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Stephen King Books in Order: Full 1974-2026 Reading Guide

Author:Victoria Wood Updated on:

See Stephen King books in order from Carrie to Other Worlds Than These, plus series reading order, where to start, and the easiest path for new readers.

Stephen King Books in Order

The Stephen King Reading Order I’d Actually Recommend

Hi Bookish Besties, I’ve been reading Stephen King for more than twenty years, and if there’s one thing I wish every new reader knew before looking at his enormous bibliography, it’s this: You do not have to read Stephen King in order. I know that sounds strange coming from someone who has created an entire guide to Stephen King books in order, but stay with me. King has been publishing books since Carrie arrived in 1974, and at this point there are more than five decades of novels, novellas, collections, collaborations, nonfiction, Richard Bachman books, interconnected characters, and trips into the Dark Tower universe to navigate. His official bibliography is enormous, and even after reading him for more than two decades, I don’t think turning his work into a giant homework assignment is the best way to discover him.

What I do think is useful is understanding the options. You can read Stephen King in publication order and watch his work evolve from Carrie onward. You can follow the series that genuinely need to be read in sequence. Or you can do what I usually recommend to a new reader: choose a book based on the kind of story you already enjoy and build from there. That’s what I want this guide to help you do. I’ll give you the Stephen King books in publication order, explain the series where reading order actually matters, show you where Holly Gibney fits into everything, break down the Richard Bachman books, and tell you where I’d personally begin if the sheer size of that bookshelf is making you reconsider this entire idea. Because I don’t want Stephen King recommendations to feel like homework. I want you to find the book that makes you understand why some of us have been reading him for decades.

Stephen King Books in Order: The Quick Answer

Stephen King’s first published novel was Carrie in 1974. His most recent novel is Never Flinch, published May 27, 2025, and his next novel, Other Worlds Than These, publishes October 6, 2026. The latter returns to Jack Sawyer and concludes the Talisman trilogy created with the late Peter Straub while also connecting directly with the larger Dark Tower world.

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So if you’re here because you simply want to know whether Stephen King’s books need to be read chronologically, my answer is no. Most of his novels stand on their own. The major exceptions are books with continuing characters or storylines, particularly The Dark Tower, Bill Hodges/Holly Gibney, The Shining and Doctor Sleep, the Gwendy books, and the Talisman trilogy.

If you’re brand new to King, I wouldn’t automatically start at Carrie just because it came first. Publication order is fun if you’re deliberately doing a complete King reading project, but for a first experience, I’d much rather match you to the King book that fits what you already like. We’ll get to that.

What I Include in This Stephen King Reading Order

This is where I wanted to make the updated guide much clearer than my original version. Stephen King’s bibliography includes hundreds of individual pieces, so a list can become messy very quickly if every novella inside a collection, every limited edition, every revised edition, and every separately issued story is treated as though it’s another completely different book. For this reading guide, I’m focusing on the major books a reader would realistically work through: novels, Richard Bachman novels, short-story and novella collections, major collaborations, selected standalone novellas, and his primary nonfiction books. King’s official site separately categorizes novels and novellas, collections, nonfiction, short works, limited editions, anthologies, screenplays, and other material, which is why totals can look wildly different from one Stephen King bibliography to another. Stephen King If you’re looking for every individual short story, essay, limited edition, specialty publication, and other piece of King writing, use my complete Stephen King bibliography instead. This page is about helping you read the books, not burying you beneath bibliographic trivia.

Upcoming Stephen King Book (2026)

If you’re trying to keep up with Stephen King’s newest releases, this is the one everyone is watching.

Other Worlds Than These (2026)

This upcoming novel returns to one of King’s most beloved storylines and completes the Talisman trilogy, co-written with Peter Straub. It follows Jack Sawyer again, but this time he’s older, the stakes are much higher, and the threat stretches across multiple worlds, including connections to the Dark Tower universe.

What makes this one especially exciting is how it pulls everything together. It is both a continuation and a conclusion, but it is also being described as accessible for new readers. So if you’ve been curious about King’s interconnected worlds but didn’t know where to start, this might actually become a surprising entry point.

Stephen King Books in Publication Order

If I were going to read King’s entire career as one enormous reading project, this is the route I would take. Publication order lets you see his writing change over time, but it also lets you experience recurring places, ideas, characters, and connections roughly the way longtime readers originally encountered them. And that is genuinely fun once you’ve read enough King to start noticing those little threads.

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 1974 – 1980

This is Stephen King’s explosive debut era, where he established himself as a major voice in horror. These early books introduce his core themes: fear, power, isolation, and small-town darkness-and include some of his most iconic titles.

  • Carrie (Novel: 1974)
  • ‘Salem’s Lot (Novel: 1975)
  • Rage (Bachman Novel: 1976)
  • The Shining (Novel: 1977)
  • Night Shift (Story Collection: 1977)
  • The Stand (Novel: 1978)
  • The Long Walk (Bachman Novel: 1978)
  • The Dead Zone (Novel: 1979)
  • Firestarter (Novel: 1979)
  • The Mist (Novella: 1980)
  • Danse Macabre (Nonfiction: 1980)
  • Roadwork (Bachman Novel: 1980)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 1981 – 1990

The 1980s mark Stephen King’s most prolific and experimental period, including several novels written under the Richard Bachman name. This decade blends peak horror, psychological intensity, and the expansion of The Dark Tower universe.

  • Cujo (Novel: 1981)
  • The Dark Tower (Novel: 1981)
  • The Running Man (Bachman Novel: 1981)
  • Apt Pupil (Novella: 1982)
  • The Body (Novella: 1982)
  • The Breathing Method (Novella: 1982)
  • Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (Novella: 1982)
  • Different Seasons (Story Collection: 1982)
  • The Plant [Installment One] (Epistolary Novel: 1982)
  • Christine (Novel: 1982)
  • Cycle of the Werewolf (Novel: 1982)
  • The Plant [Installment Two] (Epistolary Novel: 1982)
  • Pet Sematary (Novel: 1983)
  • The Talisman (Novel: 1983)
  • The Eyes of the Dragon (Novel: 1984 – Philtrum Press edition)
  • Thinner (Bachman Novel: 1984)
  • The Plant [Installment Three] (Epistolary Novel: 1984)
  • Skeleton Crew (Story Collection: 1984)
  • Cycle of the Werewolf (Novel: 1985)
  • IT (Novel; September 1986)
  • The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three (Novel: 1986)
  • The Eyes of the Dragon (Novel: 1987 – Viking edition) 
  • Misery (Novel: 1987)
  • The Tommyknockers (Novel: 1987)
  • My Pretty Pony (Novel: 1987)
  • Nightmares in the Sky (Nonfiction: 1987)
  • Letters from Hell (Novel: 1988)
  • Dolan’s Cadillac (Novel: 1988)
  • The Dark Half (Novel: 1989)
  • The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition (Novel: 1989)
  • The Langoliers (Novella: 1990)
  • The Library Policeman (Novella: 1990)
  • Secret Window, Secret Garden (Novella: 1990)
  • The Sun Dog (Novella: 1990)
  • Four Past Midnight (Story Collection: 1990)
  • The Dark Tower: The Waste Lands (Novel: 1990)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 1991 – 2000

During the 1990s, King’s work becomes more reflective and character-driven, often grappling with trauma, morality, and redemption. This era also includes deeply emotional stories and some of his most beloved adaptations.

