Excellent choice. Highly, highly recommend IT. King's ability to paint a set of distinctive characters is on fire in IT, especially with the sections dealing with the characters when they were kids.
Sometimes the mojo gets buried a little but it’ll be there when you’re ready. These posts are a great way to keep the writing muscle fresh while you wait for the next story to find you.
Movie-related confession: I only saw The Shawshank Redemption for the first time a couple of months ago and could definitely see why it’s so beloved (although the brutal beating scenes, while not gratuitous, did make me feel sick to my stomach). I need to read the novella now.
Thanks very much Garen. That’s very kind of you to say 🙏
The next story that’s still bouncing around my head is once again set in the town where I grew up and concerns a major event that happened one night nearly 40 years ago but with some fictional stuff added in for good measure so we’ll see 👍🏼😁
Stand By Me is another one I haven’t seen! Adding to my list after this though.
And just another thought that popped into my head now—although I’m a big fan of all your work I think some of your best stories have been based on your personal experiences. Not sure if you have any personal backstory you can or want to share with us but maybe a few of those memories can tap your mojo on the shoulder and get its attention. 🖤
Such an informative read. This article has definitely made me add a few more Stephen Kings to my reading list. Some of which I had never heard of which is always great.
Enjoyed reading this. I'm partial to Dumas Key. I revisited King after reading The Stand many years before. Dumas Key was a gamble which paid off. It was more memorable than most novels I've read since then
I’ve been on a King kick recently too, rereading old favorites, first-timing my way through his catalog of post-2000 works. I liked the Institute and Mr. Mercedes quite a bit. Revival lost momentum toward the end, but up until about the 3/4 mark, the character work was pretty good. It’s interesting how his writing has shifted through the years. And I’m in agreement with you on IT - the way the books manages 7 parallel stories and bounces back and forth between 2 timelines is a masterclass in storytelling. Also have a real soft spot for the Dark Tower series as a whole. And lastly, the audio book for Pet Sematary read by Michael C. Hall is fantastic.
I could never get onboard with The Talisman, but that aside this is a banging list - can't quibble. Delighted to see The Dark Half here, it's such a fun, gleefully nasty ride. And I absolutely love the OG cover images you've used - that IT art used to scare the shit out of me.
I kind of want to do my own King top 10 now; although there'd be a lot of overlap, I'm almost certain I'd have Misery and Christine in there.
Excellent list, Dan. For me, personally, Wizard & Glass takes the #1 spot as it was such an important book in my teenage years. I was going through a lot of personal things and inner development and reading Roland's heartbreaking teenage years at the same time was very, very special.
That said, IT and Pet Semetary remain as two of the most powerful horror books. So many visual scenes and chilling ideas. As with you I'm sure, these books represent certain places in one's life, and I can put myself in those specific places by thinking back on these stories.
Wizard and Glass is just a great book. Like I mentioned I can’t believe folks don’t mention it more when compiling these lists. It’s just wonderful. Soon time for another re-read I reckon 🙏
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this as a fellow Constant Reader. King is absolutely my favourite author although I have a lot of his work still to read - most of which are on this list! Great read.
I've started making my own list in my head now also. Having recently finished The Stand it is right up there. I think my number one (and possibly favourite book) is The Green Mile. Slightly fun fact, I have a short story in a horror anthology that knocked his collection, The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (my favourite collection) off the top spot in the Amazon charts!
That’s excellent Chris. Well done 👏 You can put that on your bio. “More popular than Stephen King!” 😁
The Green Mile is great. I bought all the separate books when he brought them out in instalments. Really interesting way to publish. Worked well I think. The movie will be in my adaptations list 🎥
I really should lead with that haha! That would have been really interesting to experience it in instalments. It's what I keep coming back to when I hesitate serialising my own stuff!
I strongly urge all King fans to get a hold of the original edition of The Stand and read it instead of (or, subsequent to) the ill-advised 90s extended edition.
The material that he restored is interesting and occasionally brilliant, but the original is just vastly better in my opinion — more effectively structured and more effective. (Also, it’s a 1970s story and can’t be moved forward as cavalierly as he did it; the world that Larry Underworld comes from, both LA and NY, are pure ‘Seventies.) Also, the “new” beginning and ending are awful.
