I just read The Shining in two days,

[ScribblyGum]

and bloody hell I absolutely loved it.

I really don’t like horror but this was just what I needed. Started reading yesterday morning and haven’t really done anything else apart from sleep, eat, and go to the loo.

It’s been AGES since I’ve been sucked into a book like that.

Bravo Mr King you genius you.

The Stand is absolutely epic - love it.

However, one of my favourites which always seems to get a drubbing is Insomnia. It's not scary in the way The Shining is, its actually quite a gentle tale but really sucked me in the first time I read it and found it fascinating!

But if you've not read it, The Stand should definitely be your next choice!!

The Black Tower series us a must. So completely different to anything i have ever read before. I didn't want them to end.

I found Pet Sematary really disappointing but might try The Stand or The Shining after this thread.

The Shining is a brilliant book. The film is good too. It's extremely atmospheric.

@SanFranBear I agree with you on Insomnia - such an underated book

I love From a Buick 8. Just great story telling.

Another vote for Insomnia and From a Buick 8.
Just great storytelling.

Love The Stand, but Duma Key is a cracking book from his more recent oeuvre.

I read The Shining at the beginning of lockdown while facing a long time in isolation with my DH and DS...
I was actually really disappointed! I didn't think it was that scary (apart from the bit with the man dressed as the dog in the corridor...gave me the heeby jeebies) and I thought the characters were really poor, well Wendy and Danny mainly.
I've listened to bits of 11.22.63 and The Dark Tower series as my DH has them on audiobook and I thought they were great and really interesting. I genuinely thought I'd love King so not sure where to go! Would happily give him another chance. I've never seen The Shining film either so not influenced by that. I tried finding other reviews that didn't think it was that great online and nada! Just some people who thought the film was better. Glad you enjoyed it and despite not thinking it was that great I was glad to read it in a sunny garden not a snowy hotel...

I love Stephen Kings earlier works. The Shining scared the bejesus out of me when I first read it at 15. I'd really recommend Firestater, Salems Lot & Misery

Duma Key is indeed amazing!

Enjoy Dr Sleep op! I was dubious when a sequel was released but I ended up loving it just as much as the shining.

I've been majorly spooked out by a great many of Kings books but I think I the creepiest is Bag of bones. That book actually gave me sleepless nights. It's an excellent book!

I miss reading scary stories like this. I've read all stephen Kings books and while I do re-read some of them, there's nothing like the first read.
I recently read The institute. It was very good. Quite similar to his older writing style but it wasn't particularly scary.

Oh gosh yes! Duma Key is pretty perfect. A really cracking story with plenty of creep factor.
Ahhh I need to find a new spooky read!

I love King. Have read so many of his, I especially love his older work - Cujo, Dead Zone, Firestarter, Christine, The Stand, Pet Sematary.

Haven’t read Dr Sleep. Might download that on my kindle!

I also love his short stories as well as some of his Bachman books. The Long Walk is just outstanding.

Night Shift, Different Seasons, Nightmares and Dreamscapes, Four Past Midnight. He is just a craftsman with words.

The Shining is brilliant, along with Carrie, Pet Sematary, Cujo, The Stand, 11.22.63, Misery, Joyland, Gerald's Game, Firestarter and Duma Key. I particularly enjoy Insomnia, Needful Things and The Green Mile (that was sold in six parts originally and I had to wait and wait for the next one!). The Institute was good too. I've been reading King for 33 years and can't wait to get my hands on If It Bleeds. Enjoy Dr. Sleep, it's a good read.

Ohh! I've start the Shining today!

Enjoyed the Stand many years ago but it's a hard slog! Absolutely loved 11.22.63 have read it twice.

Cell is on tv just now. Hortor channel.

His short stories and his books on writing are good too. He doesnt sugar coat his early struggles.

The Green mile and Misery are my favourites and also loved 11.22.63 and mr Mercedes.

The Stand is my absolute favourite book. Might reread it after my current book :)

I struggle with his short stories. Not because they aren't fabulous but because they're short!
When I sit down to a Stephen King book I want a big, all consuming brick of a book!

@lairyhegs I've just had 'If bleeds' delivered, can't wait to start it!

@UpToonGirl I hope so! I just took this off the IMDB Q&A page -

"Filming of The Stand has completed and post-production finished in March 2020.

CBS All Access plan to make it available for streaming later in 2020 but I don't know if the Coronavirus pandemic will affect the release schedule."

I suspect we'll see it sometime in the autumn.

Oh I forgot about Cell! That book really freaked me out, I absolutely loved. I was so excited when I found out there was going to be be a film but when I watched it it was as if they took the name of the book and a very slight idea of what it was about then made the rest up! I was so disappointed.

I love Dr Sleep but the BB upset me more than anything I’ve ever read.

Love the Stand but the miniseries was HORRIBLE. Awful acting (Molly Ringwald was DIRE and with her bad black bob wig looked nothing like Frannie who had long chestnut hair). However I thought Jamey Sheridan was an excellent Flagg!

Would love to see a decent remake.