King, Stephen-The Gunslinger(The Dark Tower #1) -Informal Buddy Read-revisit; Starts November 3, 2014; February 27, 2017

[Vicki]

The gunslingers are also the hangmen, I found that interesting and generally different than in most western stories. Though both persons are set apart from the general population.

[Greta]

Now I don't know what to think of this story! I am halfway through and finished the Way Station section. It sounds like from what other people describe that the first book does not explain everything. I still find the story interesting, but just very confusing at this point!

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Sandy I have to agree with you. I don't like the way they portray women and the way things are with the setting. It's kind of confusing with the talk between different times but then how can the man in black be trusted when he seems to be everywhere and doing things. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series because I want to know what's going to happen between the gunslinger and the man in black.

[Steven]

I started book two yesterday and am already 21% of the way into it, and it's a longer book! It's WAY better than book one so far. I mean WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better.

So if you're slogging through book one and not sure what to do... at least give book two a chance. :)

[Greta]

Steven wrote: "I started book two yesterday and am already 21% of the way into it, and it's a longer book! It's WAY better than book one so far. I mean WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better.

So if you're sloggin..."

I will for sure give book 2 a chance, Steven. Even though I'm confused, I still find it interesting.

[SandyC]

Good to hear, Steven!

[Steven]

Book one was very weird, confusing, and slow. Book two jumps right back into the story, but it's much more entertaining.

I'd heard that book one was the worst of the series by far, and thus far book two is proving that true. :)

[Allison Ann]

I have a few books to finish before I get to book 2 but I think it is interesting how many of us are having the same problems with The Gunslinger. It will be neat to see if we all read The Drawing of the Three and go "Oooooh, now I get it." :D

[Steven]

I'm just glad The Gunslinger was relatively short. Had it been longer, I don't know how I would have finished it!

[Greta]

I just finished now and it just got more and more confusing as I went on with it and although it was interesting for the first half, I found that the longer I read, the less interested I was. I will certainly give book 2 a try though.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

It's true. I'm curious if the 2nd book would give me that Oh, now I get it feeling because this was confusing but weird too and I was also happy that it was a quick book because I would never have made it to the end if it was longer. I don't know when you want to start the next book but I am currently waiting for my reserved copy from my library to come in so I won't be starting it soon.

[Steven]

I felt the same way, Greta! The farther I went in book one, the more I wanted it to just be over lol.

[Greta]

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "It's true. I'm curious if the 2nd book would give me that Oh, now I get it feeling because this was confusing but weird too and I was also happy that it was a quick book because I would never have ..."

I'm not in a real rush to get through these, so I'd be fine with doing one book per month and starting the next one December 3rd. I'm not sure what everyone else wants though. THose that want to start sooner could do that and then I'd just catch up, figuring someone else will want to chat about it when I get there.

[Ange]

So funny how we are all thinking the same thing with this book Im almost at the end, normally I wouldnt read the second book that I felt no connection with but will make an exception for this book

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

Greta I'm good at starting the 2nd book next month too. I have quite a few books that I have to read and wouldn't mind 1 book a month.

[Greta]

Ok, what does everyone else think?

[[deleted user]]

Sure that sounds fine with me too. I need to catch up on this book and others anyway.

[Anita Reads]

I finally finished the Gunslinger. I'm kinds sad that Jake had to go, and the man in black really creeps me out. Anyway. I don't know when I'll start book two, but good to hear that it's a lot better than this one.

I was a little confused at times, and sometimes it moved a little slow, but overall I think it's a good book.

I plan to go to the library over the weekend to hand in some books, so I'll probably get the next one then. but I can wait by starting the books till start of next month.

[Cynthia]

Greta wrote: "Ok, what does everyone else think?"

One book a month is good for me, too. I think it gives everyone a chance to get the books read, too. With TT3 going on, a lot of people are juggling books.

[Greta]

Ok, I will ask for a thread starting Dec. 3rd then.

[[deleted user]]

Thank you Greta! Once I get through with Gunslinger I'll come back here and give more of my opinion. So far...I'm just trying to keep up with the storyline.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I have to agree. It did seem slow at times and confusing too but it wasn't a bad book but like everyone else I'm hoping that the second book it better and it grabs my attention.

[Greta]

The mods created the thread for book 2...starting Dec 3.

