I am wanting to started reading Stephen King but there are so many options, I don't know where to start. The obvious answer is feel like would be the most popular "IT", "The Shining", or "Pet Cemetery". But I thought I'd ask people who have actually read his books to see what you would recommend.
I do not currently own any of his works so I would starting fresh by buying them as I go.
by PunkGirl14
33 Comments
Start small with Skeleton Crew…short stories. Or go big with The Stand.
The short stories can be a good place to start. Or the novellas, maybe the Different Seasons collection. And, if you plan to read a lot of King, maybe a library card ;).
My faves are:
IT, The Stand, Under the Dome and Salems Lot.
The green mile was my first and I loved it, read it in the original six volume series
I would start with Misery or Pet Semetary. Then spread out..if you like short stories, he has many amazing ones.
My first was ‘Salem’s Lot, and I was hooked.
It really depends on what your favourite genres are. He’s known for horror, but a lot of my faves by him are dark fantasy, psychological thrillers, and crime novels.
I’ve actually started reading the serialized edition of The Green Mile and it’s really handy to be able to read smaller parts at a time while still getting that satisfied feeling of “completing a book”. I’m loving it so far.
Following bc I’m interested.
I started w/ “The Green Mile,” then “Pet Sematary.” Both are great. “Carrie” made me sad, though!
I really loved The Stand.
Rose Madder is one of my favorites of his, and Under The Dome.
Start at the beginning with Carrie.
Try the library. He’s perennially popular so they should have even some of his older works.
Don’t think it really matters honestly. Just pick whichever sounds the most interesting to you.
I started with the Dark Tower series and only recently got into his more well known works like Pet Sematary and Salem’s Lot.
The dude is one of the GOATs for a reason.
I’d start with his early stuff since he had an editor back then, which forced his books to be smaller, like Salem’s Lot and Carrie. Later books like It (and especially The Stand) start to get pretty big, so I wouldn’t go there unless you decide you’re already a King fan.
*Four Past Midnight* is four short stories that are a great entry into what he does. Outside of that, start with some of his shorter books like *Tommyknockers* or *Christine*.
You definitely want to work your way up to his bigger works like *The Stand* or *It*.
The Stand
You are so lucky to begin this journey! If it were me I’d start at the beginning with his first book and move forward from there.
Misery is a brilliant option. One of his best known ones for a reason and it’s pretty short so unlike IT or the stand, if you don’t vibe with his writing style at least it will be over quickly.
A lot of people recommend reading in publication order, which I don’t think is actually needed but he does put in a lot of Easter eggs from past books so you would be able to notice them more.
Pet semetary
Different Seasons
11/22/63
The Green Mile
It depends, really. If you’re looking for Classic King, then something like The Shining or Salem’s Lot would be a good bet. If you want Modern King, go for Mr. Mercedes or Billy Summers. Alternatively, and this is the path I’d personally recommend, go with your gut. Pick a title based on your personal horror preference, time period (King is both dated and dateless, you’ll always feel the settings of his books in your bones) or even just vibes. King has one of those voices that are hard to pinpoint but that are definitely vivid and individual. You’ll always find the same constancy in his novels which I’d wager is why they’re so cozy for so many folks, despite their subject matter.
I started with The Stand and didn’t regret. Chunky book but I still find myself thinking about it every few weeks.
I like reading them in the order he wrote them, because some characters persist or are referred to in later books.
I will die on the hill that King’s most artistically perfect work is Misery, which also happens to be accessible and an easy length.
It displays all his strengths as a writer (psychological depth, grounded horror with a touch of the fantastic, some meta thoughts on his craft) with none of the excessiveness that comes out with his drugs/age/ability to ignore editors
My rec would be Carrie > Misery > The Shining > The Green Mile > The Stand. Then dealer’s choice.
I read a sprinkle of Stephen King’s novels over time. Eventually I decided to just start at the beginning and then read them all (including the Bachman stuff) chronologically!
I did have to skip *Rage* but actually found it two days ago in a marina’s free library!
Pet semetary
I started with the shining and it was sooo good
Salem’s Lot is one of his best, and also just has every Steven King hallmark crammed into it. So it’s great if you want to get the purest sense of what his books are like.
Misery or the shining! Great psychological horror!
If you’re not going with the ones you mentioned, then maybe Misery or Cujo. I really enjoyed both of those
Don’t. He’s got great ideas but his execution leaves much to be desired.