Absolutely Jordan. The additions are interesting but completely unnecessary and make the story really flabby. The cover with the bleeding eyes was the one I used to have but lost it to the mists of time. Need to get one ordered from eBay!
I had “Salems Lot” pushed into my hands in the playground at secondary school 1977 with the words “here Scoffer, you like this sort of thing”…and there began a love affair that’s lasted to this day!
Great list (so far) and a reminder that I need to read “Black House” before the third instalment is published. Right here, right now!!
Salem’s Lot is a great kick off point. It’s like all that’s great about King that he just expanded on over the last 50 years
Black House is an odd one. I enjoyed it, but it’s totally different to The Talisman. I think grief will play a huge part in the third book for various reasons. Can’t wait 👍🏼
Great list! Most of my King faves come from early in his career, but there are exceptions. I think I am one of the few people on earth who liked From a Buick 8. I also enjoyed Joyland and Revival. Mr. King has written a bunch of great books.
Great post! I'd been looking forward to this! Pet Sematary, It, and The Stand were some of my favorites from this list. There were several others I have yet to dive into, and I appreciated this look into what made them stand out for you. I really need to give Different Seasons a re-read. I love his novellas and short stories. A couple of my unexpected favorites were Desperation and Insomnia. Both brought me to tears, which is something King is also really good at doing.
Different Seasons should have put paid to the ridiculous notion that King was a one trick pony, but unfortunately some folks don’t learn 🙄
Desperation and The Regulators were published at the same time and were great companion pieces speaking to that bleaker version of King embracing Bachman
So, I had a choice between The Dark Half and Insomnia. Ralph Roberts is one of my favourite King characters so it was really tough but Dark Half just edged it. But I love Insomnia 👍🏼
I’m so glad to hear you are an Insomnia fan. I never see it get any love. The Regulators was such a good read, and it was so interesting to revisit bits of that universe. I really need to get into the Bachman books. I find myself a bit torn because there’s sooooo much of King I want to read, and so many other authors out there too. Such a dreadful dilemma to face :P.
Ok, you’ve got me bumping up The Dark Half film and novel. This sounds excellent.
The Stand is my favorite! And I hate to admit it...I've never read IT.
Not through avoidance, but IT has never entered my realm the way so many other Kings have.
The Stand is just outstanding. For all its detours and cliches and committee meetings, it’s still an incredible adventure
That’s interesting about IT. Those 1000 odd pages are quite some commitment though so I completely understand
Thanks for reading Jennifer 🙏
Excellent choice. Highly, highly recommend IT. King's ability to paint a set of distinctive characters is on fire in IT, especially with the sections dealing with the characters when they were kids.
Absolutely Nathan. The chapters set in 1958 are the strongest 👍🏼
I'm loving these posts, Daniel! Looking forward to digging into the movie one.
Thanks very much Garen 🙏
Yeah, they’re good fun and keep me occupied whilst I try to figure out where I left my storytelling mojo 🤔😁
The movie one is proving tougher than the book one so I might not be able to squeeze them all into a top 10! 😳
Sometimes the mojo gets buried a little but it’ll be there when you’re ready. These posts are a great way to keep the writing muscle fresh while you wait for the next story to find you.
Movie-related confession: I only saw The Shawshank Redemption for the first time a couple of months ago and could definitely see why it’s so beloved (although the brutal beating scenes, while not gratuitous, did make me feel sick to my stomach). I need to read the novella now.
Thanks very much Garen. That’s very kind of you to say 🙏
The next story that’s still bouncing around my head is once again set in the town where I grew up and concerns a major event that happened one night nearly 40 years ago but with some fictional stuff added in for good measure so we’ll see 👍🏼😁
Perfect! Hope it percolates onto the page for you soon.
Absolutely. There’s a whole lot of Shawshank before the Redemption!
I watched it in a double bill with Stand by Me the other night. That was emotional!
Stand By Me is another one I haven’t seen! Adding to my list after this though.