[Jonathan]

Is it too late for me to join up? Looking to discuss this series with some new people. =)

[Steven]

Feel free to discuss :) and there should be a link for book two's discussion somewhere around here

[Jonathan]

Thanks. This looks like a big buddy read group. I've never been part of a group this big before!

[[deleted user]]

Jonathan wrote: "Thanks. This looks like a big buddy read group. I've never been part of a group this big before!"

Yes please join up! I am so far behind in this book, and I'm the one who wanted the BR in the first place lol It will definitely be great if there is still someone to discuss it with when I can actually get through the book! I have been looking forward to this series, but got completely sidetracked with other challenge books.

[Cynthia]

@ Taryn - It's so easy to get sidetracked in this group! I'm totally new to Buddy Reads, and had no idea they were so much fun. Such a good selection of books, too.

I'm looking forward to The Drawing of the Three next month.

[[deleted user]]

Cynthia wrote: "@ Taryn - It's so easy to get sidetracked in this group! I'm totally new to Buddy Reads, and had no idea they were so much fun. Such a good selection of books, too.

I'm looking forward to The Draw..."

So glad we are only doing one a month! lol But I can't wait to really get into this series. Like everyone's been saying, I also heard that the first book was sort of a warm-up. But then the rest of the series gets great reviews (from the people I know who've read it lol)

[Ange]

Jonathan wrote: "Thanks. This looks like a big buddy read group. I've never been part of a group this big before!"

Hey Jonathan glad you joined us :) New thread for next book is here ...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jonathan]

Considering some of these books range up to 700 pages I'm glad we are only doing one a month as well. It usually takes me at least a week to do 300 pages depending on my busy working schedule. That is if I cut out any other hobbies like TV shows and video gaming.



I am not complaining, I love reading and this will be a wonderful opportunity to read with other folks! Thank you for the invitation Ange.

[Sarah]

Cut out the video gaming. I am ready to take a baseball bat to the PS4. If I have to hear any more gun fire pounding through the floor boards, I am gonna get a real gun and shoot somebody.

Well I will join in on book three.

[[deleted user]]

Jonathan wrote: "Considering some of these books range up to 700 pages I'm glad we are only doing one a month as well. It usually takes me at least a week to do 300 pages depending on my busy working schedule. That..."

I'm a pretty big gamer myself. But I haven't been able to play because my ex took the gaming computer I built (he payed for it lol). And all I've got left is an Xbox that I have one controller for. So....been sticking with the computer adventure games (mostly Knights of the Old Republic and Civilization on my laptop). I guess it's a good excuse to get the reading in. Oh yeah...and work.....

[Jonathan]

Sarah wrote: "Cut out the video gaming. I am ready to take a baseball bat to the PS4. If I have to hear any more gun fire pounding through the floor boards, I am gonna get a real gun and shoot somebody.

Well I ..."

Yeah. I agree with you. I mostly cut it out because of my ongoing difficulties with carpel tunnel. I was starting to get some severe join pains in my wrist and thumb area. I think the years playing games and using smart phones is taking their toll on my joints. It's something our generations will start to see when they get older.

That being said I did enjoy some games with superior story telling. Like The Last of Us for example had a story that rivaled Stephen King's The Stand. I was never a big fan of games that you mentioned Sarah like Call of Duty. Those were garbage in my opinion and offered no real emotional experience other then "You kill me so I kill you."

[[deleted user]]

Jonathan wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Cut out the video gaming. I am ready to take a baseball bat to the PS4. If I have to hear any more gun fire pounding through the floor boards, I am gonna get a real gun and shoot some..."

Yeah I'm a big adventure gamer myself. I played Syberia as a kid and became hooked. It lead me to The Longest Journey, etc. There's some really creative adventure games out there. A lot of my friends are in the gaming industry though, which might be another reason I've become so fond of PC games. They make the music and do some of the associated artwork, so it's cool to see what actual, good games look like.

[Steven]

Jonathan welcome to the group! Lots of fun things going on :)

I doubt I'll wait to read them all one per month but I'll try to remember to drop in and discuss haha.

Ps Taryn I love love loved the KOTOR series of games. Such awesome games!!! Plot twists an fun moral choices :)

[[deleted user]]

Steven wrote: "Jonathan welcome to the group! Lots of fun things going on :)

I doubt I'll wait to read them all one per month but I'll try to remember to drop in and discuss haha.

Ps Taryn I love love loved the..."

