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Stephen King books in order

Master thriller writer Stephen King has penned over 50 novels, selling 350 million copies in a career that spans over 40 years.

“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
Stephen King

Famous for his terrifying prose, King writes horror, supernatural, science fiction, fantasy and, more recently, crime novels. When asked why he writes, King responds: “The answer to that is fairly simple — there was nothing else I was made to do. I was made to write stories and I love to write stories. That’s why I do it. I really can’t imagine doing anything else and I can’t imagine not doing what I do.”

Having penned over 200 short stories – many set in his home town of Maine and the most famous arguably being his novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the basis for the movie The Shawshank Redemption – it was no surprise when he was awarded a National Medal of Arts from the United States National Endowment for the Arts for his contributions to literature in 2015.

Did you know…

1. King credits The Lurker of the Threshold, a short story collection by HP Lovecraft as the catalyst to him becoming a writer.

2. More Stephen King books have been adapted into films than any other living author.

3. Stephen King also writes under two pen names: Richard Bachman and John Swithen.

4. Carrie was originally planned as a short story but King threw out the first draft. It was rescued by his wife Tabitha.

5. Mr Mercedes, King’s first ‘hard-boiled detective book’, was first published in 2014 and featured retired detective Bill Hodges. It won an Edgar Award and, as the first in a trilogy, was followed by Finders and Keepers and End of Watch.

Read on for a list of Stephen King books in order – or find out how his writing has inspired other writers here.

Stephen King bibliography:

 

By date
1. Carrie (1974) 2. ‘Salem’s Lot (1975) 3. The Shining (1977)
4. Rage (1977) 5. The Stand (1978) 6. The Long Walk (1979)
7. The Dead Zone (1979) 8. Firestarter (1980) 9. Roadwork (1981)
10. Cujo (1981) 11. The Running Man (1982) 12. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982)
13. Christine (1983) 14. Pet Sematary (1983) 15. Cycle of the Werewolf (1983)
16. The Talisman (1984) 17. Thinner (1984) 18. It (1986)
19. The Eyes of the Dragon (1987) 20. The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987) 21. Misery (1987)
22. The Tommyknockers (1987) 23. The Dark Half (1989) 24. The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (1991)
25. Needful Things (1991) 26. Gerald’s Game (1992) 27. Dolores Claiborne (1992)
28. Insomnia (1994) 29. Rose Madder (1995) 30. The Green Mile (1996)
31. Desperation (1996) 32. The Regulators (1996) 33. The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass (1997)
34. Bag of Bones (1998) 35. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999) 36. Dreamcatcher (2001)
37. Black House (2001) 38. From a Buick 8 (2002) 39. The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla (2003)
40. The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah (2004) 41. The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower (2004) 42. The Colorado Kid (2005)
43. Cell (2006) 44. Lisey’s Story (2006) 45. Blaze (2007)
46. Duma Key (2008) 47. Under the Dome (2009) 48. 11/22/63 (2011)
49. The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012) 50. Joyland (2013) 51. Doctor Sleep (2013)
52. Mr. Mercedes (2014) 53. Revival (2014) 54. Finders Keepers (2015)
55. End of Watch (2016) 56. Gwendy’s Button Box (2017) 57. Sleeping Beauties (2017)
58. The Outsider (2018) 59. Elevation (2018) 60. The Institute (2019)
61. Later (2021) 62. Billy Summers (2021) 63. Fairy Tale (2022)
64. Holly (2023)

 
Stephen King books

 

Love Stephen King? You’ll love these…

87 Comments

    I’m only missing 4 of the 60 Novels but I also have many more books written by Stephen Kings’. (The small books with his stories in them in the beginning of his career.) He is the greatest of all authors or storytellers. I also have books about him. I’m hoping one day to visit his hometown just to see the gates outside his home.

    In the fall of 1980 I went to a drivein movie double feature with a group of friends. The shining and Friday the 13th were playing. Friday the 13th gave us all the expected scares BUT The Shining gave me the psychological scares. I’ve been in love with Stephen King books and movies since. I’ve read almost all of his books. My friends still tease me about reading “It” while pregnant with my son.

