Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Celebrate? Grieve?

*Update: I have to agree, nothing can compare to King's early work. The Shining and Pet Cemetery scared the bajebus out of me, heck, even It had my hair standing on end until that ending (a big spider?! Really? That just does not scare me one iota.) But for a good story that pulls you in, I have to say that Koontz is hitting that mark for me still and I am now on book 4 in that box o' books. I am also willing to concede that maybe all his books are not as good and I got lucky with the ones I got in that box, but so far so good.


Today is my 4 year anniversary of being diagnosed. Not really sure what one should do on such a day. I certainly do not want to celebrate, yet I don't really feel like grieving either. How does one commemorate such a day? That is the big question. I am working on a little poem-type thing for this occasion, but am not done with it yet, so it will come at a later date. I would have had it done but I have a terrible pain in my back and suspect a kidney infection (darn you, kidneys! I thought we were friends!). I am going to spend the day keeping the couch and my books company.

*Side Note: I don't usually ready fiction, but my mom got a box of Dean Koontz books at an auction and, knowing what a huge reader I am, passed them on to me. Out of a dry spell when I had nothing to read -- which can render me ready for a straight jacket -- I picked up one of the books. I have to admit that I am hooked on Dean Koontz right now. I have read 2 of the books and am working on my 3rd and he has not let me down yet. Sugarbowl read one of the books I haven't read yet and really liked it, so that one is next for me after I finish my current one. I loved me some Stephen King growing up, but his newest books seem to have disappointing endings, so I left him and turned my back on "scary" books. Dean Koontz has brought me back into the fold and I have not found a disappointing ending yet. I would recommend him to anyone who wants a great book that grabs you and forces you into that world. The only downside I have found is that sometimes I don't want to leave that world, and that is the highest compliment I can give a book.

9 comments:

Jen said...

I've been turned onto "true crime" nonfiction as of late. Ann Rule in particular. This way I get my nonfiction fix as well as a little mystery and intrigue. I guess.

I read a Koontz book a few years back. Shadoobie-- what was it?!...One Door Away from Heaven. Had to Google it. No, I didn't like it. But we can agree to disagree. However, I was a rabid Steven King fan as a pre-teen. Always precocious. Loved 'Salem's Lot and Night Shift especially.

'Mornin', Blindbeard.....

Jen said...

PS: Stephen King. Yeah, still can't spell....

Tricia said...

I love Dean Koontz - great stories and such a wide range of topics. Some are just out and out horror serial killer stuff, but my favorites are those with a supernatural twist to them.

I haven't read a book of his that I didn't like yet.

Denver Refashionista said...

I like to read things like Koontz sometimes too. It can be a nice escape.

As to the anniversary, I too am asking myself how I will commemorate mine...

MS. ME said...

I'm a King vs. Koontz fan myself but I agree King went kablooey in some of his newer stuff (Rose Madder - waaaay out there!) But, Duma Key by King was back to his Christine days - try it!

Webster said...

I've never read Koontz; I used to like King, but have pretty much given up on the creepy books. (Except Dexter - which is waaay creepy, and I feel guilty for enjoying it.)

As for acknowledging the "anniversary" of my MS - I don't, and never did. It's been 27 years now. Living with it is all the attention it's going to get from me!

Lisa Emrich said...

Never read Koontz. But this is the third post I've read today which discussed it being the person's MS dx anniversary.

So far there's been 10 yrs, 4 yrs, and 1 year. What is the attraction for March 4th? Is it some snide joke at what to do next in life with MS?
.....march forth......

Diane J Standiford said...

I do enjoy Ann Rule, never got into fiction, but loved Perry Mason, I agree about King, I srated my "MS Birthday" first yr after DX and continued that for many years, had party, gifts, a rebirth of me, I don't know, just tried to have fun at its expense. (plus I got gifts and cake--LOL) Now, the date passes b4 I remember. Big LOL

Anonymous said...

happy anniversary...i guess.

dean koontz i liken to the poor man's steven king - same sort of genre, and some good reading, but not quie the same caliber.