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Original poster

I’m going to read all of Stephen King’s books, in order

52 replies

Cheesymonster · 20/07/2019 09:33

Wonder how long it’ll take me Grin

My mum got me into Stephen King when I was a teenager but I only read The Shining, Pet Sematary, IT, Misery and Carrie, in fact I have reread those ones dozens of times over. Oh and Nightmares and Dreamscapes. I have tried The Stand but can’t get into it! So now I’m determined to start from the beginning and read everything he’s written. So far I’ve read Carrie and am now about 30% through Salem’s Lot.

Just curious if anyone else has done this and which is your favourite? Any you gave up on?

OP posts:
HenSolo · 21/07/2019 09:18

Oh The Long Walk is wonderful. Believe there’s a film adaptation in the works at the moment.

MiddleOfTheRoad I quite enjoyed Under the Dome, although not one of his most unique novels, more a sort of comfortingly King-esque setting and cast of characters Smile

pleasehelpmewithmydilemma · 21/07/2019 09:18

@Eminybob I actually suggested Forest Whitaker for the character of John Coffey. But Michael Clarke Duncan was a genius choice and I think perfect.

We actually went to watch it at the cinema. My DH knew nothing about the story or plot line. The film actually ‘broke’ just after John Coffey has been executed. Most of the cinema patrons thought ‘oh well’ and left. My DH wanted to leave too but I told him it wasn’t the end.
When he saw the twist, his face was a picture Smile

TopBitchoftheWitches · 21/07/2019 09:20

Lifelong fan here. Currently reading the stand again, although it has taken me months as I read little bits when waiting at school pick up time.

Not sure which will be next but I have most of his books on my bookcase.

Original poster
Cheesymonster · 21/07/2019 09:45

I did have a lot of his paperbacks but gave them away when I kept moving house at one point, it wasn't practical to keep them. I'm now buying them one by one for my kindle.

I've been inspired to do this by a podcast by a man discussing each book (and film) week by week in order, I think it's called the Stephen Kingcast.

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Atlasta · 21/07/2019 10:33

Any thoughts on Liseys story? I found it in a charity shop and had totally not known about it. I read first little bit but can't get into it at all.

BeverlyGoldberg · 21/07/2019 10:36

Which is the one that makes people who read it scared when other people sneeze?

SleepingStandingUp · 21/07/2019 10:44

I love this idea, I don't have them all, but have a decent collection of SK and Koontz books which I really need to work through. Currently reading one of Sk's new ones.
Loved the Dark Tower.

Love Koontz but he can get a bit formulaic. I kid with SN, a dog with special powers, a dark power, a love the conquers.

Rwally enjoyed Sleeping Beauties as one of SK's newer ones

OldGrinch · 21/07/2019 10:53

Massive SK fan here, I am currently reading and re-reading. I can't believe that no one has mentioned The Shining, it's the best one imo Grin

MiddleOfTheRoad · 21/07/2019 12:27

Thanks hen I might give it a try.

FranKatzenjammer · 21/07/2019 13:12

I am reading Cujo at the moment and I'm enjoying it- it's not one that is mentioned very often. I'm planning to read The Shining soon, and recently I read Misery and thought it was very good.

HenSolo · 21/07/2019 14:05

@OldGrinch how did I forget The Shining? I love The Shining!!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/07/2019 15:46

The Shining is great. I hate the film though.

Is it time for another picture of my Stephen King cupboard?

I’m going to read all of Stephen King’s books, in order
cdtaylornats · 21/07/2019 15:57

Unless you already have the books it might be worth getting Amazon Prime or Kindle Unlimited so you can read some for free.

BigRedBoat · 21/07/2019 15:59

The stand is my favourite book! I would recommend 11.22.63, the dead zone and Carrie. His short stories are really good as well. Under the dome is mostly good but I wasn't so keen on the ending.

Original poster
Cheesymonster · 21/07/2019 17:06

Love that Remus. What did you think of The Outsider?

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/07/2019 17:26

Cheesey - This was my review of The Outsider:
The Outsider – Stephen King
Middling King, rather than amazing King (It, The Stand, The Dark Tower) or crappy King (Needful Things, The Tommyknockers, that nonsense he just wrote with his son). The first third or so is a bit slow, then it picks up in the second half.

I found a couple of sections of it quite creepy, and I quite liked seeing Holly from the Bill Hodges books again, but it was all a bit ‘King by numbers’ and I didn’t find myself desperate to pick it up. Holly isn’t very well developed – it’s basically: “she’s a bit weird and kooky but we can’t help loving her, they all thought” and it was obvious from early on which characters were likely to be the ‘spares’ who would die.

So – better than no King, but not his best by any means.

NerrSnerr · 21/07/2019 17:35

I really enjoyed The Outsider and really enjoyed the Mr Mercedes trilogy. My favourites of all time are probably Pet Semetary, Bag of Bones and Duma Key. I did really enjoy Under the Dome too and the series on telly does not do it justice.

hammeringinmyhead · 21/07/2019 22:57

I finished Lisey's Story but she is a bit of a rambling protagonist and it's not particularly unique among his stories about troubled.writers!

Baldcrusader · 24/07/2019 19:31

May have to finally try the dark tower series again.
Under the dome is terrible.
Misery is good as well as is the film.
The running man so needs a remake but due to the ending I doubt it will happen.

Bonus points for the mist. Excellent read and the film is great too (the ending is just so dark).

Original poster
Cheesymonster · 25/07/2019 12:14

I’d forgotten I’d watched the TV show of the Mist recently. It’s one of his short stories isn’t it? Now about 60% through Salem’s Lot and really enjoying it.

I really must persevere with The Stand when I get to it. I gave up at 23% as I found it so hard going.

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StarlingsInSummer · 25/07/2019 21:05

I’ve read all of them - I started 30 yeas ago! I enjoyed The Outsider more than any of his other recent ones, including the Bill Hodges trilogy. Early King are the best.

Wakeupalready · 25/07/2019 21:15

What a great idea.
I've read them all, some more than once. It's interesting knowing the ones he wrote while off his head on coke - like Christine and Salem's lot , and the Dead Zone and a couple of others around that time.
He claims he doesn't recall writing Christine - and that plus the Stand and the Dead Zone are some of my favourites.
All in all, I think his earlier books were the best. Post his accident he seems to be dialling it in a bit sometimes, though 11/22/63 was more in the vein of his earlier work.

As an aside his son, Joe Hill has written a few crackers as well. Horns and Heart shaped box are particularly awesome.

timeforakinderworld · 26/07/2019 07:33

Just finished Pet Semetary and was a bit underwhelmed. Thought it would be scarier.

Daffodils07 · 26/07/2019 13:35

Cell, the stand and under the dome are my absolute favourites.
I really need to get back into reading his books.

perplexedagain · 26/07/2019 18:16

I read a lot of stephen king when I was a teenager and went back to him when 'doctor sleep' came out which I really enjoyed. So I re-read the Shining and IT, and then read 'The Bachman Books' which were amazing especially 'The long walk'. Am in the middle of Black house at the moment which is a re-read.
For me - the dark tower series was a bit disappointing. And I tried to re-read the Stand which I loved as a teenager but was left cold by as a proper grown-up

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