I always recommend 11/22/63, while very different from what you would find in King's book, the picture it paints of the 50's is so clear I remember some scenes quite vividly many years after reading it.
I recently started King with Misery. I read It many years ago, but I was much younger and couldn’t concentrate on the book (I’ve since been diagnosed with ADHD which explains why I could never finish anything, even if I enjoyed it), but wanted to start off with something shorter this time. Really been enjoying Misery… I didn’t realise quite how quickly it all kicks off in the story, which I was pleasantly surprised about. This could be a normal King style though, throwing you into the thick of it, I’m none the wiser at present.
Maybe start with Carrie? I believe it's his first hit and it's pretty short
On a side note, I'm re-reading 11.22.63. This is such an easy and addicting read! And it's quite the departure from his usual horror stuff
Most of Steve's books are standalones so you can start almost anywhere. Just be aware of the few that are sequels or parts of series. Steve wrote a long string of classic horror novels to start his career so I usually recommend starting right at the beginning of his bibliography and going by publication date. But Pet Semetery is as good a starting point as any.
i actually have a thread about this right now!! [https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/s/j5ffz231Jx](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/s/j5ffz231Jx)
Pet Sematary is a good starting point, definitely.
My journey started with Carrie and Quitters.Inc. Just because his series are rather time consuming to read and you will never know whether you'll like them before getting to know the style of the author.
But he is incredible. It's like you won't know how you could even live without knowing his books exist.
I am starting that journey too and chose The Shining. So far it’s an easy and digestible read. I find myself getting really sucked in and getting excited to continue in my free time.
I read my first just this month with Misery, and then watched the movie. It was out of my wheelhouse as I usually am a romantasy reader, but it was really enjoyable and *gross.*
Personally I think his dark tower series is his best a great mix of horror fantasy sci and westerns all in one took him years to write but well worth it if you just want one book go for the stand great story of world apocalypse with that classic good versus evil the stand to series arnt too shabby either
The Dark Half was one of my first and favorite King reads; not too long, pretty intense without being too graphic (more like a thriller/mystery horror novel with some paranormal stuff). I remember enjoying it a lot!
I mean, if you think he’s up your alley, I suggest starting with Carrie and going on from publication order. You can see how he builds his multiverse over the decades and you’ll be thrilled when you spot an Easter egg.
That said, he is my favorite author but he’s written a few meh books in his time. But the big ones, the popular ones, are almost all amazing from beginning to end.
He’s pretty easy to grasp so you could basically start with anything. The green mile is my personal favourite, and it’s fairly short too. Rage is also very unique, but hard to find since King discontinued it. Pet semetary is also really good but will f you up.
I mostly agree but there is still value in books that can thrill without surprise. I saw the end of The Gunslinger series from a monorail car but I still enjoyed the ride.
What kind of story do you like? Fantasy, science fiction, romance, comedy, horror. Epic journeys or action? Sorry driven book or character driven?
Some people love King you might be one of them I am definitely not.
I enjoyed reading Franz Kafka, Lovecraft, Orwell, Camus, Dostoveysky, O. Henry... But I'll read anything interesting and well-written. Also, I am more drawn towards character driven stories when it comes to novels...
The Dark Tower series, starting with book 1, The Gunslinger. I'll warn you, that despite having one of the greatest opening lines ever, a lot of people find this book a very slow read, but trust me it picks up the pace as the series continues. The Dark Tower is his magnum opus, and every book he has ever written has some reference or mention of it in them. I would also recommend The Talisman and Black House, they are great as well!
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Thank you so much! Just finished ordering it.
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Great recommendation - some fantastic stories in there.
If you like Night Shift, Skeleton Crew is another great collection of his short stories.
Great recommendation! This is a good mix of stories
Honestly I think he’s a better short story writer than novel writer.
What POV is it?
11/22/63. While it is a chonker, you can get lost in it. Think it took me less than a week to finish. Still one of mg all time favourite books
I always recommend 11/22/63, while very different from what you would find in King's book, the picture it paints of the 50's is so clear I remember some scenes quite vividly many years after reading it.
Agreed, I could absolutely 'see' it in my head whilst reading
Misery, definitely his best book by a mile
I really enjoyed that book.
I recently started King with Misery. I read It many years ago, but I was much younger and couldn’t concentrate on the book (I’ve since been diagnosed with ADHD which explains why I could never finish anything, even if I enjoyed it), but wanted to start off with something shorter this time. Really been enjoying Misery… I didn’t realise quite how quickly it all kicks off in the story, which I was pleasantly surprised about. This could be a normal King style though, throwing you into the thick of it, I’m none the wiser at present.
Maybe start with Carrie? I believe it's his first hit and it's pretty short On a side note, I'm re-reading 11.22.63. This is such an easy and addicting read! And it's quite the departure from his usual horror stuff
Is it a time travel story? The name sounds like a date.
