For the month of March we will be reading our first novel “The Stand” by Stephen King. I love novels because they show us a different world, they take us to new places, and allow our minds to explore different possibilities. Novels broaden our imaginations, Albert Einstein once said “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” Hopefully everyone enjoys this novel, feel free to share your thoughts and ideas.
March 2, 2017 at 1:26 am
I am already half way through this book and I am enjoying it very much. All the characters are amazing and just the story itself is a page turner. King is a really good writer and I hope to read more of his books. This is my first time reading this type of novel and it is definitely a good one to start reading this type of novel. My favorite character is probably Frannie she is so incredibly brace and I admire her for that. I hope all of you enjoy this book as much as I am. Thanks for the recommendation Cooper!
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March 2, 2017 at 2:38 am
Oooo I’ll join the club here!!! I’ve read a few of Stephen King’s books but not them all, this will be a cool read.
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March 3, 2017 at 12:19 am
Hopefully! I’m excited about this one.
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March 2, 2017 at 6:48 am
I am on it!! Is it cheating if I get the audio book?
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March 3, 2017 at 12:18 am
An audio book is cool too.
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March 4, 2017 at 4:44 pm
I started the Stand in February, so I am 3/4 of the way done;) I am liking it a lot, I love the futuristic feel of it.
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March 5, 2017 at 7:08 am
I love it so far as well. It’s riveting, and very well written.
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March 4, 2017 at 10:50 pm
so far, I love how the book captures the lifestyle of the time period.
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March 7, 2017 at 1:49 pm
The Cibola Raiders? ( I’m pretty far into the book. You’ll get the joke , soon)
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March 8, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Ha. Will let you know when I reach that part, I’m moving along pretty fast.
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March 7, 2017 at 8:29 pm
😂😂😂😂
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March 10, 2017 at 2:47 am
How far is everyone??
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March 11, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Chapter 37 page 336 what about you?
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March 12, 2017 at 5:17 am
I’m only on chapter 20. I didn’t get to start on it until Thursday so I was wondering how far behind I was!
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March 10, 2017 at 5:55 pm
After reading the preface, it seems like there are two versions to this book ; I went the economical route and checked this book out from the library and I think I have the updated version (1100 pages). Either way, I’m enjoying it. I’m only 10 chapters in but I like how they’re setting up everyone’s back story even though we pretty much know these folks are going to fare.
Initially Frannie was my fave character but now that I’ve been introduced to Nick he’s the one I’m truly rooting for. I love his determination and tenacity and I’m really hoping for justice for him and that he finds some way to survive.
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March 11, 2017 at 9:42 pm
I have the same version. I am currently on chapter 37, page 336. Don’t want to spoil anything for you, but I’m anxious to find out exactly how certain people are staying alive while others die in a couple days or a week. I find this book really well written and clever. Every time I pick it up it’s hard to put down.
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March 11, 2017 at 9:28 pm
I finished it!! I loved the ending. Has anyone else gotten there yet??
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March 11, 2017 at 9:49 pm
Not yet, I’m only on chapter 37, don’t spoil it just yet lol.
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March 11, 2017 at 9:31 pm
I finished it!!! It was super good. I hope you guys are enjoying as much as I did. The ending was super cute and sweet. One of the best characters was Tom Cullen he is like a grown up kid and super fun. Stu and Fran are also some of my favorites. This book has made me want to read more of King’s books. I look forward to the next book!
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March 11, 2017 at 9:47 pm
I’m only on page 336, a little more than a quarter of the way through. You’re a fast reader. Do you have the complete version?
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March 13, 2017 at 8:19 pm
The Stand is my favorite book of all time. I’m thrilled that you have chosen to read it for your blog. 🙂
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March 14, 2017 at 12:27 am
I can see why it’s your favorite. The way King is developing this story is genius. Each chapter sparks the perfect amount of interest without giving away too much of the whole story, they end with a well thought out cliff hanger. Truth is, every novel can be summed up in just a few paragraphs, but that’s boring. It is the embellishments and techniques that make them great. For such a long book I’m surprised that everything is making sense, sometimes writers leave things unexplained, I always felt like they did that because they couldn’t come up with a good enough reason as to why that particular thing happened in their story. This may sound weird but it makes their fiction work seem too fake. To me a good fiction book has verisimilitude, that’s what keeps my interest.
