Old Books, New Readers discussion

We're back at it with another book of the month! Stephen King's The Shining won the nominations!

This my first time reading it, so I'm looking forward to doing it with a group - hopefully it'll be just as creepy as everyone says :D

For those of you who would like a copy to read online, it should be on OverDrive, Libby, or whatever your local library uses. For anyone who doesn't have a library, you can also find it on z-lib.org, which allows 10 free downloads a day (or you can donate and get extra downloads if you need more than 10 copies of The Shining on your computer). You will need an account, but I've found it super helpful for downloading each BOTM throughout the year - hope it'll be just as helpful for some of you!

For those who'd like a reading schedule to go along with the book, La Tonya has one down below ;) some of us like reading a bunch of chapters in one sitting, some of us like spreading it out over multiple days, so don't stress about being "on track" with everyone else - go at your own pace, and enjoy!

Thank you Twice for putting this together for us. Enjoy Reading, 📚

For some us who are challenged mathematically on days, the reading schedule is as follows:

2/1/2022 - 2/28/2022 - Chapters 1 - 28
3/1/2022 - 3/31/2022 - Chapters 29 - 58

Therefore, we should finish the book towards the end of March 2022. Thank You.

As always with our longer books, if more people need time to catch-up, we can extend into April 2022.

oh jolly good! I should read a chapter or so when I get up!

I have never read any Stephen King novels before so I am exited for this. I may be starting a bit late on this one as I wait for my library to get this in from another location.

I've read Pet Semetry by Stephen King and really loved it. So I'm excited to start this book.

I'm waiting on my library e-book copy so may not get started for a week or so but no worries I will catch up when it comes in.

This'll be my first King book and I'm curious to see how I like his style. I'm getting the audiobook from my library and there's a week or so wait, but I normally listen at 1.5 speed, so I'll catch up quick too.

Great! ♥️ to read this book again.

I used to be active in this group but have not been for awhile. I'm excited to jump back in! I have read The Shining (and all of King's books!), but I am going to listen to it on Audible this time. Looking forward to interacting with everyone!

I started this read on Friday, 2/4/2022. It begins very similar to the movie. I am enjoying this read. I am on schedule.

I'm reading a chapter a day, a day or so behind at the moment but should catch up soon!

I am sad to announce that I am way off schedule...
You see, I just couldn't help it...
I've finished the book! :)

Eep! Well i'm on task, just finished chapter 11.

I finally got mine and have been reading for few days now. I'm on chapter 15. loving it so far. it's been years since I watched the movie so Im not picturing the actors as Im reading. it's funny the people I imagine are nothing like the actors. I thought it would be impossible to keep them out of my head but it doesn't seem to be an issue. is anyone else visualizing the movie during their read?

I only saw the film once and that was maybe 15 or more years ago so I can't remember what they all look like anyway, so I see them the way I see them!

Larry wrote: "I finally got mine and have been reading for few days now. I'm on chapter 15. loving it so far. it's been years since I watched the movie so Im not picturing the actors as Im reading. it's funny th..."

Yes, I am visualizing the movie. The book is following the movie at this point. I am reading Chapter 11. I am on schedule. Enjoy Reading, 📚

I haven't watched the movie. But, I did read that the movie does differ from the book in certain ways so that it relates better to the screen.

How is everyone finding the book so far?

I am about 70% of the way through the book - it is a bit slower than I expected.

I don't remember the movie that well, since I saw it very long ago. I will have to rewatch it again afterwards - I seem to recall that the things started to go downhill at the Overlook faster in the movie.

I am 48% of the way through the book. I am starting to read scenes in the book that are not in the movie. You are correct about the movie. The Overlook and Jack started to go downhill very fast. Also, Danny constantly saw images from the past. Enjoy Reading, 📚

I finished this weekend and really enjoyed the book. I didn't find it slow and was pulled along quite nicely. I might watch the movie again now just to see how it compares with the book it's been so long since I saw it, I only remembered the major and not many of the minor details, so it still was entertaining and still surprising in some spots.
Happy reads everyone.

I am listening to this on Audible and I am on Chapter 33. It has been decades since I have read this book, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I don't recall the movie exactly either, but so far, the movie seems (in my memory) to be pretty similar. I can picture Jack Nicholson saying all the things that Jack is saying! I, too, will watch the movie after I finish the book. Happy Reading!!

I'm 40% done and it's pretty good. Unnerving and I'm sure it's going to end in disaster, but it's good. I haven't seen the movie but I know of certain iconic scenes, so it'll be interesting to see how it gets there.
Would anyone want to be a caretaker for a hotel? Aside from the harsh weather, it doesn't seem like a bad job to me.

The Damsel in the Library wrote: "I'm 40% done and it's pretty good. Unnerving and I'm sure it's going to end in disaster, but it's good. I haven't seen the movie but I know of certain iconic scenes, so it'll be interesting to see ..."

