10 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, 10 of Stephen King’s best-selling books are as follows:

1
It

It

Stephen King

1986

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

2
The Shining

The Shining

Stephen King

1977

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

3
Carrie

Carrie

Stephen King

1974

A young girl with telekinetic powers takes brutal revenge on her classmates after a cruel prank pushes her over the edge.

4
The Stand

The Stand

Stephen King

1978

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

5
Misery

Misery

Stephen King

1987

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

6
Pet Sematary

Pet Sematary

Stephen King

1983

A family is confronted with the horrifying consequences of bringing back the dead after burying their cat in a mysterious cemetery.

7
Salem’s Lot

Salem’s Lot

Stephen King

1975

A vampire novel set in a small town, where a writer returns to find that evil is slowly taking over.

8
11/22/63

11/22/63

Stephen King

2011

A high school teacher travels back in time to prevent the assassination of JFK, with unexpected and tragic consequences.

9
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger

Stephen King

1982

The first book in King's epic Dark Tower series that blends fantasy, horror, and western elements in a quest to find the mysterious Dark Tower.

10
Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep

Stephen King

2013

A sequel to The Shining, following the now-adult Danny Torrance as he battles a new supernatural evil that preys on children.

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.

Sources:

  1. Stephen King’s Best Books: A Guide – nytimes.com
  2. Best of Stephen King – goodreads.com
  3. Stephen King Statistics – wordsrated.com
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