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My Top 10 Stephen King Books
Stephen King
Stephen King One of My Favorite Authors
Stephen King is one of my favorite authors. The first book of his that I read was "Carrie." Not the newer version, but his first published novel in 1974. Money was tight for Stephen King and he had almost given up on writing. Since then he has written more than 50 books. Many of those have became best sellers and turned into some great movies. Although there is one movie that I didn't like and found it quite boring. The movie is "Cujo". Many of you might disagree with me, but this is my opinion only. Because I had seen the movie first and did not like it, I had chosen to not read the book. Many years later I had see the paperback "Cujo" book in a rummage sale. I decided to give it a shot to see if it were better than the movie. Unlike the movie, a good part of the book is written through the eyes of the dog. He doesn't understand why he is so sick and what is happening to him. After reading this book, I found it interesting.
Some of his books have needs some cleaning up with the language. And some parts in his book, I have found are degrading to women. But since I do like his writing style, I have looked past this.
Now if I have mentioned anything negative, die hard Stephen King fans if you start throwing eggs at me, it will only mess up your monitor.
Overall, King has an imagination most aspiring writers would die for. I haven't read all of his novels. This is my top ten list of King's books that I have read.
Stephen King Novels and much more can be found here
#1 Carrie
Carrie was so misunderstood
This is when I became a Stephen King fan!
Carrie is a novel (published 1974) of a high school girl who is an outsider. Because she is misunderstood and quite, student torment her. Carrie has not friends. When some students pretend to like her, they are planning on something so horrendous that it lets out the pent up emotions and rage in her. Carrie's telekinetic powers goes on a rampage of destruction.
Three movies thus far were made from this book. Not a big fan of remakes or reboots (as they are called now), the original movie made in 1976 with Sissy Spacek is my favorite.
The third version in the movie reboot of 2013 would come a close second.
Oh, looks like we are due for another reboot!
(Find Carrie in many formats for reading. See the link above)
#2 Salem's Lot
Great Vampire Novel and Excellent Watching It on TV
Salem's Lot published in 1975 in a vampire novel that I find intriguing. This is King's second novel. It is about a vampire that is patterned after Bram Stoker's Dracula. The story evolves from a small town in Maine. The people in this town are disconnected. They seem a bit lost and something evil is happening.
Vampires have taken over. But the scariest of them all is not the vampires but the town itself. It is haunting during the daytime with its secrets and emptiness. There were frightening things that hide during the day and the horror of the night.
This book was later made into a TV series named Salem's Lot.
#3 Pet Sematary and #4 Thinner Books
Books #3 and #4
#3 Pet Sematary (1983) is another book of Stephen King's which is set in Maine. The Creed family move from Chicago to the rural country side of Maine. Dr. Louis Creed is appointed director of the University of Maine's campus health service. The house that they live in happens to be by a busy highway where large trucks travel fast past their home. Warned by their neighbor to be careful of the road, the family pet gets hit. Their neighbor tells Louis about the pet sematary and a place where the pet will come back to life. But beware that they can come back tainted.
More gruesome things happen when his son and wife get killed.
#4 Thinner (1984) is about a lawyer named Billy Halleck. He is obese and arrogant. When he is distracted while driving on the road, Halleck runs over an elderly gypsy woman. It is brought to court. But due to the judge being a close friend, the charges were dropped.
The woman's father puts a cruse on Billy when he strokes his check. He whispers the word, "Thinner." From that point on, Halleck loses weight. At first it looks good on him, but the weight lost continues.
Pet Sematary - the best scenes
#5 Insomnia, #6 The Green Mile and #7 The Shining
Books #5, #6 and #7
#5 Insomnia (1994) set in the fictional town of Derry, Maine. This book is about a widower who suffers from insomnia. As his condition worsens he starts to see things that others cannot. Later he finds that his insomnia had been induced by doctors to defeat agents of the Crimson King. The Crimson King is an evil ruler of the dark.
If you are a speed reader, then you might enjoy reading all 800 pages. It is a long book, but I found it interesting.
#6 The Green Mile (1996) interestingly the Green Mile was written as a series of six novellas. King didn't even know how the story would turn out. Later the six books were added in one volume work. The story is about Paul Edgecombe, the death row supervisor and his encounter with inmate John Coffey. Coffey has some unusual healing abilities. But every time he uses his power, he dies a little more.
#7 The Shining (1977) is King's third published novel and first hardback bestseller. Author Stephen King built the story based on his personal recovery from alcoholism and experience to the Stanley Hotel in 1974. But in the case with King, he did not go insane unlike Jack Torrance, the character in the book.
The Green Mile - John Coffey's Execution
Here is Jack
The Shining [Blu-ray]
![The Shining [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51cfRpZTfVL._SL160_.jpg)
This is when I become a big Jack Nicholson fan. This book really came to life on the big screen.
