Well Angela, I will have to be on the train out of town with you. I also have never read Stephen King, and am married to someone who owns and has read every one of King's books. I just have a horror of horror books(or TV, or music, or anything scary.) However, I am a huge Red Sox fan, and it is the beginning of the season, so I thought I would try this one. I have a cousin who set out on the AT from Georgia yesterday, and hopes to land here in Maine in September, so there are lots of things drawing me to this book. I often find I like books better if I listen to them, rather than read them. In this case however, the audio book added to my anxiety, because it has nice scary haunting music. I was listening last night, and only got as far as the first three chapters and had to put the book down.. I just couldn't do it. I'll do the rest (if I can) in print) I should also add that I have an 8 1/2 yr old granddaughter who sounds much like the girl in the story. I was able today IN THE DAYLIGHT to continue on with the book and have now gotten as far as finishing chapter 6. Do we have a schedule yet? I'm going to have to take this one in little tiny pieces, and I may have to cheat and read the ending first (I HATE PEOPLE who do that!) but we'll see.

I do love the way he writes though. The imagery is staggering. I feel like I know all the characters who've been introduced so far. I can see the trail, feel the bugs, sense her terror. I can see already why he is considered such a good writer. I hope I can get through this.

I have only read one Stephen King book, Lisey's Story. I do want to read Duma Key too. I don't read or watch horror, so I thought there were no Stephen King books for me, but I have discovered that is not true.

I am looking forward to this month's book in order to read another Stephen King and to get in the mood for Red Sox baseball.

Is Stephen King a "guy's" author? I'm another spouse who doesn't usually read horror or Mr. King's books but is married to a man who has every one of his books and is a devoted fan. There seem to be quite a few of us out there! However I did read this title and have to admit, I really liked it. I've spent a lot of time on the Appalachian Trail so that aspect drew me in, and I'm a baseball fan as well -- Cubs and Mets are the teams I grew up with but I'm learning to love those Red Sox.

Is Stephen King a "guy's" author? I'm another spouse who doesn't usually read horror or Mr. King's books but is married to a man who has every one of his books and is a devoted fan. There seem to be quite a few of us out there! However I did read this title and have to admit, I really liked it. I've spent a lot of time on the Appalachian Trail so that aspect drew me in, and I'm a baseball fan as well -- Cubs and Mets are the teams I grew up with but I'm learning to love those Red Sox.

I'm with all of you on this. This is the first Stephen King book I've read because I don't read horror novels either. If it weren't for this book club, I may never have picked up any of King's books. I approached it with trepidation and didn't know how far I'd get before I thought I might have to put in down. Instead I've been enjoying the book, if that's the right word. King really is a better writer than I thought he would be. The book feels more like suspense than horror, at least the first part.