Stephen King Fans discussion

This got brought up in another thread, where I profess to reading everything I can get my hands on from SK, but I am very fussy about what I actually purchase from King.

Some of the works I just don't feel like I ever want to touch again, and sothey don't have a place of honor in my bookshelf (which is already overloaded with tons of other books anyway!). I keep books that I like to read again and again.

I actually own the DT series, IT, Bag of Bones (a novel I loved, and actually got signed by SK), Eyes of The Dragon, Nightmares & Dreamscapes, Skeleton Crew, The Talisman, The Black House (only for its DT connections), Carrie (because it's a rare hardback copy I got for practically nothing), The Bachman Books, Different Seasons, The Green Mile (in the original serial paperback volumes), Four Past Midnight and Everything's Eventual. As you can probably see, I like to reacquaint myself with the short stories & novellas more than many of the novels themselves.

My father, on the other hand, buys every single SK item he can get his hands on. He reads them at least once, but I don't know if he ever reads them any more than that. He is more of a proud collector, I guess.

So, how about you? Is it wrong to only be a library user, and not a paying customer? Go ahead and list what you actually own, if it is selective, and give your reasons if you wish, too.

I must admit... I want to own everything King writes. EVERYTHING. I wish I could get them in all hardcover also but I can't afford that. But there are some books of his though that I buy in hard cover no matter what (the Dark Tower Series). This is one of the reasons I haven't read everything from Stephen King is because I want to own it so I wait till I have the money. My mom has a lot of his first editions.. there is a list out there on the internet somewhere that tells you how to tell if you have one of his first editions and one day my mom and I went through all her books to see which ones she had. It was fun and she does have quite a few.

i also paid that nominal fee for the Riding The Bullet e-book that he sent out a couple years ago. I got it saved on a floppy disc, but I haven't looked at it in ages.

I have quite a few of his books but I started reading them when I was at secondary school(high school)so couldn't afford them so would get them out of the library. Now though I am making the effect to buy them all, its great when Waterstones has a 3 for 2 on SK books.

I think the only ones I bought were The Dark Half, Dreamcatcher, and Everything is eventual. I own dam near everything the man has ever written because my uncle used to buy them the second they came off the press. But after King finished the Dark Tower, he decided to downsize his book collection and asked my dad if I would want them. And of course I said yes. How could i say no to free books? So I gave away my duplicates and dedicate a book shelf to Stephen King in my bedroom.

I havent bought any and i love S.K Ive just sorta aquired them or borrowed!Although Ive gotten alot for gifts, I own at least 20 including the 7 D.T series

I've got them all in hardcover except for a few early ones and of course the first Gunslinger and Riding The Bullet. The rest are in paperback. I've even got some of the collections like Prime Evil in hard cover. I've got a whole bookcase in my office filled with King books (a second one filled with Koontz and Saul and Barker). But I am a book rat. Once I read a book I can't seem to part with it. I can loan it out any time - but for whatever reason I don't take books to the used bookstore or anything - I just keep them. Someday maybe they'll open a library when I'm gone filled with the fiction of my life.

The first edition Gunslinger was limited edition so hardly anyone has that... because next came a paperback. I would love to own the first edition of it though!

Yep - I have my first copy - it was one of those over sized paperbacks so you still felt like you had a cool book. I scour eBay occasionally looking for copies of The Gunslinger but I don't find them, or when I have seen a copy it is ridiculously expensive - folks are hanging on to them which is good in a way that they are staying so desirable.

For years, I would automatically get the new King for my birthday or Christmas. My family just knew that was a given. Now that I work in a bookstore, I can't wait, I have to buy it as soon as it enters the store! I have everything by him now except Six Stories, which I don't expect to get any time soon, unfortunately. I've seen it go for alot of money on eBay. Maybe when I win the lottery.

SKL or Stephen King Library has allowed me to get all of his books in hardback and they are the most important books on my bookshelf. It's really why I got the shelf to begin with.

Well most of SK's books I LOVED only one or two I didn't really care for but I have to admit that I am a bit of a book collector too so I buy all the books but I also read all of them and if I like them I'll read them a 2nd time. I am a HUGE reader, I go through books like wildfire (lol) and if I haven't picked up a new book or series I always pick up a King book and re-read it. I actually hate getting SK books from the library because I always end up wanting to keep them and add to my SK collection. That's awesome Kathy that you get a new book for x-mases.

