'Salem's Lot Readalong Discussion Part 1

Sorry this is up so late folks, but I've been busy the last couple of days- October is my busy month!  So now that we're half way through 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King, I thought we'd take a moment to answer some questions.  Here we go!

 Oct. 18th:  Chapters 1-8 Discussion. 
Also, let me know below in comments if ya'll are up for a Twitter discussion tonight! 

1 .Why did King put the end of the story in the prologue?  Does it make a difference knowing that Ben and Mark survive?

2. Who is your favorite character so far?

3.  Do you think Ben really saw the ghost of Marsten when he was a kid?

4.  Do you think it's a coincidence that Ben shows up in town the same time as Barlow and Straker?

5. Consider the town or city you live in.  Do you think a similar vampire infestation could begin where you live?

6. What do you think will happen in the second half of the book (if this is your first time reading 'Salem's Lot)?

7. What moment has scared you the most?

My answers:

1 .Why did King put the end of the story in the prologue?  Does it make a difference knowing that Ben and Mark survive?
 In some ways I like it, I know no matter how bad things get, Ben and Mark survive it.  At the same time, as the story unfolds and I meet the rest of 'Salem's Lot, I can't help but be sad at their fate. Overall though, I do like the way it started.  Otherwise I think this could be too intense of a read.

2. Who is your favorite character so far?
I've always liked Mark, but this time around I'm really enjoying Matt the English teacher.  I kind of flip flop with Ben- what I like most about him tends to be the people he attracts to him.

3.  Do you think Ben really saw the ghost of Marsten when he was a kid?
You know, I think if you had asked me back when I first read this story I would have said no.  Now?  Yes, I think he did.  I think he needed to.  Partly, because I just finished a re-read of It, and the way that Ben, Mark, Matt, Susan, Jimmy and Father Callahan are being drawn together feels a bit like the Loser's Club connecting. I think Ben's ability to believe Matt's story is critical to the story.

4.  Do you think it's a coincidence that Ben shows up in town the same time as Barlow and Straker?
No!  If Barlow and Straker represent evil, then Ben and his friends represent good.  Maybe it's not always Mother Abigail speaking to you in your dreams (The Stand), and maybe God's not speaking from a burning bush, but I think the force of good drew Ben back to the Lot.  But then... you have to wonder if that same force took out his wife in order to get him in the right state to come home... and this kind of theological thinking is making my headache so I shall stop.

5. Consider the town or city you live in.  Do you think a similar vampire infestation could begin where you live?
I guess it could happen anywhere, but the city I live in is rather large and spread out.  Could it have happened in the smaller Pennsylvania town I lived in during high school?  Yes, I think so.  Especially during the winter months, when the snow can really cut the town off from the rest of the world.  Phew, it's a good think I escaped!

6. What do you think will happen in the second half of the book (if this is your first time reading 'Salem's Lot)?
I've already read it, although it's been years since the last time, so I know a bit of what's coming even though the details are a bit shaky. Also, I've already kept reading so I know what happens in the next few chapters! ;)

7. What moment has scared you the most?
Without a doubt, the moment when Matt goes upstairs to the guest bedroom.  The tension, the bravery, everything about that moment had my heart beating furiously!  I loved that he had Susan continue to talk downstairs (I must remember to use that ploy someday, also I should practice carrying on a one-way conversation because let's face it, I'd be far less likely to be the one checking on that strange noise upstairs). 

Carrie Readalong Discussion of Part Two: The Prom

First off, a huge thank you to my amazing co-host Midnyte Reader for coming up with the discussion questions! 

So here they are:

1. There is a part quoted form "My Name is Susan Snell" when she stated that she is not really sorry that Tommy is dead anymore, because the idea of him was too perfect.  I was kind of shocked by this.  What do you think of this?

2. Miss Desjardin talked to Carrie about her own prom.  And for Carrie, the prom was magical up to a point.  Did you have any glamorized feelings about your own prom?  

3. When Sue was at home on prom night she said that she was still uncomfortable about her own motives and was afraid to examine them too closely in case she discovered selfishness.  Can you elaborate on this?  

