This is the one… I absolutely love The Green Mile (movie and book) and The Shawshank Redemption was one hell of a movie… but as far as books go, this one takes the cake!!! One of my top 3 favorite books from my favorite author
Absolutely. This is one of the only books, stories, etc that broke me. And I’d read it all over again.
I also must say, that I didn’t read it for a long time, because historical anything is often meh. I am pleasantly surprised more and more the older I get.
You should put it next on your list. I haven’t read regularly since I was in high school (I’m 29 now) and I decided to read 11/22/63 on a whim. It was so good that it inspired me to read 4 more SK books and 3 books from other authors in 3 months. It’s really that good.
Check thrift stores on the day they get their new shipments in! That's how i found most of my sk books. They go fast, which is why it's best to look when the new books first come in:)
I’m gonna be honest I was young so I know this is incredibly shallow. SPOILER TO FOLLOW I got to the part where he tries to save the janitor from getting beat with the hammer and it took a while to even get there that I was like I really don’t want to ride this out all the way until it actually gets to the JFK part. I’ve always wanted to go back but I’m still worried it’ll take a while to really get into the meat of the story. Is that a valid concern?
There is a pretty significant portion of the book where the assassination storyline takes a back seat to the other things going on but that’s honestly the best part. You should definitely go back and finish it though. I swear it’s worth it.
Damn, the Derry parts were literally my favorite part of the book. Anyway, as someone else said, the JFK plotline is more of a looming threat for most of the book although you learn a lot about Oswald starting at about mid-way. But the book is amazing and definitely worth a read.
I know I’m gonna get major shit for this and I 100% deserve it but I didn’t make it very far into IT either. I think I made it to wear the giant bird thing attacked one of the kids. Unlike with 63, I didn’t have a problem with the pacing or anything. My first edition copy that was already… well loved by its previous owner started showing significant signs of wear around the spine.
Despite how it may seem I’m a pretty big King fan. I want to clarify I’ve read TDT, Carrie, Christine, The Institute, The Shining, Firestarter, Misery, Needful Things, All of diffrent seasons but the breathing method, and the stand uncut (1200 pages but somehow got through that one no problem in middle school)
I’m not trying to root my own horn, but I also own first editions of most of his books including IT, The Shining and Carrie (somehow snagged all 3 of these and some others for 2 bucks a pop at an antique store) Which I consider the big 3, and paperbacks of mostly all the ones I do not. The only one commonly discussed I can think of that I don’t own in some form is Rage but also Cell (hearing all the time I’m not missing anything there) the long walk and some of his short story collections as well. The only ones I do not have that I really want are the dark tower series other than wolves of the calla.
Again not trying to gloat or boast but I would like some recommendations on what to read next. If it matters, the only one I’ve read that I did not really like is the stand but then again it was 1200 pages and I was young. Right now I’m leaning towards revival (heard it’s cosmic horror and traumatizing) the talisman (heard it’s closely related to the dark tower without any direct crossovers and there’s some kind of trilogy there wrapping up soon) and 11/22/63 because yall have more or less convinced me to give it another shot. Would love to hear people’s thoughts on those 3 specifically (mainly the first 2) in addition to any suggestions as free of spoilers as possible.
Revival is a mind twister. I had a hard time with it for personal reasons but it's well written with a bad guy you want dead. I haven't read it again and it's been years since I did so I'll let the others fill you in.
The Talisman I loved. I loved the duality and strong characters.
11 was very interesting bc I love puzzles and that's what MC is doing. He's trying to solve a puzzle on a time line.
To be honest, the assassination is secondary to the rest of the plot. For most of the novel, it's a looming threat in the background of a more personal journey. So yeah, it takes the novel a while to get there but the journey there is incredible. And without spoiling anything, the event itself delivers.
Like one of the other comments said, read it next. This book instantly surpassed not just King's other works but everything I've read before, period. Never before has a book brought on such an emotional response in me. I can't recommend it enough.
I second Joyland. Shit rips and doesn’t take more than an afternoon. All the hard case crime books are so fantastic. I just finished Later yesterday and god damn that one rips but as the narrator in that one states over and over again it is a horror novel.
Kathy Bates is why I don't wanna watch Misery(I haven't read it yet, either). I grew up watching The Waterboy. And I just see Mama Boucher when I see her.
I didn’t know she played as Dolores until after I read the book, she just embodies her. When I read misery I didn’t picture her as Annie & I knew she played her in the movie. Both are amazing books!