I know right!? It's actually my second time playing through and my third time starting a new game. I played the 'good guy' the first time around, and it was hard as shit lol Turns out, doing the evil things, while a little gut-wrenching sometimes for us with morals, is sooo much easier. Seriously, it's sort of like flying through the game compared to being good. I had to quit the first time I played because I went to the planets in the wrong order and got stuck on Korriban (went there first because I had no idea what I was doing) and of course wasn't leveled up enough to defeat any Sith to get out of the Academy. Got completely stuck there. It was sad to give up though.

[Sarah]

Jonathan wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Cut out the video gaming. I am ready to take a baseball bat to the PS4. If I have to hear any more gun fire pounding through the floor boards, I am gonna get a real gun and shoot some..."

Yeah that is what my baby's father is playing - Call of Duty - the new one. The Madden football stuff wasn't so bad, but I don't need to raise no child in a fictional war zone. He has got to go. I don't care if we procreated together.

[Ange]

I'm a big civ fan I've been playing the new beyond earth today it's pretty good. Should've been reading for the tower team challenge instead but a couple of hours goes by like 5 mins! Will have to check out KOTOR

[Steven]

I haven't played it in years, Taryn, so now I'll have to go dig it out and play it :)

And Sarah, your comment about raising a baby in a fictional war zone totally made me spit water all over the place laughing! Haha

My partner and I are playing Borderlands 2 right now. It's fun co op play. :)

[[deleted user]]

Steven wrote: "I haven't played it in years, Taryn, so now I'll have to go dig it out and play it :)

And Sarah, your comment about raising a baby in a fictional war zone totally made me spit water all over the p..."

Ever play the Bioshock games? Completely loved them. Bioshock Infinite got so much crap because everyone hated whats-her-face, but honestly I just find that sexist. Sorry, but yeah video games have been known to be somewhat inherently sexist. If you're badass, you have big boobs. Anywho that was a tangent.....

the graphics were beautiful, the story was great, gameplay was smooth...what more could you ask for? Sure, sometimes you have to repeat an action too much, but that is my only small complaint. All the other Bioshock games were awesome too.

[Allison Ann]

The last video game I played was Tank on my Atari - go ahead, discuss and mock. :D

[Jonathan]

I loved Bioshock Infinite. If you take into consideration how well done the Burial At Sea DLC was it really made it just as good as the original. Hell it is basically one giant connected story. I would say the story in Bioshock was just as good as anything I've ever read in novel form. Ken Levine is one of the feel game developers that makes sure the story is just as good as the game itself. Which is why I adore the man.

I also loved Deadly Premonition. The game play wasn't the greatest but I enjoyed how much it reminded me of Twin Peaks.

[[deleted user]]

Jonathan wrote: "I loved Bioshock Infinite. If you take into consideration how well done the Burial At Sea DLC was it really made it just as good as the original. Hell it is basically one giant connected story. I w..."

Thank you! The story is absolutely amazing. I think people who didn't appreciate it are just addicted to pushing the buttons. They don't really care if there's a plot or not. Pshhht. Also love the Fallout Series.

[Steven]

I have bio shock one and two but haven't finished one yet. I dropped out of my gaming phase in the middle and when I got back in the mood again I picked up Zelda for wii. I need to go back to bioshock.

Even though I'm supposed to be reading for tower teams, you guys are making me want to game haha

[[deleted user]]

Steven wrote: "I have bio shock one and two but haven't finished one yet. I dropped out of my gaming phase in the middle and when I got back in the mood again I picked up Zelda for wii. I need to go back to biosh..."

Lol Oh yeah....go read! Wait, you're not on my team are you? Then no no you should game.

[Steven]

Hahaha shameless.

[Jonathan]

I also enjoyed both the Fallout series and The Borderlands series. Probably both for different reasons. The Fallout series was good to immerse yourself in. If I needed to zone out because of a bad break up or something equally troubling in life, Fallout was the perfect way to numb myself from those worries. I did enjoy the story in Fallout as well, but it was definitely the ultimate roleplaying experience.

Borderlands on the other hand was a lot of fun to play with other people. Even before it became really funny with it's witty dialogue and humorous voice acting.

I currently have a Playstation 3 if anyone wants to hit me up. My gamertag is gabrielzeros

[[deleted user]]

Steven wrote: "Hahaha shameless."

That's kind of my nickname.

[Jonathan]

Taryn wrote: "I actually never read a King novel until a couple of months ago I read The Shining. I liked it soooo much more than i thought I would."

That's funny. The first three Darktower novels are the only King novels I've actually finished.