These are the books I've bought: Rose Madder, Thinner, Blaze, Salem's Lot, The Mist, Insomnia, Desperation, Dead Zone, Dreamcatcher, Heart's in Atlantis, The Shining, The Green Mile, Storm of the Century, The Long Walk, Christine, Carrie, Bag of Bones, Talisman, Black House, Gerald's Game, Misery and Pet Sematary, Also most of his short story collections like Everything's Eventual, Needful Things, and 4 Past Midnight. Of course my favorite is the Dark Tower Series

I own Pet Sematary, Rose Madder, Gerald's Game, Different Seasons, Night Shift, The Eyes of the Dragon, Salem's Lot, Insomnia, Delores Claiborne, The Shining, the DT series, Danse Macabre, Nightmares & Dreamscapes, and Everything's Eventual. I also have The Green Mile, but I don't think I want to keep it because I'm just not enjoying the read.

I need to reorganize my bookshelves since all the mass market paperbacks are on one shelf and the hardcovers/trade paperbacks are on another. It kind of irks me that the DT books are separated.

I've read a lot of his other books though from insane reading marathons of everything at the library.

I used to have alot more and foolishly got rid of them.Even though i wasn't thrilled with some I am upset i let my dh talk me into dwwindling my book supply.I am in the process of trying to get those books back.Right now I have Cell,The Shining,Bag of Bones,Salem's Lot,It,Desperation,Needful Things,Four Past Midnight,Nightshift,Misery.

All good ones though, hang on to 'em :)

This is a funny question. I used to own a bunch on paperback and I don't know what happened to them. For ~10 years I've gotten King's newest hardback release (hence why a copy of Bag of Bones seems to miraculously appeared on my shelf).

But............I had to empty my office to make room for baby, and lost 1 bookshelf. Since, all the books I own but already read are now in storage. So, I don't know how many I own total, but I do have a few at home (owned) to be read.

The Talisman-had for years, but dusting off for September's read.
The Stand-I just bought this and have never read. I know, I can hear some of your eyes rolling--and I call myself a Stephen King Fan...
The Dead Zone-just bought a 1st edition copy of this book on half.com for $0.75. Why? It was published the year I was born, and I want to read it. So, what better copy to have than one that's as old as me??
Bag of Bones-See above

James, do you only own the Gunslinger? Not any of the other Dark Tower books?

I own:

The Gunslinger (Dark Tower Book 1)
The Drawing of the Three (Dark Tower Book 2)
The Waste Lands (Dark Tower Book 3)
Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower Book 4)
Wolves of the Calla (Dark Tower Book 5)
Song of Susannah (Dark Tower Book 6)
The Dark Tower (Dark Tower Book 7)
Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born (Graphic Novel)
The Stand (Uncut Edition)
The Shining
It
Misery
Pet Sematary
Carrie
Green Mile
Salem's Lot
Needful Things
Different Seasons
The Dead Zone
The Eyes of the Dragon
Bag of Bones
The Talisman
Black House
The Tommyknockers
Skeleton Crew
Insomnia
Night Shift
The Dark Half
Dolores Claiborne
Nightmares and Dreamscapes
The Bachman Books
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Desperation
The Regulators
Hearts In Atlantis
Dreamcatcher
Cell
Rose Madder
From a Buick 8
The Colorado Kid
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer
The Journals of Eleanor Druse
The Complete Stephen King Universe
Lisey's Story -- (Haven't read)
Blaze -- (Haven't read)


I don't yet own:

Cujo
Gerald's Game
Christine
On Writing
Storm of the Century
Silver Bullet
Everything's Eventual
Duma Key
Danse Macabre

I eventually want to own everything that has ever been penned by King. I have several bookshelves in my house dedicated to Stephen King. Of course this means that a lot of my other books are homeless, but, I mean, its Stephen King! (I'm not fanatical, right? LOL)

I have read everything listed except what I don't yet own and Lisey's Story and Blaze. They are next on my list after I finish Firestarter. =)

Wow Becky, you have a great collection!

Having moved back and forth overseas a few times and having donated quite a few books to the English library here in Hiroshima, I actually own very few, but I have read them all. Still waiting on Duma Key to come out in paperback.