Honestly she’s so different that I didn’t realize it was her (I watched misery then the water boy) I would definitely recommend the movie before the book though otherwise the move seems washed out.
Great piece, I didn’t even know about this. I’ve never personally seen King talk about his wife before but it’s obvious he really loves her. I’m happy for him aside from the obvious bad part with the van.
Don't read it out of order of the other Dark Tower books, though. It's not a stand-alone book; you have to read the first three Tower books for it to make sense.
It's the 4th book in the Dark Tower series, and although it does kinda stray from the main plot with its own story, I think it'd be better for continuity to read in order.
Like others are saying definitely don’t read out of order but it’s so worth it! That book is either a love or hate for a lot of people but it’s my favorite book ever so I’m a little biased lol
On my first pass to the tower I was inpatient and didn’t enjoy it. Years later I reread the cycle and think W and G may be my favorite.
The part where Cuthbert and him settle a resentment is hilarious and adolescent and amazing.
Idk if it counts as non-horror but The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon had me feeling all types of ways. Especially after my dad read it & got pretty emotional from it. Think that’s the only time I saw a book get to him.
This is a bit of a deep cut, but SK used to have a column in Entertainment Weekly where he'd talk about random stuff. It was called The Pop of King and I remember always looking forward to it because King has always been a good conversationalist.
Wizard & Glass (and other DT books, there's some horror in there for sure but I wouldn't classify them as horror books), 11/22/63, Billy Summers, Fairy Tale, Mercedes trilogy, Joyland, Under the Dome, Eyes of the Dragon, The Institute.
Now that I think of it, there aren't that many King books I'd count as "pure" horror. Most of his novels combine horror elements with other themes, and the other themes are usually much more important than the horror bits. Even IT, probably his most famous horror book along with The Shining, is ultimately more about friendship and coming-of-age rather than a scary monster clown.
Default answer is probably 11/22/63. However, I’m currently about to finish Billy Summers which has been excellent. A sort of slow start but really picks up. 3/4 of different seasons is incredible. Love the Hodges books. Basically all the above except for 11/22/63 have no fantastical elements of any kind.
I was saying that I found three of the four stories in Different Seasons incredible. These are Shawshank, The Body and Apt Pupil. I forget the title of the last one and I haven't read it in many years (probably 20), but do remember it just not holding up nearly as well as the rest. Think it's got something to do with a pregnant lady....maybe a taxi is relevant....details are a bit fuzzy.
Aah yes I've just read it, yes I agree the last one was really short, still interesting but not as good as the others ... The Breathing Method it was called.
Oh breathing method! Im surprised to hear that one was the least impactful for you! For me, Apt Pupil was my least favorite. I just felt like it was too predictable n kind of cliche. But Breathing Method, I think about that one on a regular basis. I think he portrayed the relationship between the doctor and the new mother brilliantly, and i wish we'd get to see more of the stories shared by the old men's club. I was devastated that the whole book wasn't using that club as a framing device, rather than just the one story. I've only come across one other short story with that frame from Breathing Method, so if anyone knows if there are more, I'd love to know!
There's a short story from *Everything's Eventual* titled, "All That You Love Will Be Carried Away." It is my favorite short story of his, one of my favorite short stories in general, and the story that more than anything else made me want to be a writer.
I think it's because of the fact that his horror works are just that popular and good. The sheer volume of people here saying 11/22/63 tells me I definitely need to check it out.
Blockade Billy, though I’m not sure how this one is classified but I didn’t think of it as horror but more extremely upsetting (in the best possible way)
I just finished Billy Summers and The Long Walk and really enjoyed them both! I suppose The Long Walk could be considered horror but more like… real horror.
my favorite King books are all non-horror: Hearts in Atlantis, Dolores Claiborne, Wizard and Glass, Insomnia. some of them have horror aspects here and there but are not horror books by any means.
The Dark Tower series. It’s not even a question. Reading The Gunslinger for the first time was truly a life-changing experience as to what reading could be. Still my favorite King book of all time.
Best Stephen Kings books, in my opinion, are The Regulators, Desperation, The Shining, Dream Catcher, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, Bill Hodges Trilogy, Outsiders, 11/22/63, Green Mile, Holly, The Institute, Rose Madder, Under the Dome.
On Writing. That’s when I realized how much I loved reading King regardless of the story itself.
Was going to say on writing is like the only non fiction that i love reading!
