I do have to admit though that it's been a long time since I've read this one. I was a teenager at best at the time, too. May be time for a reread, especially after considering what Tigr had to say.
As for your having liked It the most, up until starting this: that was the first King book I ever read, and I was in fifth grade. When I reread it as an adult, I laughed my ass off at some of the things that happened in that book. But it has a special place in my heart because it was my King cherry popper.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts about The Shining.