4. Do you think that Tommy could have fallen for Carrie?

5. Tell me what you think of the significance or symbolism of blood.  (Tommy pricked his finger, Mrs. White cut herself, Sue either got her period late or lost a pregnancy.)

6. If that prank had not been played on Carrie at the prom, what kind of life do you think she would have had?

 

7.  What did you think of Billy and Chris's relationship?

 

Bonus question: Did you catch the mistake Stephen King made with regards to Carrie's dad?  Courtney from Abducted by Books did!  See below for the answer.  

 

My Answers:

 

1. There is a part quoted form "My Name is Susan Snell" when she stated that she is not really sorry that Tommy is dead anymore, because the idea of him was too perfect.  I was kind of shocked by this.  What do you think of this? 

I do get it.  I think maybe Sue felt Tommy was too good to be true, that had he lived he would have eventually let her down- like all humans do because we're, well, humans. Instead he gets to remain untainted by age or actions.  Their love is forever frozen in time.  Plus, it may be that's how Sue moves on with her life, because she has to feel guilt over helping to set things in motion.

2. Miss Desjardin talked to Carrie about her own prom.  And for Carrie, the prom was magical up to a point.  Did you have any glamorized feelings about your own prom?  

I didn't go to prom, it really wasn't my thing. So no magical moments for me, but also no goat's blood dumped on me, so that's a plus.  Although, does anyone wonder why that goat blood didn't congeal before prom night?

3. When Sue was at home on prom night she said that she was still uncomfortable about her own motives and was afraid to examine them too closely in case she discovered selfishness.  Can you elaborate on this?  

I do think there was a certain amount of selfishness involved.  If the she hadn't participated in the shower incident than she would never of thought to help Carrie go to prom.  Although it's very mature of her to seek atonement, I think it's pretty hard to separate the fact that Sue was getting something out of it too.  In a way she uses Carrie to distance herself from Chris and the mindless high school machine.  

4. Do you think that Tommy could have fallen for Carrie?

I think his feelings that night were because it was prom and Carrie was a sweet girl.  I think he really loved Sue.  However, in the long run, I could see Tommy settling down with Carrie or someone like her.  Sue had bigger dreams, whereas Tommy seemed to realize that his future was tied up with the town.  He probably would have been okay having his dad's life.

5. Tell me what you think of the significance or symbolism of blood.  (Tommy pricked his finger, Mrs. White cut herself, Sue either got her period late or lost a pregnancy.)

This may be too deep for me, but I'll try.  The book begins with blood, and ends with blood (Carrie's and then Sue's).  While Carrie's, Tommy's and Mrs. White's blood was a sign of things to come, I think Sue's was the opposite, it was a closing of the events.  As if her miscarriage (if that's what it was) was the last sacrifice that had to be made for Carrie's pain and rage. 

6. If that prank had not been played on Carrie at the prom, what kind of life do you think she would have had? 

I don't know.  If prom hadn't of happened, if Carrie had graduated unharmed, she still would have had to face a life with her mom.  I think after re-discovering her powers after she started her period set a countdown in motion.  Adults might be better than teens, but people are still cruel.  Carrie would have been hurt again, and with her powers and years of being bullied, coupled with her bizarre upbringing, I still think she would have snapped.  Would it have been as bad?  Maybe not... but then, maybe so. 

 

7.  What did you think of Billy and Chris's relationship?

I was really fascinated by how toxic it was.  In the movie version, Billy isn't nearly as evil, whereas Chris is portrayed as being a lot more evil.  Without Billy, I don't know that Chris would have gone through with her plan.  Maybe just talking about it, blowing off that steam would have been enough.  For Billy though, he had so much resentment built up.  If he'd had Carrie's powers he probably would have leveled the town a long time ago.  Chris, for all her tough talk, was really in over her head with Billy.  Although in her own way, Chris was a nasty piece.  She probably would have grown up some, but of course she never got the chance.  If she'd had a little of Sue's self-awareness then there wouldn't have been book. ;)

 

Bonus question: Did you catch the mistake Stephen King made with regards to Carrie's dad?

