Books Stephen King Recommends discussion

The last few years I've been amazed at how many authors throw in a Stephen King reference in their novels. I thought it would be fun to have a discussion thread where we could pop in and name the books we read that do this.

Almeta, my sister and co-moderator, read Murder Superior and the author mentioned a nun packing a SK book in her suitcase.

I just read Booked To Die where the value of collecting Stephen King first/limited editions is mentioned quite frequently. Although, I have to admit, the author didn't seem to think much of SK as a writer. Hmmmmph!

I'm reading The Burn Palace and the lead character just mentioned he'd read The Shining, Cujo, and The Dark Half. Another homage to THE man!

Not to mention he is referenced in lots of TV shows. Most if not all that involve J.J. Abrams as a producer, writer, or directer, contain lots of Stephen King content, as he is a huge fan. LOST was one of the first, with lots of his books being featured in the show, and I have heard a rumor he was a ghost writer for an episode. If he was a ghost writer, I know exactly what episode...(spiders that bite you causing 8+ hours of paralysis...so you get buried alive, since everyone thinks you are dead) is totally a Stephen King idea!

The most recent and obvious...Revolution. His books appear in episodes; someone uses the pseudoname, Stu Redman; a main character, who is quite slimey is named...Randall Flynn; the last episode is called the Dark Tower; and a map has an area on it called the Wasteland.

Wow, not having access to many cable stations, I'm not up on the TV references. Very cool, Michelle!

I'm reading House of Skin and a lead character wants to write his first horror novel, but is upset because Stephen King has already used up most of the good ideas!

How about Stephen King appearances on TV/films other than those based on his books/stories?
I was suprised to see Stephen King in a episode of Season 4 of Sons of Anarchy. He was called on to get rid of a body. It was quite comical. He touched the body - including her breasts - to make sure sure she was dead I suppose. Then he got rid of the body (we don't get to see how) but I think all he needed was a big sink (and no doubt acid and some type of cutting instrument). Yikes! Anyways, he did a good job.

Josee wrote: "How about Stephen King appearances on TV/films other than those based on his books/stories?
..."

How about Stephen King appearances in his own stories adapted for film?

Such as The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill in Creepshow? How funny was that?

That was pretty funny. He's not the best actor, but I love catching his cameos!

Josee, I hadn't heard about the cameo in Sons of Anarchy. Very cool!

Almeta wrote: "Josee wrote: "How about Stephen King appearances on TV/films other than those based on his books/stories?
..."

How about Stephen King appearances in his own stories adapted for film?

Such as The ..."

DO NOT READ THIS SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN'T READ ALL THE DARK TOWER BOOKS. IT'S A HUGE SPOILER! The one that really kills me is (view spoiler)[King writing himself in as a character in the Dark Tower series. (hide spoiler)]

Had another books sighting at least 3 times in The Bookman's Wake, the 2nd book in this great series. Bibliophiles will love this series.

In one place in the novel a character is reading a SK book and the author says: "Stephen King, the grand entertainer of his time. God bless Stephen King when you couldn't afford a TV."

A character who is psychic is seen reading The Dead Zone in the novel The Firebird.

Wonder which one of his many tomes that was. lol

On page 129 of The Woman, the character Peg is reading Under the Dome for the third time. She's at the Barbie and Rusty jailbreak scene, one of her favorite parts in the book.

I ordered The Woman on my Nook, Duane. Good SK sighting catch!

In the Woods's main character mentions that he had been posted in one of Stephen King's small towns where there had been a murder.

It didn't make a lot of sense to me because the book is set in Ireland and he refers to "the murder squad" in this unnamed town of Stephen King's. It would have been "homicide department", not "murder squad".

There seem to be quite a few cameos in this book, including Kenny from South Park.

That's a funny one, Janice. It sure doesn't seem to make sense.

Cool indeed Amber!

That is awesome!

Just finished Ocean and I loved that comment!

Tara Rose wrote: "Just finished Ocean and I loved that comment!"

Ditto! LOL!

I've seen the IT Crowd - British TV show, so great! Anyways, when Jen is trying to explain that "Aunt Irma" is visiting, and Moss doesn't understand....Roy tries to get him to understand ------ "first scene in Carie"

Ah, that's funny, Tara!

While reading 24 Hours a minor character was neglectful of his duties because he was reading The Stand (the unabridged version) on the job!

I'm currently reading University by Bentley Little. One of the main characters is an English professor teaching a horror literature class and there are several references to the works and characters of King, including The Shining and Jack Torrance.