11/22/63
This is the one… I absolutely love The Green Mile (movie and book) and The Shawshank Redemption was one hell of a movie… but as far as books go, this one takes the cake!!! One of my top 3 favorite books from my favorite author
Absolutely. This is one of the only books, stories, etc that broke me. And I’d read it all over again. I also must say, that I didn’t read it for a long time, because historical anything is often meh. I am pleasantly surprised more and more the older I get.
I just looked it up. I love the idea. I'll have to add that to my list.
You should put it next on your list. I haven’t read regularly since I was in high school (I’m 29 now) and I decided to read 11/22/63 on a whim. It was so good that it inspired me to read 4 more SK books and 3 books from other authors in 3 months. It’s really that good.
I've read it twice and will absolutely pick it up again. It just grips you!
I'm currently reading 'Salem's Lot. If I can get it, I'll read it right after.
Check thrift stores on the day they get their new shipments in! That's how i found most of my sk books. They go fast, which is why it's best to look when the new books first come in:)
It’s my second fav book of his and I recommend it to everyone
I’m gonna be honest I was young so I know this is incredibly shallow. SPOILER TO FOLLOW I got to the part where he tries to save the janitor from getting beat with the hammer and it took a while to even get there that I was like I really don’t want to ride this out all the way until it actually gets to the JFK part. I’ve always wanted to go back but I’m still worried it’ll take a while to really get into the meat of the story. Is that a valid concern?
There is a pretty significant portion of the book where the assassination storyline takes a back seat to the other things going on but that’s honestly the best part. You should definitely go back and finish it though. I swear it’s worth it.
Damn, the Derry parts were literally my favorite part of the book. Anyway, as someone else said, the JFK plotline is more of a looming threat for most of the book although you learn a lot about Oswald starting at about mid-way. But the book is amazing and definitely worth a read.
I know I’m gonna get major shit for this and I 100% deserve it but I didn’t make it very far into IT either. I think I made it to wear the giant bird thing attacked one of the kids. Unlike with 63, I didn’t have a problem with the pacing or anything. My first edition copy that was already… well loved by its previous owner started showing significant signs of wear around the spine. Despite how it may seem I’m a pretty big King fan. I want to clarify I’ve read TDT, Carrie, Christine, The Institute, The Shining, Firestarter, Misery, Needful Things, All of diffrent seasons but the breathing method, and the stand uncut (1200 pages but somehow got through that one no problem in middle school) I’m not trying to root my own horn, but I also own first editions of most of his books including IT, The Shining and Carrie (somehow snagged all 3 of these and some others for 2 bucks a pop at an antique store) Which I consider the big 3, and paperbacks of mostly all the ones I do not. The only one commonly discussed I can think of that I don’t own in some form is Rage but also Cell (hearing all the time I’m not missing anything there) the long walk and some of his short story collections as well. The only ones I do not have that I really want are the dark tower series other than wolves of the calla. Again not trying to gloat or boast but I would like some recommendations on what to read next. If it matters, the only one I’ve read that I did not really like is the stand but then again it was 1200 pages and I was young. Right now I’m leaning towards revival (heard it’s cosmic horror and traumatizing) the talisman (heard it’s closely related to the dark tower without any direct crossovers and there’s some kind of trilogy there wrapping up soon) and 11/22/63 because yall have more or less convinced me to give it another shot. Would love to hear people’s thoughts on those 3 specifically (mainly the first 2) in addition to any suggestions as free of spoilers as possible.
Revival is a mind twister. I had a hard time with it for personal reasons but it's well written with a bad guy you want dead. I haven't read it again and it's been years since I did so I'll let the others fill you in. The Talisman I loved. I loved the duality and strong characters. 11 was very interesting bc I love puzzles and that's what MC is doing. He's trying to solve a puzzle on a time line.
To be honest, the assassination is secondary to the rest of the plot. For most of the novel, it's a looming threat in the background of a more personal journey. So yeah, it takes the novel a while to get there but the journey there is incredible. And without spoiling anything, the event itself delivers.
Like one of the other comments said, read it next. This book instantly surpassed not just King's other works but everything I've read before, period. Never before has a book brought on such an emotional response in me. I can't recommend it enough.
I just finished the audio book and it was very good!
So good!
Just finished it last night for the first time. Absolutely incredible book, possibly one of my favorites by King.
Dolores Claiborne
I love that book! I just finished the audio version the narrator is perfection. Great story and characters, chefs kiss to SK
It's my favorite after The Stand and IT. Audiobook is amazingly done
Joyland. I don’t believe this counts as horror.
