This event is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we are eagerly anticipating. My choice for this week is:
by Stephen King
Publisher: Scribner
Available on November 8th
On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world changed. What if you could change it back? Jake Epping is a thirty-five-year-old high school English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine, who makes extra money teaching adults in the GED program. He receives an essay from one of the students—a gruesome, harrowing first person story about the night 50 years ago when Harry Dunning’s father came home and killed his mother, his sister, and his brother with a hammer. Harry escaped with a smashed leg, as evidenced by his crooked walk.
Not much later, Jake’s friend Al, who runs the local diner, divulges a secret: his storeroom is a portal to 1958. He enlists Jake on an insane—and insanely possible—mission to try to prevent the Kennedy assassination. So begins Jake’s new life as George Amberson and his new world of Elvis and JFK, of big American cars and sock hops, of a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald and a beautiful high school librarian named Sadie Dunhill, who becomes the love of Jake’s life—a life that transgresses all the normal rules of time.On 11/22/63, I was 6 years old. I lived in Lubbock, Texas. I vaguely remember watching some of the funeral events on TV. My father worked for the Texas Department of Public Safety, our state police, and there was certainly a big uproar over the assassination of President Kennedy and the serious injuries suffered by then Texas Governor John Connally. My dad was gone for weeks, assisting with the investigations. I think that most people alive at the time can state where they were when they heard about the tragedy.
Stephen King, who I discovered when I was in college, was a favorite author for many years. It's been a while since I read any of his novels, but I wrote a post about my love of what I would call his "classic" books last year. Look for Bookish Nostalgia #5 - Stephen King - The Classic Books. I'm excited about 11/22/63 and am curious to see how this gifted author will challenge us with time travel. It's preordered for my Kindle. Yes it is.
I read my first Stephen King book in high school, I think he is a great writer.
ReplyDeleteI think the book is over 930 pages !
I read all his early books starting with Salem's Lot which remains my favorite. And then, somehow, I drifted away.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I'm really looking forward to this new book. An alternate history, time travel story will always bring me back.
I never read anything by Stephen King, but have always wanted to.
ReplyDeleteMy WOW
I have vivid memories or the JFK shooting as a sixth grader just coming back from lunch and the news was devastating. I am also a long time reader of King and this does sound amazing. Great pick!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good, here's mine http://headstuckinabook.blogspot.com/2011/10/waiting-on-wednesday-2.html
ReplyDeleteVery anxious for this one. I preordered it for Kindle yesterday:) enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI was not quite two (and living in Canada), so I have no personal recollection of this historical event. However, when Amy was in elementary school, she had an assignment for social studies that focused on Kennedy's assassination. She "interviewed" a dozen of our friends and relatives, asking them what they remembered about that day. It was quite interesting to the various responses, but everyone remembered it like it was yesterday. Much like 9/11 is for so many today.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to see what you think of this new book by SK. I still want to read Under the Dome!
I've only read one Stephen King book as I am a wimp when it comes to the scary stuff, but this one sounds like something I would enjoy. The alternate history angle is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteGreat pick!
I was in junior high when JFK was shot. Still a stunning memory.
ReplyDeleteI've never read Stephen King. How can that be?
Me too, me too!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Stephen King. I preordered my copy of the latest months ago and can't wait. Only just realized I won't be here when it arrives :( Ah well, something to look forward to when I get back.
ReplyDeleteWould you believe I have never read a Stephen King novel!? *gasp*
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
This one looks so intriguing...I don't usually read King's books, but the ones I have read are really good.
ReplyDeletewow, i should read this one. I haven't read any of his stuff before but this one looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI follow you! here's my WOW post, I hope you'll stop by and follow me if you haven't already, and let me know what you think of mine!!
http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/wow-masque-of-red-death.html
And I was fifteen, standing in the high school gym when it came over the loud speaker and we all went home. I was still on crutches from an August femur break. This was the first time I ever saw my father cry. The other time was when his own father died. Our household was a huge Kennedy house.
ReplyDeleteSK is just too scary for me, but I do love the idea of going back in time to stop events. Have you read Time and Again by Jack Finney? Hands down one of my favorite books of all time.
I don't think I've read a Stephen King novel since I was in high school, but this one sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI also was the in the first grade and was surprised to find that as I grew up many of my schoolmates had only vague memories of the Kennedy assassination. I remember all of it quite clearly.
ReplyDeleteStephen King! Oh my! His books are so scary! When I read his book "The Stand", I had to stop reading it. Why? Because if anyone SNEEZED near me, I felt like hitting them to make them stop! Honestly! (Now, everyone will have to read that book to see what I mean!) Have you ever read his nonfiction book "On Writing". (I am all about nonfiction!) It is an excellent book and he also goes into detail about his accident...
I will so be looking forward to what you think of this one should you read it. It's been ages since I've read a King book!
ReplyDeleteI've only read one book my Stephen King. I'm not a brave person, and I get scared very easily. :)
ReplyDeleteYour particpation in this Wednesday meme is certainly adding to my wish list. I'm still excited about The Territory and now you have me excited about this one. I was in my early 20s when I heard about JFK and remember exactly where I was and who was with me. It's still a vivid memory. I'd love to see what Stephen King is going to do with it.
ReplyDeleteI've read some King and agree this one looks really interesting. Having your dad so active at the time it must have really piqued your interest as a girl.
ReplyDeleteThis is one (11/22/63) of Steven King's greatest novels since It. Extremely engrossing. You don't want it to end, but at the same time can't wait to see how it ends.
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