  • Needful Things (Novel; October 1991)
  • Gerald’s Game (Novel; May 1992)
  • Nightmares & Dreamscapes (Story Collection: 1993)
  • Dolores Claiborne (Novel: 1993)
  • Mid-Life Confidential: The Rock Bottom Remainders Tour America With Three Chords and an Attitude (Nonfiction: 1993)
  • Insomnia (Novel: 1994)
  • Blind Willie (Novella: 1994)
  • Rose Madder (Novel: 1994)
  • Desperation (Novel: 1995)
  • The Regulators (Bachman Novel: 1995)
  • The Green Mile: The Two Dead Girls (Novel: 1996)
  • The Green Mile: The Mouse on the Mile (Novel: 1996)
  • The Green Mile: Coffey’s Hands (Novel: 1996)
  • The Green Mile: The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix (Novel: 1996)
  • The Green Mile: Night Journey (Novel: 1996)
  • The Green Mile: Coffey on the Mile (Novel: 1996)
  • The Dark Tower: Wizard and Glass (Novel: 1996)
  • Six Stories (Novel: 1996)
  • Bag of Bones (Novel: 1998)
  • The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (Novel: 1999)
  • The New Lieutenant’s Rap (Novel: 1999)
  • Hearts in Atlantis (Novella: 1999)
  • Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling (Novella: 1999)
  • Low Men in Yellow Coats (Novella: 1999)
  • Why We’re in Vietnam (Novella: 1999)
  • Hearts in Atlantis (Story Collection: 1999)
  • On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (Nonfiction: 1999)
  • Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing (Nonfiction: 1999)
  • The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel (Novel: 2000)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 2001 – 2010

During the 1990s, King’s work becomes more reflective and character-driven, often grappling with trauma, morality, and redemption. This era also includes deeply emotional stories and some of his most beloved adaptations.

  • Dreamcatcher (Novel: 2001)
  • Black House (Novel: 2001)
  • From a Buick 8 (Novel: 2001)
  • Everything’s Eventual (Story Collection: 2002)
  • The Dark Tower: Wolves of the Calla (Novel: 2002)
  • The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (Revised Novel: 2003)
  • The Dark Tower: Song of Susannah (Novel: 2003)
  • The Dark Tower (Novel: 2004)
  • Faithful (Nonfiction: 2005)
  • The Colorado Kid (Novel: 2005)
  • The Secretary of Dreams, Vol. 1 (Novel: 2005)
  • Cell (Novel: 2006)
  • Lisey’s Story (Novel: 2006)
  • Blaze (Bachman Novel: 2006)
  • The Colorado Kid (Chadbourne) (Novel: 2006)
  • The Colorado Kid (Miller) (Novel: 2006)
  • The Colorado Kid (Potter) (Novel: 2006)
  • Duma Key (Novel: 2008)
  • A Very Tight Place (Novella: 2008)
  • N (Novella: 2008)
  • Just After Sunset (Story Collection: 2008)
  • The Little Sisters of Eluria (Novel: 2009)
  • Stephen King Goes to the Movies (Story Collection: 2009)
  • UR (Novella: 2009)
  • Under the Dome (Novel: 2009)
  • Blockade Billy (Novella: 2009)
  • The Secretary of Dreams, Vol. 2 (Novel: 2010)
  • Full Dark, No Stars (Story Collection: 2010)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 2011 – 2020

The 2010s highlight King’s late-career evolution, with a strong focus on crime fiction, aging, and legacy. Many of these books feel more grounded and humane, blending suspense with emotional depth.

  • 11/22/63 (Novel: 2011)
  • The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole (Novel: 2012)
  • GUNS (Nonfiction: 2013)
  • Joyland (Novel: 2013)
  • The Dark Man (Novel: 2013)
  • Doctor Sleep (Novel: 2013)
  • Mr. Mercedes (Novel: 2014)
  • Revival (Novel: 2014)
  • Finders Keepers (Novel: 2015)
  • The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (Story Collection: 2015)
  • End of Watch (Novel: 2016)
  • Gwendy’s Button Box (Novella: 2017)
  • Sleeping Beauties (Novel: 2017)
  • The Outsider (Novel: 2018)
  • Elevation (Novella: 2018)
  • The Institute (Novel: 2019)
  • If It Bleeds (Novella: 2020)
  • The Life of Chuck (Novella: 2020)
  • Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (Novella: 2020)
  • Rat (Novella: 2020)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 2021 – 2026

Stephen King’s most recent works reflect a seasoned storyteller still experimenting with form, genre, and character. These books balance nostalgia with fresh ideas, proving his creativity hasn’t slowed—even after five decades of publishing.

  • Later (Novella: 2021)
  • Billy Summers (Novel: 2021)
  • Gwendy’s Final Task (Novel: 2022)
  • Fairy Tale (Novel: 2022)
  • Holly (Novel: 2023)
  • You Like It Darker (Story Collection: 2024)
  • Never Flinch — (2025, Novel)
  • Hansel and Gretel — (2025, Picture Book)
  • Other Worlds Than These (2026)

Do You Need to Read Stephen King Books in Order?

For the vast majority of his books, no. And I want to emphasize that because I think readers can look at a bibliography this long and immediately talk themselves out of starting. You do not have to read Carrie before Misery. You do not have to understand the entire Dark Tower mythology before picking up 11/22/63. You do not need to recognize every Castle Rock reference to enjoy a book set there. King’s work is wonderfully interconnected, but interconnected does not always mean sequential. There are, however, several places where I strongly recommend following the series order because recurring characters, relationships, reveals, and previous cases matter.

