Booksta Challenge: Stephen King

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Stephen King Challenge🎈

Inspired by @evelovesbooks_travel_art.

I’d love to revisit this challenge in the future to see how my answers change based on additional books I’ve read.

First: Joyland. Also one of my favorite horror covers.

Favorite Book: It. My first read was this past December, and it was so much more than I ever imagined. A truly awe-inspiring ride. (review here)

Favorite Short Story: “Graveyard Shift” from Night Shift, a supremely creepy, gothic, grimy, riveting, and visceral account that left me wanting more in the best way. (review here)

Favorite Film Adaptation: The Shining. It’s Just. So. Good. It was also interesting to see the differences between the book and the movie.

Favorite Character: Tie between Annie Wilkes from Misery and Judson Crandall from Pet Sematary. Annie is the ultimate villain: brutal and unhinged, yet layered and human, while Jud is a comforting and funny, at times frightening and creepy linchpin whose role and knowledge are vital to the novel.

Favorite Audiobook: Tie between The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and Christine, both of which are phenomenal on audio!

Scariest: Misery, which was so distressing and horrific, I could barely stand it.

Most Challenging: ’Salem’s Lot. I DNFed this one three times before finishing, and while it had many outstanding aspects, for some reason I struggled to stay engaged throughout.

Most Underrated: 1922. It’s completely horrific, unbearably gruesome, divinely gothic, and felt like a perfect story. The movie adaptation was so good it made me want to read the book (which, unsurprisingly, is even better).

Most Memorable Scene: The shower scene from Carrie, which makes me cringe every time I think about it!

Most Harrowing: The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. The terror, discomfort, filth, darkness, and pain prevalent throughout were next level.

Most Surprising: Elevation, which was eerie, moving, and unsettling while also upbeat, mysterious, and cozy: a riveting and memorable story.

Titles I Have Yet to Read: So many, but three I’m hoping to get to next are Danse Macabre, 11/22/63, and The Stand.

What’s your favorite Stephen King book to date?

🖤Amanda

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