Okay, not only did I not catch this, but this is the fourth or fifth time I've read Carrie.  Here's the mistake: The book clearly states in Part One that Carrie's dad, Ralph, dies BEFORE Carrie was even born.  But in Part Two, Mrs. White thinks of how she should have killed Carrie when she was a baby (about one?) and that Ralph stopped her.  I kind of love that the mistake is fairly large, but I'm really shocked I didn't catch it before.  I'm not always a super sleuth when I'm reading, but it's a pretty big mistake.  Good catch, Courtney!

Can't wait to see your answers, and don't forget to be on Twitter tonight!  I'll be on there to discuss Carrie from 6pm EST until 7pm, although we'll go to 8 if enough people join in.  Just look for #CarrieProm!

 

Carrie Readalong, Part One: Blood Sports Discussion

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Carrie Read-a-Long Discussion Post: Part One: Blood Sports 

Congratulations, you are now almost half way through Carrie!  According to my Kindle we are about 47% through. Tonight I'll host a Twitter discussion (starting at 9pm EST, under the hashtag #CarrieBS). I thought this would be a good place to pause and discuss what we've read so far.  Stop and see what my co-host Midnyte Reader is thinking so far. Here's some questions to consider:

1. Is this your first Stephen King book?

2. What do you think of the style Carrie is written in?

3.  Do you think the bullying/attack on Carrie that occurs in the late 1970's in the book could happen today? 

4.  What are your thoughts on Carrie's mother?

5.  Young Carrie brings the rain of rocks down on her house at the tender age of three, but then there are no major events for years. Why do you think her powers remained fairly quiet until now?  What role does her mother play in Carrie's use of her power?

6. Do you believe that telekinesis exists?

7. What is your favorite moment so far?

8. What do you think of Sue's plan to have Tommy take Carrie to the prom?

9. Any predictions (um, only if you haven't read this before or seen the movie! ;)

10.  Just how crazy is Mrs. White?!

Please leave the link to your answers in the comment or you can just answer in the comments area, whichever works for you.  Stop by Midnyte Reader for her take on Carrie so far!

Here are my answers:

1. No, this is not my first Stephen King novel, and it's not even my first time (or second) that I'm reading Carrie.  It's not the first book I ever read of King, that'd be Fire-starter, and it actually took me a long while to get to.  I think because I'd seen the movie so many times when I was a kid I just has assumed I'd read Carrie before, but the first time I was about 22.  Ugh, so long ago!

2. I love the style it's written in, but I can tell it's an earlier King novel.  But I like the  jump in between characters, and the excerpts from official books, reports and newspapers.  I think that King could do an even better job now... but then Carrie would be 1100 pages long. ;)  I could do without the word Popular being capitalized though...

3. I think the constant bullying of Carrie definitely could still take place.  I don't know that the shower attack would still happen, I'd like to believe that there would be enough kids aware of how cruel it was, but I think it could take place on a smaller scale.  Bullying has been around as soon as there was more than three kids on the face of the planet.  What happened to Carrie in the showers was extreme, but I think when you add someone like Chris, who is popular and mean, to the mix, some people would follow her lead simply because she's the one doing the bullying. 

4. Mrs. White is straight up CRAZY!!  Seriously, I would love to know more of this woman's past to have shaped her into such a crazy mess.  The book talks about the TK gene, but even if it's passive in Mrs. White, I'd be willing to bet she's got some dominant mental illness genes at work- definitely more than one.  But... I think she truly believes in her own version of God, and that makes her dangerous.  I really think Carrie's powers are the one thing that has prevented her mother from killing her.  If Carrie had just been a normal, powerless kid, then no doubt she wouldn't have the strength to fight off an attack from her religiously skewed mama.

