Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion
Book Clubs!
>
Stephen King's Ultimate Dark Tower Buddy Read Planning Thread
I haven’t read Insomnia. I would join you on that.
Timelord Iain wrote: "Maybe copy/write out your suggested order... we keep referencing old lists, and new people pop in with new ideas... it's constantly evolving/conflicting :)..."Yes please--someone copy & write out a new suggested order and dates please! I would try to update mine but I'm confuzzled!
Felina wrote: "I haven’t read Insomnia. I would join you on that."When would work for ya? I can start whenever. 🤗
Mix of Chris, Iain & Suggestions Time Table2024 standalone BRs:
July 1st - 04.1) ’Salem’s Lot (1975) -- 668 pages
August 1st - 02.2) The Eyes of the Dragon (1987) -- 427 pages
September 1st - 02.1) The Stand (1978/1990) -- 1348 pages
October 13th - 04.4) Everything's Eventual (2002) (skip "Little Sisters of Eluria" for now)
November 4th - 04.5) Hearts in Atlantis (1999) -- 673 pages
2025 Main DT buddy read:
01/01/25 -- 01) The Gunslinger (1982) -- 385 pages
01/15/25 -- 02) The Drawing of the Three (1987) -- 529 pages
02/15/25 -- 03) The Waste Lands (1991) -- 721 pages
03/15/25 -- 04) Wizard and Glass (1997) -- 1041 pages
04/15/25 -- 04.8) The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012) -- 335 pages
05/01/25 -- 05) Wolves of the Calla (2003) -- 960 pages
06/01/25 -- 06) Song of Susannah (2004) -- 544 pages
07/01/25 -- 07) The Dark Tower (2004) -- 1072 pages
Post Dark Tower BRs for those that want more:
04.3) The Little Sisters of Eluria (1998)
-*Here might be a good place to try the graphic novels, especially "The Gunslinger Born" arc.
04.2) Insomnia (1994) -- 916 pages
03.2) It (1986) -- 1174 pages
03.3) The Talisman (1984) -- 948 pages
03.4) Black House (2001) -- 819 pages
04.6) Desperation (1996) -- 724 pages
04.7) The Regulators (1996) -- 512 pages
Yanique wrote: "Ooh Dark Tower fun.I agree with Chris's list, though I would suggest Insomnia and IT as pre-DT standalone reads for sure.
..."
I did get to thinking about what I said with Insomnia. It probably wouldn't be as confusing as my first thought was to a new reader. It was kinda meant to be, on reflection....
Not opposed to reading those two ahead, though then we're talking of adding two more tomes to this year's schedule...
Mod
Here’s a fun question for Dark Tower veterans. Have you read NOS4A2 by Joe Hill? And do you think it’s set in the DT universe?
Mod
Oh, can we tack Insomnia on June 1st?
Yanique wrote: "Here’s a fun question for Dark Tower veterans. Have you read NOS4A2 by Joe Hill? And do you think it’s set in the DT universe? ..."There's certainly a possibility. It's been years since I read it though but I remember thinking it could be....just not remember what specifically.
Seems like there were easter eggs or some such.
Desperation is my favorite King book. There is definitely a clear connection to DT. I’ve read Desperation several times and The Regulators only once. They are companion novels and I couldn’t tell you why I love Desperation and thought The regulators was just fine.
Mod
Felina wrote: "Oh, can we tack Insomnia on June 1st?"Works for me. Anyone else?
Yay! Shiny agreed-upon schedule! I am going to add it to my tracker. Are we solid to get a request or two in? First two and leave room for adjustment? All?
Yes please. As long as insomnia is in June.
Ann-Marie wrote: "Definitely Lone Women and maybe Horrorstör for me. Also I just tried to see if Chuck Wendig has anything planned for this year and he just posted a blog post that in..."I can recommend Horrorstör! You never look at an Ikea store the same again.
Felina wrote: "Desperation is my favorite King book. There is definitely a clear connection to DT. I’ve read Desperation several times and The Regulators only once. They are companion novels and I couldn’t tell y..."I've read Desperation years ago, as one of first King books, with Night Shift, Carrie and many more. I've read many of his books and he's still one of my favorite authors and the one who made me read adult books at a young age. His books are not the 'horor' that we are used to these days, but it's more subtile and most stories focus on the characters and the underlying things. Suspense builts up slowly, but with a feeling you can't escape it.