Stephen King Series in Reading Order

The Dark Tower Books in Order

For a first-time Dark Tower reader, I recommend publication order, with The Wind Through the Keyhole saved until after the original seven books. Yes, The Wind Through the Keyhole takes place between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla. King himself refers to it as book 4.5. But it was published years after the original series ended, and I think it works beautifully as a return to the world after you’ve finished Roland’s main journey rather than as an interruption in your first trip through it. The order I’d use is:

  1. The Gunslinger
  2. The Drawing of the Three
  3. The Waste Lands
  4. Wizard and Glass
  5. Wolves of the Calla
  6. Song of Susannah
  7. The Dark Tower
  8. The Wind Through the Keyhole

If you’re rereading the series and want chronological placement instead, put The Wind Through the Keyhole between books four and five.
That’s one of those distinctions I wish more reading-order guides made. “Where does this story take place?” and “Where should I read it my first time?” don’t always have the same answer.

The Bill Hodges Trilogy in Order

This one is straightforward:

  1. Mr. Mercedes
  2. Finders Keepers
  3. End of Watch

I absolutely recommend keeping these three together and in order. Character development matters, and the trilogy gradually changes in ways I would not want spoiled by jumping around.

Holly Gibney Books in Order

This is where people understandably get confused because Holly’s story begins inside the Bill Hodges trilogy and then continues into books that aren’t marketed as Bill Hodges novels. Read them this way:

  1. Mr. Mercedes
  2. Finders Keepers
  3. End of Watch
  4. The Outsider
  5. “If It Bleeds,” the title novella in If It Bleeds
  6. Holly
  7. Never Flinch

Never Flinch was published May 27, 2025 and returns Holly alongside Detective Izzy Jaynes, with two storylines that eventually converge. If Holly is the part of King’s work you’re most interested in, you don’t need this enormous chronology at all. Go directly to my Holly Gibney books in order and readalong and follow her story straight through. Honestly, this is one of my favorite ways to approach an author with a bibliography this large: find the thread that interests you and follow it.

The Shining Books in Order

This is technically only two novels, but definitely read them in order:

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  1. The Shining
  2. Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep follows an adult Danny Torrance, so knowing what happened at the Overlook gives the emotional core of the second book considerably more weight.

The Gwendy Books in Order

Gwendy’s story is a slightly unusual collaboration because Stephen King didn’t co-write all three installments. The order is:

  1. Gwendy’s Button Box by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar
  2. Gwendy’s Magic Feather by Richard Chizmar
  3. Gwendy’s Final Task by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar

King’s official site credits Gwendy’s Final Task to King and Chizmar and follows Gwendy into a much larger, more cosmic conflict than where her story began.

The Talisman Trilogy in Order

This reading order has suddenly become much more relevant in 2026:

  1. The Talisman (1984)
  2. Black House (2001)
  3. Other Worlds Than These (2026)

The first two books were written by King and Peter Straub, and Other Worlds Than These is credited to both authors as the trilogy’s conclusion. The new book also deepens the relationship between the Territories and the larger Dark Tower mythology. If you’ve been wanting an excuse to finally read The Talisman, I think 2026 has given you a very good one.

The Richard Bachman Books in Order

Richard Bachman was the pseudonym King used for several books, and I think it’s useful to keep them visible in the main chronology because they’re part of his publishing history, not some completely separate author you’re suddenly expected to research. The core Bachman novels are:

  1. Rage (1977)
  2. The Long Walk (1979)
  3. Roadwork (1981)
  4. The Running Man (1982)
  5. Thinner (1984)
  6. The Regulators (1996)
  7. Blaze (2007)

The first four were later collected in The Bachman Books. That omnibus is no longer being reprinted because Rage is included, and King has requested no future printings of that novel. I wouldn’t treat Bachman as another “series,” though. There isn’t one continuous storyline you need to follow. Think of it as another side of King.

Where I Recommend Starting With Stephen King

This is the question I care about more than publication order. I’ve been reading Stephen King for over twenty years, and I would much rather hand someone the right first King book for them than insist they start with the first one he published. I also wouldn’t automatically send a beginner toward IT or The Stand. I love that those huge books exist. But if you’re already unsure whether Stephen King is for you, giving you an enormous commitment is not necessarily the friendliest introduction.

If You Want Classic Horror, Start With ‘Salem’s Lot

This is one of my favorite entry points for someone who says, “I came to Stephen King because I want Stephen King horror.” You get vampires, a small town, slowly escalating dread, and the community storytelling that becomes such a recognizable part of his work. It feels quintessentially King without asking you to begin with one of his longest books.

If You Want Psychological Suspense, Start With Misery

You don’t need a huge supernatural mythology. You don’t need prior King knowledge. You just need Paul Sheldon, Annie Wilkes, a very bad situation, and the increasingly awful realization that there is nowhere to go. If you already love tense psychological thrillers, this is one of the easiest King recommendations for me to make.

If You Want to Try His Shorter Fiction, Start With Different Seasons

This is one I love recommending because it immediately pushes against the idea that King only writes traditional horror. Different Seasons includes “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” and “The Body,” the stories that became The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me. If you’re interested in King as a storyteller more than King as a horror writer, start here.

If You Want Something Emotional, Start With The Green Mile

There is darkness in The Green Mile, but this is also a deeply human story about compassion, injustice, morality, and what people do when they’re confronted with something they cannot fully explain. This is another book I’d hand to the person who tells me, “I don’t think I like horror.” Good. You don’t have to start with horror.

If You Mostly Read Crime and Thrillers, Start With Mr. Mercedes

This is probably my favorite modern entry point for a thriller reader because it gives you a clear investigation, a propulsive story, and the beginning of characters you can continue following afterward. And if Holly Gibney becomes the character you’re there for? I’ve already got your next six books waiting.

If You Want Fantasy, Start With Fairy Tale

King’s bibliography is much wider than horror, and Fairy Tale is one of the clearest contemporary entry points if fantasy is already your comfort zone. And once you discover that side of his writing, suddenly The Eyes of the Dragon, The Talisman, and eventually The Dark Tower are waiting for you.

If You Just Want My Essential King List

I’ve already put together my Top 8 Must-Read Stephen King Books, which is where I’d send you if this giant chronological list has confirmed that you do not, in fact, want to choose from five decades of books by yourself. Sometimes a shorter list is kinder.

Should You Read Stephen King in Publication Order?