5. I think maybe the rock incident was so traumatic that Carrie buried the incident deep in her mind.  So while other things occur during times of deep emotional stress, she doesn't necessarily make the connection until the day of the shower attack.  In a way, Carrie has begun to unravel.  Years of torment at the hands of her classmates has worn her down, and has allowed her tap into her powers again.  Couple that with her mom's violent religious beliefs, and you have Carrie suddenly wide awake to her powers.  If Carrie's upbringing had been more stable and loving, her powers might have never really been an issue.  Strange things might have happened still, during early childhood and puberty, but I really doubt that it'd be something she'd be so aware of.

6. Hmm, yes, I guess I believe that it's possible.  To the extent of Carrie's powers?  Probably not.  But I do think there is so much about our brains and abilities that we don't know.  But, I'm skeptical.  I would definitely have to see it to believe it.

7. My favorite moment, BY FAR, was when Chris's dad and the Principal face off.  Sadly, his "my precious daughter" routine is all to familiar in this day and age when kids can do no wrong, and his sue-happy threats were nicely smacked down by Principal Grayle.  I was literally cheering!  I hope in the new Carrie re-make that that scene makes it in the movie.  I don't think until this re-read that I caught that Principal Grayle was not the same Assistant Principal that Desjardin takes Carrie to see after the shower incident.

8. I actually get why some people questioned Sue's motives after the fact, but I am surprised that so many people just assumed that it was nasty on her part.  But I think that Sue and Tommy were a bit more evolved than some of their classmates, and that Sue was really trying to atone.  Tommy loved Sue enough to want to help her, and I think he genuinely didn't mind taking Carrie.  Tommy is that rare person that people love and like not just because he's Popular (with a capital P!) but because he's got that magnetism that draws people to him.  Because of it, he's able to just be himself.  Unlike Sue, who is tormented by who she wants to be compared to who she is, Tommy is completely at home in his own skin.  He's not perfect, but he's also not so freaking concerned about what everyone is going to think of him.  Ugh, how I wish I'd been like that as a teen!  I'd settle for being like that now, but I'm much more of a Sue.  I'm a people-pleaser in the extreme, and I always over analyze things.  But I think Sue had good intentions, even if I think it was more for herself than for Carrie.  She should have known that Carrie going to the prom, especially after Chris is denied her tickets, would be a bad thing.

9. None here, because I already know!

10. She is so crazy!!!  Seriously, there are few characters in books that I have disliked as much as I dislike Mrs. White.  She's the type of person who would drown a sack full of black kittens because she believes them to be evil.  And she's such a hypocrite!  How much better for Carrie if her bikini clad neighbor had taken her away that day!  Or if one of those rocks had killed Mrs. White.  Sadly, that didn't happen, and whatever chance kids have in the beginning of life to have a normal kid experience was ruined when Mrs. White squeezed Carrie out.  I mean, I get that she's all super religious, but her belief system is so messed up that it bares little resemblance to any actual biblical teachings. I'm just going to say it, Mrs. White is one crazy bitch.  There.  I said it.


So, don't forget to read Part Two: Prom Night by the 23rd!  And I'll see ya'll on Twitter tonight!

A Blog By Any Other Name Part 2

One of my original headers

One of my very first blog posts was A Blog By Any Other Name...  where I wondered about our blog names.  Have you ever regretted the one you picked?  Have you actually changed your blog name?  Here's what I wrote on that long ago post:

I love my blog name, it took me seconds to pick and it reminds me of the days I'd stay up all hours to finish a good book. In other words, it reminds me of last night.

But yesterday I got to thinking, now that I've had sometime to think about it, would I still have picked my blog name? The answer is yes, I'm very happy with it and it's honestly like being a book reading super hero- Look up in the sky! It's a nerd, it's a geek, no, it's Midnight Book Girl!

The only other blog name that I even briefly considered was Up Late With Kate. That's a title I've had in mind for awhile, but I always imagined I'd use that when the day comes that someone hands me my own radio station deejay job... not that I have any training in that area, but I like talking and music and it's one of those winning-the-lottery type fantasies.

So my question to you is... Would you change your blog name? If yes, to what? If no, was there any other name you considered?

My blog turns 3 years old later this month, but I'm still wondering, would you change the name of your blog?  What's the story behind your blog name?