The idea of it appeals to me. Not sure if the reality would be the same lol. I feel like I would be able to catch up a lot of reading :)

Which movie are you all going to watch or have watched; because, I read that the original 1980 film deviated quite a bit from the book, especially the end. Stephen King critisized it a lot. So, in 1997 he helped remake the movie into a version that closely follows the book.

In any case, I'm finished with the book. I really love haunted houses stories, so a haunted hotel is the next best thing. I did think there was a bit too much foreshadowing with Danny's visions and dreams. It was facinating to watch Jack's slow descent into madness as the hotel took possession of him.
I also liked the concept of what it meant to have the shine.
My favourite parts of the book was following Halloran as he tried to get back to the hotel to help Danny.
It is summer here where I am in South Africa, but reading this book, I swear I could feel the cold. So, the theme of winter worked.
I still prefer Pet Semetry by Stephen King, and I highly recommend it for those who want to tackle another King novel.

Excellent comments. The good thing about a group read like this one is the opportunity to see so many insights from diverse readers. Feeling the cold even amidst the summer of South Africa is not something a person in the northern hemisphere could have contributed.

I had a lot of challenges to meet for February so fell behind, but am picking up again now.

I finished the book yesterday. What a scary read. I completely enjoyed this book. A must read for anyone who likes horror. Enjoy Reading, 📚

I really enjoyed this book. I had read other reviews that didn't like the narrator on the audiobook, but I didn't mind him at all. I guess I don't expect a lot of emotion in the narrator's voice. I'm dying to watch the movie now. I know there are several major differences (the first film has a "maze" instead of the "hedge animals"), but I still "heard" all of Jack's lines in Jack Nicholson's voice lol. We watched the second movie about a year ago as well, so I might just do a marathon of all the Shining films and sequels!

I was wondering, how long did it take you all to figure out the Redrum thing in the mirror? I must admit I was quite slow, but when I figured it out I totally face-palmed, because it was so obvious! I felt like a real fool. :D

Kathryn wrote: "I was wondering, how long did it take you all to figure out the Redrum thing in the mirror? I must admit I was quite slow, but when I figured it out I totally face-palmed, because it was so obvious..."

I did not figure it out until the book explained the word is backwards. Enjoy Reading, 📚

Ah well i'm always looking at words forward and backward so knew it right off. It's like they were talking about YOBS years ago and i said ah, Boys. And someone else said, I never thought of that.

I didn't get the Redrum thing either, but that might've been because I listened to the audiobook and didn't see the word.
I thought the book was fine. When I was in the midst of the story it held my interest but having finishing it, I think it's mediocre. It's definitely not something I'll read again, but I've never really liked horror anyway.
It hasn't convinced me to read more King, but I'm open to changing my mind!

The Damsel in the Library wrote: "I didn't get the Redrum thing either, but that might've been because I listened to the audiobook and didn't see the word.
I thought the book was fine. When I was in the midst of the story it held m..."

I also read the audio book, so maybe you're right that that had something to do with it.
If you do want to read another King book, please consider Pet Semetry. It is better than The Shining. I'll be honest, it is a lot sadder and horrifying.

I'll add Pet Sematary to my list!

The Damsel in the Library wrote: "I'll add Pet Sematary to my list!"

Yay! :)

We've got one week left! Any favorite quotes? How do you think the weather changed the atmosphere of the book and added to (or subtracted from) it?

It's interesting how he uses the seasons, I liked the subtle imagery: (view spoiler)[how the beginning of the book taking place in fall, things slowly dying and turning into winter, is like a foreboding about what's to come, both in winter and at the hotel. I love that the tone of the book starts to take a turn with the weather. Almost like the descent into dead winter goes along with Jack's descent into madness; and that, after the tension, we're in summer, a season known for life and vibrancy, a sign that things are [going] back to normal. (hide spoiler)]

I think the only thing the cold weather did for me was reaffirm my desire to never live in a place where I couldn't leave in the winter if I wanted to. :)

@Tabascosauce
I agree with you, the weather was used very cleverly in enhancing the events taking place at the time. It was very well done.

I'm well into it, but unlikely to finish before the first of April due to other commitments, but have really enjoyed taking part!

Jazzy wrote: "I'm well into it, but unlikely to finish before the first of April due to other commitments, but have really enjoyed taking part!"

I'm so glad you joined us! I'm a slow reader, and usually lag behind everyone else, so it's nice to know I'm not the only one this time haha

The Damsel in the Library wrote: "I think the only thing the cold weather did for me was reaffirm my desire to never live in a place where I couldn't leave in the winter if I wanted to. :)"

LOL me too, winter is not my jam (now more than ever, after reading this book 💀)

Kathryn wrote: "@Tabascosauce
I agree with you, the weather was used very cleverly in enhancing the events taking place at the time. It was very well done."

It was! I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would.