If your goal is to become a serious King reader and you’re excited about a long-term reading project, I think publication order is fascinating. You get to watch him change. You see ideas appear, disappear, and come back in different forms. You encounter recurring places and names naturally. You understand why certain connections made longtime readers lose their minds when they first appeared. And, perhaps most importantly, you’re not reading fifty years of work with the expectation that the Stephen King of 1974 should sound exactly like the Stephen King of 2026. But I would only choose publication order if that sounds fun. If you look at this giant list and feel excited about beginning with Carrie, go for it. If you look at it and feel exhausted before you’ve opened a book, ignore the list and read Misery. There will be no quiz.

My Favorite Way to Explore Stephen King

After more than twenty years of reading him, I’ve stopped thinking of King’s bibliography as a straight line. For me, it’s more like an enormous map. You can enter in one place and suddenly discover another path. Maybe The Shining sends you to Doctor Sleep. Maybe Mr. Mercedes introduces you to Holly, and now you’re seven books deep into her story. Maybe The Talisman makes you curious about the Territories, which eventually points you toward Mid-World and The Dark Tower. Or maybe you read 11/22/63, love it, and then decide you want absolutely nothing to do with a reading order and simply pick whichever King book sounds good next. That works too. This is why I keep coming back to his books.

I’ve had Stephen King stories that feel familiar enough to be comfort reads and others that have genuinely unsettled me. I’ve read crime, horror, fantasy, suspense, novellas, enormous novels, and stories that are much more emotional than someone expecting “the scary author” might anticipate. I don’t need every King book to give me the same thing, and I think the range is the point.

Stephen King Collections in Order

If short stories and novellas are your favorite format, don’t treat King’s collections as secondary reading. Some of his most memorable work lives there.

The primary collections in publication order are Night Shift (1978), Different Seasons (1982), Skeleton Crew (1985), Four Past Midnight (1990), Nightmares & Dreamscapes (1993), Hearts in Atlantis (1999), Everything’s Eventual (2002), Just After Sunset (2008), Stephen King Goes to the Movies (2009), Full Dark, No Stars (2010), The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015), If It Bleeds (2020), and You Like It Darker (2024). King’s official site currently categorizes these as his major collections.

Stephen King Nonfiction Books

King’s nonfiction deserves its own little corner because On Writing in particular gets read by people who may never pick up one of his horror novels. His primary nonfiction books include Danse Macabre, his exploration of horror across books, film, and television; Nightmares in the Sky with photographer f-stop Fitzgerald; Mid-Life Confidential with members of the Rock Bottom Remainders; On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft; Secret Windows; Faithful with Stewart O’Nan; and the shorter work Guns. His official site separates these from his fiction bibliography. If you’re a writer, or simply fascinated by how writers think, I’d read On Writing even if you’ve never considered yourself a Stephen King reader.

More Stephen King Reading Guides

If you’ve made it through this entire guide and you’re now thinking, “Wonderful, Victoria, but I still don’t know what I actually want to read,” I have shorter routes for you. Start with my Top 8 Must-Read Stephen King Books when you want a much more manageable shortlist. Use my Holly Gibney Books in Order guide if that’s the storyline you want to follow next. And browse everything I’ve written about Stephen King when you’re ready to go a little further down the rabbit hole. For the truly committed, or the person who enjoys a bibliography almost as much as the books themselves, my complete Stephen King bibliography goes deeper than this practical reading-order guide.

Final Thoughts

After more than twenty years of reading Stephen King, the biggest thing I can tell you is not to let the size of his bibliography intimidate you out of beginning. You don’t need a spreadsheet, and you don’t need to memorize the connections between Derry, Castle Rock, Mid-World, and every mysterious person named Flagg before you’re allowed to open a book. And you definitely don’t need to read fifty years of books simply because somebody on the internet told you that Carrie has to come first. If reading the Stephen King books in order sounds exciting to you, start with Carrie and work forward. I genuinely think watching his writing and recurring world develop across the decades would make an incredible long-term reading project. But if what you actually want is one really good Stephen King book this weekend? Choose your mood.

  • Pick ‘Salem’s Lot if you want vampires.
  • Pick Misery if you want tension.
  • Pick Different Seasons if you want to see what he can do outside straightforward horror.
  • Pick Mr. Mercedes if crime is more your speed.
  • Pick Fairy Tale if you want fantasy.
  • And once you find the version of Stephen King that works for you, follow that thread.

That’s how I’ve always found the most joy in a huge bibliography: not by trying to conquer it, but by letting one good book lead me to another. So tell me in the comments, Bookish Besties: what was your first Stephen King book or, if you haven’t started yet, which one are you thinking about reading first?

Book List - List of Stephen King Books in Order
Victoria Wood

I’m Victoria Wood, a lifelong reader dedicated to helping you live YOUR best literary life! When I'm not reading, I'm baking, doing puzzles, painting, and spending time outdoors with my family.

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89 Comments

    2. I have read all of them apart from the Dark Tower series and maybe a few of the novellas. His range of genres and moods is breathtaking, yet you can always recognize his voice. I think the Long Walk is my favorite short story, Eyes of the Dragon my favorite novella, and your list covered most of my favorite novels, though I would like to mention Gerald’s Game and Cujo, both every bit as tense and psychologically terrifying as Misery, imho.

      Reply

  2. I’ve only read 112263 and I loved the writing style and the narrative. This book makes me feel like I need to read all of Stephen King but Jesus! There’s more books that I expected. I’ll start with your 8 must. Thank you for guidance and taking the time to order them.

    Reply

    1. Hi Tyna, thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts! I absolutely loved 11/22/63, so we have that in common. But yes, there are soooo many books and it can get overwhelming. The eight books I recommended will give you a taste of his range over the years. I also recommend his story collections because they don’t require the same commitment as his novels. Happy reading!

      Reply

  3. Thank you for making this available. It let’s me see what I’ve missed. I read my favorite author in order and try to be patient for the new releases. Saving and printing.

    Reply

    1. I’m so happy to hear you’ve found this list useful Susan! I too like to read all the books from my favorite authors, so it’s nice to know there are other readers out there who do the same. Happy reading!

      Reply

  4. Making a list is a subjective thing, but with that in mind, I think The Shining, Eyes of the Dragon, and Different Seasons should be included on a must-read list!

    Reply

    1. Hi Cyndi, thank you so much for sharing! You’re right, lists are subjective but the one book you mentioned that I personally struggled to not include was The Shining. It’s a favorite of mine and it’s a book from King I still think about. On a brighter note, I tend to revisit some of my favorites and revise my lists every so often, so who knows, it may pop up one day. Happy reading!

      Reply

  5. How likely is it in getting a signed copy from Stephen King ( you like it darker ) in a hardback copy. Needing one for my wife Kellie . Please lead me in the right direction .

