Recommended Stephen King Novels?

**mninp** · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 1303

I have the book Misery but I also have the movie which I've seen so many times, so every time I try to read the book I get bored about 70 pages in. I tried reading Cujo and had about 90 pages left when I had to take it back to the library. At the time, I thought it was just ok, but now that I think back on it, it was a great story and I would like to finish it when I get around to it. I have never actually seen the movie though.

I know Stephen King is a terrific author, but I just find his books somewhat boring and kind of a chore to get through. I love horror movies and I can't understand why I find Stephen King's books somewhat boring. So many people have told me that reading his books is one of the best book experiences ever. Can someone recommend me his best books, or at least the books someone would start with to get into Stephen King? I'm just trying to get into his books, since they're worldwide classics. Maybe the two I tried reading are some of his more boring works. No spoilers please on any of his books/movies. Thanks.

**FBMrider86** · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 1:51 am Post subject:

The Tommyknockers was a pretty good read for me, the movie was absolute garbage.

Christine
Carrie
The Stand (I dunno if you'd be up for that though)
Firestarter
Pet Sematary (very easy to read)

Honestly I've never had much trouble with his books because he makes it extremely easy for me to visual things. Which is probably why many of his movies fail in comparison to the books. At least, in my opinion they do.
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**sburymadness** · Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 869

The entire Dark Tower series is phenomenal, if you're looking for something that will take you a bit to read through (7 books in all).

I also liked Duma Key a lot, along with Desperation, The Regulators.

Most of his stuff is pretty much the same story (good vs. evil, etc etc), but I love that type of stuff so I love King.

If you're looking for more of a short story deal, Nightmares and Dreamscapes and Everything's Eventual are two books to look at.

But I really, really recommend the Dark Tower series. Great, great books.
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**Boomsars** · Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Posts: 1273 Location: Arkansas

If instead of chugging your way through the Stand, you can instead read Cell, which is basically the Stand on a small scale. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good if you don't feel like sitting through 1000 or so pages.

**Bendover** · Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 1069 Location: Monroe, WA

"IT" is an amazing book, pretty long (1100+ pages), but it held my interest pretty much the whole way through, the characters are just so well developed and interesting it's scary.

The movie on the other hand... well, that's a discussion for another day

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**xtremecarbon** · Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 3998 Location: Columbia, SC

I remember when Desperation aired on TV, that was awesome. I like the book too. Insomnia seems like a fair read as well. I didn't like Buick 8 at all for some reason, so you should avoid that one.
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**sunshine** · Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 1945

**soulsurvivor3310** · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 255

I read "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" and I loved it because of how easy it was to read.
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**Deschain** · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 2137 Location: Austin, TX

I freaking love the Dark Tower series (my username kinda reflects that), it really is King's magnum opus. Took him about 30 years to finish the 7 books, and in the 7th book's opening pages you can see that of King's prolific career, most of the standalone books he's written are in some way connected to the mythology of the Dark Tower series. Not a big thing unless you finish DT and start going into his other works, there is a line or two, a quote, maybe even just some grafitti on the wall mentioned, but some reference that unifies nearly every single thing he's written.

If you are having problems with length, try the 1st Dark Tower book. It's short, though it is a slow/Western/sci-fi...ish read, any more would be spoilers). If you think that sucked, try the 2nd book. Most people I've helped get into the Dark Tower labeled the Drawing of the Three as the one that got them "hooked".
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**turbo** · Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:04 am Post subject:

Pick one up and start working your way through all of them.
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**alexhaz64** · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 4512 Location: Long Beach, CA

I believe "The Dead Zone" is King's personal favorite, and it is quite good. I (and many others) prefer The Stand, as it's pretty much his most epic story. I haven't flown through 1000 pages so quickly before or since. :p

If you can't sit through a book that long, he's got plenty of short story collections. There's Different Seasons (I think it's called that) Skeleton Crew, Hearts in Atlantis? gee I'm not sure which ones I read anymore... >_>

oh, and check out the Bachman books as well- I've only read the Long Walk, but that one is excellent. I've heard good things about Running Man, too.
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**JCM08** · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 328 Location: North England

"The Stand"
"Skeleton Crew"
"Pet Sematary"
"Different Seasons"
"The Gunslinger"
"IT"
"Salem's Lot"
"The Dead Zone"

You could check out this web page for an overview of his 'top 15', as it were.
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**JimmyHero33** · Joined: 20 Jul 2008 Posts: 1635 Location: MY HOUSE OMG!! :)

this reminded me that I have picked up a few king books at second hand stores and garage sales I have the dead zone so i think I will start there and if I like it I will probly get the Dark Towers Series or should I read some more solo titles?
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**sorasgoof** · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 2314

I love Stephen King's books. Without reading the rest of this thread, let me give you my list.

The Shining
Firestarter
Christine
Carrie
Pet Semetary
The Talisman
(Did I mention Firestarter?)
Cujo

Those are the best of the ones I've read, but there are PLENTY more.
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**Subrick** · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 1382 Location: Terryville, CT

All of them. He's that amazing.
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