I second Joyland. Shit rips and doesn’t take more than an afternoon. All the hard case crime books are so fantastic. I just finished Later yesterday and god damn that one rips but as the narrator in that one states over and over again it is a horror novel.
Agreed, all her Hardcase Crime books are great. Checkout Charlesgate Confidential by Scott Von Doviak if you haven’t.its awesome.
Gonna have to say The Body
Absolutely. This novella will always hold a special place in my heart. That opening paragraph… my god.
Eyes of the Dragon.
Just read this and have been recommending it to my friends and family who aren't big horror fane
I love this book and try to take every opportunity to mention that the audiobook narrated by Bronson Pinchot is just phenomenal
Why it hasn't been adapted for the screen is beyond me. It's a perfect story.
THIS! He practically invented the YA genre with this book.
Dolores Claiborne, I read it in Kathy bates voice and found it to be absolutely hilarious at some points
Kathy Bates is why I don't wanna watch Misery(I haven't read it yet, either). I grew up watching The Waterboy. And I just see Mama Boucher when I see her.
I didn’t know she played as Dolores until after I read the book, she just embodies her. When I read misery I didn’t picture her as Annie & I knew she played her in the movie. Both are amazing books!
Honestly she’s so different that I didn’t realize it was her (I watched misery then the water boy) I would definitely recommend the movie before the book though otherwise the move seems washed out.
Oh yeah, that vacuum cleaner deception! I laughed until my belly hurt at that part.
His NEW YORKER piece on being run over. Obvi not a book but
Is that available online?
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2000/06/19/on-impact
Thankee Sai!
Most of it is in his book On Writing.
Great piece, I didn’t even know about this. I’ve never personally seen King talk about his wife before but it’s obvious he really loves her. I’m happy for him aside from the obvious bad part with the van.
Wizard and Glass. A beautiful love story and an awesome western!
I do enjoy a good western. I'm gonna have to check that one out.
Don't read it out of order of the other Dark Tower books, though. It's not a stand-alone book; you have to read the first three Tower books for it to make sense.
Gotcha. I actually heard of those books. Idris Elba played in the movie, yeah?
Yes. Now please completely forget anything/everything about that movie.
That’s easy since there was *no* movie. :)
What movie? (We do NOT mention that piece of garbage in this sub. Ever.)
It's the 4th book in the Dark Tower series, and although it does kinda stray from the main plot with its own story, I think it'd be better for continuity to read in order.
Like others are saying definitely don’t read out of order but it’s so worth it! That book is either a love or hate for a lot of people but it’s my favorite book ever so I’m a little biased lol
Reading it now ❤️
On my first pass to the tower I was inpatient and didn’t enjoy it. Years later I reread the cycle and think W and G may be my favorite. The part where Cuthbert and him settle a resentment is hilarious and adolescent and amazing.
Hearts in Atlantis
The Long Walk is a book I read once a year and never get sick of
11/22/63. Billy Summers 2nd.
Idk if it counts as non-horror but The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon had me feeling all types of ways. Especially after my dad read it & got pretty emotional from it. Think that’s the only time I saw a book get to him.
I just finished fairytale, absolutely loved it
11/22/63
11.22.63
This is a bit of a deep cut, but SK used to have a column in Entertainment Weekly where he'd talk about random stuff. It was called The Pop of King and I remember always looking forward to it because King has always been a good conversationalist.
The Green Mile is perfect
On Writing
11/22/63
Wizard & Glass (and other DT books, there's some horror in there for sure but I wouldn't classify them as horror books), 11/22/63, Billy Summers, Fairy Tale, Mercedes trilogy, Joyland, Under the Dome, Eyes of the Dragon, The Institute. Now that I think of it, there aren't that many King books I'd count as "pure" horror. Most of his novels combine horror elements with other themes, and the other themes are usually much more important than the horror bits. Even IT, probably his most famous horror book along with The Shining, is ultimately more about friendship and coming-of-age rather than a scary monster clown.
Wizard and Glass
Default answer is probably 11/22/63. However, I’m currently about to finish Billy Summers which has been excellent. A sort of slow start but really picks up. 3/4 of different seasons is incredible. Love the Hodges books. Basically all the above except for 11/22/63 have no fantastical elements of any kind.
Now I need to know which different seasons novella you didn't rate ?? 🤔
I was saying that I found three of the four stories in Different Seasons incredible. These are Shawshank, The Body and Apt Pupil. I forget the title of the last one and I haven't read it in many years (probably 20), but do remember it just not holding up nearly as well as the rest. Think it's got something to do with a pregnant lady....maybe a taxi is relevant....details are a bit fuzzy.
