Everything down here floats

I don't remember exactly when I read Stephen King's IT.  It must have been around 1990 because that is when the mini-series premiered and my copy of the book has Tim Curry as Pennywise the Clown on the cover.  I may have read it before the mini-series or after but I can't truly remember.  It was certainly during a time in my life where I was devouring Stephen King's library.  IT was one of those books that scared me.  Salem's Lot was the first that really got under my skin.  I can remember reading that book late at night in my room and then not being able to go to sleep.  IT had a similar effect.  The book is quite effective at drawing out those childhood fears of the boogeyman.  King builds tension very slowly in certain passages which, when you are a kid reading in a dimly lit room in the middle of the night, makes your hair stand on end.  IT is one of King's best works and easily his best work in the "horror" genre. 

When the topic of reading IT came up on another website I jumped at the chance to get involved.  This is a book I have wanted to revisit but just haven't had the opportunity over the years.  I took some time this weekend to dig my copy out of the boxes and boxes of paperbacks I have stored in my attic.  As you can see, it is a little worse for wear.

As you can see, the book is fairly haggard.  All of the corners are completely round and the cover is just barely there at all.  The novel is long and I can only guess I carried it around in my school bag for weeks and weeks as I worked through the story.  You may know that the book bag of a fifteen year old takes quite a beating as do the contents contained therein.  All of the pages are intact even if the book is held together with packing tape.  It has been with me for almost 20 years now and now, after all of that time sitting on my shelves or lying forgotten in a sweltering attic, it will be read again like it was initially intended.  I hope that it holds up.  It's not like I can't afford to buy a new copy but there is just something special about a worn in book.  Every time you pick it up you know you are going back to a world you enjoy.  I guess you could say that it is comfortable.  Maybe it will remind me of the days when reading was just about the most important thing in my life. 

I still read a lot these days but not like I did in high school.  Too many other distractions, commitments, and interests.  Maybe it is that and maybe I just haven't found anything that holds my attention like King's books once did.  Today I find myself taking months to get through a book when 20 years ago it would take me a week.  I can remember drowning out everything around me when I was reading including lectures.  What I can't remember is how many times I was asked to put a book away and pay attention but I know it was a lot.  I haven't found an author, or genre that does it for me these days and in some ways I miss it.  Part of getting older I suppose.

The reading start around May 19th.  You can follow the progress here or over at Sarahetc.com.  Sarah will be spearheading this little endevour.  We may be using my PHPBB forum for the group but nothing has been decided yet and plans are still in flux.  If you want to join in please drop a not here and I will keep you informed.  This is really one of the great King books and, in my opinion, one of the great books of modern fiction.  If you have never read King before this is an excellent place to start and even for you old "constant readers" like myself IT is certainly worth a revisit.  The group is already growing so it should be a lively discussion.  Please join us if you are so inclined.

Happy Reading.