    My best books has to be pets cemetery Carrie and Christine he Is the best male author of horror

    Stephen King knows how to entertain people and he is the master of horror

    Pet Cemetery- my all-time favorite! Desperation second. Started reading Pet Cemetery in middle school and my teachers were “shocked” my parents let me read that “type of book” at that age. Unfortunately, I’d experienced more stuff in my life than most at that point, it was an enjoyable read and I don’t regret it!

    I’m surprised how many people overlook the Dark Tower books. They are literary perfection and my all time favorite story.

    Stephen King is the best! My first book was Salem’s Lot…needless to say, it’s fantastic. I love his frightening stories best, but I must say when he writes about women, ie: Dolores Claiborne and Gerald’s Game, he is very insightful. An amazing writer, I’ve read everything he’s published. He really is the KING!

    What better barometer of an author’s impact than to be revisited by their characters and plot lines at random moments each day? Stephen King’s works live deep within me, bubbling up into conscious thought with incredible frequency. His mastery of the written word is a constant inspiration for my own writing these days.

    Salems Lot was the first Stephen King book I read. That was shortly after it was published. I was around 19 and became so completely engrossed, I had to sleep with my light on after reading at night. Salems Lot reawakened my childhood fear of vampires for a couple of weeks…and I loved it. I’ve been a fan ever since.

    I loved Salem’s lot but I really loved the mini series I was like 8 or 9 years old .first movie to scare me.i also loved Rose Red . I
    Enjoyed reading Bag of bones but not the actors in the TV version ,pierce Bronson no good.Tommy knocked ,mist,langoliers and the cell ,dream catchers and in the tall green grass I really could not get into.i loved when he wrote stuff like Shawshank,hearts of atlantis ,misery,apt pupil ,rear window(loved the book and jonny depp)

    I found this while looking for King books I might not have read. I loved Billy Summers and the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. My first Stephen King book was The Stand. It was likely shortly after the paperback was released. I was a struggling young actor in NYC at the time. I’ve enjoyed every King book I’ve read so far. Finished Fairy Tale a few days ago. I wrote short stories in High School and was encouraged by my teacher, Miss Nyhart. Went to college thinking I’d be a novelist. I switched track pursue theater. I had a book of poetry published, In Mercurial Days, and from January of 2021 until February of 2022 I wrote 34 flash fiction stories. At the age of 73, I find I can’t act as well as Anthony Hopkins or write as well as Stephen King. I have tried. Attempted imitation is the highest form of flattery. I think King has gotten better over the years. Thank you and keep writing, sir.

    I have to say that Mr. King is an amazing author and I consider him to be the BEST of ALL TIME. My mother started reading and collecting his books when they first came out and continued getting every book as soon as it was released until she passed away in 2012. She allowed me to read each book only AFTER she finished with it. When she passed, I continued collecting his works not only to honor my mother but because I love how I get totally lost in the worlds of his imagination (and my own). My oldest sister fell in love with his writing and now I have 3 others in my family that have begun collecting his works as well. I really wish I had the words to express just how much my entire family has enjoyed his wonderful way of entertainment and cannot say THANK YOU enough for sharing.

    To whoever said Cell and Bag of Bones are his best I assume you’re making a joke. The Stand is my favorite novel ever, not just SK Of the newer ones: Under the Dome, the Hodges trilogy, and 11/24/63.

    I read The shining when I was 13 years old. Been hooked on King ever since. I have read 90 % of his books. Still have it all in my book collection. No other author there although I do read others, but I keep King near to reread it. Can’t say I have a favorite because I love them all.

    I loved his books Carrie, It, Firestarter and the Shining. Not in that particular order; nevertheless, I still loved them. Steven King is a master mind when it comes to horror writing

    In his writing Stephen King describes the surrounding world in the same fashion as I perceive it which makes me love reading his books. The small details he pays attention to are similar to what I pay attention to. It is like I am being transported to the time and place the story takes place. Read almost all his books. My two favourites are probably Needful Things and Everything is Eventual.