Kicking myself for not holding on to more books now that I am planning a move to the countryside here in Japan. I'm going to be a ways away from a book store that sells English books and I don't think there is even an English library in Okayama, the city nearest my next home.

I'm probably going to go on a shopping spree at the used English bookstore here in Hiroshima and buy out any King, Robbins, Hiaasen, (among others) they have on hand before our move in January.

By the way, I loved Firestarter. Sadly, that's another one that didn't translate onto the big screen very well.

Would you be able to order online?

Shipping costs are a killer.

My brother in California can hook me up. And I will be able to buy some new books at Kinokuniya, a bookstore in Okayama City.

I always think it's better if you can find and buy books from book stores or from discounted stores and then if you can't get 'em at a store then buy online. That's just my opinion though because I don't like waiting for my books to come and most of the time it's cheaper.

I have gotten most of my books at thrift stores... but then I am an odd girl because I like broken in old paperbacks, and that is what thrift stores specialize in!

I've been trying to read Talisman for the September read and had no lick whatsoever. I've had to return 5 copies so far because ever one has pages in the wrong part - its so not fair I've whated to read this for ages:(

That's not good! I have had something similar to that happen to me with Song Of Susannah... I picked up a copy (again a thriftstore find) and the last 40 pages of the book were a repeat the previous 40! I was so frustrated, but luckily, I had a back-up trade sized edition to fall back on... Plus it was a re-read. But still!

I'd loan you my copy if I could!

Its annoying because its a publishing issue - the store ordered me a copy in and that was the same. I'm going to go on Amazon and order an older copy of there. I really looked forward to taking part in the group discussions on it but I'll not get it finished now till Christmas at this rate.

Thanks for the offer Becky thats so nice to know but I'm a book whore and I like to own all my book lol

I can totally understand that... This month we are reading Cujo, and it's one that I don't own yet. I asked a friend if I could borrow her copy, but I know that tonight I will run out to B&N and buy my own anyway...

I have read almost everything Stephen King has written. I own The Bachman Books, Misery, The Gun Slinger, Black House, Dolores Claiborne, The Green Mile.

I own and have read Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand, The Dead Zone, Christine, It, Misery, The Tommyknockers, The Dark Half, Needful Things, Gerald's Game, Dolores Claiborne,
Insomnia, Rose Madder, The Green Mile- Different Seasons, Four past Midnight, Nightmares and Dreamscapes, Everything's Eventual. Danse Macabre, On Writing.
I've borrowed from the local library and read Cujo, Bag of Bones,
The Girl who loved Tom Gordon,Desperation, The Regulators, Hearts in Atlantis.
I own but have not yet read (or have put down for the time being) Pet Sematary, Dreamcatcher, Cell.
I think I own "Night Shift" but I can't remember now!

I will! :)

i own and have read :the shining, desperation, the stand, it, the tommyknockers, four past midnight, needful things, all the gunslinger books (plus the gunslinger born,) the girl who loved tom gordon, the bachman books, the regulators, blaze, rose madder, salem's lot, the dead zone, firestarter, the eye of the dragon, the dark half, dreamcatcher, everythings eventual and cell, probably more, i've been known to lend books out.

So far I own:
Salems Lot
Carrie
The Stand
The Shining
It
Cujo
Gunslinger
Firestarter
& The Dead Zone

I haven't finished any of them, but I'm working on it.

you can also add Thinner to my list, bought it yesterday, finished it today, a great read.

Ok I got them books from my friend 40 hardbacks now I have almost the complete collection! The only ones missing are,


Danse macbre,on writing,the cell,duma key and cycle of there werewolf with mine added I have all hardbacks except those listed and also probably half of them doubles in paperback so really the only stephen king book i dont have is duma key! its like christmas time!lol

I have a special bookshelf that is only for my Stephen King collection. I want to own everything but I do like them all to be the same size. I only buy mass market paperback or deluxe mass market paperback. On the bottom shelf I have my Joe Hill books and Candles Burning by Tabatha. Also, I have a couple of Peter Straub books next to my Black House/Talisman books.

Elizabeth wrote: "I have a special bookshelf that is only for my Stephen King collection. I want to own everything but I do like them all to be the same size. I only buy mass market paperback or deluxe mass market..."

