yes

I'm on book 3. Michael got me into the series. He said it's worth it and so far it has been (and this is from a person who doesn't read the Stephen King horror stuff).

So you don't miss out if you haven't read like everything else he's written? The internet was giving me the impression that it was all massively interconnected and dense.

This series is so different than anything else I have ever read of his (and thats a lot!). This is the best series of books I have ever read. Roland is my favorite charcter!

just read until the 6th book and a little bit of the 7th one

I am a huge fan of Stephen King. I have read all 8 books, and I will honestly admit that they are my favorite novels ever. I have read the novels so many times, that I have them almost completely memorized. Trust me it is definitely worth it.