I read this book 6 times before I turned 14. I still return to it from time to time and marvel at King's distinct characters, small town feel and constant sense of dread. The influence of this book on other authors is immense and long-lasting, with new writers creating similar works even today, some 35 years later. And that says a lot because while the world has advanced immensely in those intervening years, the world of Salem's Lot does not seem dated at all. In fact, it is refreshing to read a book where the characters do not rely on cell phones or the internet to resolve (or cause) their problems. One of my top 5 books of all time.

I first read this classic in the 7th grade. It devestated me, both emotionally and as an aspiring writer at the time. On the surface, it is a sparse, seemingly simple read. But there is so much going on between the characters, both past and present, that I am constantly in awe of Steinbeck's precision. Like many authors (King & Straub in The Talisman being the most prevalent)this beautiful masterpiece has been a major influence on me as both a writer and filmmaker.