Recently, I came across an interesting video on YouTube (and I am sure there are many like this) that ranked all of Stephen King’s books. Currently, he lists 77 books (has me beat by quite a few!).
Now I knew I had read many of them, but I never counted or determined exactly how many. After reading Never Flinch, I discovered that I am up to 42 of his books. Almost everything he wrote in the 80s I collected. Without a doubt, I am the writer that I am today due to his writing and influence. I know many of the other indie writers that I network with feel the same.
He is not perfect, of course. But, yes, I do have a list of my favorites, a list of so-so novels, and the ones I will never put on my bookshelf. I realize some of my lists will surprise you or even upset you, but keep in mind, we all have unique tastes and expectations. I will not agree with all of your favorites, and you will not with mine. Some of these books I read many years ago, so it gets listed based on the general impression I remember of the book.
Also note, I put three *** next to titles and links for those I have written actual book reviews and gave in-depth opinions and blogged on here about them. Feel free to enjoy those as well!
I will start with my least favorite Stephen King book of all time: The Tommyknockers. This was an alien invasion story that went off the rails for me, and I really struggled with it. I do not have a long list of DNF (Did Not Finish) books, and unfortunately, King does have a couple on there.
Here is the rest of the LEAST FAVORITES (From Worst to Not Good)
- The Tommyknockers (1987)
- The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982)
- The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987)
- Under the Dome (2009)
- Desperation (1996)
- Thinner (1984) – as Richard Bachman
- Carrie (1974)
Here is my next list of books that I found entertaining, but they did not reach the same level as the top 25 favorites. Again, some of these are well-known but old, and I cannot recall much about them, so that means I was not overall swept away by them.
The So-Sos
- The Regulators (1996) – as Richard Bachman
- Black House (2001) – co-written with Peter Straub
- Night Shift (1978)
- Firestarter (1980
- Never Flinch (2025) ***
- Cujo (1981)
- You Like It Darker (2024) ***
- ‘Salem’s Lot (1975)
- If It Bleeds (2020)
- Finders Keepers (2015)
And finally… (insert drumroll)… here is
My Top 25 FAVORITE King novels (in rank order):
24 Needful Things (1991)
23 The Institute (2019)
22 End of Watch (2016)
21 Christine (1983)
20 Cycle of the Werewolf (1983)
19 The Dark Half (1989)
18 11/22/63 (2011)
17 Misery (1987)
14 The Talisman (1984) – co-written with Peter Straub
12 Doctor Sleep (2013)
11 Four Past Midnight (1990)
10 Skeleton Crew (1985 – The Mist)
9 The Eyes of the Dragon (1987) ***
8 The Dead Zone (1979)
7 Different Seasons (1982)—Rita Hayworth & The Shawshank Redemption
6 The Green Mile (1996)
5 It (1986)
4 The Stand (1978)
3 The Shining (1977)
2 Mr. Mercedes (2014)
Well, that was fun for me going down memory lane. Hope you enjoyed this too.