The Reading Lounge: Stephen King Books

Thoughts & rankings on the 16 books I've read, a mini ode to a favorite storyteller & links

Photo by Ján Jakub Naništa on Unsplash

I couldn’t let this October slip by without a newsletter dedicated to one of my favorite storytellers. Stephen King was the first author to show me that the story unfolding within a book could truly be terrifying. As a teenager in the 1980s, I loved watching scary movies - Friday the 13th and Night On Elm Street were my favorites- but it wasn’t until I picked up Pet Sematary at the age of 16 that I realized I could quite literally be terrified reading. And I loved it! Over 35 years later, I can still remember the experience of reading that book, under a blanket home alone at night, the woods behind our house dark and foreboding and every creak within the house amplified as I became immersed in the scariest story I had ever read.

At the time, I was already an avid reader of mysteries, but Pet Sematary was my first foray into horror and the kind of storytelling that was so immersive that it felt real, like I was living the story right along with the characters. And THAT was truly terrifying! This ability to tell a story that feels real, but can transport readers to another time and place while invoking the widest range of emotions is what makes Stephen King a master storyteller. You’ll notice I said “wide range of emotions” and this is often what I think many readers may not know about King’s books and writing - they are not all scary and terrifying. I’ve cried while reading several of his books and to be moved in that way is something I never expect when I pick up a King book, but it just goes to show the depth and range of his storytelling.

Over the years, Stephen King’s writing has continued to delight, entertain, scare, and leave me awe struck again and again- the imagination of this man knows no bounds. Just when I think I’ve read about every kind of psychopath or motive for murder, along comes a new King book (Holly) and reminds me that he’s still writing at the top of his imaginative game. I know this is a bit of a mini ode to King, and you may think that I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by him- this is not the case. There have been several of his books I’ve not finished (I’ll share below - one I absolutely hated), and a few that were just ok for me. This is the reality of reading an author for over 35 years and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I will always anticipate a new King (bring on the next Holly book!), and I can only hope he never retires- that’s not too much to ask right?

I thought it would be fun to rank all the books I’ve read by King (including giving you my thoughts on each), share the books I think are great places to start if you haven’t read him before or you just want to dip in again to his work, the books I did not finish (I’ve hated one King book) and a few links of articles about reading Stephen King. If you are someone who’s never read him but you’d like to, I’ve got a great article to help you determine which King could be right for you. Click on the title for synopsis

For even more book recommendations, full access to the archive, exclusive audio podcast episodes & more consider upgrading to paid today!