    Stephen King is one of the greatest wordsmiths in the history of literature. He paints pictures you can’t possibly imagine. Movies and TV cannot do him justice although the Salem’s Lot TV mini-series was good. One of his latest, Billy Summers, is an excellent read in a different genre.

    I started reading King in 1975, the same year I met my wife ( on a blind date, attending a screening of “The Exorcist”). My first book was “Salems Lot”, still one on my favorites. Movie versions did not do justice. I felt “Duma Key” was very underrated, and I loved it. People think his masterpiece (including my wife) is “The Stand”. But for me, his best book ever was “11/22/63”. I had trouble putting it down. I am now reading “Fairy Tale”, and it is definitely in the running to be my all time favorite.
    My wish would one day to actually meet Mr. King, and simply say “Thank you”. He has given me 47 years of happiness. Besides my wife of 46 years, no one has given me more pleasure in my life, year after year.

    I started reading Stephen King in middle school and haven’t stopped! I’m like a kid in a candy store when a new book releases. Both my daughters now have the same passion for Stephen king and have read all of his books and have started their search for Bachman books

    Like several other people have mentioned, my first book was The Shining when I was in my early teens. And like them I was HOOKED!! I read them in order as well as the Bachman books which I also strongly suspected were King’s. My all time favorite is The Stand. I and my best friend read it together when I was 16! The same copy mind you! I was flabbergasted that it was not listed in the top 20 Goodread books. I can’t say I have only a couple favorites bcuz he’s written so many wonderful books. I love becoming completely immersed in the story. Opening a new book to the first page and feeling myself sink quickly into King’s world! My second fave horror writer is Koontz and I also became a fan after reading Watchers. But I have to say I cannot NOT read a Stephen King book. While, eh, I don’t mind so much with Koontz. Forever a SK fan!

    I would love to see The Talisman as a Peter Jackson movie. Great author and a great director collaboration.

    The Stand is the best story EVER. Read at least 20 times. Seen miniseries probably as much. Thought about Tz Billy Mumy “that’s a good thing “

    I’m about the same age as Mr King (74 May 24) and can’t say how many times his books saved me…especially from depressive thoughts… I have read The Long Walk so many times I’ve had to replace it twice. There is one other book, not by my fav, King, but by Ira Levin, This Perfect Day. Try it while waiting for Mr King to publish again. Thank you SK! I love your work and have answered my daughter who wanted to know what I want for my birthday… Stephen King’s cds!!!

    I’ve been reading Stephen King novels since High School, beginning with Carrie. I’ve reread most of them. My favorite is The Stand. The characters he creates makes you feel like part of the story. A quiet observer. You either love the characters or dislike them. You feel invested to continue reading to the end and hope the good guys prevail. I love his new detective novels too. The man can write anything. Pure genius.

    I’ve been reading Stephen King novels since The Shining came out in 1977. I was hooked! I started re-reading all of his books a few years ago and they’re just as good as when they were first
    published. Thank you Mr. King for all the hours of pure enjoyment you’ve given me for the last 45 years!

    His books transport you to the time and place they are set. They have such familiarity to me. The places and people could be your next door neighbours. Have every book and like many here The Stand is my favourite. Read it five times so far. Simply the best writer.

    I’ve read all of Stephen King books more than once. He’s a world treasure. Hope he keeps on writing for a long long time.

    King is our Poe–An American Treasure. I’ve read 98 percent of his total work and forgive me but I may be his biggest fan. Ha. Beginning with The Shining and then backing up for Carrie and Salem’s Lot and then forever waiting, waiting for the next one! He’s brilliant and more than enriches my life. Thank you Mr. King.

    I own every hardback and some paperbacks since Carrie.
    His 2010 book Full Dark , No Stars.
    Contains stories that are fully demented.
    I still haven’t read every story in that book.
    But love Stephen King for every other book.

    Just started his books about a week ago. Read the shining and it had me hooked, now I want to read more of his works

    I was a high school girl when Carrie came out so naturally I was hooked read every single one got a book signed at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago he didn’t rat me out for having a used book instead of purchasing one there looked at me and nodded what a great guy

    I’ve read a lot of Stephen King novels, but have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed 11/22/63. A twist of history and a whole lot of Stephen King at his best.

