I'm having such a bad reading month.

It seems that every book I pick up just doesn't hold my interest. I start reading with enthusiasm, but after a few pages, my mind begins to wander.

I've tried different genres, hoping to find something that will grip me, but so far, no luck.

Maybe it's because I'm too busy with other things and can't fully focus on reading. Or perhaps my expectations are too high.

Whatever the reason, I'm really disappointed. I love reading and usually find it to be a great escape from reality. But this month, it just hasn't been the same.

I'm hoping that next month will be better and that I'll be able to find some amazing books to get lost in.

This short story is an okay read.

However, I really wished there would have been more in-depth explanation about why certain things happened.

It didn't really give off a creepy vibe as one might expect from such a genre.

Rather, it just seemed to be a straightforward story without much depth or mystery.

The plot was somewhat simplistic and lacked the elements that would have made it truly engaging or thought-provoking.

Perhaps with a bit more elaboration on the events and their causes, the story could have been more interesting and satisfying.

Overall, it was an average read that didn't quite reach its full potential.

King Esteemed and Beloved!

It is a short, captivating and extraordinary story that creates a wonderful excitement when reading. There is a difficult decision in the book that you keep thinking about until the last moment and are after its result!

It is excellent and thrilling. This story takes you on a journey of emotions and anticipation. As you turn the pages, you are constantly engaged, eager to know what will happen next. The characters come to life, and you find yourself invested in their fates. The author has masterfully crafted a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it a truly enjoyable read. Whether you are a fan of short stories or simply looking for a quick escape into a world of excitement and adventure, this story is sure to satisfy. So, pick it up and let yourself be swept away by its charm.

It can be read in one sitting. It is wonderful how King manages to make really good stories out of the simple and the everyday. Besides being the pride of being the first e-book, it opened the door to new possibilities of reading.

King's talent for transforming ordinary life into captivating narratives is truly remarkable. His ability to find the extraordinary within the mundane allows readers to become fully immersed in his stories.

The fact that it was the first e-book adds an extra layer of significance. It not only revolutionized the way we read but also paved the way for a whole new era of digital literature.

Today, e-books have become an integral part of our reading experience, offering convenience, accessibility, and a vast selection of titles. Thanks to King's pioneering work, we now have the opportunity to explore a world of literature at our fingertips.

Stephen King's short stories are truly one-of-a-kind treats. They have the remarkable ability to draw readers right into the heart of an exciting narrative.

Recently, in need of something to fill the time before my next big reading adventure, I delved into one of these short gems. The story features Alan Parker, a student at the University of Maine. Alan receives a distressing call informing him that his mother has had a stroke and is in the hospital.

With no vehicle of his own and deeply concerned for his only living parent, Alan decides to hitchhike to see her. His first ride is with an older man who clearly has some health problems, causing Alan to ask to be let out early in the journey.

As he waits for the next vehicle to pass by, Alan discovers a small graveyard with markers. When headlights finally illuminate the road, he gets into the car and strikes up a conversation with the young driver. The talk soon turns to a death-defying rollercoaster called The Bullet. Alan has strange memories related to it, but he listens intently as the driver tells of riding it multiple times.

What follows is a spine-chilling tale about riding The Bullet and a bargain made on the way to central Maine. It's another interesting piece full of twists that only King can masterfully create. It's perfect for a short trip or to simply pass the time.

I've been a long-time fan of Stephen King's work, whether it's his longer novels or shorter stories like this one. He has an amazing talent for creating well-developed characters and providing them with rich backstories in a short amount of time. His ideas seem to be endless, and he uses even the simplest events as major plot twists.

With themes intricately woven into the fabric of his stories, readers can learn a great deal about themselves as they read. While the tangential nature of a well-crafted King piece is sometimes less prominent in the shorter works, there is no shortage of depth or intrigue.

No matter what choices Alan Parker makes in this story, the possibilities are limitless, and King always presents them for the reader to contemplate, even late into the night.

Kudos to Mr. King for another winner. I love how my mind races whenever I read his writing, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for his fans next!

Love or hate this review? An ever-expanding collection of others can be found at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a unique kind of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

A good, short, and creepy tale!

It was a dark and stormy night. The wind howled outside, and the rain pounded on the windows. In a small, secluded house, a young woman named Lily sat alone.

Lily had always been a bit of a loner, but tonight she felt an unusual sense of unease. As she sat in her living room, she thought she saw a shadow move in the corner of her eye. She dismissed it as her imagination playing tricks on her.

But then, she heard a strange sound. It was a soft tapping, like someone was knocking on the door. Lily got up and went to the door, but when she opened it, there was no one there.

