Stephen King Fans discussion

I've read most of King's work, but have never picked up the DT series. Would anyone be interested in a buddy read if the series's starting in January?

Yes since my 2017 reading challenge is about genre and not numbers and on my list is a book series so please add me as a friend
Thanks

Hi Debra!
If I wasn't just now getting through another epic series, I would sign up for the group read. As this would be your first time through The Dark Tower books, I would recommend you come into it not expecting anything like other SK books. It is at times like his other works but very much something very unique!

I will tag along in the boards as you enjoy the group read and hope there is enough interest to get off the ground

Eugenio wrote: "Hi Debra!
If I wasn't just now getting through another epic series, I would sign up for the group read. As this would be your first time through The Dark Tower books, I would recommend you come int..."

Thanks for the tip, Eugenio. It would be great for those who have already read the series to participate in the discussion.

Kenneth wrote: "Yes since my 2017 reading challenge is about genre and not numbers and on my list is a book series so please add me as a friend
Thanks"

Great! Glad to have you join me.

I look forward to following along and participating!

yes! I plan to read these books come January. I already have the first 4 . add me and we can be buddy readers!

I was planning a DT re-read myself, so I'd love to join in! This is my current reading list.

Prequel Graphic Novels
The Gunslinger Born
The Long Road Home
Treachery
Fall of Gilead
Battle of Jericho Hill

Primary and Secondary Novels
The Talisman (I haven't read it before and plan to read Black House)
The Eyes of the Dragon
The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger
“The Little Sisters of Eluria” (in Everything's Eventual)
The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three
The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass
‘Salem’s Lot
Hearts in Atlantis
Insomnia
“Everything’s Eventual” (in Everything's Eventual)
The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole
The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla
The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah
Black House
The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower

Esse wrote: "I was planning a DT re-read myself, so I'd love to join in! This is my current reading list.


Prequel Graphic Novels..."

I did a reread last year and could not bring myself to read past book 5. As I got closer, all I could think about was the ending of Book 7. So I stopped. I have loved this series for 20+ years, and still love it.

I started the graphic novels last year; and love the visuals and added tidbits of information they provide.

Enjoy

I read DT series ten years ago and just re-read up to DT 6 tonight. I can chime in on the reading as you go along.

My favorite series of all time. I wanted to name my son Roland. The wife said no. We agreed on Jake, but I ended up with a daughter instead. Ka.

Im in...I'll go back to back since completing a book series is on my 2017 challenge along with a western, which I knock off 2 birds with 1 stone...except in this case it will be 8 books...

I just finished The Talisman last night and I absolutely loved it. The middle dragged a bit, but I liked the characterization and the quest and there was definitely a low-grade sense of creepiness throughout most of the book. I hadn't read anything by Straub before, but it seems like the partnership allowed King's characterization to shine without too much of his usual digression and straight up weirdness. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

I think I'll move on to Eyes of the Dragon while I figure out how to get the graphic novels without breaking the bank.

Esse wrote: "I just finished The Talisman last night and I absolutely loved it. The middle dragged a bit, but I liked the characterization and the quest and there was definitely a low-grade sense of creepiness ..."

The Talisman and The Eyes...will always be among my favorites. They're such entertaining reads and the nods to the Dark Tower universe are just added bonus.

King has said before that The Talisman was supposed to be about getting it then getting back, but by the time Jack got it, the book was too long so they decided to make the trip back easy and quick. I almost wish he write the alternative trip back just so I could be a part of that world longer.

Esse wrote: "I just finished The Talisman last night and I absolutely loved it. The middle dragged a bit, but I liked the characterization and the quest and there was definitely a low-grade sense of creepiness ..."

Make sure you read Black House by King and Straub. It's the sequel to The Talisman, just in case you didn't know. I loved that one, too.

Esse wrote: "I just finished The Talisman last night and I absolutely loved it. The middle dragged a bit, but I liked the characterization and the quest and there was definitely a low-grade sense of creepiness ..."

I agree, one of my favorite Stephen King books. Just listened to it on audio last month and found myself angry at what Jack has to go through at times. It was funny towards the end of the book, I would be on my way home and debated to keep on driving because I was getting to a good part of the audiobook.

Have you started this read yet?

I just finished my reread of The Gunslinger and am about ready to take up The Drawing of the Three.

I 'read' The Gunslinger on audiobook and was all ready to listen to the next one in the series,...but can't find on audio format on audible

I have owned a couple of copies of The Gunslinger over the past fourteen years but never get around to reading it before I give it away.

There's a history with this series for me, about my standoffish attitude towards it, that I thought I'd share.

It was my childhood best friend's favorite series when we were in high school. Unfortunately, he died before Wolves of the Calla was published. I've always wanted to read the series for him but thought it would be too hard...emotionally, you know?

Anyway, a bookish friend of mine suggested that I get a journal and use it only to write letters to him about my thoughts on the books as I read them.

So, I finally bought that journal and picked up the first book from the library (as I don't own a copy currently) and figured this would motivate me, maybe make me feel the urgency, to read it, and start that journal. I thought 2017 would be the year to start, as the 15th anniversary of his death approaches.

Here's to a year of reading his favorite books and reading the ones he never got to experience.

Liz wrote: "I have owned a couple of copies of The Gunslinger over the past fourteen years but never get around to reading it before I give it away.

There's a history with this series for me, about my standof..."

I think that sounds like a lovely plan (and tribute).

James wrote: "I 'read' The Gunslinger on audiobook and was all ready to listen to the next one in the series,...but can't find on audio format on audible "

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/The...

I'm about finished with The Gunslinger. This is my first time reading and I was worried I would hate this first book because I've read many comments that you have to "get through" this one and then the series gets better. Happily, I am enjoying The Gunslinger. I like that the opener to the series is a short read. Has anyone else gotten started?

Debra wrote: "I'm about finished with The Gunslinger. This is my first time reading and I was worried I would hate this first book because I've read many comments that you have to "get through" this one and then..."

I read this serie a year ago and when i started reading The Gunslinger, i also saw the "get through" comments. When i finished the book i just asked myself "What is wrong with them?". For me it was best introducing into the world and i enjoyed it very much. My advice - don't read the comments before you read any of the next books, especially the last one.

PS. If you are enjoying The Gunslinger...the next book (The Drawing of the Three) will blow up your mind :)

Btw another DT related books are Insomnia and Hearts in Atlantis. Both are important in their own relationship to the DT story. The Crimson King makes his appearance in Insomnia and the low men make an appearance in Hearts.

Kenneth wrote: "Btw another DT related books are Insomnia and Hearts in Atlantis. Both are important in their own relationship to the DT story. The Crimson King makes his appearance in Insomnia and the low men mak..."

And ofc The Little Sisters of Eluria from Everything’s Eventual book or the graphic novel.

I recently finished up The Talisman and Eyes of the Dragon, both of which were pretty good. Eyes of the Dragon was fantastic and I think it'll probably join my stable of comfort reads.

I'm working through the prequel comics now. I read a few of them when they first came out but didn't have the heart to read about Jericho Hill so I never finished them. I had to pick up new copies and they don't have all the short stories the original comics were released with, but I hunted those down and they're really interesting reading. There's a lot of background on the Old Ones and how culture/traditions/magic function, which is helpful. And the characterization of both Cuthbert and Alain is on point and that's just been a pleasure to read.