Stephen King

[Tiedie]

I'm reading his book "on Writing" but never read any of his other books.
Any recommendations on a not too scary King book? I don't really like horror books but I can do crime.
Thanks in advance

Different seasons. Collection of 4 stories, the first three are not 'scary'. They are all short stories as far as Stephen King goes, so not too heavy to tackle at once. The three non-scary ones were adapted into the films The Shawshank Redemption, Stand by Me and Apt Pupil. Also don't be put off by the 'horror' dimension, there are a number which have been adapted to horror films, but the books are far deeper and have much more interesting themes than their film counterparts (Carrie, Cujo for example).

The Green Mile is pretty good
Dolores Claiborne is different to his usual horror stuff

Dolores Claiborne yes.
Firestarter.
The long walk.
The stand
I agree - although some of his writing is scary, it is much deeper than you'd think if you saw the films. He writes great characters that you care about. Sometimes the endings can be a bit meh.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have a go! I think I saw one of his films ages ago, didn't like it and put him in a box. But then, reading his book on writing has made me curious. He clearly knows what he's talking about.

11.22.63 not at all scary

Under the Dome
11.22.63
The Dark Tower Series (7 books, once you start you'll read them in one sitting lol)

Mr Mercedes, Finders Keepers and End of Watch trilogy too

The Stand is my favourite book ever.

There's a whole thread on this hang on

here you go

Most of his most recent books are not too scary at all.

The Bill Hodges series is fantastic and more crime. the Stand is my favourite book - a masterpiece. And if you like fantasy fiction at all the Dark Tower series is outstanding. There are so many amazing King books out there - you're lucky to be starting from scratch!!!

Misery

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is fabulous and not scary, at least not in a typical horror-ish way.

I agree the Dark Tower books are amazing (I actually have a very small DT tattoo!!) but you definitely need to keep reading beyond the first one even if you're not keen on it as it really comes into its own as a series from the second book onwards.

Absolutely loved Mr Mercedes trilogy!! Well worth a read, you will fall in love with the King yet!

Try Joyland. Even got my mum reading that one!

I really like his writing, discovered through his book on writing, but can't do horror either...I'm just too much of a wuss.

I really enjoyed 11.22.63 about jfk and also the first two books in the mr mercedes trilogy which are straight crime, with good characters, the second one, finders keepers, has such a great set up for a story....the third one goes all telepathic and lost me completely.

I also read Salem's Lot recently and could not believe how good it is. I have no interest in vampires whatsoever, can't get past the silliness of them, but it is so brilliant. I particularly loved who survived and who didn't, and you could see how much popular culture owes to that book. I actually started it again when I finished it, and apart from Cormac McCarthay, I never do that.

Thank you! Decisions... Decisions...

The Tommyknockers is my absolute face - not horrendously scary, but it's about aliens.

I remember Lisey's Story being very good.

Not read 11.22.63 but the TV series was great.