She closed the door and went back to the living room. But the tapping sound continued, and it seemed to be getting closer. Lily's heart began to race as she realized that something was very wrong.

She looked around the room, and that's when she saw it. A figure was standing in the corner, watching her. It was a tall, dark figure, and Lily couldn't make out its face.

Lily tried to scream, but no sound came out. She turned to run, but the figure was suddenly in front of her. It reached out and touched her shoulder, and Lily felt a cold, icy hand.

And then, everything went black.

I absolutely adored this story. It was truly captivating from start to finish. The elements of a hitchhiker, a lonesome street, spooky ghosts, a classic car, and a hidden secret all combined to create a masterful piece of storytelling. As I delved into the novella, I could vividly picture the scenes in my mind. The hitchhiker standing on the desolate street, the eerie presence of the ghosts lurking in the shadows, and the sleek classic car that seemed to hold a mystery of its own. The author's ability to build suspense and create an atmosphere of unease was truly remarkable. By the time I reached the end, I had goosebumps all over my body. It was a thrilling and unforgettable read that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery or a touch of the supernatural.

I don't know what it is about Stephen King.

His early works were truly remarkable and captivating, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

However, his later works seem to have lost some of that magic.

This particular one is no exception.

The story lacks the depth and the unique charm that his earlier novels possessed.

The characters don't seem as well-developed, and the plot feels a bit flat and predictable at times.

It's disappointing to see a writer of his caliber produce works that don't quite measure up to his previous standards.

Perhaps he's reached a point in his career where he's running out of fresh ideas or maybe he's just trying to appeal to a wider audience.

Whatever the reason, it's a shame that his later works aren't as good as they could be.

Under the light of a shiny-polished button moon, Alan Parker sets off as a hitchhiker at night to visit his mother, who has suffered a stroke, in the hospital. It's a memorable journey during which he finds himself in the passenger seat of a Ford Mustang, with a dead man smelling of formaldehyde behind the wheel. "The dead travel fast," as the fitting quote from Bram Stoker's Dracula goes. And this very dead man presents Alan with an impossible choice.

"Rollercoaster" is a story that King initially only published on the Internet. In 2000, it was then first published in German by Ullstein. The story reads very intensively in parts and shines like the moon metaphors (of which Arno Schmidt is the master) and the images that King has interspersed. Besides the image quoted at the beginning of this short review, the full autumn moon turns into a "bone-white moon", then it is "pregnant and feverish" and finally a "green illusion" and "a one-eyed dead man".

The reading was enjoyable and deserved 3 1/2 stars.

The King has shared a very moving short story with us.

This story is filled with emotions and lessons. It tells of a situation that touches the hearts of all who read it.

The details are vivid and the characters are well-developed. We can easily imagine ourselves in the story, experiencing the same feelings as the characters.

The story may seem simple at first, but as we delve deeper, we discover its profound meaning. It makes us think about life, love, and the importance of kindness.

Overall, this is a beautiful short story that will stay with us for a long time. It is a reminder that even in the simplest of stories, there can be great wisdom and beauty.

We should all take the time to read and appreciate such stories, as they have the power to inspire and transform us.

"FUN IS FUN AND DONE IS DONE"

Stephen King's RIDING THE BULLET is a truly creepy little ghost story. It features an eerie graveyard that one should definitely not enter. There is also a ghoulish spirit with a fast ride who presents a deadly ultimatum. The concept of "riding the thumb" is some seriously scary business.

UPDATE: August 16, 2018 - I thought the movie version of the nighttime 100 mile hitchhike where the protagonist confronts demons both living and dead was simply awesome! There is so much more to the plot compared to what I remember of the novella. It's definitely a must-watch this Halloween for a thrilling and spine-chilling ride. You'll be on the edge of your seat as you follow the protagonist's terrifying journey through the night, facing one horror after another. The movie does an excellent job of bringing the story to life and creating a truly immersive and terrifying experience.

This book is an interesting one. It is not an out and out ghost story, nor is it a pure psychological mystery.

In the first half, there are really creepy moments that can make your hair stand on end. It has a certain charm that keeps you hooked and eager to know what will happen next. You find yourself completely immersed in the story, feeling the tension and excitement.

However, as the story progresses into the second half and towards the ending, it disappoints. The build-up from the first half doesn't lead to a satisfying conclusion. The ending feels a bit rushed or perhaps not as well-developed as it could have been.

Despite this disappointment, it is still a good fun read. It has its moments of entertainment and can keep you engaged for a while. It's not a perfect book, but it does have its merits and can provide some enjoyment for those who are looking for a light-hearted and somewhat spooky read.

Overall, it's a book that has its highs and lows, but it's still worth picking up if you're in the mood for something different.