave up. A better title would have been 'Whats the point'.

Sorry:(

I can't stand his books either.

Sorry, but I cant abide Dan Brown - quite how he's made a career from writing mystifies me:huh:

I got about halfway through the first chapter of 'Deception point' and gave up. A better title would have been 'Whats the point'.

Sorry:(
I can't stand his books either.
Fair enough! :D

I'll give Angels & Demons a whirl first then and see what thats like.

Fair enough! :D

I'll give Angels & Demons a whirl first then and see what thats like.

To be fair, if millions of people read a book, there's going to be some people that don't like it.

Most people seem to think he's good though.

To be fair, if millions of people read a book, there's going to be some people that don't like it.

Most people seem to think he's good though.
I couldn't comment either way as not read anything by him, although I don't think The Da Vinci Code would do anything for me.

I only bought Angels & Demons cause a couple of people at work told me it was brilliant.

I couldn't comment either way as not read anything by him, although I don't think The Da Vinci Code would do anything for me.

I only bought Angels & Demons cause a couple of people at work told me it was brilliant.

As Nekro said, there are plenty who will tell you that Dan Brown is a brilliant writer. Its just my opinion that he both sucks and blows in equal measure:D

You might read his stuff and love it.Horses for courses.

Ive never personally read the Da Vinci Code either, but I did read the books on which he based the novel, the Holy blood and the Holy Grail and the Templer conspiricies. Both were pseudo scientific books filled with now mostly dis-credited 'facts', but they were enjoyable enough.

Well I'm going to read The Fog next I think. Not decided yet. Think I'll leave A&D for a bit though.

The Green mile is brilliant, as is IT and Christine isnt half bad either.

A lot of Kings stories DO tend to just peter out though and I find that annoying.

My all time favorite is IT I love that book shame they ruined the film. I also like The Green Mile and The Stand.

One I could never get into though was Tommyknockers tried about three times gave up every time:huh:

Another good horror author is Robert R McGammon try The Wolf's Hour an excellent book.

My choice for James Herbert would be The Survivor not as gory as the others but a great twist at the end.

Another good horror author is Robert R McGammon try The Wolf's Hour an excellent book.

None on eBay at the mo. I'll remember to keep an eye out. Or I'll see how much it is at Waterstones, if they've got it that is.


My choice for James Herbert would be The Survivor not as gory as the others but a great twist at the end.
I've got that one so I'll get round to it at some point!

None on eBay at the mo. I'll remember to keep an eye out. Or I'll see how much it is at Waterstones, if they've got it that is.

I've got that one so I'll get round to it at some point!

Sorry just realised I spelt his name wrong its Robert R McCammon
not McGammon.

I apologise for having a senior moment:hihi:

Sorry just realised I spelt his name wrong its Robert R McCammon
not McGammon.

I apologise for having a senior moment:hihi:
That name comes up with something! Not that particular book though unfortunately.

I recently read 'Cell', not a bad book, but did remind me of The Stand, so I went out and got myself a copy, as the last one had fell to bits through being read so many times!!
Four Past Midnight is another good book by SK, also I really enjoyed Insomnia, weird but interesting!
At the mo, i'm reading Chromosome 6 by Robin Cook. Enjoy some of his books,but one or two have made me give up as they're just way too heavy!!
Really enjoyed SK's 'Regulators' (tho' it was under his pseudonym of Richard Bachman), it was written as a mirror to Desperation.
Thoroughly enjoyed that along with The Dark Half.

The Sparrows are coming!

Has anybody else read Stephen Kings latest offering, Cell?

I must say I was very disappointed with it. After the first chapter I thought it was going to be lame but then I really got into it, I really enjoyed reading it, that was until I got to the end. Its as though Mr King was close to finishing it, got writers cramp, decided to call it a day, then just forgot to go back to actually go back and complete it!!



Hi WhiteHawk.

Yeah I read that a couple of months ago, from the local library, and felt exactly the same way. It starts off right into the thick of the action with some brilliant descriptions of everything thats happening around the main character. It keeps you wondering what will happen next, but over the last quarter seems to lose it's way and all sense of direction, I guess the guy just ran out of ideas and didn't really think it through.

A thouroughly entertaining read but greatly let down by a lame ending.

I too would be interested in any other suggestions - along with yourself.

Hi WhiteHawk.

Yeah I read that a couple of months ago, from the local library, and felt exactly the same way. It starts off right into the thick of the action with some brilliant descriptions of everything thats happening around the main character. It keeps you wondering what will happen next, but over the last quarter seems to lose it's way and all sense of direction, I guess the guy just ran out of ideas and didn't really think it through.

A thouroughly entertaining read but greatly let down by a lame ending.

I too would be interested in any other suggestions - along with yourself.
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I really enjoyed it and I agree, some of the events throughout the story were fantastically described but I felt really let down at the end. It was just such a strange ending. The last few pages were pretty much what the entire story was about, or what they were trying to do I suppose would be more accurate, then he just finishes the story without telling us what happened!! :mad:




My eBay watch list currently consists of the following;

The Stand - Stephen King
Want To Play? - PJ Tracy
Snow Blind - PJ Tracy
The Dead Zone - Stephen King
Dark Rivers Of The Heart - Dean Koontz
Black House - Stephen King, Peter Straub
The Talisman - Stephen King, Peter Straub
Live Bait - PJ Tracy
Firestarter - Stephen King
48 - James Herbert
Carrie - Stephen King
Dead Run - PJ Tracy
Bag Of Bones - Stephen King
Monkeewrench - PJ Tracy

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I really enjoyed it and I agree, some of the events throughout the story were fantastically described but I felt really let down at the end. It was just such a strange ending. The last few pages were pretty much what the entire story was about, or what they were trying to do I suppose would be more accurate, then he just finishes the story without telling us what happened!! :mad:




My eBay watch list currently consists of the following;

The Stand - Stephen King
Want To Play? - PJ Tracy
Snow Blind - PJ Tracy
The Dead Zone - Stephen King
Dark Rivers Of The Heart - Dean Koontz
Black House - Stephen King, Peter Straub
The Talisman - Stephen King, Peter Straub
Live Bait - PJ Tracy
Firestarter - Stephen King
48 - James Herbert
Carrie - Stephen King
Dead Run - PJ Tracy
Bag Of Bones - Stephen King
Monkeewrench - PJ Tracy

Looks like someones going to be busy!

(Good list though:D )

Very busy!! :D

I think Want To Play? and Monkeewrench might be the same book though. Monkeewrench is the US name for it I think......