I've watched both mini-series, and read the book. Read the book. It's not that it's that different...it's really all the shit you miss. One of my favorite chapters in the book with when The Judge confronts the man in black in crow form on the road. Doesn't exist in either mini-series that I remember.
This is about to be a movie, right?
Jumping in here just to expand my Surly threads I check portfolio. I went on a mission before my son was born to read all of the Dark Tower and Dark Tower connected books. I can't find the website I followed, but it was some version of this, with some more things added in. I know I also read Bag of Bones as part of the series, and Jerusalem's Lot. IT was also part of my Dark Tower reading list, as well, and The Mist.
I skipped the Stand both times, as I'd read the uncut and remembered it well in Junior High, but everything else I read except I think Rose Madder. It was a fun exercise, although have to admit I'm one of the posters that sort of sides with the concept that Stephen King has unparalleled world building and concept guy, but doesn't quite always close his narratives in a satisfying way. Of the stuff above, I actually really enjoyed the double Desperation/Regulators novels, and count me as a guy who loved The Talisman and Black House. Maybe because I think Straub really brings something to the prose, I dunno.
I haven't read much since I had my son, and I'm trying to force my way back into what used to be a couple books a month habit now, and I've waded back in with some easy shit, lots of Nelson Demille's John Corey books, some Dean Koontz, but the first book back was Firestarter, which was a solid little fun Stephen King read, for anyone who hasn't. From the looks of this thread, I really need to read (maybe watch too?) the 11/22/63 book.
And I'm pretty motherfucking excited for Life of Chuck. Mike Flannagan is a motherfucking movie and TV witch, and I am excited to see him dig his teeth into the dark tower considering he pretty much only hits home runs, in my estimation.