The Shining, the Movie
Stephen King did not have the control that he does now over the first movies made from his books. He was disappointed in the way the movie version of The Shining turned out. Years later, he wrote the script for the mini-series of The Shining; the way he had intended it to be.
In my opinion, sometimes less is better. I felt the mini-series dragged.
OK, start throwing those eggs again!
Shawshank Redemption - Excellent Movie Too
#8 Shawshank Redemption, #9 It and #10 Needful Things Books
Books #8, #9 and #10
#8 Shawshank Redemption was part of a novella by Stephen King. This collection of 1982 is titled Different Seasons, subtitled Hope Springs Eternal. In 1994 the movie was made and nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1994. As a banker from Maine, Andy Dufesne is arrested for a double murder. This includes his wife and her lover. There is something special in his prison cell behind the poster of Rita Hayworth.
#9 It (the novel) is one of the shortest titles that you will on a book. Published in 1986, this horror novel by Stephen King is about a monster disguised as a clown. This thing or "It" mainly preys on young children. I never really like clowns. Anyone who doesn't show their face is hiding something.
#10 Needful Things - Don't Go Into This Shop
Needful Things (1991) is about a stranger who opens the Needful Things curiosity shop and the haunting ways it affects the customers. My advice is to not go into this shop!
Videos and Books from Stephen King's Writing
Stephen King Movies here on Amazon
View this article below for all 10 books shown on this page
Stephen King Novels and More
Don't Forget...
Make sure you go to "What is your favorite Stephen King book or movie?" on this lens and Tweet your answer!
© 2009 Sandy Mertens
Are you a Stephen King fan? - Thanks for visiting! Be sure to sign the guestbook so I know you were here!
The Dark Tower Series is the very best, in my humble opinion. Stephen King is Genius! How many people could possibly write a series and link to them in other books not of the series?
Nicely laid out lens. I don't think I've read any Stephen King!
Howdy - I must be honest and say that I have never read much of Stephen King. I think I did read one or two many years ago. But I have read many of Dean Koontz; however the master will always be Edgar Alan Poe. One should also not overlook H. P Lovecraft although I must admit, his style is very hard to get used to.
Still, you do deserve 5 stars for sharing one of your passions with others.
I agree abiout "Cujo" - didn't care for the movie either.There was a book of short stories called "Nightmares and Dreamscapes" that I absolutely loved! Love the lens!
Not a Stephen King fan, but nice lens anyway.
My favorite is Shawshank Redemption.He's got some great ones!
Great list here!
You missed my fave the Stand... but most of his books are excellent...though I was wondering which of the 10 was your favorite since they weren't numbers?
Wnderful lens!
Nice work! Haven't read much of his work but enjoyed your lens!
I'm a Stephen King fan. My favorite was Pet Sematary. I also liked the Mist but that ending...shocking yet typical of Stephen king.
My husband's gonna love this one! He's a huge fan, but has little time, he's still reading the cell...?
Says he'll never use a cell phone now. You did a great job :) 5 big ones
I think "The Green Mile" I've read the most number of times. "Insomnia", "Carrie", "Misery" and "It" I've read just once. But my favorite movie of all is the "Shawshank Redemption". Awesome lens, high 5*
I like many of Stephen King's books but Pet Sematary is still my all time favorite. I didn't really like the movie version so much though. The Shining was the first R rated movie I was ever allowed to see without my mother so that will always be special. I also enjoyed the Night Shift collection of short stories. And I'm with you on Cujo. I just never cared for it.
Thinner was fantastic. I like the movie of Misery as well, but I never got around to reading the book! I've never read Cujo, although my hubby loved it - when we first met he had a dog called Cujo!
I am a huge Steven King Fan This is a great lens 5 and then some.!! It is almost impossible for me to pick a favorite but I guess The green mile would come first.or the shawshank redemption
Great lens thanks for sharing
My fav Stephen King books are "The Eye of the Dragon" and "The Green Mile".
Steven King's book on Writing is one of my favorite writing books!!
Great lens!!
I forgot to mention that when we were in Bangor, Maine - we saw the house that Stephen King owns. Very gothic with all kinds of gargoyles on the exterior.
Great list!
Great lens! I enjoyed reading Pet Semetary the most I think.
Nicely done. I have a teenage son who just read a bunch of Stephen King books. Now he's interested in the movies...
I read Stephen King as a teen. Scary stuff! That guy is seriously talented. 5*
Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
Great Top Ten lens. I haven't been reading as much since I started Squidoo. These old eyes can only read so much.
I haven't read Stephen King but now I may do. A great page on him. Well done.
I'm not a Stephen King fan but you have done a great job here of highlighting his work! Well done!
I guess I'm not very aware of Stephen King or I would have known that he wrote Shawshank Redemption. Haven't read the book, but it was a great movie!
