I have read books most of the books several times. I haven't read the last two books more than once yet. I was in fact planning to start re-resding the whole series tonight, so funny this came up.

Just like with the harry potter books i would re-read the series before the newest one came out. Yes I am that big of a dork. I didn't do that with the last two because they came out so close together.

I really enjoy seeing elemnts from other books in there. I also thought there was quite a lot of homage paid to the LOTR books (which I usually read once a year).

I can't wait to re-read. Depending on how long this thread is up we could point out things as we read the books.

Spoiler Alert!!!!







I understand what you are saying about the first book being so disjointed from the rest. But then when I thought about how the last book ended it actually kind of makes sense. I don't know if SK planned it that way, but think about it. The ending of the last book is the beginning of the first book. So basically he starts over. I think of it as waking from a deep sleep. When you first wake up you are groggy and everything exist in a fog. As you wake up more you notice more detail and things are deeper. Essentially he is starting his life over. I believe  there is some awareness there of his previous life, but it is like a vivid dream that escapes you when you awaken. He awakes to find himself in mid chase and nothing Else really registers.

Also, if you notice, his character gets progressively more complex as the books go on. So it make sense that the first book would be the "simplest."

LALALALALALALALALAAAAA!!!

*covers her ears...er eyes as she reads this so she doesn't see any spoilers...*

So today I went to the library and checked out the first book in the Dark Tower series, since several people on here seem to highly recommend them. I will post my reaction to the first book once I've started reading it. 

Thanks for starting this thread! I didn't know how long we could keep up a PM string, and I know a lot of other people are Tower junkies.

Yes, you DO need to read Talisman. It doesn't tie in directly, but it involved the same parallel keystone/midworld thing, but before "the world moved on." I may just read it again. Why not, I've already been through it twice! I think it really is my favorite King book, even though it's a collaboration.

I just recently finished the DT series... I read the first three books about 15 years ago or so. Since there was such a gap between Wastelands and Wizard and Glass, I never kept up. When I recently found books 6 and 7 on the bargain table at Borders ($7.99 for a hardcover? yes please!), I knew it was time to start over. I realized I remembered NONE of Gunslinger from the first reading. I only recalled the "lobstrosities" from Drawing of the Three, and only Blaine (and the cliffhanger ending, you jerk!) from Wastelands. At least I didn't feel like I was wasting my time reading books I'd read already... they were all new! LOL!

Did he really go back and refine Gunslinger? I've had my copy for so long (softcover with illustrations - print date appears to be 1988), I didn't know. When did he do that? Did Roland make him do it? LOL!

My husband collects comics, so we have the first series of Gunslinger Born... and the second series just started coming out. We have the first one. I'd be interested to know what's missing from the graphic novel version, because the "extra" stuff in the individual books, the history and background, are really interesting. I need to get the Concordance, too. I added it to my Amazon list.

Now I am going back and reading some of the books referenced. I can't believe I never read Carrie or 'Salem's Lot. I'm reading Carrie now. I know I read Insomnia, but I don't recall a lot, other than the Low Men, and that there were a lot of DT links in it -- subtle and not so subtle. I've already read The Stand twice (once abridged, once not), and have seen the miniseries like three times, so no need to read that again, at least not right now. I also need to give They Eyes of the Dragon a third go.

I took a long, long break from King, but I'm coming back around again!


I ganked that from the other thread, because I didn't want to take things off topic there... but... I NEED THAT SHIRT. LOL!

*goes to change her "custom status" on another forum she's on*

Hahaha.. I like their "we're moving" message...

*wonders if they're moving to Topeka*

Also, for those who look for references in other SK books, try "Hearts in Atlantis". Seems one of the characters is/was a BeamRider.

MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR SPOILER:












not sure if this was the case, but from what I've heard, the first book was re-written to make mention of that special horn that becomes very important in the 7th book. apparently he was supposed to bring that horn w/ him to the DT, but lost it along the way (if I'm remembering this correctly). the original first book, AFAIK, made no mention of a horn. again, not sure 100% if this is why the 1st book was re-written, but I think the 1st book was written so long ago, SK decided to change the direction of the series so rewrote the 1st book to fit his new idea. if any other author had pulled that, I'd be livid, but I love SK and the DT series, so I'm cool w/ it.


another book to pick up is "Everything is Eventual" there is a short story in there called "Little Sisters of Eluria" that's about Roland that takes place before the events of the DT series. also, the main character from the title story is also in the series (Dinky). there is a site that lists the books referenced in the DT series, but the biggies are:

Insomnia (I hated this book, but it plays a major role in the 6th/7th book)
The Stand (I believe it has scenes from the post-virus world, and of course, Flagg)
Hearts in Atlantis (Ted's in this one)
Salem's Lot (Father Callahan (?) is in this one)

there are some other minor ones too but I think those are the biggies.

god, I'm gonna have to re-read this series over the summer

Major DT junkie here

I would recommend The Stephen King Universe by Stanley Wiater, Christopher Golden & Hank Wagner as a great guide to the Dark Tower tie-ins throughout King's work. It could do with an update (my copy is 2001) but picks up things you might not think of. The basic premise is that all of King's writing can be viewed as part of the greater DT multiverse-after all the Tower is the nexus where all worlds meet.

I really enjoyed the redone Gunslinger, mainly because it fits much better stylistically with the rest of the series but seriously, stick Dark Tower on a coffee pot and I'd probably buy it!

Oh, sweet, this is back up! I was thinking of posting on this very thread, last night.  So, I finished Wizard and Glass, I also read the Gunslinger Born comic (hello timing, someone got it for me for my birthday!) and now I'm nearly done with Wolves of the Calla. 

I had a few thoughts, though.  HUGE SPOILERS BELOW AVOID IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE END!





Since "there are other worlds than these" and we know there's many parallel worlds, and things have a way of popping back up over and over....I think Eddie is a reincarnation of Cuthbert.  Some line I read, or something, I can't pinpoint it, but it occured to me with such surety, now I think of Eddie as "Eddie/Bert" in a way.  I mean, the similarities are definitely there, but I don't think they're coincidental anymore, upon my second go-through.  Eddie himself came back, in another world, even better than before.  The thought makes me happy, because I really loved Bert. 

See, I thought maybe Jake was reincarnated Alain, because Jake turns out stronger in the touch, and actually uses it a lot, in Wolves.  Poor Susannah, I can't exactly put my finger on who she might be, only a very interesting, highly developed and unique character all her own.  Definitely one of the most interesting characters I've ever encountered in any books. 

Oh WOW, awesome shop!  I just added it to my favorites, now to decide...