    This man as been in my life through his books for years and everyone from start to finnish you cannot put down.I have to carry them around with me all the time

    Best author ever his books when you start reading you cannot put down till its finnished

    I read Carrie when it first came out in 1974, I was 14 years old and I was afraid my mom would find out that the book I was reading she wouldn’t approve of, but I kept reading. I have been a fan of Stephen King ever since, collecting every book as they come out. I even collect the movies, and TV series. I enjoy them all. I wish I could meet Stephen King and just sit down and chat, not act like a crazy fan… but rather get to be a friend to someone who has given me hours of enjoyment to escape to another world.

    Too many great books but The Dark Tower series are by far the greatest. Please hurry with another one in this series. For any new reader start at the first then continue to the last with no gaps..It took me almost 20 years to get them all.

    I read The Shining when I was a teenager. It terrified me so much I would throw it on the floor, wait a couple of days and then pick it up again but I was completely hooked. My favourite author

    I wasn’t much of a reader. Then I picked up cujo now I’m a constant reader of all kings books. Green mile had me in tears. Then the film came out so true to the book. Yep tears again. Great writer. I scan bookshops for any of hes books have a big collection now but not all. I hope I complete my collection one day. A big thank you Mr king.

    Started with “The Stand” in the ‘70s. Couldn’t put it down! Reading Stephen King’s writing feels like he is sitting beside you telling you a story. Just finished “If It Bleeds”. My fav Christmas / birthday gift… Stephen King books!!! They are the best!

    I have been a fervent reader all my live. I read from 15 to 40 books a year depending on my schedule. I have five favorate writers, but read many others. My favorite author has always been King. Why, because he can make me believe things I know that aren’t true, I guess? That is a very unique talent for a writer to be able to accomplish. We should all be happy we found this writer.

    I’ve been a Stephen King fan since I first read Carrie & Firestarter way back in high school. I love all his books & have read everything written by him! I am currently reading his new release LATER.
    My favorites of his are the Mr. Mercedes trilogy followed closely by Misery & The Shining!

    The ONLY author I collect is Stephen King, and I’ve got every one of his books. I’ve seen all of the movies that were made, some good, some not so. But the one movie that is an exception is The Green Mile. Lord, I’ve seen that movie 25 times or more and cry like a baby every time! That movie and The Shawshank Redemption are the two best.

    Stephen king is incredible. I will never understand how such a deep well of creativity and brilliance can all spring from just one person. He makes you believe the unbelievable. I will never forget reading The Stand as a teenager.. I would start reading around 10 pm and, once, I was horrified when my alarm went off at 6 am…and I was still up reading. I had to call in to work. LOL. Ive also read The Long Walk 3 times….that story hits me in the bone marrow like nothing else ever has. Would love to meet the man just one time, and say thank you. Thank you for the thousands of hours of engrossing entertainment that have helped me escape reality and brought so much enjoyment to my life.

    Just started reading again and Stephen king was the right choice to come back to. Finished Christine just now and have decided to read all his books in order now excluding a couple I’ve read. Just picked up Carrie from the library 🙂

    I have read every one of Stephen King’s books, not in order, and I just finished Joyland which was the last one I had to read. Now I will wait for the next book… I hope it comes out soon! I bought the stand at a yard sale for $0.25 30 years ago haven’t been able to put him down since then!

    Stephen King has been my favorite since high school 25 years ago. I always tell people that is the man I lay down with in bed,that’s my relaxing time to enjoy and really read and feel like I’m in the story

    I absolutely love Stephen king and all of his books . I first read Carrie in 1974 and have been a fan ever since . As soon as his book club started I joined . I was a member until I moved to Idaho and I only received a couple books and a calendar and then they stopped coming . I was saddened. But have since been able to buy the remaining books that were missing from my book collection. I’m reading revival now and just ordered Joyland to finish up what I didn’t own . Will be keeping a better eye out for new books . Stephen king has me hooked . Dean koontz hooked me as well with Watchers .,and I’m hooked on true crime .