    Reply

    1. Hi Paul, I don’t a relationship with Stephen King, his publisher, agents or representatives so I have no idea how you could get a signed copy of You Like It Darker. So sorry I’m not able to help. Your best bet will be keeping an ear out to see if he’s doing any events and if possible, show up there. Good luck!

      Reply

    2. Stephen King’s website states that he only signs books at personal appearances at bookstores specifically for that purpose.

      Reply

  6. Id LOVE a way to have a printable version of this list to put in my little personal library, I’d like to be able to check them off as I read, this seems like the most comprehensive list and since the info is copy protected I cant quickly copy and print it, Is there a way we can make a downloadable/printable version for personal use? Thanks for putting this list together!! <3 Kel

    Reply

    2. If your web browser allows, print this web page to pdf file and then print out a copy from the file to paper and you’re done.

      Reply

  7. I don’t see Full Dark, No Stars (2010) on the list and the stories within- 1922, Big Driver, Fair Extension, and A Good Marriage.

    Reply

    1. Hi SJ, Thanks for sharing Full Dark, No Stars! I have no idea how I missed that one so I’ll be adding it to the list. I don’t list all the individual short stories, essays, anthologies, and other unpublished works King has written (that would be a way too long list) so I just focused on his novels, novellas, nonfiction, and short story collections. Thanks again for sharing!

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  8. Hi there. Thank you for doing the hard work with the list etc.. I just started reading Stephen King (audio books) and what a treat. Let’s chat about the books. Ps I’m not from the US, but I prefer the English language when it comes to Stephen kings books. Have a great one.

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    1. Hi Dorothea, welcome and I’m so glad to hear you started to read Stephen King! He is such a prolific storyteller, so you’ll have lots of books to keep you entertained. What has been your favorite book so far?

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    2. My understanding is King first published the story himself in 1984 in only a few copies (Philtrum Press, illustrated by Kenneth Linkhauser). Then in 1987 Viking published a mass market edition with a 1987 copyright and illustrations by David Palladini. I couldn’t find any info on whether the Viking edition was revised. In which case two dates would be correct.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eyes_of_the_Dragon

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  11. I have 2 Stephen Kings books that aren’t on the list. Storm of the Century and The Bachman Books? Was wondering about why they were left out of the list.. currently have 20 of Stephen Kings books and was trying to place them in chronological order.

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    1. Hi Pamela, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I did not include Storm of the Century because that was a screenplay and this list focuses on his novels, novellas, nonfiction, and short story collections. I wish I could include all of Kings works, but it would be too long and confusing. However The Bachman Books are included if you look closely! But for your convenience I’ll copy here: Rage (1976) The Long Walk (1978) Roadwork (1980) The Running Man (1981) Thinner (1984) The Regulators (1995) Blaze (2006).

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  12. Thank you so much for the list. I really enjoyed getting his books through the mail when I was a member of his :Stephen King Library” with his first publisher. Then all of a sudden about six months or so I wasn’t getting any books. I lost track of all his books, so to say the least I have a lot of catching up to do! I just love his writing though.

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    1. Hi Patsy, Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.  How cool must it have been to be a member of the Stephen King Library!  I didn’t know about that.  I, too, love his writing, and I can’t seem to get enough of it.  I’m glad you found the list here, and now you’re on your reading journey to get caught up.  Happy reading!

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  13. Thanks for the list!! I will use it to (hopefully) get ones I am missing. The Stand is by far my favorite, I have read it 8-10 times over the years and always find little things I had missed. I was really happy when they came out with the uncut version.

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    1. Hi Trevor, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I too love The Stand, it’s definitely one of his best books because it just has everything, it’s hands down a must read. My personal favorite is Misery, there’s just something about it, maybe because it’s about a writer and I love books about books and writers. I hope the list will help you get to the books you’ve missed, happy reading!

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  14. Wonderful resource, thank you very much.

    One book I see missing is “Storm of the Century”. Can you please verify and where in publication sequence it should be.

    I remember the movie, I am assuming it was a novel and not a screenplay.

    Thank you again, stay healthy,

    Joe

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    1. Hi Joe, I hope you’re doing well. “Storm of the Century” was originally a screenplay that was published in book form in 1999. My list focuses only on novels, novellas, nonfiction, and short story collections. But I am inspired to do a list for screenplays as well so I will work on that this week. Thanks for stopping by, V.

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  15. Hi! I am trying to put all my books that i have in order…. i have been collecting since I read Carrie in high school when it first came out. I do not see listed Hearts In Suspension.
    Where did this come in to the mix??

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    1. Hi Lori, that’s an anthology that came out in 2016! This list only has novels, novellas, nonfiction and short story collections BUT I’m working on an anthologies list as we speak. Happy reading and organizing!

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      1. hey thanks for doing this amazing work for us!! when do you think your lists on his anthologies, screenplays, and other works will be out?

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        1. It will be up and live before the end of the month! I sent an email to the publisher to confirm a few things early this week, so I’m excited to have these lists out to accompany this one. Thanks for checking in and I hope you’ll circle back then!

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  16. Wow! This is a great list. I found a few things I had never heard of before. I have been a Constant Reader since the 6th grade. Thanks!

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  17. The Eyes of the Dragon (1984) is one I have in my collection that’s not on here. I’ve been having a bit of a completionist issue with my Stephen king books. Do you know of any other that haven’t been updated on the post?

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    1. Hi Carley, I had it listed twice originally and someone pointed it out in a previous comment. I then corrected it and only left the 1987 one. Then Penn commented and shared that King first published the story himself in 1984 in only a few copies (Philtrum Press, illustrated by Kenneth Linkhauser). Then in 1987 Viking published a mass market edition with a 1987 copyright and illustrations by David Palladini. I’m now going to update it so both are represented with their respective publishers.

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  18. At the time of writing this, I have finished Fairy Tale – which was really good – and actively reading and enjoying every second of IT. I plan to read all of the King’s works. No matter how long it takes

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    1. I’m so glad you’re reading and enjoying King so far! He really is a masterful storyteller and I enjoy reading his books. I’m looking forward to his next book Never Flinch this summer. Happy reading!

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  19. An excellent list. But I would like it if there were annotations beside reprints or short stories that were previously included in SK collections and now published as novellas or short stories.
    King has written too many things in the last 50 years, it’s hard to remember which of the ones we have already read and the point of having a comprehensive list is not having to research if a “new” book/publication is actually new

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    1. This is a great idea Lisa! Thanks for sharing. I think I’ll sit down over the weekend and do a run through of each. This list of Stephen King books includes his novels, novellas, nonfiction, and short story collections. It does not include all his individual short stories, essays, anthologies, and other unpublished works. I think I might have to do separate lists to cover the individual stories, and the collections the stories can be found in.

