Stephen King books for a teen - The DIS Discussion Forums

skuttle · 11-19-2009, 01:00 PM

My 13 year old nephew loves to read, and based on the book he left in my car (it has the grim reaper on the cover!!), he enjoys horror fiction books.

I loved Stephen King when I was younger and read every thing he wrote up until my 20's when I just ran out of time to read for fun while in law school!

We always give him cash, but I want him to have something to unwrap. I asked my SIL if he has ever read any Stephen King, and she said no. She said she always shows him that section in the library, but he never picks anything. She thinks he gets confused. LOL!

I want to pick two of the shorter books for him. I was thinking maybe Carrie and Salem's Lot. Any thoughts?

just4today · 11-19-2009, 01:04 PM

They aren't really short, but the Gunslinger series and "The Talisman" are two of my favorite Stephen King works. They have elements of horror, but also western and science fiction.

skuttle · 11-19-2009, 01:06 PM

I loved the Gunslinger series. I don't think I ever got around to reading the final one, though!

When we moved to this house 3 years ago, I sold/donated all of my Stephen King Books! I wish I had kept them all now!

JessicaR · 11-19-2009, 01:16 PM

Get him 'Thinner'. Penned by Richard Bachman, pseudonym of Stephen King. My son read this at 12-13 loved it!

Pixiedust34 · 11-19-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessicaR

Get him 'Thinner'. Penned by Richard Bachman, pseudonym of Stephen King. My son read this at 12-13 loved it!

I forgot about that King book! That might be a good one for a "starter" book when being introduced to King's writing.

A collection of his short stories might be good, too.

skuttle · 11-19-2009, 01:31 PM

I never thought about Thinner! Short stories is a good idea, too.

acmeyer · 11-19-2009, 01:31 PM

How about Stephen Kings Green Mile Series. Each book is short and sweet and the Tom Hanks movie is oh soo good

JerseyJanice · 11-19-2009, 01:44 PM

Salem's Lot was the first King novel I read when I was 15. I loved it!

The Shining is another good one for a King beginner. I was afraid to go to sleep one night after reading it, but it's a great book.

Meriweather · 11-19-2009, 01:45 PM

My DS started reading Stephan King and Dean Koontz in 5th grade.
He (and me too) really enjoyed the Gun Slinger series....and by Koontz "Watcher" is a favorite.

skuttle · 11-19-2009, 02:01 PM

I forgot about the shining, too. I also thought about Pet Cemetery. I figured the Classics would be my best bet for now.

I agree that the Dark Tower/Gunslinger series is great. I need to finish it...took him so darn long to write the last book! I think I need to start off my nephew on some shorter ones first to get him hooked. I know the first Dark Tower is on the short side, but the others, from what I remember, are pretty long.

Darcy03231 · 11-19-2009, 02:02 PM

Its not short, but I read a lot of Stephen King as a teen and to date my favorite was The Stand.

krcit · 11-19-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darcy03231

Its not short, but I read a lot of Stephen King as a teen and to date my favorite was The Stand.

scrapquitler · 11-19-2009, 02:10 PM

I was reading all of Steven King in middle school, so I think that your nephew is at the perfect age!

I think that Carrie was the first one I ever read, but you might want to consider some of the short story collections, they are easy to read and give a good sense of his style.

Nik's Mom · 11-19-2009, 02:15 PM

I'm a huge Stephen King fan. I started reading his books in my early teens. I'd start out with one of the short story collections then go from there.

Ephany · 11-19-2009, 02:22 PM

He's got quite a few short story and novella collections:

Night Shift
Skeleton Crew
Different Seasons
Everything's Eventual
Just After Sunset

If you want single story books, The Stand, It, and the Gunslinger series (there's 7 of them) were always my favorites as a middle schooler and beyond. The only thing to look out for is that sometimes stories that were published in as a short story are sometimes reprinted as their own book. It's best to double check that it wasn't already printed previously so you can get the most bang for your buck. The reviews at amazon are usually pretty helpful in determining this.