I have never read Steven King but Shinning has always been on my list of books to read. I still haven't watched the movie because i wasnt to read the book first. Great lens.
I think this is a great lens. I love Stephen King! I'm a little confused on the tweeting thing but I submitted an answer, 5*****
I was hoping for a recipe lens too.. ha ha I had one all lined up for week two and then I got thrown a curve ball with the niche assignment. This is a very well laid out lens. Not to showy. Some lenses get so packed into so much detail that I get lost on the page (and bored). This is great. Very simple and makes a statement. Personally, I don't read Stephen King because I love Non-Fiction books. I'm more of a history, biblical and autobiography type myself.
Great lens! I love Rocket Mom!! 5 STARS!!
Oh my vote for best of Stephen King is The Stand. The book had me at hello, could not put it down! The mini-series (I think it was on ABC) did not get the same, although I thought it was pretty darn good. Nice list, surprised me on a few that I did not know King wrote.
Stephen King's book "On Writing" is what turned me on to his work a few years ago. The first non-fiction book of his I read was "The Stand". It's huge but I inhaled it in a few days. I liked the movie too. I think I've enjoyed all the movies based on his books.
I agree with you about "The Shining." I liked the movie version much better. I'm featuring your lens on my Squid Angel Diary this week.
Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
The Stand is definitely my favorite Stephen King book.
I LOVE Stephen King, I've been reading his novels since I was in middle school! My favorites are IT, The Shinning, The Stand, Cell, Dark Towers, Carrie, Needful Things, I can keep going on forever :) Great lens Sandy, excellent job on one of the best authors ever! 5*
Love this lens and super excited for the new book!!! not sure when exactly it's coming out (soonish!) but I saw this review about it and can't wait.
The only King book I've read is "Cycle of the Werewolf". I'll trying reading one of your favorites that you've shared on this lens.
it was a great read. the only books of his i haven't liked were tommyknockers (worst ending ever) and the non-horror book, eyes of the dragon.
Congratulations! Your lens has been featured on Stephen King: The Ultimate Stephen King Source lens (http://www.squidoo.com/Stephen-Edwin-King#module12... - A Constant Reader.
Stephen King is so talented. I love his stuff! I also have read his "On Writing". What a great author he is. Oh - and I loved this lens too.
Loved The Stand. Couldn't put it down
Stephen King's books send a chill up my spine. I have to be in the right mood to read them. They're good but it was his book on writing that really caught my attention. I've read it and re-read it several times.
Stephen King is cool....I'm adding this to my Rocketmom's featured list on my newest lens.
Shawshank Redemption wasn't a book or called Shawshank Redemption. Just saying. I liked Misery and Desperation a ton.
@anonymous: I should make that correction. It was a novella, then later adapted into a book from the movie.
Great list. Although I would include IT for its incite into kids and bullying, and The Girl Who Love Tom Gordon. I have lensrolled this to The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Are you crazy? Where's the Dark Tower series?
Have you ever read any of the Dark Tower books?
"Shawshank Redemption" is my all-time favorite movie. Stephen King's "Needful Things" is my favorite of his books; the movie was great, too.
Awesome lens, some very good titles. I think your first 3 are certainly on my top 10, Marta loves the Green Mile but it's hard to pick a favourite. I agree with you on the Shining it did drag and the film is movie making genius, one of the greatest horror films ever made.
I really enjoyed Bag of Bones. I would have never picked it up, but a friend give to me and I loved it. Not typical Stephen King work, but a good story.
Gosh this man is a genius! I am such a fan of his books. and I try as much as I can watching his films, I especially like the Shawshank Redemption. I think its a very good film.
@anonymous: That one and the Green Mile.
I've been reading Stephen King and been a fan since the beginning. I have a Stephen King hard cover collection and it is very close to complete. Gotta disagree with you on the "Cujo" issue, though. That book, like most King stories, waits until near the end to grab you and not let go. It definitely is a suspensful ending.
It's also extremely difficult to pick my "top 10".
Great books. I am a big fan of Stephen King
The Shining is fantastic - as both a book AND a film - great list!
Yes .. I love Stephen King's works. I find it easy to concentrate with his material because he has an ability to cause me to be in awe of the unknown
My two favorites are the Langoliers and Carrie, I think Stephen Kings Movies and Stories are Really Cool!!!
'It' is my all time favorite King novel! This is a very nice lens, you've got some awesome books listed here.
"Misery" is my favorite. nice idea for a Lens.
It and Shining are my favourite ones :)
Not a fan, could never quite get into his books. Creative as can be though!
I liked The Green Mile.
Insomnia is my fav. Although still reading Duma Key, So far that's a great read.
I just finished On Writing and would have to say it is my favorite. The scariest was Misery -- that freaked me out for years because it was so much more real than the other monster/ghost/ghoul books and much scarier than Cujo.