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  20. Thank you for this list. I’m a long time reader of King (constant reader if you will) but I recently decided to read/reread his works in publication order and this list has been invaluable.

    I was curious why The Cycle of the Werewolf has 2 entries? I couldn’t find much on its publication history, but it is interesting that there only seems to have been a single US edition in hardback.

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  21. I found your great list when I was talking to a friend about Stephen King books, and eventually, how many I read. I was guessing at least 25. Close, it was 27.
    But, I don’t think I see ‘The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon’ on it.

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  22. Great list and I refer to it often! I’m currently reading through in chronological order and just finished The Talisman. One thing I caught, is that Letters From Hell is noted as a novel. Since I’m collecting all of his works in hard cover, I realized I couldn’t find anything on this one. Then I realized that it’s actually a broadside rather than a novel and only 500 copies were printed. Anyway, thank you so much for putting this together as I journey through his books and collect as I go!

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    1. Thank you so much for the kind words—and great catch! You’re absolutely right about Letters from Hell—it’s a rare broadside, not a full novel, and I really appreciate you pointing that out. I’ll make a note to update the list. Enjoy your reading (and collecting!) journey through King’s works—it’s such an epic ride!

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      1. Just finished Skeleton Crew – The Mist, The Monkey, The Jaunt, and The Raft were some standouts. Loved this collection! I loved The Mist screen adaptation except the ending really disappointed me compared to the book. Although I read somewhere that King admitted he preferred the movie ending over his own. Started the 2025 The Monkey screen adaptation and stopped halfway. So far from the short story and just couldn’t get into it. Next up is IT then Misery, the 2 novels I’ve been looking forward to the most.

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        1. Love this! Skeleton Crew really does have some unforgettable standouts—I’m with you on The Mist and The Jaunt especially. Totally get what you mean about The Monkey adaptation too—it strays so far that it almost feels like another story entirely. Excited for you to dive into IT and Misery next—two of King’s absolute best, both unsettling in completely different ways. Can’t wait to hear what you think of those! I’m planning to watch and review more of King’s adaptations, there are so many I haven’t watched and I’m looking forward to the new one called The Long Walk.

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  23. I’ve been reading Stephen King for three of those five decades and I really can’t choose a favorite because I’ve loved all that I’ve read 💜

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    1. Wow, three decades of reading King—that’s amazing! I love that you’ve enjoyed them all, and I can only imagine how many great reading memories you’ve built along the way.

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  24. My first Stephen King book was Carrie, when I was in high school. Since then, my mother and I started reading and collecting all of his first edition novels. She passed away in 1997. I now have all of her books and have continued our tradition. I am now 66 years old and just finished Never Flinch. I hope his latest books aren’t a sign of what’s to come. He has been a prominent figure and presence in my life. Like part of the family.

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    1. That’s such a beautiful tradition to carry on with your mom’s books — I can imagine how much meaning those shelves hold. Carrie is such a powerful starting point, and Never Flinch is quite a shift from his earlier work. I’m curious which of his books has stayed with you the most over the years?

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  25. My first book I read was Cell oh gosh almost 20yrs ago. Then Desperation. Then so many more. My fave overall I have read is Rage. It is intense, dark, and honestly an amazing piece a literature. I understand why he chose to remove it from print but OHMYGOSH it really was thought provoking. Misery is also right up there i loved it. It is also my favorite book to movie. The Shining was a great book and the movie a great STANDALONE movie. But not a great movie when compared to the book. I also really enjoyed Fairytale, I also really enjoyed Elevation- it was a short easy read.

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    1. Wow, what an incredible reading journey! Misery is also a standout for me, and I agree the film adaptation really captured that claustrophobic intensity. I haven’t revisited Elevation in a while, but now you’re making me want to pick it up again. Do you usually enjoy his shorter works as much as the full-length novels?

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    1. Thanks for your comment! I think you might be mixing it up with one of King’s later works — Night Shift was actually first published in 1978, and it was his very first short story collection.

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  27. I have read and own every novel and story collection on this list (except repeat limited editions). After “End of Watch” I thought he was tapering down his output into retirement. I recently found his 10 newest novels and I’m working my way through them now. For people that only know Stephen King by the movies and videos made of his books I would say “Read the original books!” The movies are of varying quality, but the books are all quite solid.
    I would rate “Desperation/Regulators” as two of my favorites. Same characters, different settings, and different points of view from King and his alter ego Bachman. Worth every minute of the long reads.

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    1. Wow, that’s amazing—you’ve read all of them! 🙌 I love what you said about encouraging people to read the originals—so true, the books always give so much more depth than the screen versions. I haven’t revisited Desperation/Regulators in a while, but now you’ve inspired me to bump them back up my list. Do you have a favorite among King’s more recent novels?

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      1. Just read a few so far. He seems to be really invested in the Holly Gibney character from the “Mr. Mercedes” crime trilogy. He features her in “The Outsiders” and has a whole book dedicated to her called. “Holly” (Duh!) I like it when he expands on a character from his earlier works. (Same with Danny from “The Shining” being brought back in “Dr. Sleep”) Those would be my suggestions.

        Happy reading!

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  28. Hello! I was wondering if there was a reason the collabs with his other son Joe Hill are not included here? Throttle and In the Tall Grass? I really appreciate the thoroughness of the list otherwise!

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  29. I googled “Stephen King- books in order” and one of the top answers was your page. I am a beginner reader I have only been reading since June. My dad is a hardcore S.K. Fan! I’m pretty sure he owns all his books. I seen your starter books ideas. I truly wanted to start from the beginning and read his very 1st book, then his 2nd, and so on. Any advice or suggestions before I begin my S.K adventure?

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    1. Ahh, welcome to your Stephen King adventure! Starting from Carrie and going in order is a fun way to see how his style grows, but as a new reader I’d suggest mixing in a few essentials early so you don’t get bogged down. If I were making a ‘starter kit,’ here’s what I’d recommend:
      Carrie (his debut—you’ll see where it all began)
      ‘Salem’s Lot (classic small-town horror)
      The Shining (foundational King, and still chilling)
      The Dead Zone (political thriller + supernatural vibes)
      Different Seasons (short stories like Shawshank Redemption)
      Christine (his car-obsessed horror phase, very 80s fun)
      Pet Sematary (dark and emotional, one of his scariest)
      It (a doorstop, but a masterpiece of childhood vs. evil)
      Misery (tight, psychological suspense)
      The Green Mile (emotional, humane, and unforgettable)
      Bag of Bones (one of his best ‘writer at work’ novels)
      Mr. Mercedes (modern crime thriller to change things up)
      That way you’re getting the foundation, a few hooks that will keep you engaged, and some variety so you don’t burn out. You can always circle back to the ones you skipped once you’re hooked.
      Your dad must be thrilled you’re diving into his favorite author—it’ll be so fun to talk books together as you go!

