Stephen King Books Chronological Order

[Angie, Constant Reader]

So this is the list Chris and I are using to figure out what book is next for the chronological read through of King's novels and short stories. I wanted to post this incase people had input on this order. I know I get a lot of messages from people that I have the wrong book for the month so I thought we could have a master list here so people know what book is next. Let me know if any of these books should be switched. If King has a new book published, that book will take the place of the next book in the chronological list.

Carrie (1974)
Salem’s Lot (1975)
The Shining (1977)
Rage (1977)
Night Shift (1978)
The Stand (1978)
The Long Walk (1979) [by Richard Bachman]
The Dead Zone (1979)
Firestarter (1980)
Roadwork (1981) [by Richard Bachman]
Danse Macabre (1981)
Cujo (1981)
The Running Man (1982) [by Richard Bachman]
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982)
Creepshow (1982)
Different Seasons (1982)
Christine (1983)
Cycle of the Werewolf (1983)
Pet Sematary (1983)
The Eyes of the Dragon (1984)
The Talisman (1984) with Peter Straub
Thinner (1984) [by Richard Bachman]
Skeleton Crew (1985)
IT (1986)
The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three (1987)
Misery (1987)
The Tommyknockers (1987)
The Dark Half (1989)
Four Past Midnight (1990)
The Dark Tower: The Waste Lands (1991)
Needful Things (1991)
Gerald’s Game (1992)
Dolores Claiborne (1992)
Nightmares & Dreamscapes (1993)
Insomnia (1994)
Rose Madder (1995)
The Green Mile (1996)
Desperation (1996)
The Regulators (1996) [by Richard Bachman]
The Dark Tower: Wizard and Glass (1997)
Bag of Bones (1998)
Storm of the Century (1999)
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999)
Hearts in Atlantis (1999)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2000)
Dreamcatcher (2001)
Black House (2001) with Peter Straub
Everything’s Eventual (2001)
From a Buick 8 (2002)
The Dark Tower: Wolves of the Calla (2003)
The Dark Tower: Song of Susannah (2004)
The Dark Tower: The Dark Tower (2004)
Faithful (2004) with Stewart O’Nan
The Colorado Kid (2005)
Cell (2006)
Lisey’s Story (2006)
The Secretary of Dreams: Volume One (2006)
Blaze (2007) [by Richard Bachman]
Duma Key (2008)
Just After Sunset (2008)
Under the Dome (2009)
Blockade Billy (2010)
The Secretary of Dreams: Volume 2 (2010)
Full Dark, No Stars (2010)
11/22/63 (2011)
The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012)
Joyland (2013)
The Dark Man (2013)
Doctor Sleep (2013)
Mr. Mercedes (2014)
Revival (2014)
Finders Keepers (2015)
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015)
End of Watch (2016)
Charlie the Choo-Choo (2016) [by Beryl Evans]
Gwendy’s Button Box (2017) with Richard Chizmar
Sleeping Beauties (2017) with Owen King
The Outsider (2018)
Elevation (2018)
The Institute (2019)
If It Bleeds (2020)
Later (2021)
Billy Summers (2021)
Gwendy's Final Task (2022)
Fairy Tale (2022)
Holly (2023)
You Like It Darker (2024)
Never Flinch (2025)

[Charlotte]

A beautiful work of art.

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Charlotte wrote: "A beautiful work of art."

I agree!!

[Nick]

Here's my question. After your first message about a read, I sometimes can't figure out how to find the thread. If someone hasn't posted in a while, or I haven't, the thread seems to disappear. Where do I go to find a list of the threads? I know there's a list of topics for the group. But I seldom find these discussions listed there.

[Erin]

I like the list. I see there are a couple I have not read by him.

[Nancy]

You left volume 1 of Secretary of Dreams on your list. No one will be able to read that short story collection because it was Cemetery Dance collectors book. Only if you purchased the book when Cemetery Dance offered it or pay over $400 on Amazon for it. The stories aren’t new stories either.

[Kandice]

Nancy wrote: "You left volume 1 of Secretary of Dreams on your list. No one will be able to read that short story collection because it was Cemetery Dance collectors book. Only if you purchased the book when Cem..."

Volume 2 is not on the list for the same reason. I have them, but like you said, nothing (except the artwork) is original, so I don't see any reason for them to be included. Same with The Man in Black.

[James]

That is a great piece of information. I didn't get started with King until my then teenage son introduced me to the Dark Tower series. I love reading in chronological order so I can go back now and pick some of the earlier works I have missed.

[Nancy]

Kandice wrote: "Nancy wrote: "You left volume 1 of Secretary of Dreams on your list. No one will be able to read that short story collection because it was Cemetery Dance collectors book. Only if you purchased the..."

