5 Best Stephen King Books

In a career spanning over 40 years, master of the thriller genre Stephen King has written more than 60 novels, with sales exceeding 400 million copies. Whether you’re a big fan of Stephen King or just getting started in the realms of King’s universe, this list serves as your guide to the best Stephen King books.

It’s important to note that “best” or “best-selling” rankings can change over time, and new works may have been published since then. As of 2024, 5 of Stephen King’s best-selling books are as follows:

1. The Stand (1978)

Stephen King Books in Order 1

King’s “The Stand” follows a deadly pandemic wipes out most of humanity, leading to a showdown between good and evil survivors.

2. It (1986)

Stephen King Books in Order 2

“It” is about a group of childhood friends who confront a shape-shifting entity terrorizing their town.

3. The Shining (1977)

Stephen King Books in Order 3

“The Shining” is a psychological horror novel about a family’s terrifying experiences at an isolated hotel haunted by sinister forces.

4. Misery (1987)

Stephen King Books in Order 4

“Misery” is about an author held captive by his psychotic fan after a car accident.

5. ’Salem’s Lot (1975)

Stephen King Books in Order 5

“‘Salem’s Lot” is about a writer who discovers a small town plagued by vampires.

About Stephen King

Stephen King is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy novels, as well as short stories. He was born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine. King is one of the most prolific and widely read authors of contemporary fiction, with over 400 million copies of his books sold worldwide.

His works often explore the darker aspects of human nature and frequently incorporate elements of the supernatural. Some of his most famous novels include “Carrie” (1974), “The Shining” (1977), “It” (1986), “Misery” (1987), and “The Stand” (1978). Many of his novels have been adapted into films, television series, and miniseries.

King’s writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions, engaging storytelling, and well-developed characters. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to literature, including the Bram Stoker Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Aside from his novels, King has also written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman and has published non-fiction works, such as “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” (2000), which offers insights into his life and writing process.

The Complete List of All Stephen King Books in Order of Publication

All Stephen King books, from book series to standalone novels, non-fiction books, and short stories, are listed below.

Standalone Books in Order

Here you can find King’s standalone books in order of publication:

  1. Carrie (1974)
  2. ‘Salem’s Lot (1975)
  3. The Stand (1978)
  4. The Dead Zone (1979)
  5. The Mist (1980)
  6. Firestarter (1980)
  7. Cujo (1981)
  8. Christine (1983)
  9. Pet Sematary (1983)
  10. Cycle of the Werewolf (1983)
  11. IT (1986)
  12. The Eyes of the Dragon (1987)
  13. Misery (1987)
  14. The Tommyknockers (1987)
  15. The Dark Half (1989)
  16. Needful Things (1991)
  17. Gerald’s Game (1992)
  18. Dolores Claiborne (1992)
  19. Insomnia (1994)
  20. Rose Madder (1995)
  21. The Green Mile (1996)
  22. Desperation (1996)
  23. Bag of Bones (1998)
  24. Storm of the Century (1999) (Original Screenplay)
  25. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999)
  26. Dreamcatcher (2001)
  27. From A Buick 8 (2002)
  28. The Colorado Kid (2005)
  29. Cell (2006)
  30. Lisey’s Story (2006)
  31. Duma Key (2008)
  32. Under the Dome (2009)
  33. 11/22/63 (2011)
  34. Joyland (2013)
  35. Revival (2014)
  36. Sleeping Beauties (2017)
  37. The Outsider (2018)
  38. Elevation (2018)
  39. The Institute (2019)
  40. Later (2021)
  41. Billy Summers (2021)
  42. Fairy Tale (2022)
  43. Holly (2023)

Book Series in Order

Here you can find King’s book series in order of publication:

The Shining Books

  1. The Shining (1977)
  2. Doctor Sleep (2013)

Dark Tower Books

  1. The Gunslinger (1982)
  2. The Drawing of the Three (1987)
  3. The Waste Lands (1991)
  4. Wizard and Glass (1997)
  5. Wolves of the Calla (2003)
  6. Song of Susannah (2004)
  7. The Dark Tower (2004)
  8. The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012)

Talisman Books

  1. The Talisman (1984)
  2. Black House (2001)

Bill Hodges Books

  1. Mr. Mercedes (2014)
  2. Finders Keepers (2015)
  3. End of Watch (2016)

Gwendy’s Button Box

  1. Gwendy’s Button Box (2017) (Novella)
  2. Gwendy’s Magic Feather (2020)
  3. Gwendy’s Final Task (2022)

Non-Fiction Books in Order

Here you can find King’s non-fiction books in order of publication:

  1. Danse Macabre (1981)
  2. Nightmares in the Sky (1988)
  3. Mid-Life Confidential (1994)
  4. On Writing (2000)
  5. Faithful (2004)
  6. Hard Listening: The Greatest Rock Band Ever (of Authors) Tells All (2013)
  7. Hearts in Suspension (2016)

Short Stories in Order

Here you can find King’s short stories in order of publication:

