Last Updated on February 25, 2024 by BiblioLifestyle
Are you an avid Stephen King fan?  If so, then you’re in the right place!  In this article, I’m sharing a list of all of Stephen King’s books in order.  Whether you love horror classics like IT and The Shining or more recent works such as The Outsider and Doctor Sleep, here you will find them all listed chronologically by date of publication.  Get ready to take a trip through time – from Carrie, published back in 1974, to his latest collection coming out in 2024. Plus, you’ll see first-hand how masterful one of the greatest authors has been for now almost 5 decades.
But first, who is Stephen King?
Stephen King is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. He has published over 60 novels and over 200 short stories throughout his career, many of which have been adapted into films or TV series. Stephen King’s books often focus on themes such as alienation, violence, and the struggle between good and evil.
What should be the first Stephen King book to read?
I personally recommend that you start with Salem’s Lot (Amazon or Bookshop) — In the novel, Ben Mears has returned to Jerusalem’s Lot in hopes that exploring the history of the Marsten House, an old mansion long the subject of rumor and speculation, will help him cast out his personal devils and provide inspiration for his new book.
For beginners, I think it’s a great place to start, and it’s also a personal favorite. If you’re looking for more options, I highly recommend you check out my: 8 Must-Read Stephen King Books and Where To Start article because Stephen King has written so many books and narrowing down the ones worth your time as a beginner can get overwhelming.
What is Stephen King’s longest book?
The longest Stephen King book is The Stand, which was first published in 1978 and has since gone through several editions. This classic post-apocalyptic novel follows a group of survivors who set off on a journey to rebuild the world after a devastating plague ravages the planet. Clocking in at 1,154 pages (in its uncut form), The Stand is a must read for any Stephen King fan. In addition to The Stand, other long novels by Stephen King include IT and Under the Dome, both of which contain over 1,000 pages. If you’re looking for something longer than 1,000 pages but shorter than The Stand, try 11/22/63 or Bag of Bones. These two books have around 800-900 pages each and are filled with King’s trademark suspense and horror.
What is Stephen King’s newest book?
Stephen King’s newest book is a story collection entitled YOU LIKE IT DARKER (Amazon or Bookshop) which will be released in May 2024. Â In this new collection of twelve short stories, Stephen King takes readers on a journey into the darker realms of life. Â From exploring hidden secrets and unexpected inheritances to delving into the mysteries of the universe with themes of fate, mortality, and the unknown. Â So prepare to be thrilled and chilled as you delve into the depths of darkness with “You Like It Darker.”
Stephen King’s latest novel is entitled HOLLY (Amazon or Bookshop) which was released in September 2023.  Holly Gibney, one of Stephen King’s most compelling and ingeniously resourceful characters, returns in this thrilling novel to solve the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town. Personally, I love the character Holly, so I was really excited to see her front and center in this one.
Stephen King Books in Order of Publication
This list of Stephen King books includes his: novels, novellas, nonfiction, and short story collections. This does not include all his individual short stories, essays, anthologies, and other unpublished works.
STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 1974 – 1980
- 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
- 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 Eyes of the Dragon (Novel: 1983)
- The Talisman (Novel: 1983)
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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)
STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 2011 – 2020
- 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 – 2024
- 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)
Should Stephen King be read in order?
While Stephen King’s books don’t have to be read in order, fans of his work often prefer to do so. Reading the books in chronological order allows readers to experience King’s works as they were intended and appreciate the references made throughout his works. That said, while reading Stephen King in order is not essential, it can help enhance your overall reading experience. I also recommend you check out my: 8 Must-Read Stephen King Books and Where To Start article to help narrow down the books your need to add to your reading list.
What do you think about this list of Stephen King books in order of publication?
Have you read any of these Stephen King books? Are any of these books or his other works on your TBR? What book by Stephen King is your favorite? Let us talk all about Stephen King books in the comments below.
MORE READING:
Read most of the books on the list, though I’ve struggled with his later books.
Hi W, thanks for sharing your thoughts! Your sentiment is a common one I’ve heard from readers but I still read them all as I’m a die hard fan.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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 .
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!