Stephen King 2025 read-along discussion

I know I'm terrible, and I promise you as your host it will get a lot better here on out. I've finally gone back to work and have started reading again.

Misery is based in Sidewinder Colorado. This is the town that Jack Torrence (The Shining) and his family lived in, before moving up to the Overlook Hotel. This is also a very important place where the baddies live in Doctor Sleep.

What other books have you read from Stephen King that refer back to Sidewinder? Are there other books like Stephen King's that use the same city/town in their books, even when the books are not related by series?

What do you think about using the same town and connecting books like this? Do you like it?

Melissa wrote: "I know I'm terrible, and I promise you as your host it will get a lot better here on out. I've finally gone back to work and have started reading again.

Misery is based in Sidewinder Colorado. Thi..."

I think it's awesome!! The Shining is my all time favorite, so when I realized Misery was set in Sidewinder too I was pumped! I don't know off the top of my head if Sidewinder is mentioned in other books (although it probably is) but back in November when I was reading 11/22/63 the main character takes a small trip to Derry in the past and meets a few interesting characters ;). I do know that Castle Rock is also the premise for a few books, and that Cujo and The Dead Zone are connected, though I can't remember if it's by location.

I like it. I know Bag of Bones and Gerald's Game are both set in Maine but it's been so long since I read them that I don't remember what the names of the towns were. I like that he references people/events from his other books too. There were a few in Mr. Mercedes (Cujo, It, Christine). I'm pretty sure Misery was mentioned in Desperation, and Shawshank Prison was mentioned in Cujo and It if I'm not mistaken.

Tonya wrote: "I like it. I know Bag of Bones and Gerald's Game are both set in Maine but it's been so long since I read them that I don't remember what the names of the towns were. I like that he references peop..."

Yes! One of the really cool things that Stephen King does is cameo's his character or places within his other books. Like a puzzle. I just posted a new topic that talks about Constant Readers. I like knowing the secrets or Easter eggs of King's books. I get excited when I come across a character that I recognize or a town that I remember reading about. Wolves of the Calla the 5th book in the Dark Tower series has Frank Callahan the priest from Salem's Lot. I read that book last year! If I didn't read that book I would not have known anything about this character or what he was talking about when he discusses his sordid past with Roland and his Ka-tet. It's soo cool knowing just a little bit more than someone who picked up the series on a whim :D

Ashley wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I know I'm terrible, and I promise you as your host it will get a lot better here on out. I've finally gone back to work and have started reading again.

Misery is based in Sidewind..."

I'm excited to reread all the books I read in high school because I didn't have the forethought to remember city names or character names. I know that most of King's books take place in Maine, but are they all in the same vicinity? At least the ones that are located in that state? You talked about Desperation, which was the first book I ever read from Stephen King. I don't remember Misery being mentioned in that book. Which makes sense because that being my first King novel I wouldn't have known anything about Misery. So yes, absolutely looking forward to rereads come 2019 and making more connections :D

Desperation was the first book I read by King also! I tried skimming through it but couldn't find it, I'm pretty sure one of the women was reading one of the Misery books though. I'll have to look again tomorrow, it's going to bug me until I find it lol.