The Dark Tower (2004)

Before reading: I'm scared. It's hard to believe that after all this time we have actually arrived at the tower. I feel so ready but also not ready at all. Here we go.

After reading: Screaming crying and throwing up. I am going through all the stages of grief currently so hopefully this post is coherent. I will never shut up about how good this series is. So good. How will anything ever compare? What am I supposed to do with my life now??? Reading all of King in publication order made this especially rewarding. It takes a lot of time and energy but if you've got enough of both of those, I really recommend reading in this order. There are just so many layers. It's so good people. I'm not sure what else there even is to say.

There are so many references and crossovers in this book that I would have to write an entire book to even discuss it. So many characters from so many of my favorite stories made appearances. So that was a lot of fun. Besides being fun, this book was also heartbreaking. It punches you in the face and the heart. I don't think that is a spoiler because we all knew where this story was going...or did we?! Lot's of twists, turns, emotions, and literally all of the things.

My journey to the Tower has ended but I think it might not officially be the end. We still have one more book to read, we have a Mike Flanagan series coming, and King has been making some very suspicious posts on X. Ka is a wheel after all. Perhaps I'll do what I do with Harry Potter and listen to the audiobooks the next time around.

I think that is all I'm going to say. I would hate to spoil anything by saying too much. I'm glad I'm on this King journey and that it led me to the Dark Tower. I'm excited to see what all comes next. Long days and pleasant nights.

Next up is The Colorado Kid.

Comments

RanKING

I have randomly decided that in addition to reading these books, I'm also going to rank them from my most favorite to least favorite. I will do this as I read and I will add in the books I've already read after I re-read them. I also apologize for the horrible pun in the title but I couldn't pass it up :) All right! Here's my ever-changing list: The Long Walk It The Shining Pet Sematary The Institute Misery The Dark Tower: Wizard and Glass The Dark Tower Black House Needful Things Dolores Claiborne The Green Mile The Regulators The Dark Tower: The Waste Lands Insomnia Firestarter The Talisman The Dark Tower: Wolves of the Calla Christine The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger The Dark Tower: Song of Susannah The Outsider The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three Desperation Rose Madder Lisey's Story Bag of Bones Cujo The Dark Half Different Seasons Salem's Lot The Stand Hearts in Atlantis The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon Cell From a Buick 8 Gerald's Game Everything'

The Long Walk (1979)

Before Reading: I could go on and on and on about The Long Walk and I will (after I re-read it). For now I’m just going to keep it short and sweet. Remember when I said that I love Rage and have it on my bookshelf? Well I really love The Long Walk and have TWO copies of it on my bookshelf. The Long Walk is my absolute number one favorite book...ever. I even rank it above Harry Potter (which, if you know me, is saying a lot). When I was younger I was drawn to The Long Walk because it mentioned my hometown. But oh my God, this story is so great. You cringe, cry, laugh, and everything in between when you read it—or at least I do. It takes a lot for me to get emotionally invested in a book (or anything, really) but I feel so attached to this story. All of the characters and their lives are so real to me when I read this one. Also, Hunger Games-esque dystopia is my absolute favorite genre and The Long Walk is one of the best. I’m very much looking forward to re-reading this one, as I alway

What am I doing?

Being a true Mainer, while my mother was pregnant with me, she was reading a book by Stephen King. Specifically she was reading The Dark Half by Stephen King. In that book there is a character named Shayla and that is where my name came from. Growing up in Maine already gives you a sense of closeness with Mr. King but having him be the reason for my namesake always drew me even closer to him. In fact, for my 23rd birthday I was gifted with Stephen King’s personal copy of The Dark Half that he signed for me. I grew up watching many Stephen King shows and movies and read a few books. My favorite book of all time being The Long Walk by Stephen King, himself. All in all, however, I’ve only read about 5 of Mr. King’s books in total. I feel like this weird connection and fascination I have with him has ultimately only led me to one place. And that place is right here, preparing to read all his books. With all honesty, I get crazy ideas like this all the time but only seldom do I see anyt

Actually Reading the Book I’m Named After (And All of Stephen King’s Other Work)

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