10 Best Stephen King Books, Ranked By Horror Readers
10. Doctor Sleep (The Shining Book 2) (2013)
Warning: Contains spoilers for The Shining.
Danny Torrance has been trying hard to shake his childhood memories of the Overlook Hotel. And in the beginning of Doctor Sleep, it seems like he might be able to do just that when he settles down in New Hampshire, joins an AA group, and gets a job at a nursing home where he becomes known as “Doctor Sleep.” But his past isn’t ready to let go of him yet, because Dan is about to meet Abra Stone — who has the gift of “the shining,” just like Dan, and is being hunted by a group of quasi-immortal travelers called the True Knot.
9. 'Salem's Lot (1975) - 4.6 stars
An old mansion in the town of Jerusalem’s Lot (hence the book's title) is steeped in local lore. Author Ben Mears hopes that this creaky building will prove to be something of a tonic for his writer’s block. But distraction from his new novel arrives quickly in the form of two young boys who have ventured into the woods - only for one to come back out alive. What happens when lore mingles with reality… and turns deadly?
8. Carrie (1974)
Certainly one of the best-received debut novels ever published, Carrie is the story of a struggling and unhappy high school girl with telekinetic powers and an abusive mother. Her name is Carrie White, and she’s about to go on a violent rampage of revenge against the peers who have bullied her for the past few years. Put down your bucket of pig’s blood, and pick up this book (stat!) to better acquaint yourself with a groundbreaking addition to the horror genre
7. IT (1986)
It should be no surprise that IT is this high up in our list, controversial as it is. IT is one of his most complex and lengthiest novels to date. It follows two parallel narratives: one set in 1958, when a group of seven children meet and battle a monster in the sewer; and the other in 1985, when the survivors return to their childhood town to face old demons. Outside of a divisive scene between the children, IT is a brilliant example of an author writing at his peak. And, once you reach the last page, you can safely say that you, too, survived IT.
6. The Dark Tower series (1982 - 2012)
The Dark Tower series consists of eight Stephen King books, all of which feature a “gunslinger” and his supernatural journey towards a tower — a quest which is both physical and metaphorical. The series spans multiple genres, incorporating elements of horror, science fantasy, dark fantasy, and Western (hence the gunslinger). If you’re wondering which Stephen King book to read first, The Dark Tower is a great place to start, as the books link to many of his other novels — which, in turn, also relate back to this series.
5. Misery (1987)
Warning: aspiring authors, stay away from Misery. Once you read it, you may never want to become a famous novelist. Everyone else — come on in, because this is an A+ tale of psychopathy, insanity, and blood. It tells the story of author Paul Sheldon, who has met his biggest fan, the morbidly delusional Annie Wilkes. Holding Sheldon hostage after he’s involved in a car wreck, her goal is to get him to write another novel in which his protagonist is brought back to life. Her method? Torture, torture, and more torture.
4. The Stand (1990) - 4.7 stars
One of King’s most accomplished books ever published, The Stand is a multi-genre work that sets up a plague story within a cautionary tale about technology. Throw in the supernatural, religion, and an apocalyptic battle between good and evil and you’ve got the makings of a masterpiece. It all begins when a mistake at a government lab releases a super-flu upon the continent. Don’t get sick while reading this book, kids!
3. Pet Sematary (1983) - 4.7 stars
Many call Pet Semetary Stephen King’s scariest book. King has confirmed that he thought it was too dark to publish, and only did so to settle a contract.
Needless to say, Pet Sematary is not for the faint of heart. If you’re up for it, get ready for a rollercoaster of suspense and gore. The story opens innocently enough, as Louis Creed and his family move to a town in Maine. Near their house is a cemetery for children’s pet… and a bit further down in the woods lies an ancient Native burial ground, which will be the cause of all the chilling events in this grisly beast of a novel.
2. The Green Mile (1996) - 4.8 stars
In The Green Mile, King plunges readers straight into the murky horrors of death row. Prison supervisor Paul Edgecombe is on duty when he meets John Coffey: a gentle giant who has been sentenced to the death for raping and murdering twin girls. As events at the prison go on to spiral out of control, Paul realizes that Coffey might not be all he appears to be. With memorable characters and suspense that ratchets up with a flip of every page, The Green Mile became — and remains — an instant classic.
1. The Shining (1977) - 4.8 stars
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