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Original poster

Which lesser known / newer Stephen King books should I read next?

61 replies

2022HereWeCome · 28/03/2022 13:43

Ok I've read all the Stephen King classics - Salem's lot, Pet Cemetery, IT, the shining, Carrie, Misery etc (all great reads). Bachman books are fantastic - especially The Long Walk.

So I've just finished The Institute - not perfect by any means but much better than I anticipated and a real page turner. So what can I read now? I haven't read many of SK newer books and I'm sure there are some older lesser known ones that are worth a read.

Any ideas? I didn't enjoy the Dark Tower series - patchy and underwhelming. I tried to re-read the Stand a couple of years ago and failed miserably - found it boring. And 'Gwendy's Button Box' is best forgotten IMO.

OP posts:
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LoisChasse · 23/04/2022 20:45

All time favourite - The Green Mile. Mr.Mercedes trilogy excellent. The Girl who loved Tom Gordon is wonderful.
In fact I love them all (with the exception of Revival).

clarepetal · 23/04/2022 20:06

SausagePourHomme · 28/03/2022 13:56

22.11.63

Amazing

Yes!!!

pointythings · 18/04/2022 17:37

Duma Key is probably my favourite SK book. The portrayal of a man recovering from serious brain injury is very well done (because autobiographical).

Other favourites of mine are Dolores Claiborne, Bag of Bones, Insomnia and Rose Madder. I like most of his stuff except Dremcatcher and The Tommyknockers.

SOLINVICTUS · 17/04/2022 18:03

I hated HATED 11 22 63 with a passion.
Fucking hated it.

How can you plod through 85,000 (felt like) pages of build up and then, you know, the thing, the Really Important Central Thing, you cover in about 4 paragraphs.

Still, I agree with many on here saying they wish they could forget it. Me too. Grin

Theawkwardblonde · 08/04/2022 16:46

Needful Things is great. It's lengthy and I find it divides King fans. I thought it was brilliant. Takes a bit to get into as a lot of set up but once it gets going it's so fun to see how everything plays out.

Quite enjoyed Revival too. Not a very well known one at all but it's worth a read and one of his more recent books.

The Dark Half another good one that is often forgotten about as it was written under his pseudonym upon initial release.

Great to see recommendations from other King fans. ☺️

AppropriateAdult · 08/04/2022 16:46

Haven't read the full thread, but my favourites (outside of the ones you've already listed) are:

Bag of Bones
The Dead Zone
The Langoliers (novella, part of Four Past Midnight)
The Stand
Duma Key
11/22/63

Purpleavocado · 08/04/2022 16:39

I really like 11.22.63 on Audio, it's a great way to 'read' it. I like Billy Summers on Audio as well.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 08/04/2022 16:28

Needful Things and Gerald's Game are good. Currently reading Billy Summers which is also very good. I struggled with the Dark Tower series too but wanted to love it.

BustopherPonsonbyJones · 08/04/2022 16:24

@BobbinThreadbare123

11.22.63 Seconded, thirded, fourthed!
I agree. Does anyone know if the TV series is worth watching?

I liked The Institute too.

sunflowermadness · 05/04/2022 10:25

11.22.63!!!
Dolores Claiborne was great
Bag of bones
I like his short stories too

BattledoreAndShuttlecock · 05/04/2022 08:36

11.22.63
I've read a lot of King and for me it's his masterpiece.

chickensaresafehere · 05/04/2022 08:32

The Stand is one of my all time favourite books & Rose Madder is great.
I really loved Billy Summers,a definite page turner. Just read Revival,which I enjoyed but not on a par with some of his others.
Love his short story books too.

SydneyCarton · 05/04/2022 08:00

Another vote for his short stories; The Jaunt (from Skeleton Crew) is absolutely terrifying but the horror only hits you in the last few paragraphs. Amazing.

Herman Wouk Is Still Alive is heartbreaking, and A Good Marriage is great, although I think the film looks rubbish. His stuff doesn’t always translate well onto the screen.

NeverEverAnythingEver · 05/04/2022 07:45

I've not read any Stephen King but I stayed up all night last night to finish Billy Summers.

So so good.

Puppylucky · 02/04/2022 19:26

Yeah I agree - I think SK is really underrated as a "serious" author - he's really versatile as well as having such a great ability to create a sense of place.

Original poster
2022HereWeCome · 01/04/2022 14:21

What is really interesting is the breadth of stuff SK writes, and how everyone has different favourites.

OP posts:
TheNonsensePotter · 01/04/2022 13:15

Another vote for Rose Madder. I've been reading Stephen King since I was a teen but only read it recently- wish I'd read it sooner it was fantastic.

Full Dark, No Stars is one of my absolute favourites.

StellaAndCrow · 01/04/2022 13:05

I loved Duma Key, great storytelling, scary in a good way.

Gonnagetgoing · 01/04/2022 11:08

Nightmares and Dreamscapes - short stories.

Uptoongirl · 01/04/2022 11:00

Christine is one of my favourites, TommyKnockers is brilliant as is Bag of Bones. Love Dark Half and Needful things although make sure you read them in order.

The Dark Tower is also amazing, although the first book is the weakest if that's the one that put you off.

TBH if I was starting SK again I would just go through his list from the earliest published just missing out any that you have already read. I've found most of his recent work (Bill Hodges etc) not the same level as the earlier stuff - pre-accident and getting clean.

If you like the Institute I would suggest Firestarter. As pp's have said his short story collections are great.

NannyR · 01/04/2022 10:46

I really like his short story collections, Everything's Eventual, Skeleton Crew and Bazaar of bad dreams have all got some very clever stories in them. Duma key is really good and I also like The girl who loved Tom Gordon.

TheHumanSatsuma · 01/04/2022 10:43

@Sharrowgirl

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is great.
Was going ti recommend this. Loved it
iklboo · 01/04/2022 10:37

Thanks to everyone who recommended Duma Key. I downloaded it last night and while I've only read a few chapters so far it's really good.

UpendedPineapple · 31/03/2022 10:50

Green Mile is great, Cell was good too. But I couldn't stand Insomnia or Firestarter.

Peachy7 · 31/03/2022 10:23

@2022HereWeCome

Is Dolores Claiborne or Duma Key any good?
I loved both of these, Duma Key was my first SK read!