  1. Battleground (1977)
  2. The Boogeyman (1977)
  3. Children of the Corn (1977)
  4. Graveyard shift (1977)
  5. Grey Matter (1977)
  6. I Am the Doorway (1977)
  7. I Know What You Need (1977)
  8. Jerusalem’s Lot (1977)
  9. The Last Rung on the Ladder (1977)
  10. The Lawnmower Man (1977)
  11. The Ledge (1977)
  12. The Man Who Loved Flowers (1977)
  13. The Mangler (1977)
  14. Night Surf (1977)
  15. One for the Road (1977)
  16. Quitters Inc. (1977)
  17. Sometimes They Come Back (1977)
  18. Strawberry Spring (1977)
  19. Trucks (1977)
  20. The Woman in the Room (1977)
  21. The Night of the Tiger (1978)
  22. The Crate (1980)
  23. The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet (1985)
  24. Beachworld (1985)
  25. Big Wheels: A Tale of the Laundry Game (Milkman #2) (1985)
  26. Cain Rose Up (1985)
  27. Gramma (1985)
  28. Here There Be Tygers (1985)
  29. The Jaunt (1985)
  30. The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands (1985)
  31. The Monkey (1985)
  32. Morning Deliveries (Milkman #1) (1985)
  33. Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut (1985)
  34. Nona (1985)
  35. The Raft (1985)
  36. The Reach (1985)
  37. The Reaper’s Image (1985)
  38. Survivor Type (1985)
  39. Uncle Otto’s Truck (1985)
  40. The Wedding Gig (1985)
  41. Word Processor of the Gods (1985)
  42. The Reploids (1987)
  43. The Revelations of ‘Becka Paulson (1990)
  44. Chattery Teeth (1993)
  45. Crouch End (1993)
  46. Dedication (1993)
  47. The Doctor’s Case (1993)
  48. Dolan’s Cadillac (1993)
  49. The End of the Whole Mess (1993)
  50. The Fifth Quarter (1993)
  51. Home Delivery (1993)
  52. The House on Maple Street (1993)
  53. It Grows on You (1993)
  54. The Moving Finger (1993)
  55. My Pretty Pony (1993)
  56. The Night Flier (1993)
  57. Popsy (1993)
  58. Rainy Season (1993)
  59. Sneakers (1993)
  60. Suffer the Little Children (1993)
  61. The Ten O’Clock People (1993)
  62. Umney’s Last Case (1993)
  63. You Know They Got a Hell of a Band (1993)
  64. Rush Call (1999)
  65. 1402 (2002)
  66. All That You Love Will Be Carried Away (2002)
  67. Autopsy Room Four (2002)
  68. The Death of Jack Hamilton (2002)
  69. Everything’s Eventual (2002)
  70. In the Deathroom (2002)
  71. L.T.’s Theory of Pets (2002)
  72. The Little Sisters of Eluria (2002)
  73. Luckey Quarter (2002)
  74. Lunch at the Gotham Café (2002)
  75. The Man in the Black Suit (2002)
  76. Riding the Bullet (2002)
  77. The Road Virus Heads North (2002)
  78. That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is in French (2002)
  79. The Tale of Gray Dick (2003)
  80. Ayana (2008)
  81. The Cat from Hell (2008)
  82. The Gingerbread Girl (2008)
  83. Graduation Afternoon (2008)
  84. Harvey’s Dream (2008)
  85. Mute (2008)
  86. N. (2008)
  87. The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates (2008)
  88. Rest Stop (2008)
  89. Stationary Bike (2008)
  90. The Things They Left Behind (2008)
  91. Willa (2008)
  92. Throttle (2009)
  93. 1922 (2010)
  94. A Good Marriage (2010)
  95. Big Driver (2010)
  96. Fair Extension (2010)
  97. Weeds (2014)
  98. Bad Little Kid (2015)
  99. Batman and Robin Have an Altercation (2015)
  100. Drunken Fireworks (2015)
  101. The Dune (2015)
  102. Herman Wouk is Still Alive (2015)
  103. Little Green God of Agony (2015)
  104. Mile 81 (2015)
  105. Mister Yummy (2015)
  106. Morality (2015)
  107. Obits (2015)
  108. Premium Harmony (2015)
  109. Summer Thunder (2015)
  110. Under the Weather (2015)
  111. The Music Room (2016)
  112. The Blue Air Compressor (2018)
  113. The Turbulence (2018)

Collections in Order

Here you can find King’s short story collections in order of publication:

  1. Night Shift (1978)
  2. Different Seasons (1982)
  3. Skeleton Crew (1985)
  4. Four Past Midnight (1990)
  5. Nightmares and Dreamscapes (1993)
  6. Hearts in Atlantis (1999)
  7. Everything’s Eventual: 14 Dark Tales (2002)
  8. The Secretary of Dreams, Vol. 1 (2006)
  9. Just After Sunset (2008)
  10. Stephen King Goes to the Movies (2009)
  11. Full Dark, No Stars (2010)
  12. The Secretary of Dreams, Vol. 2 (2010)
  13. The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015)
  14. If It Bleeds (2020)
  15. You Like It Darker (2024)
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