11-19-2009, 01:00 PM	#1
skuttle Dreaming of DCL in 2010 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8,394	Stephen King books for a teen My 13 year old nephew loves to read, and based on the book he left in my car (it has the grim reaper on the cover!!), he enjoys horror fiction books. I loved Stephen King when I was younger and read every thing he wrote up until my 20's when I just ran out of time to read for fun while in law school! We always give him cash, but I want him to have something to unwrap. I asked my SIL if he has ever read any Stephen King, and she said no. She said she always shows him that section in the library, but he never picks anything. She thinks he gets confused. LOL! I want to pick two of the shorter books for him. I was thinking maybe Carrie and Salem's Lot. Any thoughts? __________________

11-19-2009, 01:06 PM	#3
skuttle Dreaming of DCL in 2010 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8,394	I loved the Gunslinger series. I don't think I ever got around to reading the final one, though! When we moved to this house 3 years ago, I sold/donated all of my Stephen King Books! I wish I had kept them all now! __________________

11-19-2009, 01:31 PM	#6
skuttle Dreaming of DCL in 2010 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8,394	I never thought about Thinner! Short stories is a good idea, too. __________________

11-19-2009, 01:44 PM	#8
JerseyJanice Proud owner of Max the Mighty Wonder Dog. Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Beautiful Bergen County Posts: 7,515	Salem's Lot was the first King novel I read when I was 15. I loved it! The Shining is another good one for a King beginner. I was afraid to go to sleep one night after reading it, but it's a great book. __________________ 1972, 1974, 1976 WDW Childhood Trips (Offsite) 2/99 CSR (Gift Trip from In-Laws) 9/00 CR/POFQ (Millennium Trip, Split Stay) 6/02 WL (Gift Trip from In-Laws to Celebrate their 40th) 2/08 POR/Dolphin (Split Stay) 8/08 Pop (Free Dining) 9/09 Pop (Free Dining Again) 8/10 Pop (Free Dining Again! )

11-19-2009, 01:45 PM	#9
Meriweather 86,028 posts and FINALLY.. a TAG! Time to share your chocolate! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: WA, AZ, OKW, VGC Posts: 109,356	My DS started reading Stephan King and Dean Koontz in 5th grade. He (and me too) really enjoyed the Gun Slinger series....and by Koontz "Watcher" is a favorite. __________________ Nancy

11-19-2009, 01:04 PM	#2
just4today Quirky about hair in front of eyes Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,311	They aren't really short, but the Gunslinger series and "The Talisman" are two of my favorite Stephen King works. They have elements of horror, but also western and science fiction.

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11-19-2009, 01:16 PM	#4
JessicaR DIS Veteran I wanna shoot aliens in the AM too! The Grinch is rude in a funny sorta way run to the hams! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 7,260	Get him 'Thinner'. Penned by Richard Bachman, pseudonym of Stephen King. My son read this at 12-13 loved it!

11-19-2009, 01:31 PM	#7
acmeyer Earning My Ears Join Date: May 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 34	How about Stephen Kings Green Mile Series. Each book is short and sweet and the Tom Hanks movie is oh soo good

11-19-2009, 02:01 PM	#10
skuttle Dreaming of DCL in 2010 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 8,394	I forgot about the shining, too. I also thought about Pet Cemetery. I figured the Classics would be my best bet for now. I agree that the Dark Tower/Gunslinger series is great. I need to finish it...took him so darn long to write the last book! I think I need to start off my nephew on some shorter ones first to get him hooked. I know the first Dark Tower is on the short side, but the others, from what I remember, are pretty long. __________________

11-19-2009, 02:02 PM	#11
Darcy03231 DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,820	Its not short, but I read a lot of Stephen King as a teen and to date my favorite was The Stand.

11-19-2009, 02:10 PM	#13
scrapquitler DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 783	I was reading all of Steven King in middle school, so I think that your nephew is at the perfect age! I think that Carrie was the first one I ever read, but you might want to consider some of the short story collections, they are easy to read and give a good sense of his style.

11-19-2009, 02:15 PM	#14
Nik's Mom Keith Moon fan! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 5,085	I'm a huge Stephen King fan. I started reading his books in my early teens. I'd start out with one of the short story collections then go from there. __________________ Proud Mom to 2 boys, and wife to a great husband!

11-19-2009, 02:22 PM	#15
Ephany DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,164	He's got quite a few short story and novella collections: Night Shift Skeleton Crew Different Seasons Everything's Eventual Just After Sunset If you want single story books, The Stand, It, and the Gunslinger series (there's 7 of them) were always my favorites as a middle schooler and beyond. The only thing to look out for is that sometimes stories that were published in as a short story are sometimes reprinted as their own book. It's best to double check that it wasn't already printed previously so you can get the most bang for your buck. The reviews at amazon are usually pretty helpful in determining this. __________________ Off site - October 2008 Pop Century - January 2009 Off site - March 2009

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