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Collecting the King: Recent Pick-ups

I recently came upon some great deals on King books, and wanted to take a few moments to share my enthusiasm.  I'm always on the lookout for good finds, hunting in all sorts of places--used book shops, thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, etc.  Pretty much anywhere!  Over the last couple of years, I've accumulated a decent collection of King hardcovers.  In many cases, I snag the books for surprisingly low prices, which is helpful when you're collecting the works of a writer as prolific as Stephen King.  

A couple of days ago I happened upon this gem.

It cost me less than $2.00, so I couldn't really pass it up.  I know it's an anthology and therefore not a true "Stephen King book."  Plus, I already own a good quality of Skeleton Crew, but...having this book is pretty cool, given that it's where "The Mist" was first published.

The other two items are fairly special to me.  I didn't own hardcover copies of these books, so picking them up was a no-brainer. 

 
I picked up a copy of Different Seasons in really good shape, and I got it for a steal!  I love the cover design of this hardcover, and the collection itself is my favorite King book that isn't a novel.  Different Seasons is a classic, and makes about as strong a case for the literary merit of King's writing as anything he's written.  It includes "The Body," which is, in my humble opinion, perhaps the single best thing King has written.  A time will come when I write more extensively about this collection, I'm sure.  It deserves the attention.

 
Lastly, having a copy of The Stand (Complete and Uncut) is something I'm truly thrilled about.  It appears to be a true first edition, which is an added bonus.  My copy has a bit of wear, for sure, but it's in pretty good condition overall.  A few years ago, I saw a copy of this book in a used book store while on vacation.  For some reason I can't now comprehend, I left without it.  I've long regretted that decision, so I'm happy to report I finally have a copy, and a pretty good one at that.

I'll try to post some updates now and again, especially when I luck into a really cool find.  To other collectors out there, happy hunting! 

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