Five Favorite Stephen King Reads

Stephen King's books are more than just horror stories -- they are deeply human, emotionally gripping, and endlessly imaginative. Whether he's terrifying us with supernatural horrors, exploring the darkest corners of the human mind, or crafting unforgettable characters, King has a way of pulling readers into his worlds like no other author.

What makes his work so timeless is his ability to blend fear with emotion; he makes us care about the people in his stories just as much as the horrors they are facing. His books are not just about monsters or ghosts, they are about survival, fate, regret, guilt, the battle between good and evil, and the power of storytelling itself.

That recognizable ITC Benguiat or Pacella Latina fonts that gave the famed author himself a chilling appearance on his works, always in a bright red or stark white so it can't be ignored.

Nostalgia is a powerful feeling, and it’s an emotion that can be conjured by the most random sensations. The squeaky sound of chalk can recall memories of your kindergarten classroom, the salty smell of the ocean can bring back the family trip you took to the beach, the fruity taste of an ice-cold popsicle reminding you of running after the ice cream truck on those hot summer afternoons.

When I see a Stephen King novel, all I can think of is my childhood home and the stacks of books my mom kept in her room. The importance of reading has been instilled in me since my earliest memory, and Stephen King played a big part in my literary development over the years. In the last eighteen months, I have made it a personal goal to read every one of King's works so my mom and I can continue discussing every aspect that gave us nightmares. While I still haven't made my way through his expansive 65+ collection of novels and over 200+ short stories, I can always update this list if another book of his stands out to me.

It's my website, I can make the rules.

So, without further ado, here is a list of my top five favorite Stephen King novels (so far).

Cover of Stephen King's "11/22/63"

11/22/63 is a historical- and science-fiction novel about a man with the capability to time travel, and he decides to go back in time to try and prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In this attempt to intercept the start of the Vietnam War, he sees the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 1960s, described in the most trivial detail like the true cost of food, haircuts, and clothing.

Beyond just his attention to detail, King's ability to craft a fictional narrative interspersed with factual historical elements is one that will never cease to amaze me. It becomes so easy to empathize with the main character, Jake Epping, as he faces recorded challenges -- such as preventing a brutal domestic murder in 1958 -- which allows for a deeper exploration of complex historical situations through a fictional narrative.

Readers experience everything right along with the protagonist, Jake: his triumphs and successes, his losses and defeats. I have reread it myself a couple times, and you'll always discover something new. This book is worth the time and effort, I would consider it a MUST READ!

Cover of Stephen King's "The Stand"

The Stand is King's longest published work (at least the uncut edition,) and follows the lives of several survivors in the aftermath of a global, deadly pandemic. The novel contains post-apocalyptic and dark fantasy themes, with the humans immune to the weaponized influenza splitting into groups that are meant to represent the forces of good and evil.

The only reason this novel isn't #1 in my list is because of the length -- it took me FOREVER to finish it. Not to mention, by the time I got to the end of one chapter that focused on a set of characters (Frannie and Harold, for example,) I will have already forgotten all about Nick and his struggles in a police station.

That being said, every aspect of this novel just checked all the boxes of what I want in a book: character development, romance, contrasting moments of inspiration and devatation, etc. Definitely worth the effort and time it takes to read!

Cover of Stephen King's "Mr Mercedes"

Mr. Mercedes is considered to be King's "first hard-boiled detective book..." according to the author himself, and follows the events of a retired detective as he tries to hunt down a murderer.

While that makes it sound like every other crime novel that's ever been published, the chapters in which King has written from the perspective of the serial killer add chilling elements of tension where the readers are privy to information that the protagonist is not.

I figured that knowing the murderer would spoil the ending of the book... but Mr. Mercedes remains just ambiguous enough that readers are trying to solve the clues right alongside Bill Hodges.

This novel kickstarted a trilogy that very quickly became one of my favorite book series, but I felt it only fair to include the one that started it all. It's also one that I would suggest to people who may not be interested in horror -- I gotta get them into Stephen King somehow!

Cover of Stephen King's "Misery"

Misery is a psychological horror based on the one-sided relationship between famed author Paul Sheldon and his self-proclaimed biggest fan Annie Wilkes. The significance of this novel extends beyond the fear and adrenaline that the text incites in the reader; King wrote the plot and its characters as symbols of his own struggles with drug addiction and writer's block, adding a new layer of emotional depth to an already disturbing story.

It's a much quicker read in comparison to others on this list -- 310 pages is a lot less daunting! -- though a depreciated word count did not dimish the paralyzing dread Annie Wilkes elicted from me.

Also... I am a firm believer in the idea that "the book is always better," but Kathy Bates' performance in the movie adaptation of Misery was nothing short of a masterpiece.

The Shining is a horror novel that was published as King's third work, and established the foundation for his career as "The King of Horror." It centers around Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny, as they experience frightening and otherworldly instances during their stay at The Overlook hotel.

Much like Misery, The Shining contains the psychological and gothic horror themes that King has become recognizable for, and paved the way for an equally amazing sequel: Doctor Sleep. I could make a whole separate post with my thoughts and opinions about The Shining universe, but I think I might hold off until I finish all of his works (I want to be able to catch all the references and Easter eggs he leaves in all his books!)

Trust me, you'll get spooked when you find out the meaning of REDRUM.

This list represents just a handful of my favorites (how on EARTH am I expected to narrow it down to just five?!) but King's vast collection of publications has something for everone: psychological thrillers, supernatural nightmares, gripping dramas, you name it. No matter how many times I revisit these books -- swearing that I practically have some of them memorized at this point -- they still send chills down my spine and keep me turning pages until late in the night.

If you're new to King or just looking for your next great read, any of these books would be a perfect place to start. And if you're already a fan, you need to tell me your favorite book of his because I'm sure I will have a lot to say about it!