Stephen King- where should I start

I’m currently reading Duma Key and then have Dr Sleep lined up for afterwards.

I’ve picked up Carrie and Pet Sematary from my library today

Loved:

The Stand
Insomnia
Rose Madder
Misery
Carrie
IT

The Stand and IT are my favourites. Cujo and Pet semetary I didn't before I had kids but find them harrowing now. I saw "Eyes of the dragon" mentioned up thread which I love and is quite different to his other work (but has subtle links to some of his others)

I liked Liseys story right up to the ending, wasnt too happy about it.
Same with 'Revival' got carried along at a great pace then a dissapointing 'afterlife'.

Loved From a Buik 8 and The Tommyknockers

Duma Key is my favourite King - it is a little scary in places but is mostly a fascinating story about the power of the mind and recovery from serious head injury - which King experienced IRL. The Shining is proper terrifying but brilliant and Doctor Sleep is a really good follow-up - also a very detailed exposition of what being an alcoholic is like, again taken from life as SK has experienced addiction.

Lisey's Story divides people - I like it a lot, it explores the intermingling of madness and reality in a fascinating way. As in fact does Rose Madder, which I would also recommend. It is disturbing in places, but King understands domestic violence and the trauma it leaves behind.

He's written some turkeys too - From a Buick 8 is awful, as is the Tommyknockers - but for the most part he is great.

For a straight up ghost story I can't recommend Bag of Bones highly enough.

I was going to suggest the shining, he has written a sequel called Dr Sleep.

I find some SK just draws me in and I can't put the book down, otters - well I get fed up after a couple of chapters so if you don't like one don't think you wouldn't like another.

Perfect sense 😁

I noticed a magazine in W.H.Smiths today all about SKs books that have been turned into films, the themes, ideas behind them etc. Just in case you were interested.

Pet Sematary would be my first pick.

I read 'It' in 2 nights as a teen. Finished it 3am the 2nd night! Couldn't put it down so make sure you have time when you start it. Same for 'The Stand'😀

Shameless place marking for ideas for DD.

I've not read many of his but The Stand is one of the best books I've read. I had the full version, apparently he was persuaded to cut a thousand pages from the first publication but then published the full version later.

P.s. I have had The Dark Tower set for years and never got around to reading them. Am halfway through 2nd book now, loving them, once I start reading I don't want to stop but life keeps getting in the way 😀

Any of his earlier collections is a good start.
The girl who loved Tom Gordon is good.
The Stand is amazing.
Joy Land is also not full on horror more people centred.
Insomnia is quirky and a novel idea.
Hearts in Atlantis is another non full on horror.
Desperation is unusual too.

Hell pick a book any book 😀😀

Eye of the Dragon is a good place to start

11.22.63 is a really good read. I've just this week finished Mr Mercedes, a crime story rather than a horror but I couldn't put it down.

I've been reading his books for nearly 40 years now, my older sister started me on them by lending Carrie to me when I was 10.

Thank you for this thread!!

I never read Stephen King before I'm halfway through one MumBod mentioned The Dark Half its quite long but quite good! I have another lined up Gerald's Game I don't know if that had been mentioned?
Following now with interest

The Shining is terrifying

I read it after I'd seen the film at least twice and it was much more scary (I had to keep putting it down and collect myself before carrying on )

First one of his I read was Pet Semetary when I was 14. I didn't find it particularly scary but rereading recently as a parent now is awful emotionally wise.

Insomnia
Needful Things
Carrie

Then The shining

I'd start with Carrie. It was his first novel. Apparently he chucked it in a waste bin and his wife found it and started reading it and made him continue with it because she thought it was so good. It launched his career.

Sorry to but in on a book thread, but have you SK fans seen his part in Son's Of Anarchy?

He was an incredibly laid back bloke who made his living from making bodies dissappear.

He was creepy and funny and totally aloof. It was brilliant!

I agree about Dolores Claiborne being a good one to start if you dont want to jump into the scary ones straightaway. Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is also ace. Insomnia is one of my favourites now but I found it hard to get into at first so I wouldn't recommend starting with that. Misery is a good scary-but-not-horror one too.

Once you're ready for the more traditional horror ones I'd go for IT (my very fave), The Shining and Desperation.

I loved Bag of Bones and Needful Things too.

Oh and follow him on Twitter - he's quite funny and posts lots of pictures of his dog

I have just bought off eBay IT, Carrie and Salems Lot.....my dd will be thrilled as she loves Carrie.
My collection is slowly rebuilding