avatarMarcus Musick

Summary

The website content is a personal review of ten books read by the author in 2023, with a focus on horror novels, including several by Stephen King.

Abstract

The article titled "End of Year Book Review for 2023" reflects on the author's reading journey throughout the year, highlighting a newly discovered appreciation for Stephen King's work. With the aid of an iPad mini, the author completed ten books, predominantly in the horror genre. The list includes classics like "Dracula" by Bram Stoker and "Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton, alongside multiple Stephen King novels such as "Salem's Lot," "Pet Sematary," and "The Stand." The author provides a brief opinion on each book, noting their personal connections and emotional responses to the stories, and concludes by expressing anticipation for future reads in 2024, inviting recommendations from readers.

Opinions

  • The author has a long-standing affinity for horror books, stemming from childhood experiences with the Goosebumps series.
  • "Salem's Lot" by Stephen King is highlighted as a standout favorite, marking the first complete King book the author has read.
  • "Those Across the River" by Christopher Buehlman is praised for its suspense and atmosphere, with a recommendation for horror enthusiasts.
  • "Pet Sematary," also by King, is recognized for its emotional impact, though it is described as depressing.
  • "The Stand" is noted as a lengthy read that didn't quite live up to the author's expectations, possibly due to its resonance with the Covid pandemic.
  • "Let the Right One In" by John Ajvide Lindqvist is considered an interesting and dark vampire novel, discovered through a Reddit recommendation.
  • "Cycle of the Werewolf," another King book, is appreciated for its concise storytelling, though its brevity is acknowledged.
  • "Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton is a departure from the horror theme but is celebrated for its action-packed narrative and fidelity to the movie franchise.
  • "Revival" by Stephen King is recognized for its intriguing start, despite the author's reservations about the ending.
  • "Carrie," King's debut novel, is the least favored on the list, with the author expressing a lack of connection to the main character and theme.
  • "Dracula" is lauded for its classic status and compelling initial pages but criticized for its shift to a love story and the diminished presence of its titular character.
  • The author expresses excitement for future reads, including "IT" and "The Shining," and is open to book recommendations for the upcoming year.

End of Year Book Review for 2023

I read ten books…and I might be a fan of Stephen King

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Reading books has been one of my favorite hobbies since I was a kid. I grew up reading nearly all of the Goosebumps series, which is one of the reasons why I still enjoy horror books.

Earlier this year, I purchased an iPad mini, which made it much easier for me to read a wide range of books. I finished ten novels for the entire year, and I’m looking forward to reading more next year!

Here is my top ten list of books I read in 2023. (Yes, Dracula is #10)

1) Salem’s Lot — Stephen King

I’ve actually never finished a Stephen King book until this year. I did start reading Cujuo many years ago, but I never finished it. Salem’s Lot was the first book I picked up in 2023, and it’s definitely one of my favorite books of all time.

2) Those Across the River — Christopher Buehlman

Those Across the River is another great suspenseful book with an unexpected twist in the middle. I loved the atmosphere, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys horror.

3) Pet Sematary — Stephen King

I watched this movie as a kid, and I was already familiar with the story before reading it. Nevertheless, it was a great book but a little bit depressing. (That’s an understatement)

4) The Stand — Stephen King

The Stand is one of the largest books I’ve ever read. Overall, I enjoyed most of the story, but it’s not on the same level as the previous three books. (Please don’t crucify me) Maybe the book reminded me of Covid too much.

5) Let the Right One In — John Ajvide Lindqvist

I randomly found this book as a recommendation on Reddit, and it was definitely interesting! It’s a little on the dark side, but it’s a great read if you are into vampires.

6) Cycle of the Werewolf — Stephen King

The Cycle of the Werewolf deserves to be much higher, but it was much shorter compared to any book on this list. Overall, it was a tight story that kept me interested all the way to the end.

7) Jurassic Park — Michael Crichton

Jurassic Park is a little change of pace compared to the others. I’ve seen the movie many times, but I never read the book until this year. The entire book is action-packed, and it’s an excellent read if you love the franchise. I plan on reading The Lost World in 2024.

8) Revival — Stephen King

Revival is a more modern Stephen King novel that I enjoyed. The beginning of the book was intriguing, but I didn’t care too much for the ending. I plan on reading a few more Stephen King books next year.

9) Carrie — Stephen King

Carrie was the first book published by Stephen King, but I didn’t care for it too much. The book is shorter than most, and I didn’t enjoy the theme or the main character.

10) Dracula — Bram Stoker

Nothing is quite like reading a classic, especially if you are struggling with insomnia. The first 80 pages or so of Dracula is amazing until it turns into a long-winded love story, and Dracula nearly disappears for the entire middle section of the book.

Thanks for making it through my entire list! Some of the books I plan to read in 2024 include IT and The Shining. Feel free to let me know if you have any recommendations!

Books
Reading
Book Review
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Horror
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