    Love Mr. King.
    My favourite is Cujo

    The one gift I will Always love

    In my opinion Michael Hovey is talking a load of rubbish. Youre not a Stephen King fan if you believe the list of books he gave are uninteresting. I’ve yet to read one of the geniuses books that I’m not hooked on immediately.

    I have every book on this list except 2. I have to say that a few of my favourites are definitely Desperation and
    Needful Things. Stephen king IS the master of horror..
    Long time fan and slways will be!

    I have many Stephen King books in my bookcase. I have read them all more than once. Every year for Christmas my husband gets me another Stephen King book because he knows that is the one gift that I will not return. LOL
    I have yet to find one that does not hold my attention. Love his work.

    A friend of mine gave me Pet Cemetery to read in my early 20’s, I’m 60 now and still can’t get enough Stephen King in my life, still reading and collecting everything he writes, it’s like he’s a friend that when you need to forget what’s going on around you, you can always grab one of his books and immediately relax and escape for a while

    The first King book I read was Misery. My favourite is Tommyknockers. So rich with twinges of self-indulgent humour. How he must giggle to himself by times.

    I starter with Salem Lot and have been hooked for years. The Dark Tower Series was the best series of books I’ve ever read. I hate to complain about Mr Kings later books..I thought that the rushed feel of them was not fair to his long time fans.

    My first King book, like many others, was Carrie and then continued on until it hit some repetition. It is very difficult to come up with all those different angles, different characters, different plots and not reference on some other places, peoples, or things in plots or subplots. The Stand is, by far, my favorite, and I went on reading up until Geralds Game, including his novella books. There are many great authors, and without any doubts, King is among them.

    In my opinion some of his stuff like salem’s lot the shining IT the stand liseys story revival and duma key just aren’t very good or interesting enough to read all the way through, but the vast majority of his books are well worth reading. For me the complete eight book series of the dark tower is the greatest work of fiction there ever will be, only being surpassed by the complete works of Shakespeare and the original version of the pilgrim’s progress. Other stories of his that I absolutely adore are Carrie the dead zone firestarter cujo creepshow cycle of the werewolf needful things insomnia rose madder hearts in Atlantis everything’s eventual four past midnight if it bleeds elevation the institute misery the eyes of the dragon different seasons and the vastly underrated ghost brothers of darkland county. All in all Stephen King is easily my favorite author besides Shakespeare and God himself.

    I love stephen king. My first read was pet sematary and have been a fan ever since. I’ve got over half of all his books and I’m working on getting the rest of the collection. There will never be another writer like him.

    I adore Stephen King’s novels. Started as a teenager with Carrie and continued reading his books until I got to Desperation. That book scared me so bad I vowed never to read another King book again – and I didn’t for years. But you can’t keep great writing from pulling at one’s heart strings and so I finally started reading King novels again. I read other types of books as well. But reading King books is like eating dessert. When I want sheer pleasure I picked one up and let the story touch my palette in a way no other writer can. My personal favorites (for their unique writing format and intricacy of story structure) are Lisey’s Story and Song Of Susannah. But just about everything he’s written has blown me away.

    I’ve been hooked since I was about 12. I think my 1st book was Carrie. I remember getting in trouble with my mom for taking her copy of IT to school. I couldn’t find a stopping point so it got confiscated by the teacher. There are quite a few titles not on the list. My goal is to read them all!

    Stephen King is the reason I started reading scary novels. The first novel I had ever read was Cujo. I am a animal lover and for him to make the St. Bernard a vicious animal was the most best thing. Ever since I have loved his writing. I love collecting his novels. Thank u for being a great Author and please don’t stop writing. Thank u.

    I have long been a reader of Stephen King. The first Stephen King book I ever read was Christine when I was around 11 or 12. I was always fond of the old Chevy cars. To imagine one that could not only repair itself but “solve” your problems for you was fantastic. I have since read almost every book he has written, except for a few that I could not find in the shops. I have two daughters now that are reading all my King books. I still have most of them, some have been misplaced through many moves around the country. I recommend Stephen King to anybody who enjoys a book you can’t put down.

    Oh gosh, started with Carrie and Salem’s lot. In my teens I think. Still requesting a new Stephen King Hardback every year for Christmas. FAVORITE AUTHOR ever.