My Mom loved Stephen King. Even though she passed away years ago, I will still dedicate this lens to her for Mother's Day! Squid Angel blessed!
Insomnia is fab!
Shawshank Redemption was powerful. Pet Sematary was a scary read. I love that Stephen King was one of the first major authors to go the direct ebook route to his readers. He not only made a statement with that act, but helped to establish what is now a proven trend on Amazon.
I am glad you did not just go with the most popular books from Stephen King butcreated your own list. Also you don't mind criticizing him. Nice article.
Good work. I like you this lens.
Misery was my favorite due to the fact that it could actually happen.
I don't really care for Steven King's supernatural books, but when he writes about psychological horror, there is none better.
I love Carrie, but The Shining will always be my favorite (and I agree with you about the movie, even if Mr. King was not happy with it, it was still great, but book better:))!!
You've made a great Lens - I enjoy some of Stephen King's books, not all. And like you Carrie is also one of my favourites.
Cool lens!
Great Lens. I'm not a big fan of scary movies but I can watch his with my hands over my eyes. Shawshank Redemption is a favorite.
Used to be, but I started to get too creeped out! Means he is a great author. The fact that he can creep me out like that!
Great choices for King's books, he is very good in physiological analysis.
Nice lens!
Yeup, Carrie was my first favorite of Stephen King's novels and movies. Pet Sematary was another favorite. That one scared the dickens out of me too. :)
Green Mile is the only Stephen King book that I have read. I was teary-eyed when I finished it. I've also seen a couple of his movies when I was young. I will read more of his works when I have time and will refer to your list.:) Thank you for sharing!
That's weird, I thought I have squidliked your lens... I must have accidentally unliked it.
I've been a fan of Stephen King since I was a young teen. My faves are The Stand, Carrie, and The Green Mile. Love your lens here! Thank you for visiting my Stephen King fan page!
Really great lens. Read more King, you'll see he doesn't degrade women. He's a writer of fiction and some of his characters may show traits we all dislike but if there's one thing the man doesn't do, it's truckle. He tells it like it is, and sometimes a certain type of person uses foul language and treats others in ways we wouldn't, but if he wrote them any other way he'd be truckling.
For an explanation of 'truckling' - read On Writing. Thoroughly enjoyed your lens, thank you for sharing
My favorites are Lisey's Story and Bag of Bones - I liked his books even better after Stephen King's car accident - he seems kinder to his characters
I just, this morning, finished Firestarter which I really enjoyed, but I have also read Carrie which was pretty good too
Ive read pretty much everything he's written give or take a few novels, including the Richard Bachman books, my favourite writer, unbelievably prolific but also remained consistently good over the years.
I have watched all of the movies but only read one book, and that was Gerald's Game.
Read On Writing by this author. It is a brilliant tutorial for anybody who wants to be a good writer!
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@tonyleather: He is a very good writer.
I've found that Stephen King's books are far better than the movies. If I've read the book before watching the movie I generally do not care much for the movie. Nice lens!
- Author
@amandascloset0: I do find that too. But that is the case with most books.
The first one I read was Cycle of the Werewolf. And I was hooked.
My least favorite might be firestarter. My favorite is probably The Stand. Oh, and the whole Dark Tower series. And It. And....Okay, I don't know if I have A favorite.
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noner LOL so many good ones, it is hard to have a favorite.
I have bad dreams if I read horror that's too well written or explicit. So I steer away from King's fiction. But I loved his memoir/how-to book "On Writing." And I keep forgetting that he did Shawshank Redemption. It turned into a terrific movie.
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BarbaraCasey, though most of his work is horror, the Shawshank Redemption was not. It was a good movie too.
Great list. Happy to not see Under the dome in the top 10. couldn't get into that one.
Thank you for the good read
Great review of one of my favorite authors!
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Mike Welsh, I did not read the book but did watch the series for Under the Dome on TV.
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rebeccamealey Glad you enjoyed this.
Pet Cemetery was my fave. I only read It because it was sooooo many pages and I thought I looked cool toting around this 1,000+ page book. I also enjoyed his advice on writing book- don't recall the exact title but his advice is inspirational (from a man who has stayed true to himself all these years).
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izettl I will have to look for that book in my home. I didn't remember all those pages. Guess I was cool too.
As far as the writing book, I can't remember the name but know the book you are referring too.
I am a real Stephen King fan, and can tell you I like them all. Great and interesting hub. Stella
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Thank you Stella.
Many thanks for this hub. I have to admit that I never read any of his books because I thought that all his writing has a horror slant to it, and I hate horror. I loved the movie Shawshank Redemption and the Green Mile, so I will take out some of Stephen King's books at the local library.
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Yes Nadine, not all his books are about horror.
Ha ha got one of his books from the library. I will let you know
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Nadine how was the book?
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