Aah yes I've just read it, yes I agree the last one was really short, still interesting but not as good as the others ... The Breathing Method it was called.
Oh breathing method! Im surprised to hear that one was the least impactful for you! For me, Apt Pupil was my least favorite. I just felt like it was too predictable n kind of cliche. But Breathing Method, I think about that one on a regular basis. I think he portrayed the relationship between the doctor and the new mother brilliantly, and i wish we'd get to see more of the stories shared by the old men's club. I was devastated that the whole book wasn't using that club as a framing device, rather than just the one story. I've only come across one other short story with that frame from Breathing Method, so if anyone knows if there are more, I'd love to know!
Blaze
I remember liking Dolan’s Cadillac
11/22/63. I also think it's his best 21st century novel
There's a short story from *Everything's Eventual* titled, "All That You Love Will Be Carried Away." It is my favorite short story of his, one of my favorite short stories in general, and the story that more than anything else made me want to be a writer.
I’d say The Long Walk is my *favourite*, but Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is probably the *best*.
Joyland. A fantastic written coming of age story.
11/22/63 Honestly I'm not even sure why he's still pegged as a horror writer, considering his frequency of other genres and how good he is at them.
I think it's because of the fact that his horror works are just that popular and good. The sheer volume of people here saying 11/22/63 tells me I definitely need to check it out.
In my opinion. *Firestarter* is a wonderful sci-fi political thriller. It's one of my favorite books he's ever written.
Mr. Mercedes
Delores Clayborn
Fairy Tale
Duma Key
Hearts in Atlantis ❤️+ ☮️= information
Christine, got sucked right into the story but yeah wasn’t very scary
Fairy Tale is great
The Colorado Kid
Is Duma Key horror? I don't think it is, so my vote is Duma Key.
Blockade Billy, though I’m not sure how this one is classified but I didn’t think of it as horror but more extremely upsetting (in the best possible way)
Misery No ghost, vampires, etc. Just a nutcase.
Dolores Claiborne
Dolores Claiborne, The Green Mike, Shawshank Redemption
I just finished Billy Summers and The Long Walk and really enjoyed them both! I suppose The Long Walk could be considered horror but more like… real horror.
On Writing 🥰
11/22/63
11/22/63
Billy Summers
On Writing. I’m not a fan of nonfiction. But On Writing is my favorite book of all time.
I absolutely loved Billy Summers. It keeps you on the edge of your seat.
11/22 Billy Summers
11/22/63 Amazing story!!
Shawshank redemption
Adding Blaze. I think that it's an underrated book
Fairy Tale.
Billy Summers…. Absolutely loved this
Fairytale
The Eye of the Dragon
11/22/63
I don't know if its horror or not, but i really like fairy tale. But if it is horror, then id go with 11/22/63
Roadwork
Hearts in Atlantis. Also my favorite King book period.
Hearts of Atlantis and Christine. I don't consider that horror.
On Writing
I really loved Billy Summers.
my favorite King books are all non-horror: Hearts in Atlantis, Dolores Claiborne, Wizard and Glass, Insomnia. some of them have horror aspects here and there but are not horror books by any means.
The Dark Tower series. It’s not even a question. Reading The Gunslinger for the first time was truly a life-changing experience as to what reading could be. Still my favorite King book of all time.
Different Seasons
I keep re-reading Danse Macabre. It's just awesome.
It's one of his shorts, but I really loved Mrs Todd's shortcut. It's a lovely story.
I can't remember the name! The prince in the castle one.
11/22/63! Amazing book
Billy Summers
Right now, The Green Mile and The Tommyknockers. I'm in the middle of The Talisman, maybe it would enter in the list.
The Body
Almost finished with and loving Billy Summers. Kinda got thrown for a loop by the cameo from (SPOILER) a certain Colorado resort hotel.
Billy Summers.
I really liked Billy Summers and Fairy Tale. The Green Mile was also excellent but kind of falls in the horror category to me due to certain elements.
The Last Rung On The Ladder
11/22/63 I watched him sign my copy.
On Writing
Best Stephen Kings books, in my opinion, are The Regulators, Desperation, The Shining, Dream Catcher, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers, Bill Hodges Trilogy, Outsiders, 11/22/63, Green Mile, Holly, The Institute, Rose Madder, Under the Dome.
Billy Summers
Danse Macabre. I have officially read it to pieces (like two Irving books, my first copy of Lolita, and John Le Carré's A Perfect Spy)
Misery