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Which Stephen king book should I read first?
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Steven
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Jan 12, 2017 10:15AM
I've never read any of his books, but would like to get into them. I've actually seen some of the movies. If it helps, I'm into sci-fi/fantasy and horror. I especially like Edgar Allan Poe. Any advice would be helpful.
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"Pet Sematary" was the King novel that actually scared me more than any others I've read."The Shining" is a LOT better than the movie.
Other people like "It" more than I did.
All are good creepfests.
I would recommend Salem's Lot as your first King book. It was mine, and I've read all of his books. My favorite is The Stand and the Gunslinger series.
Yes, that was my second King read - excellent.
"Misery" is one of my favorite books by him and was far better than the movie, which proved to be a very popular adaptation. I also really enjoyed "IT" mostly for it's scare factor and for the way he depicted the children (a King strongpoint). Although the ending fell a little flat for my taste, almost like he gave up. But if I had to recommend one book by Mr. King it would have to be "The Stand". Happy reading!
I hated the ending of "IT" but the book was fabulous! I agree Pete!
I think Carrie. But my favorite is Pet Sematary.
Timothy Miles wrote: ""Pet Semetary" was the King novel that actually scared me more than any others I've read."The Shining" is a LOT better than the movie.
Other people like "It" more than I did.
All are good creepfe..."
Oh my God yes!! That book is hard for me to read because it's so terrifying!! And im 37 years old.
An anecdote that demonstrates how good "Salem' Lot" and Stephen King is.When I was 21 in 1968, my mother-in-law said "Kathy, you need to read this new guy, King. I'm reading a book called "Salem's Lot" and am so scared that I wear a rosary around my neck reading it!"
So true!
Oh wow! That book was terrifying though.
Solution: Rosary Beads !
To be honest most of his earlier work is probably the best. I prefer IT. I think more recently he's been floating on hype.
SARAH: I was so disappointed in the movie which neglected the hedge animals and the furnace! SIPHR: I think his new stuff is good, perhaps not as good as his earlier work. I loved 1963 and Joyland. I think he still has it!
I started with the Dark Tower Series and The Bill Hodges Trilogy. I also enjoyed 11/22/63. I am in the process of reading his earlier books.
I think "It" is the best book for begin the Stephen King's books, if you read it you gonna love the characters, that kids are lovely. You'll never forget them.
It's a very open question and you'll likely receive a hundred different responses (or however many books King has published now) and all of them are probably right.People will tell you which ones are scariest, have the best adaptations, the most interesting characters or even quoted by King as being his best work, but the truth is that whatever their favourite one is, might not be yours and if you pick one of his books up expecting it to be his scariest, you might be disappointed when it's not what you thought it would be.
It is a safe bet to say that whatever book you choose, it will stay with you and remain one of the King books you remember more fondly, that was certainly the case for me with 'Desperation'. I loved it to the point where I literally couldn't put it down. I was following my girlfriend around the clothes store with my attention firmly in Kings grasp.
My advice, pick one you haven't heard of and at least that way you'll go into it with no expectations. For me, to be pleasantly surprised by a book is one of the most rewarding treats. I hope this was helpful.
Love all of his books. I started with 'Salems Lot. To this day, still the book that scared me most...
I think the book to begin with is 'misery'. Not because it's the best book (the best book is 'eedfull things'), but because it's an excellent book for a first read- not to long, it has the good tension of King, and its adaption to movie is the most accurate.
Not sure if "It" or "The Stand" are good choices for a first read, as they are both rather lengthy. They're great books but just to get a taste, a shorter book might be better.I would second "Misery" as a good choice. Very good book (much better than the movie) and it's a very good example of his style.
Another short one is "Thinner" - made me ill!
Desperation was the first full-length book I read by Stephen King. I'd only read The Gunslinger (part of a series) and The Langoliers (novella) before. Desperations is classic King style, it flows very well, it's cool and interesting and a fast read (I finished it in 3 days). It's from the mid 90s, but it's actually not date-specific.
i agree with Clare; start with Carrie. BTW IT gets a lot of high praise, but I found it pretty long and dull.
I agree, there are a lot of great, classic scenes in IT, but its VERY long and not a particularly strong ending. Carrie as book one is not a bad shout...
I’ve read a ton of King, and which book I’d recommend to read first is a tough question. “The Tommyknockers” was the first King book I read, and when I finished it I thought to myself that this is what writing and reading is all about: intense writing, great story, vivid characters . . . but then I read “It” . . . hands down the best book I’ve ever read; twice. The only King book to scare and freak me out was “Gerald’s Game.” Currently I’m two-hundred pages into “Duma Key”
"The Stand" is widely regarded as his best book, but it is a huge book and will take quite some time to read. If you are looking for something shorter (or rather, normal length), I recommend "11/22/63" (yes, that's the title) or Dolores Claiborne.
You should read Cujo Cujo. It's one of his best I think, because the horror is creeping so slow into the home that you hope til the last page to be everything goes well. Also I am 47 and read the book with 14, I am closing all closets since because I am afraid that there is something creeping out.
His short stories would make a good way into Stephen King.
I would say either The Shining, Misery or Carrie, as I feel they are the best of King I have read
Salem's Lot or The Shining are your best bets as your first. Both are outstanding work. My personal favorite is Salem's Lot and I've read it 4 times now. In my opinion these are great choices for you to truly appreciate the way the man can tell a story and pull you in to it.
