Is there any King’s books order of reading?

[Mateusz]

Hi!

I’m starting my adventure with Stephen King. Recently I have read Dolores Claiborne which in my honest opinion was great!

Here comes a weird question to my mind. Is there any particular order of reading or I can choose whatever I want? Maybe you have some suggestions about that?

I’m thinking about Billy Summers as my second King’s book. Is it okay to pick whatever I want in any order or some of the books are connected with each other?

I know that there’s a “Dark Tower” series which obviously I should read chronologically. Is there any other “connections”?

I’m thankful in advance! :)

[Radiant]

The advantage to reading some of his books in chronological order is that you will get to revisit some characters and places… Reading the Dark Tower Series early on in your journey will allow you to see a lot of the connections the first time you read the books.

Just to put your mind at ease. I have read most of his books in random order and never saw the connections until I read other books. Not knowing about the connections did not take away from the stories at all.

The only books I would suggest reading in order are the actual series like The Talisman and Black House; Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and End of Watch; The Shining and Doctor Sleep; and The Dark Tower Series. (I may have missed some here…)

[Nick]

I suggest reading Salam's Lot before the dark tower... or at least book 5 of the dark tower... maybe The shining before Billy Summers, though that's not really critial.

[Kellie]

Raven2156 wrote: "Hi!

I’m starting my adventure with Stephen King. Recently I have read Dolores Claiborne which in my honest opinion was great!

Here comes a weird question to my mind. Is there any particular order..."

Raven,

I loved Dolores Claiborne. That was one of my favorites.

[Eric]

I’d also recommend reading Eyes of the Dragon and The Stand prior to dark tower… probably not necessary, but I was glad I did

[Melissa]

If you have read Dolores Claiborne, I would highly recommend reading Gerald's Game next as they are tied together.

I really recommend reading in order of publication. As a King fan that has been reading his books randomly for over 30 years, a few years ago, I started reading everything in order, it has been an eye opener to the whole King universe.

If you choose to read kind of randomly, I recommend the following as you started with Dolores Claiborne:

Gerald's Game
Storm of the Century (a screenplay but takes place on Little Tall Island)

Castle Rock:
Dead Zone
Cujo
The Dark Half

Derry:
IT
Insomnia **highly recommend if going to read Dark Tower**

Short Stories:
Skeleton Crew
Different Seasons
Four Past Midnight

Everything else references all of these locations or characters at some point.

Also, I agree with the other comment recommending reading The Eyes of The Dragon & The Stand before the Dark Tower books, but I'd add in the Talisman too.

Or, just dive into the Dark Tower, then read everything in order. You'll connect all the dots one way.