Duane wrote: "I'm currently reading University by Bentley Little. One of the main characters is an English professor teaching a horror literature class and there are several references to the works..."

That's cool. How are you enjoying University?

I was readingThe Bookwoman's Last Fling and the main character was hallucinating and thought he was feeling something similar to some horror in a Stephen King novel.

Debra wrote: "Duane wrote: "I'm currently reading University by Bentley Little. One of the main characters is an English professor teaching a horror literature class and there are several reference..."

University is my fourth Little novel and I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I dig his style, his writing flows so smoothly, and he has great concepts.

Yeah, I've got a Bentley Little book at home right now that I plan on reading this month. I like his style, too!

Almeta is reading Bay of Fires and a character is a journalist and recalling that he read a frightening Stephen King novel where a writer was kept captive by a nurse in her house. And if he remembered correctly that man was a writer, also.

As, we all probably know, that book would be Misery!

Debra wrote: "Yeah, I've got a Bentley Little book at home right now that I plan on reading this month. I like his style, too!"

Correction. This is my fifth Little novel. I've read The Revelation, Death Instinct, The Mailman, and The Summoning. Which Little novel do you have, Debra?

I figured you had read a few of Little's books to have dug his style. The book I have from the library is The Summoning. We read The Store for a group read here and everyone seemed to have a good time reading and discussion it. I'm pretty sure I've read one other a long time ago, but can't remember what it is and it's not on my "Read" list here. I've known about the author for a long time, but guess I never got around to reading his books. Now I'm going to make more of an effort.

Bentley Little is one evil dude!

I liked reading The Store and want to read more of his, but honestly when will I be in the mood to willingly be frightened to death? ☻☻

Oh, I LOVE the chills and thrills and needing to leave the lights on to sleep! lol

I'm envious of you two. Nothing scares me anymore.

Pretty much nothing scares me anymore, either. But, sometimes I get a little chilled for a moment when I read a really creepy scene.

I miss when I was a teenager and scared myself so much. I remember It really creeping me out... oh, and The Exorcist and Communion: A True Story. I was convinced I was opening myself up to demon possession or alien abduction just by reading about that stuff.

The book that scared the snot out of me was The Shining. I had to sleep with the lights on for nights. And then, I went to the movie and was scared all over again. The lights came back on for another week or so. :)

Oh yeah! The Shining creeped me out too!

I just finished re-reading The Shining and it still had the power to scare me.

I've started listening to Doctor Sleep today and instead of a Stephen King sighting, we have a Joe Hill sighting. I was driving down the road and I hear the name Charlie Manx come from the speakers. I thought, "That name sounds familiar." Then I heard that Charlie Manx would come and get him in his fancy car and take him away like the other children.

It hit me! NOS4A2! Stephen King was giving a shout out to his son. I think it is so cool that father and son give each other mentions like that.

I will second that.

I just re-read the Shining after visiting The Timberline Hotel at Mt. Hood, where Kubrick filmed the exterior shots for the movie.

There were times I had to put the book down—mostly when it was late and there was no one home.

Looking forward to reading Doctor Sleep. I'm sure it will have a similar effect.

I am reading Robert R. McCammon's The Five. At one point a spooky story is told and a non-believer says that the story teller "has been reading too many Stephen King novels".

That's cool about the Joe Hill sighting in Doctor Sleep!

I'm reading Small World by Tabitha King. She recognizes her husband's work in it by making a reference to the Overlook Hotel. Funny thing is that The Shining is on my list to read next :) (A re-read before I get to Doctor Sleep)

That's pretty cool, Josee. I have The Shining and Doctor Sleep to read soon, too.

In Boy's Life Cory's daughter is listed as owning and having read several books. King's 'Salem's Lot is one of them.

Reading Horns by Joe Hill. He recognizes his dad's work by comparing girls in the story to the " chick in fn Carrie".

When reading Dr. Sleep, Dick Halloran makes reference to Charlie Manx, who is the main evil villain in Nos4a2 by Joe Hill!

I noticed that Tara. Just finished reading Dr. Sleep :)

It was so good! I love all of the connections to The Shining.

Yes, I'm glad I reread The Shining before reading Doctor Sleep so I could relate to all the references/nuances.
(view spoiler)[ I noticed right away that Abra had Dan's father's maneurism when it came to wiping her upper lip. I didn't clue in as to why that was though so the genetic link was still a surprise for me. (hide spoiler)]

I just love finding Stephen King sightings in other books. I makes me aware of what an icon SK is.