Best books by Stephen King

The horror genre has many exceptional authors, and Stephen King is many peoples’ favorite. Several of his books have been adapted into movie masterpieces, which have only made him more popular.

Here, we’re giving you a detailed list of the best books by the famous author Stephen King.

Who is Stephen King?

Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine, in 1947. He graduated from high school in 1966 and went to the University of Maine. There, he wrote weekly columns for the university newspaper—The Maine Campus. King was also politically active, serving as a Student Senate member.

The acclaimed author married Tabitha Spruce in 1971. He met the love of his life in the Fogler Library, where they worked during their time at the university.

In 1974, a large publishing company accepted his novel Carrie for publication, which was released a year later. He’s also had a few directorial credits, the first one in 1985. He also wrote the screenplay for Maximum Overdrive, an adaptation of King’s short story “Trucks.”

Awards for Stephen King

Two of the most important awards King has received are The National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 2003 and the National Medal of Arts in 2014. Here are a few others:

• World Fantasy Awards (1980 and 2004)

• Bram Stoker Award (2003)

• World Horror Grandmaster (1992)

• Hugo Awards (1982 and 2016)

• Nebula Award (1981)

10 great Stephen King books to read

Most, if not all, Stephen King books are a must-read. However, the following 10 might be his best works:

Carrie

This is Stephen King’s first novel that put his ingenious mind and writing style on the map.

Released nearly 50 years ago, the 199-page story revolves around the titular character, a bullied outcast with telekinetic powers. The novel culminates when Carrie’s classmates prepare an unpleasant surprise for her at her high school prom night. She loses it and inflicts horrific pain on the perpetrators.

Carrie was the first of many of Stephen King’s novels to receive a film adaptation.

The Shining

The Shining is the third novel by Stephen King.

The main character is Jack Torrance, a writer who takes his family to the Overlook Hotel after becoming a winter caretaker. Shortly after they check in, ominous forces and the protagonist’s personal demons send him on path of rage and madness.

Doctor Sleep is the sequel to this novel. It centers on Danny Torrance, who fears he’ll become like his father.

It

If you fear clowns, it may have to do with King’s portrayal of them in his novel It. The book presents these circus characters in a more terrifying manner than any other book or Netflix TV show.

This epic story spans 30 years. It centers on friends who are up against a deranged clown called Pennywise who inhabits Derry’s sewers. They believe they killed him in the 1950s, but three decades later, they meet again for their final battle.

The Stand

Captain Tripps, a virus strand, wipes out nearly the entire planet. A group of survivors assembles in camps and wages war against evil.

The Stand was so long initially that the publisher forced King to remove a large portion of the book. It’s an ambitious work where the horror writer showcases his flawless execution.  

Misery

Annie Wilkes is a deranged character who kidnaps Paul Sheldon for killing his favorite character in a fictional book. The demented woman forces the writer to come up with a sequel where Misery is still alive.

Paul, the survivor of a car accident, fights back and does all he can to get out of this living nightmare.

Salem’s Lot

Salem’s Lot sees an author, Ben Mears, who returns to his childhood town. He’s excited about his comeback, but when he arrives, he sees that vampires are dominating the place and its residents. Ben aims to end their reign of terror and deal with the monsters.

Pet Sematary

This might be the scariest novel written by Stephen King.

A family moves to a small town in Maine and finds two graveyards close to their property. One is for pets, and the other is a Native American cemetery with unreal powers. The father wants to use his powers to resurrect the dead, but with dire consequences.

The Green Mile

The Green Mile is a depressing story about John Coffey. This death-row inmate is accused of heinous crimes against two women.

However, it turns out that there’s much more to Coffey than meets the eye. He has powers unfathomable to others.

Cujo

If you’re looking for another unconventional horror story, Cujo is an excellent option. King tells a tale about a dog that becomes a murderous monster after catching rabies. The canine traps a mother and her son, who do everything in their power to prevent Cujo from slaughtering them.

The Dead Zone

This 1979 science fiction novel follows Johnny Smith. The man wakes up from a coma to discover he’s developed the ability to reveal people’s past and future with a simple touch. He sees a terrible future after meeting a politician and ponders whether he should get involved.  

Honorable mentions

The following books and novellas by King are also worth reading:

• The Bill Hodges Trilogy (Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, End of Watch)

• Christine

• Fairy Tale

• Firestarter

• Lisey’s Story

• The Institute

• The Body

• Needful Things

• The Tommyknockers

• The Dark Tower books (The Wastelands and The Gunslinger)

• Under the Dome

• The Outsider

• The Talisman

Find Stephen King’s audiobooks on Speechify Audiobooks

Many people go to Amazon to find Stephen King novels. Did you know that you can also listen to them as audiobooks? Speechify Audiobooks lets you do just that.

There are many Stephen King audiobooks you can listen to on Speechify, including The Green Mile, Cujo, The Dead Zone, Pet Sematary, and Misery. Make sure to use the convenient search feature in the top-right corner to find the desired title within seconds.

Try Speechify Audiobooks and enjoy the sci-fi and horror works of this iconic writer.

FAQ

What is the best Stephen King book to start with?

The best Stephen King book to start with is usually his first book, Carrie. It’s easy to understand and has a compelling plot.

What is Stephen King’s number one selling book?

King’s The Shining is his #1 bestselling book, with more than 500,000 copies sold. It was also on The New York Times bestseller list for quite a while.

What is Stephen King’s favorite book?

One of King’s favorite books is Lord of the Flies.

What is the best way to read Stephen King?

The best way to read Stephen King is in chronological order. You can start with Carrie, followed by Salem’s Lot, and The Shining.

What is the best Stephen King series?

Two of the best Stephen King series include The Shining and The Talisman.

What is the best Stephen King book for a younger reader?

The Dark Tower series might be the best King book series for younger audiences due to its child-friendly tone. The development of the main character, Roland, is also suitable for kids.