That’s the problem. Volume 1 is on the list.

[Erin]

Nancy wrote: "You left volume 1 of Secretary of Dreams on your list. No one will be able to read that short story collection because it was Cemetery Dance collectors book. Only if you purchased the book when Cem..."

I was wondering about that one, which is one I never purchased but now I know why.

[Mark]

This is insanely helpful since I'm behind on the chronological read a bit. Gives me a good source to use to catch back up. I'm 10 books behind so hopefully I'll get caught up before you reach the 90s. I definitely plan on joining on the IT read when we get there regardless of where I am.

Also, since the Stand is on the list twice, are we planning on reading The Stand again for the uncut version? Only reason I ask is I don't have a copy of the original but I do have the uncut version. If so, I'll wait for the group read on the uncut version. If not, I'll just read the uncut version on my own.

[Jen]

Thanks so much for posting this list. It's a big help!

[Kandice]

Mark wrote: "This is insanely helpful since I'm behind on the chronological read a bit. Gives me a good source to use to catch back up. I'm 10 books behind so hopefully I'll get caught up before you reach the 9..."

I don't think we should read both. I wish there were a version of the uncut with the reinserted portions highlighted and any changes marked in some way.

[Marlise]

Looks like The Institute is getting a limited TV series adaptation.

[Marlise]

https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/10/stephen-...

[Kandice]

I think it would make a great mini-series. It's not that far-fetched and it's contemporary, so a bit easier to adapt.

[Erin]

Marlise wrote: "https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/10/stephen-..."

That was quick!

[Jenny]

When you are hot why not go with the hot hand. I remember when Carrie first came out then I started reading Da King books I was like in total ah and I still am in 2019 and beyond.

[Kandice]

The Institute will lend itself well to a series. I've finished and despite a BIG ending, nothing else will be that difficult to film and it's very believable.

[Kellie]

Marlise wrote: "https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/10/stephen-..."

Sounds cool

[Marlise]

It looks like King's next publication will be in the Spring and titled If it Bleeds

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ew.com/b...

[Kandice]

Marlise wrote: "It looks like King's next publication will be in the Spring and titled If it Bleeds

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ew.com/b..."

A Holly Gibney story.

[Paulina]

it's already on the list on Wikipedia :D

[Paulina]

I mean the neb book

[Erin]

Kandice wrote: "Marlise wrote: "It looks like King's next publication will be in the Spring and titled If it Bleeds

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ew.com/b..."

A ..."

Is he doing another trilogy?

[Glen]

There are soooo many people on the Stephen King Facebook group that hate Holly Gibney. I don’t get it? I look forward to this spring release.

[Andre]

I had completely forgotten that Holly Gibney is an existing character when I read that article...

I'm intrigued, especially because it's 4 novellas. Something there for Holly lovers and haters, I'm sure.

[Kandice]

I had assumed each of the four novellas would be cases Holly works on, but I guess that really is just an assumption.

I really like Holly. A lot! She is an unlovable character that King made me love. I do not picture her as the actress that plays her in the series. I have a very, very detailed picture of her in my mind, though.

[Nancy]

Apparently only one story is a stand alone sequel to The Outsider:

https://stephenkingbooks.co.uk/2019/1...

[Nick]

Kandice wrote: "I had assumed each of the four novellas would be cases Holly works on, but I guess that really is just an assumption.

I really like Holly. A lot! She is an unlovable character that King made me lo..."

I love Holly either as portrayed in the series (not at all who I imagined) and the character in the books. Either way, she's great. Looking forward to reading more about her.

[Erin]

Nancy wrote: "Apparently only one story is a stand alone sequel to The Outsider:

https://stephenkingbooks.co.uk/2019/1..."

I didn't realize If It Bleeds contained four stories, I just assumed it was another full length novel.

[JSWolf]

Published order can be the same as chronological order but not always. So what order is the list in? Is it published, chronological, or both?

[JSWolf]

Michael wrote: "JSWolf wrote: "Published order can be the same as chronological order but not always. So what order is the list in? Is it published, chronological, or both?"

The list is shown at the top, which is..."

Then the thread title is wrong. These eBooks are not in chronological order. The books are in published order. Can someone fix the mistaken thread title and the first post that also gets it wrong?

[JSWolf]

Michael wrote: "JSWolf wrote: "Michael wrote: "JSWolf wrote: "Published order can be the same as chronological order but not always. So what order is the list in? Is it published, chronological, or both?"

The lis..."

All the list needs is a simple correction. When we read chronological, it means in timeline order which is not always published order. So just change it to published order and it will be corrected.

