We are on our cross country trip and I made sure to stop by Gilead, Maine. I know it’s just a small town in western Maine, but as a longtime King fan it felt like one of those obligatory roadside pilgrimages.

I also happened across Roland Lake in Michigan.

It’s made all the sweeter that I am again making my trip to The Dark Tower. We are on Wizard and Glass and Reap is almost upon us. My fourth time all the way through and my partner’s first.

I just went to 2nd and Charles, and I somehow someway found an ORIGINAL HARDCOVER COPY OF IT, FOR ONLY 12 DOLLARS!!! This is literally one of the greatest discoveries I’ve ever made!! Although, I have no clue if it’s a first edition or not. If anybody knows, could you let me know if it’s a first edition?

I'm a ceramic artist and was inspired by the Victorian ceramic murder memorabilia that documented notorious crimes in the 19th century. This Shining moon pot is the first of a series to bring back that tradition but based on films that I love. It's a ceramic retelling of The Shining set in a bygone era. The first two photos are at Timberline Lodge (the exterior location of the Overlook Hotel). If you ever visit, ask the front desk for the replica axe!

I see so many King fans here hating on The Shining film — like vehemently hating it — vitriolic hatred. Why is that when there’s such a broad consensus that it’s one of the greatest films of all time, and certainly one of the greatest horror films of all time? Most commonly I see complaints that it differs from the characterization in the book or isn’t a faithful adaptation. But so what? Why can’t people enjoy Kubrick’s film for what it is — loosely inspired by King — rather than expect just a visual rehashing of the novel? I get that there will always be people who don’t love even the most acclaimed works of art, but it seems so many here hate it. It strikes me as odd that people can’t just say “it’s a great film but wasn’t for me.” For those who just can’t stand it, why do you suppose it is so highly regarded but virtually everyone else?

Got this tattoo to represent my love of the Dark Tower series…

Any suggestions for what I can do around it/ to fill out the forearm that is Stephen king/ gothic/ creepy themed?

That ending broke my heart. Why did Kind have to end it so tragically ?

Wow...intense, shocking, unsettling. I loved it. Really enjoyed reading this book about death, faith, and obsession. I felt like the religious stuff was used metaphorically as opposed to it being a book "about" religion. King wove it in so well as he always does.

The overall language was very culturally specific to a certain part and time of the US, which made some of it hard to understand (I'm Gen Z British), or certain idioms/expressions. There was also a bit too much unnecessary exposition towards the end.

But otherwise a great book that won't take too long to read.

Next on my King list is Salem's Lot!

Currently reading 1922 on my Kobo

IT absolutely delivered. Incredible summer read.

Is there an adaptation worth watching?

I’m going to need a minute before moving on but would appreciate recommendations on where to go next. I’ve read Dolores, 11/22, Salem’s Lot and It. I’d rank them It, 11/22, Dolores, Salem’s. But enjoyed all 4.

My youngest is turning 13. I think I read the stand as my first Stephen King book, might have been It. He's really into fnaf but has read all of them, but goes to show he's into horror. I'm trying to think of birthday gifts for him. What book of Stephen King's would you recommend he start off with? I'm leaning towards one that is around 400 pages, since reading isn't one of his most favorite things to do and an 800 to 1000 page book would likely be too overwhelming for him to even start

I have a few questions and I don't know how to block spoilers, so move along if you haven't read yet!

So I began with IT (was traumatized by the miniseries as a preteen in 1991 or thereabouts and now I'm 45 so I felt ready lol) then polished off Misery, Cujo, Pet Sematary (SO GOOD, fave so far) and everyone loves The Stand so I was ready for another mamma jamma and dove in.

I am onto Christine but I have some random thoughts about The Stand which I need to share and curious if others feel the same about any of it:

• Again this was not my favourite King read so far, tho it had some amazing parts to it and some of the characters like Tom Cullen and Nick Andros are absolute masterpieces, I felt like you can tell it would have been better if they'd added the edited stuff back in BUT left it as taking place in 1978 instead of trying to update it to 1990. I mean Stu Redman makes so much sense as a Vietnam vet but he cannot be that in 1990. The cultural updates took away from the experience overall, imo.
• Flagg was too cartoonish for me, I know ppl love him but he's not even close to my favourite King villain so far. He wasn't much of a character rather a being and I somehow felt Meh about him compared to say Pennywise. Psychotic killer clown not too cartoonish but levitating walking man is? Yep that's my opinion - maybe it's the tantrums that gets to me :p
• However Harold was amazing he and Lloyd are really great bad guys in this book.
• The Kid was hilarious I know he's controversial but he added some really awesome terrifying chaos which I very much enjoyed.
• Book 1 is the best part. That could have been its own short story and might have been one of the best things I've ever read.

Thanks for reading !

The salems lot story in nighsift came first before the salems book right? Is there a reason why king changed the location so much between books? The nightshift chapter reminds me of the limited amount of hp lovecract stories I've read, but the salems lot book is alot different. Why did he decide to keep the location the same but completely redo the idea? Was this ever discussed in an interview?

Pardon the bad picture it was hard to unfurl without breaking something in the antique shop lol.
Found in Boise, ID at State Street Antiques. It’s huge: one of those large movie banners on thick material for $50 if anyone is interested. Last seen this afternoon.

I’m want to purchase a good book with my 1 credit on audible and I was thinking about buying the Stand. Is it worth the purchase or should I wait and find something else? If so what would you suggest?

Update: I got “IT” instead and am listening to it now!