I do that too... I have two shelves of a large bookshelf dedicated to "my Kings" as my boyfriend refers to my collection, haha. The rest of the shelves are dedicated to my other favorite books.

I like to have mine the same size in a series. That was my only problem with the Dark Tower series, none of my books match!

Angie wrote: "I like to have mine the same size in a series. That was my only problem with the Dark Tower series, none of my books match! "

I have the mass market paperbacks of all 7, but 5,6 & 7 were issued by a different publisher (Pocket Paperback), I think, so they are slightly taller then 1-4 which were issued by Signet.

I also had the trade size copies of 1,2 & 3 which had full color artwork, but I gave them to a friend in Argentina when he couldn't find those books anywhere. I still have the trade size books of 6 & 7 but am going to donate or trade them.

Okay, I have been wanting to find a set of Dark Tower books that match, yet have cool covers. The Gunslinger is especially hard to find in different covers and sizes. I've done numerous and extensive web searches. Aaaahhhhhh!

They are really hard to find... And for some reason, they haven't yet put out a boxed set of all 7, at least as far as I have seen.
Maybe since the last 3 are by different publishers they never will? =(

I purchase each thing he publishes as it comes out. I admit there are some I will never read again, but I like having them. The few from his early years I didn't purchase at publication, I have searched for the earliest edition I could find. I also have a few books written about him. I am almost embarassed by this. It's like I am a crazy stalker or something, but I swear... I'm not. I just love the guy:)

I'm kind of embarassed to say I was just introduced to the wonderful world of Stephen King...
The books I own are:

The Tommyknockers
It
The Shining
The Stand: Complete & Uncut
The Bachman Books
Cujo
Salem's Lot
Cell
Everything's Eventual.

I plan to buy way more... maybe eventually all of his work. The only problem is locating a copy of Six Stories. That's the only one I'll probably never have.

Don't be ashamed Megan... Recruiting new King fans is part of the fun of being one!

When I started reading Stephen King I was unemployed so I basically just started pulling his books of my mom's and sister's bookshelves until I wanted to read something nobody owned. I think the first book I bought was The Shining, I was kinda in shock neither owned it!

I rarely read a book I don't own. The same goes for my King books. I collect them. Every King book I've read, I own now. And I think I own every thing he's written.

There are maybe only 4 books that King has written that I have not read yet, and don't own. The first time I read most of them I borrowed them from my uncle, who started me on King when I was 12. I have read all of them at least three times. The Shining I have read maybe 5 times. I like to own them so I can go back and read them again. Every year I re-read one.

I own:

Carrie (hardcover, printed in 1974)
Nona (a short story in a book called Shadows published in 1978)
The Glass Floor (from Weird Tales no. 298 Fall 1990 edition)
The Gunslinger (Dark Tower Book 1)
The Drawing of the Three (Dark Tower Book 2)
The Waste Lands (Dark Tower Book 3)
Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower Book 4)
Wolves of the Calla (Dark Tower Book 5)
Song of Susannah (Dark Tower Book 6)
The Dark Tower (Dark Tower Book 7)
The Stand
The Shining (I've read this so many times it's tattered)
It
Needful Things
Different Seasons
The Dead Zone
The Eyes of the Dragon
Bag of Bones
The Talisman
Black House
Insomnia
The Dark Half
Nightmares and Dreamscapes
The Bachman Books
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Desperation
The Regulators
Hearts In Atlantis
Dreamcatcher
Faithful
Gerald's Game
Christine
Everything's Eventual
Cell
Rose Madder
From a Buick 8
The Colorado Kid
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer
The Journals of Eleanor Druse
The Complete Stephen King Universe
Lisey's Story
Blaze
Duma Key
Just After Sunset
Stephen King Goes to the Movies

Don't own yet but want to:

Skeleton Crew (not read yet)
Night Shift (not read yet)
On Writing (not read yet)
Storm of the Century (not read yet, seen the movie a few times)
Salem's Lot
Green Mile
Cujo
Misery
Dolores Claiborne
Cycle of the Werewolf
Danse Macabre
Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born (Graphic Novel)(lent them out to a friend and never got them back)

Books I don't want to own:

Pet Sematary
The Tommyknockers

Tanya, Silver Bullet = Cycle of the Werewolf.

I forgot Silver Bullet was the name of the movie. I have read Cycle of the Werewolf, but don't own it.