And just another thought that popped into my head now—although I’m a big fan of all your work I think some of your best stories have been based on your personal experiences. Not sure if you have any personal backstory you can or want to share with us but maybe a few of those memories can tap your mojo on the shoulder and get its attention. 🖤
Such an informative read. This article has definitely made me add a few more Stephen Kings to my reading list. Some of which I had never heard of which is always great.
Thanks very much 🙏
I see you’ve already read a few of his, so I look forward to catching up with your reviews 👍🏼
Enjoyed reading this. I'm partial to Dumas Key. I revisited King after reading The Stand many years before. Dumas Key was a gamble which paid off. It was more memorable than most novels I've read since then
Thanks very much 🙏
Duma Key is one of those that would never have been written if King hadn’t had his accident but it has some properly spooky moments 👍🏼
I’ve been on a King kick recently too, rereading old favorites, first-timing my way through his catalog of post-2000 works. I liked the Institute and Mr. Mercedes quite a bit. Revival lost momentum toward the end, but up until about the 3/4 mark, the character work was pretty good. It’s interesting how his writing has shifted through the years. And I’m in agreement with you on IT - the way the books manages 7 parallel stories and bounces back and forth between 2 timelines is a masterclass in storytelling. Also have a real soft spot for the Dark Tower series as a whole. And lastly, the audio book for Pet Sematary read by Michael C. Hall is fantastic.
Thanks Aaron 🙏
I’m looking for a new audio book so I might need to check out that version of Pet Sematary
I really enjoyed Mr Mercedes and the TV show with Brendan Gleeson was decent as well.
IT is just a masterpiece. Dark Tower has peaks and troughs but it’s an incredible piece of work as well 👍🏼
some i didnt read yet. mostly agree 100%
i adored hearts in atlantis. the film was a desecration.
Thanks Nick 🙏
Hearts in Atlantis was a really good story. I think I’ve seen the film, but not sure. I guess that shows how memorable it was 😁
I could never get onboard with The Talisman, but that aside this is a banging list - can't quibble. Delighted to see The Dark Half here, it's such a fun, gleefully nasty ride. And I absolutely love the OG cover images you've used - that IT art used to scare the shit out of me.
I kind of want to do my own King top 10 now; although there'd be a lot of overlap, I'm almost certain I'd have Misery and Christine in there.
Thanks very much Lewis 🙏
The Stand and IT images I used were the copies I used to have which had great artwork. Loaned them out and never got them back 🙄
Glad to find someone else who likes The Dark Half as I think it’s hugely underrated.
I’ll look at Misery and Christine when I do the adaptations list. That could be a long one 🤔
Looking forward to your list 👍🏼
The idea is on the pile. Might be a good one for around Halloween.
Awesome list, Dan. Missing “Thinner” but then again it was that other “dude” 😅 Dark Tower series will forever be my favorite work of his.
Thanks very much Alexander 🙏
Well, I included The Long Walk so I’ll allow Thinner 😁
Dark Tower is an incredible achievement. I do think Wizard and Glass is the high point but I will have to re-read the whole series again soon 👍🏼
Excellent list, Dan. For me, personally, Wizard & Glass takes the #1 spot as it was such an important book in my teenage years. I was going through a lot of personal things and inner development and reading Roland's heartbreaking teenage years at the same time was very, very special.
That said, IT and Pet Semetary remain as two of the most powerful horror books. So many visual scenes and chilling ideas. As with you I'm sure, these books represent certain places in one's life, and I can put myself in those specific places by thinking back on these stories.
Thanks very much Nathan 🙏
Wizard and Glass is just a great book. Like I mentioned I can’t believe folks don’t mention it more when compiling these lists. It’s just wonderful. Soon time for another re-read I reckon 🙏
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this as a fellow Constant Reader. King is absolutely my favourite author although I have a lot of his work still to read - most of which are on this list! Great read.
Thanks very much Chris 🙏
I've started making my own list in my head now also. Having recently finished The Stand it is right up there. I think my number one (and possibly favourite book) is The Green Mile. Slightly fun fact, I have a short story in a horror anthology that knocked his collection, The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (my favourite collection) off the top spot in the Amazon charts!
