Feb 21

BOTNS Podcast #168: Stephen King and Downton Abbey

By Michael Kindness Podcasts Add comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:28 — 13.5MB)

Apologies to Stephen King; the publishing industry goes Downton Abbey crazy; and we share our love for Stay Awake by Dan Chaon and King Peggy by Peggielene Bartels.

An Open Letter to Stephen King

For many years I thought Stephen King was not an author I would enjoy. Of course I’ve heard the raves and accolades, but something kept me from picking up one of his books. I’m thrilled to say that I finally now know what all of you Stephen King fans have been raving about. I listened to the audio of 11/22/63. It was an amazing audio production of a stellar book. The story was captivating, enthralling and kept me listening for all 31 hours. Mr. King, I’m sorry I ever doubted you were an author I would love!

The Books of Downton Abbey (5:30)

The second season of Downton Abbey just finished here in the States, and it has been hugely popular. Bookstores everywhere have created DA displays, using some official books and some books that take place in the same period. This is by no means a comprehensive list (in fact, please add your suggestions to the comments below!), but here are some of the most commonly displayed books:

Two Books We Can’t Wait For You to Read (14:43)

Stay Awake by Dan Chaon     King Peggy by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman

Dan Chaon, author of the amazing novel Await Your Reply, is back with a new collection of short stories called Stay Awake. These stories haunted me in every sense of the word; they are filled with horrors of the human condition and the supernatural world. Ann’s book for this week is the true story of an American secretary who receives a phone call informing her that she has been named the new king of her ancestral village in Ghana. In King Peggy by Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman, Peggy soon realizes that even a small village on the coast of Africa can be rife with corruption, and she’s expected to clean it up.

 

  • JRidgway

    Here is the link to the CBS Sunday Morning piece about King Peggy:
    http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7398430n&tag=cbsnewsSectionsArea.3 

  • Pattysnyder26

    Add Below Stairs a memoir by Margaret Powell who actually worked “below stairs.” It was published in 1968. 

  • Pattysnyder26

    Wow, Michael, you’ve haven’t read The Stand? or Skeleton Crew (short story collection)? I recommend King’s nonfiction On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft for anyone with aspirations to be good writer. 

  • Dan Nieman

    One small piece of don’t miss Stephen King fiction is “The Gingerbread Girl”.  My wife and I listened to the novella while we traveled across South Dakota.  The story made the miles fly.

  • http://www.barknknit.com Natalie Rush

    First time listening and am hooked!  So glad someone recommended this podcast to me!!  Love the short story book from Stephen King!  Shawshank Redemtion is part of that book.  I stay away from his horror but I enjoy his other books.  Especially Green Mile!

  • Elizabeth Abraham

    Ooh, just added some of the “Downtown era” books to my TBR – it is in real danger of toppling. As for not reading Stephen King – you don’t know what you’ve been missing. So many great stories.

  • Dreamybee

    Weird thing for me about Stephen King: I have a hard time reading a lot of his stuff, but some of my all-time favorite movies are based on his writing. “The Shining,” “Stand by Me,” “The Green Mile,” The Shawshank Redemption,” and slightly cheesier, but a great vehicle for Gary Busey nonetheless, “Silver Bullet.” 11/22/63 sounds interesting, and I’m glad you’ve discovered a new author that you enjoy! :)

  • Heather Rutledge

    You have no idea how happy I was to hear about Stephen Kings book on your podcast! I have been a fan of his since I was 14 and have been through the good and the bad with him. In my humble opinion this is his best book and shows his story telling skills. I’m jealous that you are experiencing him for the first time!

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