Books & Nachos

Dan Torrance was just five years old when he survived the ghostly attacks of his drunken father at The Overlook Hotel. But for 36 years fans have wondered what happened to Dan, a powerful psychic, after The Shining ended. Now Stephen King answers that question with Doctor Sleep, a book that tells of Dan as a 40 year old recovered alcoholic. When a group of psychic vampires go after a young girl with mental powers Dan has to once again stand up to the powers of darkness.Could any novel live up to readers' memories of The Shining? And if so, does Doctor Sleep deliver those same thrills and drama? Join Arnie as he reviews King's latest novel to find out!And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at http://nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of both the theatrical and TV adaptations of The Shining!

Do you know Stephen King's The Shining? You may think you do--iconography from King's third book litters American pop culture. The Overlook Hotel. Redrum. Jack Torrance, who's always been the caretaker of the hotel. It was King's first bestselling hardcover novel and famously adapted by Stanley Kubrick to film--but if you only know The Shining from the movie you are missing out! King's book is a study of paternal relationships, alcoholism, and the nature of fatherhood. Plus there's also ghosts, murderers, and a little psychic boy.

Now, continuing his Stephen King review series Arnie is back with his spoiler-free analysis of King's story of a haunted hotel. Also in this podcast Arnie reviews "Before the Play"--The Shining's rare, uncollected prologue, cut from the final novel.

And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of both the movie and TV adaptations of The Shining!

Stephen King's "Jerusalem's Lot" tells the story of Charles Boone and his servant Calvin. In 1850 the two men move to Preacher's Corners, Maine where they stay at a large house left to Charles by his estranged cousin. The townspeople feel the two men must be mad to stay in the haunted mansion, and crazier still to set foot in the nearby ghost town of Jerusalem's Lot. What the two men discover will reveal secrets from Boone's family history as well as the evil that consumed 'Salem's Lot.

This short story, first published as the lead tale in Stephen King's Night Shift collection, was sold as an earlier tale from the town of Jerusalem's Lot--the location of King's 'Salem's Lot. The story is now appended to paperback and eBook versions of that bestselling vampire novel. How does it tie into the longer book, and is it required reading for King fans? Listen to Arnie's review to find out in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!

And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three 'Salem's Lot TV and movie adaptations!

Some questions lingered when Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot ended. Were all the vampires killed? Due to the success of the novel, and to help publicize the paperback edition of the book, the author returned to the Maine town of Jerusalem's Lot for his short story "One For the Road." Taking place several years after vampires first settled in Maine, King tells the story of three men who must venture into the ghost town to rescue a stranded woman and child.

The story was first published in Maine Magazine, then reprinted in Stephen King's first short story collection Night Shift, and is now appended to paperback and eBook versions of 'Salem's Lot. What happened in the story and is it worth the quick read? Listen to Arnie's review to find out in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!

And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three 'Salem's Lot TV and movie adaptations!

"What would happen if Dracula came to America today?" With that conversational inquiry Stephen King was inspired to write the novel 'Salem's Lot. King's second published book, 'Salem's Lot was a bestseller, cementing King's reputation among horror fans. The books' success then translated to a television mini-series directed by Tobe Hooper.

'Salem's Lot is almost 40 years old but thanks to Twilight vampire fiction is more popular than ever. With all that has come in between, does King's vampire story still have bite or does it just suck? Listen to Arnie's review to find out as he analyzes the themes of King's book and investigates how this plot resembles some of King's other fiction. Even included in this show is analysis of the cut passages from 'Salem's Lot, published in the book's 30th Anniversary Edition, as well as the 1995 BBC Radio Drama adaptation. All in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!

And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three 'Salem's Lot TV and movie adaptations!

Download the 'Salem's Lot BBC Radio Drama from Tales of Horror Podcast

Ethan's life is a bit of a mess. He spends his time in a toxic, casual relationship, smoking weed and coasting through his job, all the while pining for The Girl Who Got Away. But when that girl is murdered, Ethan is the top suspect. Part murder mystery, part comedy, Murder and Other Distractions is a short novel by Michael Estrin. Listen to Steve's review to find out if this is a Distraction worth your time!

For over 100 years we have lived among the vampires. Werewolves, ghosts, and serial killers have all popped up, but the vampire has been the monster to beat. From hit books like the Twilight series and Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles to movies like Underworld and Fright Night to comics like 30 Days of Night and Blade to television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and True Blood, the creatures of the night are among us. But it all started with one vampire and the imagination of Bram Stoker. Now, as Arnie prepares to read Stephen King's book Salem's Lot, he goes back to the source to review Dracula--the original vampire tale. Join him on this Halloween to find out if this is a book with bite, or if it just sucks!

The same year that Psycho IV premiered on Showtime, original Psycho author Robert Bloch also returned to the Bates Motel with his third and final book in that series -- Psycho House! With the Bates Motel turned into a tourist attraction it seems Norman's crimes have been commercialized...until another girl is murdered. With Norman out of the picture, who is the killer now? Listen as Stuart takes you inside the House in his final review of Bloch's Psycho book trilogy!! Take a listen, then go to Now Playing Podcast before October 31, 2013 to donate to our shows and hear the movie reviews!

Carrie is the tale of a telekinetic teenage outcast, was phenomenal success for any book, let alone the first-published work of a new author. It's film rights were pursued by Brian De Palma and the paperback sold a million copies. But such is the legacy of Stephen King, a man who's words spark imagination and bring even non-readers into bookstores.

As a new film based on Carrie is released in theaters Arnie begins this Books & Nachos podcast retrospective looking back on all King's published works. In this episode he reviews Carrie in light of King's later works, examining the themes, character types, and plot devices King would return to again and again.

The new movie's ads say "You Will Know Her Name" but will you know the whole story? Listen to this episode of Books & Nachos to find out!

Hitchcock's Psycho became such a phenomenal success that it all but obscured the novel on which it was based. But in 1982 original Psycho author Robert Bloch returned to Norman Bates in his novel Psycho II. Completely unrelated to the 1983 film of the same name, Bloch's book tells of a movie studio adapting Norman Bates' story to the big screen. When Norman hears about this he is none too happy and he goes to Hollywood.Now Stuart reads and reviews Bloch's original continuation of Bates' story as he continues to read the Psycho novels while at Now Playing Podcast he, Arnie, and Brock review the Psycho films! Those movie reviews are Now Playing's limited-availability Fall 2013 Gold Donation Series, but here, unlimited, you can hear Stuart's thoughts on the book! Take a listen, then go to Now Playing Podcast before October 31, 2013 to hear the movie reviews!