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March 14, 2017 at 5:10 pm
You are so right! I literally could not put the book down the first time I read it. The unfolding of the containment breach and spread of the plague is some of the best descriptive writing I have ever read.
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March 14, 2017 at 4:18 am
Hello, I’m gonna join in on the readings as well. Any recommendation where it is best to get the books? Best prices?
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March 14, 2017 at 6:06 am
I got mine from Barnes and Noble and amazon. You can try checking out some at your local library.
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March 17, 2017 at 12:45 am
Thanks!
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March 17, 2017 at 12:52 am
What I love about The Stand is the fact that it really immerses you into these people’s lives, and you see the world from a very close personal perspective, which is pretty cool. I suppose it feels like it carries a very dark overtone which I personally like a lot.
My favorite part like most others is the Captain Trips portion. Quite vivid thoughts and it brings out a little emotion. Well, maybe more.
PS also tell this man jared he’s not getting your jersey number. $5. smh. the disrespeck
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March 19, 2017 at 2:48 am
I have the complete version.
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March 19, 2017 at 10:20 pm
Wow you’re a fast reader.
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March 19, 2017 at 2:49 am
This book was really fun to read. I liked the different points of view.
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April 4, 2017 at 10:25 pm
What a book!! It’s my 3rd time reading it, and by far the most enjoyable. They made a mini-series (just like they did for *IT), that I want to watch again. Gary Sinise was Stu! Classic.
I swear the beginning was Larry going through the tunnel. Freaked me out! The Trashcan man image riding the nuke. It’s too good. Glad everyone liked it.
*IT is a great read, too. But be warned it will scare the begeezes out of you. As good as it is I think once is enough.
Hope everyone is doing well.
TC
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April 6, 2017 at 11:47 pm
Honestly, I was not able to finish the book in the month of March, the book is really long and unfortunately I am not a fast reader. Luckily, our next book is extremely short (can literally be read in one sitting) so after I finish it I will come back to The Stand and finish it before the end of April.
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April 6, 2017 at 1:26 am
Is there a page for mentoring 101, yet?
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April 6, 2017 at 11:49 pm
Yes, I just created it.
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April 12, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Just finished the new longer version. I really enjoy King’s writing style and specifically his ability to develop believable characters. You get a sense that the characters are real, they are multifaceted, they have depth and there’s plenty of gray area; even the good guys have flaws… like real people. What really resonated with me was how he is able to capture the internal struggle within the main characters, showing how they think and are always wrestling with their beliefs about themselves and others. Spoiler alert to those who haven’t finished – I was a little disappointed with the actual “stand”. I was hoping for the good guys to be a more proactive in the dark man’s downfall. It felt to me like they were just sort of there. I’m certain there is more symbolically to that moment that I missed – would like to hear others thoughts. At any rate, a very entertaining read and I would love to see this made into a movie. If anyone is interested in learning more about Stephen King’s writing process I highly recommend his non-fiction book on that topic called “On Writing”. Thanks for adding this one to the list.
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April 16, 2017 at 1:12 am
I will share my thoughts with you about the end when I finish it. Just finished the book for the month of April so I have extra time to go back and finish The Stand.
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April 18, 2017 at 11:05 pm
Looking forward to your thoughts 🙂
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May 15, 2017 at 6:39 pm
Read The Stand many years ago, when the uncut version came out, and again recently. Some of King’s best writing is in it (introduction of the Dark Man; etc.).
Themes of good vs evil, redemption, hope, and how humanity copes with disaster and how we all live with each other run all through this (and lot of his other work). I can’t watch The Walking Dead without being reminded of The Stand, almost every episode…
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