I have an unwavering love for Stephen King. His works have the power to transport me to worlds filled with terror, mystery, and profound human emotions. The way he weaves his stories is nothing short of masterful. Each character he creates is vivid and complex, making me feel as if I truly know them. His plots are always full of unexpected twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Whether it's a spine-chilling horror novel or a thought-provoking psychological thriller, Stephen King never fails to deliver. His writing style is engaging and accessible, yet it also has a depth and richness that makes his books a joy to read. I can't imagine my life without Stephen King's works. They have become a part of me, and I will continue to devour every new book he publishes with great enthusiasm.

I had an extraordinary experience of traveling back 25 years in time. During that journey, I found myself in a rather strange situation. I had to read with the overhead light on and my back firmly against the wall, as if afraid that something might come at me from behind. The illustrations in the book were all creepy versions of Stephen King, which added an extra layer of unease to the whole reading experience.

I'm truly very glad that I heard about these volumes from Goodreads. It was quite interesting to note that I started reading them after and managed to finish them before the other books I'm currently engaged with. Now, I'm ready to move on to the next one, which is Full Dark, No Stars. I'm curious to see what kind of adventure and emotions this new book will bring me.

**“Home Delivery”**

This was King’s initial foray into the zombie apocalypse genre. While I know I'm in the minority, I have a strong preference for Cell. The hive mind concept in that novel intrigues me greatly, but that's a different topic. In this story, the zombie aspect almost takes a backseat. The real focus is on Maddie Pace's remarkable fortitude and strength. As a widow living alone on an island, she not only has to face the challenges of solitary life but also the daunting task of giving birth and raising a child by herself. King is masterful at描绘 the loneliness and isolation that comes with living on small islands, and this story is a prime example. There are certain advantages to this lifestyle as well. Here, the isolation works in the inhabitants' favor. Once they've dealt with the zombies, they can easily manage any new arrivals. I often wonder why Robert Kirkland has never had his characters consider the idea of living on an island. It seems like it would be a perfect setting. King shows us just how ideal it can be in this story. Kirkland, are you paying attention? Reading?

**“Jerusalem's Lot”**

Although ‘Salem’s Lot is my favorite King book, this short story is far from my favorite. I much prefer “One for the Road” as an addition to the SL text. This story pays too much homage to Lovecraft. I'm constantly惊讶 at how many of my favorite writers cite Lovecraft as a major influence, yet I don't like Lovecraft. How can this be? It's a mystery. This story hits all the right Lovecraftian notes. There's a creepy house, rats in the walls (a King staple), hidden compartments, a deserted village, De Vermis Mysteriis or “The Mysteries of the Worm”, encryption using a rail fence cipher, and the ever-present vicious circle of a family name persisting despite all attempts to stop it. I can appreciate the structure of this tale and recognize that it's skillfully written, but I just don't like it. The illustrations included here make it much more readable for me. They're perfect.
**“The Reach”**
(originally published as “Do the Dead Sing”)
King once again explores the themes of isolation and a community so close-knit that they function as an extended family. Stella Flanders, a 95-year-old woman dying of cancer, has never left the small island where she lives. She's never had a reason to. Now, in her final moments of life, she bundles up and walks across the Reach, where she encounters her dead relatives, friends, and loved ones. The next morning, she's found dead on the mainland. The fact that her grandson recognizes his grandfather's hat on Stella's head convinces him that she spoke with his grandfather before dying, and this brings him comfort. This is a sweet story that softens the idea of death as a terrifying prospect. Stephen King's inspiration for “The Reach” came from a story his brother-in-law, Tommy, told him while he was in the Coast Guard. The real-life Stella Flanders lived and died on a small Maine island, never setting foot on the mainland. She remained on a small stretch of land with a community so close that they were like family. She had everything she needed on the island and had no need to cross the Reach until the day she died. Intrigued by the idea of the Reach and amazed by Flanders' counterpart, King came up with the idea for this short story.

This is kind of a rare find indeed.

It is truly a great addition to any Stephen King fan's library.

I have read most of the stories in this collection before.

However, having the illustrations in it adds a completely new dimension to the reading experience.

The illustrations bring the stories to life in a different way, allowing the reader to visualize the scenes and characters more vividly.

Nevertheless, I must admit that this book is probably not worth the exorbitant prices that some people are selling it for.

It's more of a collector's item or a cool book to have on the shelf.

But if you're a die-hard Stephen King fan and can afford it, then by all means, go for it.

It will surely be a cherished piece in your collection.

Overall, it's a unique and interesting book that offers something different to the Stephen King enthusiast.

The short story collection in question holds a certain allure.

To discover more about it, one can visit http://www.cemeterydance.com/secretary/.

Here, in the GRA style, blurbs are available that provide insights and previews of what lies within the collection.

These blurbs offer a tantalizing glimpse into the stories, perhaps piquing the interest of potential readers.

By visiting the website, one can explore the details and decide if this collection is worth delving into.

It could be a source of entertainment, inspiration, or simply a new literary adventure.

So, don't miss out on the opportunity to check out the blurbs and learn more about this captivating short story collection.

This two-volume anthology series is composed of short stories and novellas penned by Mr. King over the past forty-five years.

In my view, King truly shines when writing in the short story format, and I never grow weary of rereading many of these tales.

In this regard, "Secretary of Dreams" is not revolutionary. What sets it apart is that the stories are illustrated by Glenn Chadbourne.

Mr. Chadbourne imparts a comic book style to the works, which is quite fitting.

Although I have been a devotee of Mr. King's fiction for nearly forty years (astonishing!), I have never mistaken his writing for that of Evelyn Waugh or Thomas Hardy.

Mr. King crafts popular fiction with a leaning towards pulp. I have always relished the blend of pulp fiction and horror.

He excels at it, and it has made him extremely wealthy.

The black and white illustrations complement King's work splendidly. It is always fascinating to witness how another person interprets an author's work.

This is an amazing book.

Every time I go browsing or reading it, I discover new details that Glenn Chadbourne has drawn, which I missed during the previous reading.

The illustrations in this book are truly remarkable. They are so detailed and full of life that they add a whole new dimension to the story.

Glenn Chadbourne's talent as an artist is on full display here, and it's a joy to explore his work with each new reading.

Whether you're a fan of the story or simply appreciate beautiful art, this book is definitely worth checking out.

You'll be amazed at what you'll find with each new look.

I had a copy of a certain item. However, someone came along and offered me such a nice price that I simply couldn't resist and sold it to him.

I also read "Home Delivery" from Book of the Dead, which is also included in Nightmares & Dreamscapes.

On May 29, 2018, I managed to obtain an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from a trader on Facebook. It wasn't a hardcover copy, but it was still really awesome.

I'm excited to have this ARC and look forward to delving into the story. It's always great to get your hands on something new and interesting, especially when it's a book that you've been looking forward to reading.

I wonder what other great finds I'll come across in the future. Maybe there'll be more ARCs or even some rare hardcover editions. Only time will tell.

For now, I'm just going to enjoy this ARC and share my thoughts and impressions with others.