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  30. Hi Victoria, Thank you so much for this list! I was a huge Stephen King fam growing up, and read everything he wrote from the beginning until the early 90s, but I’ve missed a lot since then. Now that I’ve retired, it’s time to start catching up! I love how the main characters in his books, despite horrible circumstances and losses, keep their basic humanity and decency. My top favourite King books are the ones in the Dark Tower series.

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    1. Hi Ann, Thank you so much for reading! I love that you’re revisiting King’s work in retirement—what a perfect project. You’re so right about his characters; even in the darkest stories, there’s that thread of humanity and hope. And yes, the Dark Tower series! Such an epic journey—I’m always amazed by how all his worlds connect through it.

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  31. Thank you for this list! I am a slow reader and will be using your list for the next years to come. I decided to start from the beginning. I started with 11/22/63 and that was it. I knew I had to read them all. I’m just going through publication order, with a couple caveats. For example, I’m reading the Shining right now, but before I move forward I’m going to read Doctor Sleep while the information is fresh. Buuuuuut I’m also going to take a quick break after The Shining before Doctor Sleep and read Running Man because there is a movie adaptation coming to theaters in… shoot… 6 days! So I gotta put my phone down and start reading haha. Thanks again!

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    1. I love this so much — what a fun way to dive into King’s universe! Starting with 11/22/63 is such a wild entry point, and I totally get how that book can spark the ‘I need to read everything’ feeling. And I think your plan is perfect: reading Doctor Sleep while The Shining is fresh is such a good call, and squeezing in The Running Man before the movie release sounds like a great reading sprint. Enjoy the journey — it’s such a rewarding one!

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    1. Hi Heidi, Good question! Storm of the Century isn’t on this list because it was written as a television screenplay rather than published as a novel. I kept this post focused on novels, novellas, and collections. That said, I do have a separate post dedicated to Stephen King’s screenplays here: https://bibliolifestyle.com/stephen-king-screenplays/ — it includes Storm of the Century

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  33. Hello Victoria!

    Fellow SK enthusiast here! I’ve read roughly half his works and waiting to retire to dive into his second half. Just wanted to thank you for such a comprehensive list! Well done.

    As difficult a task it is to narrow it down to just ONE, I would have to say “Misery” is my absolute fav. The Dark Tower series cannot be compared IMO due to size and scale but I’m in love with that collection!

    Please keep doing what you do and a quick question to end…

    In your own opinion, what do you think his motivation is for continuing to pen novels under Richard Bachman this late in his career?
    ❤️

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    1. Hello! Thank you so much for such a kind note — I’m really glad the list was helpful. Misery is such a strong pick; it’s one of those novels that never loses its intensity. And I completely agree about The Dark Tower — it’s in a category all its own.
      That’s a great question about Richard Bachman. My sense is that Bachman still gives King creative freedom — a way to write leaner, darker, or more experimental stories without the weight of expectations that come with the ‘Stephen King’ name. Even this late in his career, it seems like he still enjoys that sense of play and exploration.
      Thank you again for reading and for the encouragement — I really appreciate it! ❤️

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    1. Hi Betsy! Great question! I included Hansel and Gretel because it’s a new, officially credited 2025 release tied directly to King, but I didn’t include Charlie the Choo-Choo since it was originally published as a fictional in-universe book under the Beryl Evans name. I try to keep this list focused on King’s primary published works rather than meta or tie-in titles — but it’s such a fun one, especially for Dark Tower fans!

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  35. I’m a total Stephen King book reader! I’ve read over 40 of his written works. I read his first book, Carrie, in 1974. My dad saw it and into the fireplace it went, along with the next 2 that I had purchased. I was able to finish Carrie after buying the fourth book. Hoping that Mr. King will publish several more.

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    1. That’s the year and book when I started, but I was an adult and so I was able to finish Carrie without it being tossed by my dad.

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  36. I’ve been reading Stephen King since 1974 when Carrie (wow! I thought at the time. Who is this guy???), eagerly awaiting every new publication. He was basically, literally, the only author I read for many years.

    I found his Bachman publishings around 1983-84 and read them all. The first in the Dark Towers series is my fav. I have only partially read the second in the series and lost interest and never read the rest, although I own them.

    The movies, except maybe Dolores Claiborne and Shawshank Redemption, never do his written work much justice. I feel the same way Stephen King did about The Shining, the movie. Everything was wrong, including the actors chosen to play the characters. A buildup to a slow descent into madness does not start with the likes of a Jack Nicholson! Lol!

    Other movies that sort of captured his books are Cujo, Misery, and the Green Mile and like the other rather successful adaptations, more because of the actors, rather than the screenplays.

    Around about the Tom Gordon book which literally took me 20 years to finish and I finished it on audiobook only recently, Mr King’s books got longer and longer and less and less interesting to finish. I started and never finished The Dome.

    I’ve read most of his story collections. I think what I like most about Stephen King is his ability to look at something innocuous and show us the ugly underside of it. Like he did in Needful Things. As we are seeing currently in this political atmosphere there are a lot of ugly undersides to seemingly ordinary people.

    I’m now working my way through some old favorites and new publishings, since I’ve embraced audiobooks, because I just can’t get through reading books too much anymore. I never thought I would enjoy audiobooks but they are awesome, especially with good voice readers. The person reading the long version of The Stand is a good example of a good voice actor.

    While Stephen King has lost some of his shine for me, he’s still my all-time favorite author. (Although Stephen King is terrible with black characters, often stereotypical portrayals as well as his white southerner characters, who always come across as rednecks or poor white trash. Stephen King needs to employ sensitivity proofreaders for those characters or at least consult with a black people and some Southerners! It’s one of the reasons why I stopped the dark Tower series – I just couldn’t stand another minute of the portrayal of the Susanna character.)

    I found The Stand absolutely chilling when it was first published, and right now I’m listening to the full unabridged 38 hour version on audiobooks.