Call me prejudiced, but I think Salem's Lot is a great way to break the ice with King. Then you can work your way up with the book of novellas that include The Body (movie Stand By Me), and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. I think Firestarter is a must-read for any King newbie, despite not being up there at the top of his game.Once you've got a few of those under your belt, then tackle The Stand, The Shining, It, and some of his other truly great works.
Another way to start reading Stephen King's works is by starting with his novellas ("The Langoliers" from Four Past Midnight and "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" from Different Seasons are personal favorites), and see if you like his style. Then you can move on to some of his bigger stuff, like Desperation, The Shining and Misery. Once you're certain that you like his style, you can tackle the bigger works, like 11/22/63, IT and The Stand.
Oh, if only I had the pleasure of not having read virtually everything Stephen King ever wrote! (if that makes sense?!)I think I'd start with The Gunslinger, the first in the Dark Tower series, then read the rest of the series. At least read the first one. The film is coming around this year and I can't wait!
As a lot of his books can seem quite daunting due to there size I would maybe recommend starting with his short stories and novellas (I highly recommend Nightmares and Dreamscapes). That way you'll get an idea if you like his work before dedicating yourself to a full novel. I would recommend all his novels honestly but maybe start with his most well known works? Like It, The Shining, Carrie, Misery. I would love to be in the position to discover King again for the first time. Welcome to the family Constant Reader ;-)
Kathy wrote: "Yes, that was my second King read - excellent."can't read the title of that book without thinking about a very mediocre beatles song.
I would recommend IT or Bag of Bones. Great books and by far his best.
Kathy wrote: "SARAH: I was so disappointed in the movie which neglected the hedge animals and the furnace! SIPHR: I think his new stuff is good, perhaps not as good as his earlier work. I loved 1963 and Joyland..."
I loved 1963! So good! The miniseries on Netflix is good too, different but really good!
The Dead Zone or The Running Man (Richard Bachman) were my favourites. It depends on what you're looking for. I don't find Stephen King to be especially "scary" more so a lot of his stories are just tragic, so be prepared to choke back some tears.
I haven't read much Stephen King in many years; although, at one point in time, I'd read almost everything he'd ever written. I think you might as well begin at the beginning, with "Carrie". It was his first novel. It's a quick read, and it's very interesting. From there, I'd move into some of the longer works, "Pet Sematary" is a great second book to read. Then, I'd maybe go for "The Stand" or "It". I hope that helps.
that is nearly an impossible question. But, "The Shining" is pretty darn awesome. And the 'sequel' novel - "Doctor Sleep" is good too (not great - but good).
Here is a complete list of all books.http://stephenking.com/library/writte...
Best start with the first and than in yearly order.
Owen6 wrote: "I read IT, what book of his should i read next?"If you read this thread you'll see that everyone has their own opinion. I'm not a fan of his most recent books, but the classics are still the classics - The Stand. Carrie. IT. The Shining.
The good news is that you don't have to read King in any particular order. Have a flick through Amazon or a bookstore or wherever and choose one that appeals to you.
Personal favourite - The Stand.
The first book I ever read of his was 'Salem's Lot. It is such an interesting book but don't go digging because I think it's better to go into this book without knowing a lot about it!
I always suggest "The Stand" or "Carrie" first. "The Stand" is classic, Stephen King brilliance. If you enjoy that you'll enjoy his style of reading. It was my first book of his and I've ready nearly all SK's now.
Mickey wrote: "I started with the Dark Tower Series and The Bill Hodges Trilogy. I also enjoyed 11/22/63. I am in the process of reading his earlier books."The Dark Tower will forever be my favorite story. IDK if someone should tackle all that first though lol.You're brave.
There is so many way you can ask yourself "which first King book" ? Do you want to get introduced to the scary King ? The shocking King ? The eerie King ? Are you prone for small books or large books ? Do you want to "spoil" your King experience, or make it smoothly toward the best ?I would say, in term of "short book", because S. King can be very extensive, do start with "Pet Semetary", but then you will have read one pilar of his books ... for more easy reading and keeping the best for later, Cujo is cool, Salem's Lot also and few others (Carrie etc)...
If you dare enter the real King, then please start with "It", but be sure you will like King before starting it :, it is very long and detailed and creepy when it needs to be.
But if you want a punch in the face and a short book: The Long Walk ! (Bachman)
I would not recommend to start with The Tommyknockers, Desperation or books that are a bit more "weird alike" but still good in a way.
R.W. wrote: "It's a very open question and you'll likely receive a hundred different responses (or however many books King has published now) and all of them are probably right.People will tell you which ones..."
So true! Desperation was my first King book and it has stayed with me for years. Whether you read his work chronologically or in an order you choose, whatever is the first will follow you. And the great thing with his work is that is very diverse, and if you don't love the style of one, put it down and pick another from a different period.
I think the best Stephen King´s books to start to read books by him is Carrie, this book was his first publication. It is a great book!!!!!!
Aviram wrote: "I think the book to begin with is 'misery'. Not because it's the best book (the best book is 'eedfull things'), but because it's an excellent book for a first read- not to long, it has the good ten..."LOVED Needful Things. I a part of me wishes more people talked about this one, but I also sort of love how it's a bit of a secret gem.
Carl wrote: "I’ve read a ton of King, and which book I’d recommend to read first is a tough question. “The Tommyknockers” was the first King book I read, and when I finished it I thought to myself that this is ..."Duma Key was AMAZING!!! Easily became one of my favorite books in general. I'm actually scared to start another King in case it isn't as brilliant and fun haha.
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