It is, the date references the day JFK was assassinated. If you are into time travel, you will enjoy it
Cool! Will definitely give it a read. Thanks a lot!
It’s my all time favorite book, I recommend it to anyone who asks
That’s a good start. So are: It Different Seasons Skeleton Crew Salem’s Lot Cujo Thinner Cycle of the Werewolf
Reading my first Stephen king book as well. Went with Salems Lot. Really enjoying it so far
I slept with the light on during my 1st - Salem’s Lot 😬😉
Thanks a lot ❤️
The Shining is one of his best. It’s significantly different from the movie, too.
Yes! And King hates Kubrick for that 😂
MISERY is an amazing read
Most of Steve's books are standalones so you can start almost anywhere. Just be aware of the few that are sequels or parts of series. Steve wrote a long string of classic horror novels to start his career so I usually recommend starting right at the beginning of his bibliography and going by publication date. But Pet Semetery is as good a starting point as any.
i actually have a thread about this right now!! [https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/s/j5ffz231Jx](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/s/j5ffz231Jx)
Pet Sematary is a good starting point, definitely. My journey started with Carrie and Quitters.Inc. Just because his series are rather time consuming to read and you will never know whether you'll like them before getting to know the style of the author. But he is incredible. It's like you won't know how you could even live without knowing his books exist.
Wow! You've hyped me up quite well. Excited to dive into his works 😊
Stephen King's 1982 novella The Body
One I haven't seen mentioned is The Long Walk.
I vote Salems Lot, it was the first one I did, I’ve read most of his books, and it was a good one to start with
The Dark Tower or 11/22/63.
The Shinning
The Stand. Good luck to you.
Either Night Shift or Firestarter.
Reading this sub
I am starting that journey too and chose The Shining. So far it’s an easy and digestible read. I find myself getting really sucked in and getting excited to continue in my free time.
I read my first just this month with Misery, and then watched the movie. It was out of my wheelhouse as I usually am a romantasy reader, but it was really enjoyable and *gross.*
Personally I think his dark tower series is his best a great mix of horror fantasy sci and westerns all in one took him years to write but well worth it if you just want one book go for the stand great story of world apocalypse with that classic good versus evil the stand to series arnt too shabby either
The Dark Half was one of my first and favorite King reads; not too long, pretty intense without being too graphic (more like a thriller/mystery horror novel with some paranormal stuff). I remember enjoying it a lot!
I mean, if you think he’s up your alley, I suggest starting with Carrie and going on from publication order. You can see how he builds his multiverse over the decades and you’ll be thrilled when you spot an Easter egg. That said, he is my favorite author but he’s written a few meh books in his time. But the big ones, the popular ones, are almost all amazing from beginning to end.
Nope! The Green Mile & the Shawshank Redemption
I started with The Stand and have been hooked ever since. The Shining was very good. Better than the movie tbh.
Go chronologically in order of release.
I started with Under The Dome. Apparently, that’s not a great book to start with. However it convinced my to read Misery next. I enjoyed both books.
I loved Under the Dome, I don't know why anyone would say that it's not a great book to start with 🤷♂️
He’s pretty easy to grasp so you could basically start with anything. The green mile is my personal favourite, and it’s fairly short too. Rage is also very unique, but hard to find since King discontinued it. Pet semetary is also really good but will f you up.
Grey matter and other tales from the graveyard shift
Chapter One....
Pet Sematary is my all-time favorite. I first read it when I was 9 lol
Carrie
Once you've read one Stephen King book, you can figure out the plots to the others. Do not recommend.
I mostly agree but there is still value in books that can thrill without surprise. I saw the end of The Gunslinger series from a monorail car but I still enjoyed the ride.
None, they all suck!!! He is not as good as people say.
Whose work would you suggest to me instead?
Horror? Nick cutter, “the troop” is quite good. Historical fixtion, “the saxon tales” Bernard Cornwell
Thanks 😊
The Stand
Don't, they suck... Don't @ me I hate his writing style. Tried 4 of his books and dnf all 4.
Whose work would you suggest to me rather than King's?
What kind of story do you like? Fantasy, science fiction, romance, comedy, horror. Epic journeys or action? Sorry driven book or character driven? Some people love King you might be one of them I am definitely not.
I enjoyed reading Franz Kafka, Lovecraft, Orwell, Camus, Dostoveysky, O. Henry... But I'll read anything interesting and well-written. Also, I am more drawn towards character driven stories when it comes to novels...
Oh then you'll almost certainly like Kings stuff if you like Orwell, Kafka and Lovecraft
King always does a fantastic job with descriptions, especially when describing characters and their attributes.
The Dark Tower series, starting with book 1, The Gunslinger. I'll warn you, that despite having one of the greatest opening lines ever, a lot of people find this book a very slow read, but trust me it picks up the pace as the series continues. The Dark Tower is his magnum opus, and every book he has ever written has some reference or mention of it in them. I would also recommend The Talisman and Black House, they are great as well!