    That, too has lost its shine for me, but in my memory of how his books made me feel back in the day, (I can still remember a passage in Salem’s Lot that scared me so badly, nearly 50 years ago, it’s still seared in my brain. I was so frightened, I tried to figure out how I could turn out the light from across the room and get into bed before the room went dark!), Stephen King is still the King!

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing this, it’s fascinating to hear from someone who’s been reading King since Carrie first came out! That must have been incredible to experience his career unfolding in real time.
      I also love what you said about his ability to take something ordinary and reveal the darker side of it, that’s such a huge part of what makes his stories so memorable. And I completely agree about audiobooks; a great narrator can bring these stories to life in a whole new way.
      It’s always interesting to hear which books have stayed with readers over the years. That ’Salem’s Lot memory sounds like the kind of reading moment that sticks forever. Thanks again for sharing your King journey!

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    1. Now that’s a review! 😂 ’Salem’s Lot really does get under your skin in a way that sticks with you and it’s the kind of scary you don’t forget.

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  38. I have read almost all of Stephen King’s books. I agree that they can be funny, scary, unsettling, cringe full, comforting, and thought provoking. The are the factors that keep me coming back and excited for the next offering. I was surprised how many of the books on your list I somehow missed. I will definitely be doing my research and finding where to get the missing titles to add to my collection. Thank you for the comprehensive list. Regards, Constant Reader, Theresa McCorkhill

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    1. Theresa, thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment! I love how you described King’s books: funny, scary, unsettling, comforting, and thought-provoking really does capture why so many of us keep coming back to his work. I’m so glad the list helped you spot a few titles you’d missed along the way. Happy hunting for the missing books! ❤️

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  39. Great article! Just what i needed! After growing up with Stephen King books by my side, your article and lists brought me back to the wondrous days of dicovering Stephen King and his many worlds – which really ended up being one interconnected and fantastic world encompassed in his brilliant books. I am 70 years old now. I started reading King at about age 17 in high school when CARRIE was first published. All those weeks when I got grounded for some teenaged infraction of the rules – I had my friend Stephen King by my side!
    I started out with Carrie first. When i got a bit older, I read to those Bachman books and i remember thinking , gee wiz, they sounded JUST LIKE Stephen King! It was when a friend recommended Fire Starter when I noticed his name and realized that i simply loved King’s novels! Then later on as a young adult, The Shining scared me so much I was afraid to be alone!
    Next – i was obsessed with The Stand like no other book!
    Then there was The Dark Tower Series that had me worried he would never finish it! The Green mile (as all his other books) was a page turner! I love every books he wrote – even the non-fiction books, the graphic novels and the “shared writings with other authors.
    I don’t remember exactly what I read and when beyond what I have mentioned, but i remember every story like it happend to me or was a blockbuster movie I saw.
    At first i kept track of new releases and got them right away. Starting in about 2006 (the advent of true smartphones) i kind of slacked off, but today I am filling in and buying the ones I have yet to read since then. Of course I will be reading them on my top-of-the-line android! There have been some books since 2006 that I have read – so I am here trying to figure out which ones i need to add to my collection.
    By far, my favorite is The Stand, followed by The Gunslinger series. All the rest are a dead heat tie for third! It’s weird, but every time I read one of his novels, something written about in the novel was either happening to me in real life, or was being brought to the forefront of the world’s attention (like the MGM in Las Vegas burning down while I read The Stand). I was particularly happy with how beautifully King portrayed Holly Gibney (and other female charachters) and the way he portrayed the inner thoughts of any young kid. I love that he never got any facts wrong, and if he did – i didn’t notice. Lastly, in my head – the soundtrack of his books has always been classic rock and roll. I was surprised early on to find that it was also his personal sound track and second in his life to writing (as in “stuff” because we know his wife and kids are always first with him!). I wish he could play in Johnny Depp’s rock band “The Hollywood Vampires” – unless he already has? Sometimes I feel like King HAS been inside my head, going through my “boxes” of my personal stuff! For me, there is no better author than Stephen King. His writings are so good, that I feel like the only movie that did his brilliant writing any justice was “The Shawshank Redemption”. No other movies came close. I was hoping they would.
    I always saw Cher playing the charachter Nadine Cross in “The Stand”.
    The guy who played Tom Cullen in the stand was perfectly cast (1994 tv mini series, actor Bill Fagerbakke).
    This funny thing about the movies not being as good as the books – I was never happy with the movies except Shawshank, and I am not sure he was happy with the movies as well.
    I liked that he usually did cameos, though! I also love how there is always a connection from one story to another…he is a writing genius and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for countless the hours I have spent in the other worlds he has created.
    My other favorite authors? JAMES A MICHNER (read HAWAII for starters. He is an awesome writer!) And MM KAYE (The Far Pavillions), GEORGE R.R. MARTIN (books that gave us the Game of Thrones tv series and so many more books) and finally, JRR Tolkien. (any book by him is a page-turner). I love a book that drops you off to another world and another life and seems to forget to come back get you. This is why King is the King of writing – not just horror – all writing. He speaks just to me, it seems. I know the difference, though. There are nuts out there that don’t and I am NOT one of them! The craziest I get is to buy one of his books when I cant really afford it and then sit down with a nice glass of wine and delve into the worlds he has captured on that old underwood. And I don’t mean Larry.

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    1. Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of this, I loved reading about your history with Stephen King. Starting with Carrie when it was first published and then following his work across decades is such an incredible reading journey. I also completely understand what you mean about his books feeling interconnected, almost like one enormous world you keep stepping back into. The Stand and The Dark Tower clearly hold such a special place for you, and I love your description of King as someone who can drop you into another world and seemingly forget to come back for you. And yes, the music woven through his work is such a huge part of the experience too. Thank you again for sharing your memories, favorites, and recommendations; this is exactly the kind of comment I love reading from a fellow reader.

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  40. I have read about a little more than half of King’s books, I started with his books that were made into movies, and trust me, his books are better than most of his movies. He goes into much more detail about the characters and events that the movies do not have the time to do, and sometimes the movie endings are not the same as his books endings. King is mostly horror and can be hard to read sometimes, but his writing style has enabled him to “branch out” into other topics other than horror, you will be surprised by the more books you read from him, and yes read them in order so you don’t take the chance of a “spoiler” situation. He’s my favorite author of all time, but not perfect, thanks

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing this! I completely agree that the books often give you so much more depth than the adaptations, especially when it comes to character development and the little details that make his stories feel so immersive. I also love that you mentioned how much he branches beyond horror because I find that surprises a lot of readers when they first start exploring more of his work. And yes, reading in order can definitely help avoid those interconnected-story spoilers. I’m so glad the list was helpful!

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