That’s excellent Chris. Well done 👏 You can put that on your bio. “More popular than Stephen King!” 😁
The Green Mile is great. I bought all the separate books when he brought them out in instalments. Really interesting way to publish. Worked well I think. The movie will be in my adaptations list 🎥
Look forward to your list 👍🏼
I really should lead with that haha! That would have been really interesting to experience it in instalments. It's what I keep coming back to when I hesitate serialising my own stuff!
I strongly urge all King fans to get a hold of the original edition of The Stand and read it instead of (or, subsequent to) the ill-advised 90s extended edition.
The material that he restored is interesting and occasionally brilliant, but the original is just vastly better in my opinion — more effectively structured and more effective. (Also, it’s a 1970s story and can’t be moved forward as cavalierly as he did it; the world that Larry Underworld comes from, both LA and NY, are pure ‘Seventies.) Also, the “new” beginning and ending are awful.
Absolutely Jordan. The additions are interesting but completely unnecessary and make the story really flabby. The cover with the bleeding eyes was the one I used to have but lost it to the mists of time. Need to get one ordered from eBay!
Thanks for reading 🙏
But The Long Walk is a Richard Brachman novel.
Great list.
Thanks very much Buzz 🙏
PS Elodie, my youngest, has just told me she’s reading my copy of Straub’s “Ghost Story”. Very proud!
Fantastic choice 👏
Koko by Straub is also great 👍🏼
Loved Koko. I have a real soft spot for Floating Dragon
Floating Dragon is brilliant. I went to read it the other day and have lost my copy. No doubt “loaned” and never returned
Will be getting a new one ordered asap 🐉
I had “Salems Lot” pushed into my hands in the playground at secondary school 1977 with the words “here Scoffer, you like this sort of thing”…and there began a love affair that’s lasted to this day!
Great list (so far) and a reminder that I need to read “Black House” before the third instalment is published. Right here, right now!!
Thanks very much Miles 🙏
Salem’s Lot is a great kick off point. It’s like all that’s great about King that he just expanded on over the last 50 years
Black House is an odd one. I enjoyed it, but it’s totally different to The Talisman. I think grief will play a huge part in the third book for various reasons. Can’t wait 👍🏼
Great list! Most of my King faves come from early in his career, but there are exceptions. I think I am one of the few people on earth who liked From a Buick 8. I also enjoyed Joyland and Revival. Mr. King has written a bunch of great books.
Thanks very much George 🙏
That’s so weird! When I was compiling this list, I took From a Buick 8 off my bookshelf and remembered how much I enjoyed it 👍🏼
Revival is another one that’s underrated but equals Pet Sematary for the bleakness of its ending.
Great post! I'd been looking forward to this! Pet Sematary, It, and The Stand were some of my favorites from this list. There were several others I have yet to dive into, and I appreciated this look into what made them stand out for you. I really need to give Different Seasons a re-read. I love his novellas and short stories. A couple of my unexpected favorites were Desperation and Insomnia. Both brought me to tears, which is something King is also really good at doing.
Thanks very much Kimberly 🙏
Different Seasons should have put paid to the ridiculous notion that King was a one trick pony, but unfortunately some folks don’t learn 🙄
Desperation and The Regulators were published at the same time and were great companion pieces speaking to that bleaker version of King embracing Bachman
So, I had a choice between The Dark Half and Insomnia. Ralph Roberts is one of my favourite King characters so it was really tough but Dark Half just edged it. But I love Insomnia 👍🏼
I’m so glad to hear you are an Insomnia fan. I never see it get any love. The Regulators was such a good read, and it was so interesting to revisit bits of that universe. I really need to get into the Bachman books. I find myself a bit torn because there’s sooooo much of King I want to read, and so many other authors out there too. Such a dreadful dilemma to face :P.
Ok, you’ve got me bumping up The Dark Half film and novel. This sounds excellent.
The Bachman books (Long Walk included) are a bleak read. I guess that was King as young man just going for it. Well worth a read though 🙏
The Dark Half movie, despite being directed by George Romero, is just OK. I’ll get into that in my adaptations list 😁