    One of my all time favorite authors. Thos list is missing a couple of titles Different Seasons which was a collection of 4 different novellas which included the The Body which was retitled Stand By Me in the movie version. Also missing is Night Shift which was a collection of some of the scariest short stories ever written. I think there may a few other collection of short stories missing as well . Amazing career this man has had.

    There is no other author in my life but Stephen King. He is very talented and a great writer. When ‘Thinner’ was released, I recognized early on that
    the author was Stephen King and got into a heated argument with my sister, who insisted that I read this book by Richard Bachman. When I am reading Stephen King writings, I feel that I know each character as being real people. That is how involved I get with his characters. Would love to see my name as a character in one of his future writings…just dreaming.

    My first book was Misery. I can’t put one book as my favorite because there are too many to choose from! Which is a good thing. When I want a break from reality I think of The Green Mile and Pet Sematary because I have lost several family members, it would be nice for them to have been healed of their illness or brought back to spend more time with them. For this I thank you Stephen King and I would enjoy a chance to meet you one day.

    Found Stephen King only a few months ago. If there’s one problem I’ve had with King it is simply that I haven’t been able to put him down. Constantly finding new times to read.

    I first read The Shining when I was 15, that was 40 years ago and King is still my favourite author. My all time favourites are Talisman and the Tommyknockers.

    I started reading King when I was about 12/13, read Carrie, Christine, Salems Lot, Cujo, The Stand, The Shining, Pet Cemetery, Thinner and The Dead Zone. Great memories reading them in my teens along with James Herbert and Koontz, was really hooked on horror novels. At the age of 16/17 I started reading It and realised I found them childish, don’t shoot me! But that’s how I feel about King, great for a certain period in your life but I found it short lived and moved away from horror on to other genres as well as biographies and history books. If you’ve found him continually entertaining for your whole life that’s great, but for me it was part of my childhood.

    I was introduced to Mr King at the age of 11 when I found a copy of Pet Sematary, and have been hooked ever since

    I’ve been a Constant Reader since Carrie. I look forward to every new book that comes out – I begin each one with anticipation and finish it with sadness because it means I have to wait for the next one. Christine is and I think always will be my favorite- I have read it at least 5 times. There is just something about that story.
    For my own selfish pleasure I want Mr. King to live forever! If he doesn’t, well I hope someone buries him in the Pet Sematary.

    I love his work
    I didn’t read them in order but I love them. sometimes I would have to take a break because it was so gruesome and in detail but I’ve learned to love it. If you haven’t read at least one of his books then let me ask

    WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?!

    Yes, I too am a true Stephen King fan! Started with Carrie and never stopped dancing. Regardless of the content, I struggled with a couple but they were so well written that there was never a question of not finishing. Even as the absolutely unbelievable became believable in my head! The Dark Tower and The Stand remain my absolute favorites.

    Been a fan since 1975 when I found a copy of Carrie in a garbage dumpster. There was a book mark on page 26. I remember thinking that 26 pages wasn’t much of a chance, so I snagged it and thought it was awesome.

    A great writer, and as we new Englanders say, a hell of a good guy.

    I’ve read them all.. starting with carrie. I love his character development. I feel like I’m part of the story. I’m not always happy how it ends but then again tha try s life. It never turns out how you predicted, does it?

    I’ve read everything that King has written, including his nonfiction works. Not exactly all of them. The few newer ones, the ones after End of Watch, I haven’t had the pleasure. Yet. For the most part, I’ve loved every one of his books. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule. So, there a couple that aren’t on the top of my list, but no matter what, I always finish what I’m reading. Whether I’m enjoying it or not. Anyway, I’m REALLY looking forward to getting my hands on the ones that I haven’t read.

    I’ve grown up with Stephen King and even had my photo taken outside his giant house, in the days when stalking was legal. From the terrifying early novels of Carrie and Salems Lot right up to End of Watch. Obviously there has been highs and lows but each book holds its own joys and memories. He sells his books in ridiculous quantities and it’s only right that he’s been honoured. In fifty years from now, they’ll be teaching Stephen King in English classrooms the way they do with Shakespeare and Steinbeck.

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