[Rick]

I understand the distinction you’re trying to make between publication and chronological orders, but with King’s books and collections it almost impossible to list them in a straightforward chronological sequence. They overlap, an individual narrative could cover several years and, here’s the big one, they occur in simultaneously existing alternate realities of a multiverse. That last one alone makes a “chronological” order virtually meaningless. The explanation in the first post makes it clear that the list is derived from publication chronology and not some kind of temporal chronology.

[Kandice]

JSWolf wrote: "All the list needs is a simple correction. When we read chronological, it means in timeline order which is not always published order. So just change it to published order and it will be corrected..."

Perhaps you can simply think of the list that way. The rest of the group is using it as a guide to our group reads, so it's ok with us.

[Staci]

Sorry that I have to ask but what book are you reading for November (chronological list)?

[Linda]

Thinner

[Anna]

Rage is B.man also :)

[Alex]

Great list. It is the one I used to try to read all his stories. Currently reading Bazaar of Bad Dreams. i've ready everything chronologically before that except, from a buick 8, storm of the century, blaze and the cell. I wasn't really thrilled with those.

I will say this the only thing not entirely correct in the list is six scary stories. they were edited by SK but he didn't write a single one. so if you're wanting to read his work you can skip that one. If on the other hand you take his recommendation feel free!

lastly not on the list but might be interesting to some Gwendy's magic feather. It's a sequel to Gwendy's button box but written solely by Richard Chizmar.

[Lori]

Fabulous list!! Thank you so much!! :)

[Derrick]

Thanks for the list. I'm looking forward to the next few coming up after Misery. If I hadn't just recently read Misery I'd participate in the group read of it. It's okay though. There's plenty to read in the mean time. I've never read The Tommyknockers or The Dark Half or The Stand (cue gasp.) I've also never participated in a group read of any kind online or otherwise. Looking forward to all of it!

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Derrick wrote: "Thanks for the list. I'm looking forward to the next few coming up after Misery. If I hadn't just recently read Misery I'd participate in the group read of it. It's okay though. There's plenty to r..."

So fun! I hope you enjoy!

[Derrick]

Angie wrote: "So fun! I hope you enjoy!"

I'm sure I will. My wife is not into reading AT ALL! The discussions we have about what I'm reading are rather one-sided. I think a group read would be a nice change.

[Nancy]

I hope someone will take off the list some of the books that are not available (limited publishing of already published stories), anthology books that have zero SK stories in them (or only one) and non-fiction books about the 2004 Boston Red Sox season.

[Kandice]

Nancy wrote: "I hope someone will take off the list some of the books that are not available (limited publishing of already published stories), anthology books that have zero SK stories in them (or only one) and..."

Why would you want to remove Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season?

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Kandice wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I hope someone will take off the list some of the books that are not available (limited publishing of already published stories), anthology books that have zero SK stories in them (or..."

Honestly I've barley glanced at the bottom of the list. It's a list I found I think on King's website and just copy and pasted it here. I'll keep non-fiction books on the list since King wrote them and we are here to read all King books. Like On Writing. But I'll glance through and pull off what is the non-King books. If I miss one when we get to it I'll for sure notice it then. Thanks!


EDIT: I only saw one book not by Stephen King and that was Six Scary Stories edited by Stephen King.

[Tek]

So...after I realized I enjoyed Kings works...several novels in...I decided to go back and start reading through them all in release order starting with Carrie. Ive basically read everything up to 1995 (and plenty of ones after that). The completionist in me really wants to pick up Rose Madder but I already have so many other ones on my shelf...not just King but others works too.

[Kelsey]

I haven't read any Stephen King books yet, but I have been thinking about going through them. I was briefly looking around Wikipedia to see how many Novels there are, and it says 61. Is that correct?

Also, do you recommend reading all Novels and short stories, or if I just went through all novels would I be missing out on any important information related to the novels?

[Charles]

Hello Kelsey, 61 sounds about right, but I would have to actually do a count to be sure. There are some of SK's short stories that are connected to his other works mostly by way of Easter egg type connections but some go deeper than that. I would suggest not skipping his short stories or even more importantly his books of novellas because he has quite a few very high quality of both available. In fact, his novellas are arguably some of his best work. Also, be aware that The Gunslinger(The Dark Tower #1) has two different versions, the latter version is the one you want as it corrects some plot holes and cleans up a few things from the original version that was never actually meant to be a series. The Stand also has 2 versions, one is the first released and is edited at just under 800 pgs. The unabridged version sits at around 1150 pgs. There is a roughly 50/50 split on which is better. I prefer the full version because I enjoy SK's world building and extreme character development, but many feel that the edits were justified. So, to summarize, I would just start with Carrie and work through his entire catalogue, and don't forget that he also wrote under the name Richard Bachman, so you should add those novels/novellas as well.