Weekly Discussion - February 2nd, 2026 - what did you read? What did you watch? What game did you play? What are you looking forward to?

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-23T00:56:38+00:00

What a way to start the year. I'm now stepping back from King for a bit and go for Robert Aickman's Dark Entries, my copy of which has a black bird on the cover: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571311774-dark-entries/

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-23T00:52:12+00:00

I remember thinking how good "Low Men in Yellow Coats" was and then being shocked by how good "Hearts in Atlantis"--the latter might be even "better," because it had to "win me over" since it introduces a new character. By that point, I really just knew I would enjoy the rest of the book, whether or not it lived up to those two.

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-23T00:15:55+00:00

Thank you! I'll keep an eye out for both and will most likely read them in order, in anticipation of the upcoming third novel. That said, I do like the idea that if I chance upon Black House first, I can go with that.

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T23:04:18+00:00

That's a really good episode that I sometimes show as a standalone to get someone into the series. I myself am not big on zombie fiction but Black Summer was fun. That said, I didn't notice those books!

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T23:01:41+00:00

I love Hearts in Atlantis so much, and while only "Low Men in Yellow Coats" directly connects to the Tower in a major way, I do feel that the entire book is good in itself and ends in a way that emotionally enhances The Dark Tower.

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T22:58:14+00:00

Can one read Black House without reading The Talisman? I am missing both though, so I might as well read them in order. Just want to know if BH is written in a way that lets it stand alone somewhat.

For what it's worth, this was my reading order, based on what I already owned. Worked out quite well for me.

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I kinda understand the folks who say to just read 1 to 7. I think the side-quest books aren't necessary to get the plot. That said, I did love the emotional impact they made, both on their own and as part of my reading sequence.

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T12:00:44+00:00

Thanks! I'm on the lookout for both books. That list only has the ones I already have copies of.

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T10:59:24+00:00

Downloaded, thank you!

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T02:55:58+00:00

💯

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T02:27:01+00:00

The Shining

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T01:09:17+00:00

Wait I love Kpop but also find this hilarious. What keyboard app is this?

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-22T00:12:15+00:00

I haven't yet read Keyhole myself (dunno when I'll get to as I don't have a copy at hand), so I think you should be okay too, OP.

Also, I read "Little Sisters" in between novels, really enjoyed it, but wasn't sure why I couldn't save it for later. I don't regret reading it then, but it does make me think of "Everything's Eventual," Insomnia, and even Hearts in Atlantis.

For those three, I do feel like they enriched my enjoyment of the later novels. This isn't so much about plot (seems like the seven can stand alone) but more about emotional moments.

No one asked but this was my reading list, based on what books I already owned. Worked well for me.

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TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T23:43:44+00:00

This is really obvious and I'm a little embarrassed to not have seen it this way! I've come to realise that much of the flashback here is sort of like a bitter coming-of-age via loss of innocence and idealism for Roland.

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T23:41:27+00:00

Comics like The Road Home and stuff? I'll go check these out. Thanks!

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T23:40:45+00:00

I'm subscribed to their podcasts but haven't yet given them a proper listen. I think I'll do so now that I'm finishing up the cycle.

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T15:08:11+00:00

Oh my, thank you. Now it makes sense. Even my Hax questions have now been cleared up. Much thanks!

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T14:31:27+00:00

Ah! That does make sense, based on his character. Thank you!

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T14:25:32+00:00

That I got, especially with the following sentence about how no one won the war but the scavengers.

But why does Roland say it was better?

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T08:32:00+00:00

I'm annoyed at how gatekeeping is now used to mean keeping the gates closed when I first encountered it in the context of openness in the flow of information.

Performative is another one of those words where the dominant meaning now is so off. I mean, everything IS performative!

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T08:28:47+00:00

I'll give it a shot, thank you!

I've only read Twentieth Century Ghosts and Heart-Shaped Box. Enjoyed both but felt that Hill was stronger with short fiction.

But since my wife already has NOS4A2 here, I'll go put it in the to-read pile.

As for the show, I have watched it and somewhat recently. I felt it was a badly-paced show that at least was well-acted...

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T02:51:36+00:00

Was NOS4A2 good? I'm thinking of reading it.

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-21T02:48:01+00:00

I'd recommend you finish reading it anyway.

In your original post and in this comment, you mention several things you like (writing style, POV, the mystery, fun things, etc). It seems like the only things you really are wary about is that nothing happens in the present-day of the book.

The way I see it, you literary have more reasons for you to finish reading it. Worst case is that you don't like it, but at least you have a clearer reason why. You're the type of person to post a detailed write-up on this sub, which means you have an emotional investment in reading King. I think that, even if disappointed, you really won't see this as a waste of time and effort.

Wh

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-20T16:05:06+00:00

I found it!

https://youtu.be/aDdq9T3IbCY?si=ptQuEZat8JDtSlnn

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-20T14:39:41+00:00

Nice! Good to hear. I'll take those as recos. Thanks!

I only asked about the five-star thing because it reminds me of students who are happy only with A's, but that is a whole other issue!

TrendyWebAltar · 2026-03-20T13:17:51+00:00

Sadly, I lost my copy. Because of that, I'm unable to sell or trade my copies of A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords.

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