Soo wrote: "Mix of Chris, Iain & Suggestions Time Table2024 standalone BRs:
July 1st - 04.1) ’Salem’s Lot (1975) -- 668 pages
August 1st - 02.2) The Eyes of the Dragon (1987) -- 427 pages
September 1st -..."
For the 600+ pages, maybe we could take 6 weeks? Or would that mess up the schedule?
Yah, trying to keep the schedule from being too long. December should be kept as a break month. Gives everyone a breather for holidays and stuff.
Okay, no problem. It was just a thought :)
Mod
2024 standalone BRs:
July 1st - 04.1) ’Salem’s Lot (1975) -- 668 pages
August 1st - 02.2) The Eyes of the Dragon (1987) -- 427 pages
Sep..."
We gave The Stand 6-8 weeks, for being 1300 pages, but for the most part tried to maintain momentum... Stephen King can easily turn into a 5 year project (and probably will, if we keep doing 1 a month, past DT & companion books)...
Mod
Horrorstor had it's moments, but was only a 3 star read for me... I think I liked the early setup stuff more than the later stuff in the book...
Timelord Iain wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Soo wrote: "Mix of Chris, Iain & Suggestions Time Table2024 standalone BRs:
July 1st - 04.1) ’Salem’s Lot (1975) -- 668 pages
August 1st - 02.2) The Eyes of the Drago..."
You're right about that. Haven't realised that it would be such a long term project.
Timelord Iain wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Definitely Lone Women and maybe Horrorstör for me. Also I just tried to see if Chuck Wendig has anything planned for this..."I gave it also 3 stars. It lost some focus at certain points.
Startup for Horrorstor was fun, but it fizzled as a plot. I find that to be the trend for Hendrix books. Fun concepts that are not realized. I always feel let down by his books. 🤷♀️
Mod
I keep getting suckered in to try cause Hendrix books are on Audible Plus. 😆 Tried and always a miss. 🤷♀️
Oh goodness, catching up after three days and Dune thread led me here and it's already 3 pages long!! 😆
Mod
Yea... we have no chill...
EDIT: this has morphed into a hybrid Stephen King Buddy Read planning thread, horror chat in general, and Spooktober planning area...
That's okay I'm here for it! I'm hella excited for The Great King Read
Only chill is the weird winter-sprkng weather outside. 🤗🤣🤭Who is gonna request thread for Insomina for June?
I'll put in requests for the first 3 books when I get up from my nap. June, July, August... will do more if folks want.
Saar The Book owl wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Definitely Lone Women and maybe Horrorstör for me. Also I just tried to see if Chuck Wendig has anything planned for this year and he just posted a..."I picked this up on sale on Chirp just for Spooktober, cannot wait! I think I enjoyed Final Girl Support Group but I loved the references to classic horror/slasher movies.
I am eyeing the ' at the beginning of 'Salem's Lot with suspicion... only just noticed that...
I think that was because of the original title was Jerusalem's Lot and because 'Salem's Lot is short for the town Jerusalem's Lot where the story is set.
I was thinking that Salem would be for Jerusalem... was wondering on the significance...
I don't remember having it another significance, but I could be wrong.
Put me down for some. I’m hit or miss with King’s books.
Mod
Salem makes you think Witch Trials?... not sure that has anything to do with the books tho...
I thought it was short for Jerusalem’s Lot but it’s been one million years since I read it 🤷🏻♀️
Mod
Mod
Hah never read that one and I thought it had to do with Salem Witch Trials after all this time...
We're reading at the moment 'Insomnia', but is it maybe possible, to put the timeline in the first message? So it would be easy to see which book is starting when? Just a thought ;)
If you go to the Insomnia BR thread, the timeline is there.
Fantasy Buddy Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
Elevation (other topics)Insomnia (other topics)
’Salem’s Lot (other topics)
The Eyes of the Dragon (other topics)
Horrorstör (other topics)
More...
I haven't read Insomnia or It. I may just add those to read this year. 📚🤸♀️📚🤸♀️📚