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What are the best Stephen King books for beginners? As a die-hard King fan for decades, I’ve had lots of people ask me this recently.

No surprise, really, since those who’ve asked are in fact newfound fans who caught the latest It remake. Well, I guess better late to the party than never at all!

In response, I’ve decided to create a list of what I think are the best Stephen King books to start with. I hope this will guide beginners in delving deeper into the horror maestro’s classic novels, turning them into long-time fans like me!

To be honest, it’s really hard to condense all of King’s works into a succinct best-of list. The man is just so prolific, it’s insane!

Thus, I’ll preface this by saying the books in this list are just my personal picks. They’re novels that I feel are good intros to King’s masterful style of storytelling. I’ve also excluded his short stories / novellas, focusing on only his full-length publications.

Now, let the horror begin!

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My list of best Stephen King books for beginners

The Dead Zone

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Knowing what you know now… if you could travel back in time to kill Hitler, would you? Even if no one knows of your heroism?

Stephen King’s The Dead Zone explores a similar moral conundrum. The plot follows Johnny Smith – a man who awakens from a five-year coma only to find that he can now look into people’s futures whenever he touches them.

Is this mysterious ability a gift, or a curse?

The story dramatically ramps up when he shakes the hand of shady politician Greg Stillson. Johnny is immediately hit by visions of an impending nuclear disaster, with Stillson as the Presidential culprit. What follows next is a high-stakes thrill ride that’ll keep your pages turning!

The Dead Zone was adapted into both a movie and TV series, each fairly well-received. But, as is often the case, I find King’s original novel to be far superior, especially in his portrayals of Johnny’s internal dilemmas and Stillson’s despicable nature.

New readers looking for ghastly ghouls and ghosts will be disappointed by The Dead Zone, since none appear. However, what this book contains is a surprisingly heartfelt story of sacrifice and good vs. evil, told via rich characters and settings.

Is this King’s greatest ever work? Nope. But it is still easily one of the best Stephen King books for beginners to get into.

Most suited for: Those intrigued by King, but not yet ready to plunge headfirst into his full-blown horror stuff. Best read during an Election Year!

Misery

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Human beings are capable of being far scarier than supernatural monsters and spirits. Misery proves this!

The book’s setup is simple. Paul Sheldon, a best-selling author, gets into a terrible car accident during a vicious snowstorm. He’s soon discovered by Annie, who takes him in to nurse him back to heath… or so he thinks.

Unfortunately for Paul, Annie is also a rabid fan of his work – and she goes off the deep end at his decision to kill off her most beloved character, Misery.

She then holds Paul prisoner, coming up with psychotic ways to… ‘encourage’ him to finish his latest book in the way she wants.

For new readers, the novel is a great example of King’s powerful ability to weave big suspense from a small cast of characters, housed within a focused setting. The writing in Misery is crisp, punctuated by some truly gruesome scenes that’ll leave you wincing.

Annie is also one of the most iconic and diabolical villains that King has ever brought to life. She’s an emotionally complex lunatic who, at times, manages to stir feelings of sympathy, albeit only for a fleeting moment.

Overall, Misery holds a very special place in my heart. It’s actually the first Stephen King book I ever read!

Must suited for: Readers who enjoy straight-up classic psychological horror, without the fluff. Fans of the 1990 movie will also love this!

If you like Stephen King, check out our list of great Dean Koontz books to start with!

‘Salem’s Lot

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Before vampires were reduced to sparkly coming-of-age metaphors (cough, Twilight), there was ‘Salem’s Lot – a true homage to the classic lore.

The book follows Ben Mears, a writer who returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot… only to find it infested by thirsty vampires! As more people get turned, Ben embarks on a hunt to kill these powerful creatures and their supreme leader.

On one hand, King makes it a point to stay loyal to many expected vampire tropes (e.g. crucifixes, sunlight, etc.). However, he also builds from this traditional premise in original ways, using his characters and plot as analogues for small-town mentalities.

A followup to Carrie (his debut), King himself has called ‘Salem’s Lot one of his own favorite works. It’s easy to see why, since this supernatural horror-fest still holds up as one of the best Stephen King books up till today.

Most suited for: Patient readers who love slow-burn vampire stories, sans the teenage romance dribble. ‘Salem’s Lot is also an important connecting book for those who want to get into The Dark Tower (more on this later).

Pet Sematary

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King himself has admitted to being so horrified by Pet Sematary that, at first, even he hesitated to get it published. Thank goodness he did though, since the book remains among the best Stephen King books for beginners available.

Dr. Louis Creed and his family move into the small town of Ludlow, where things quickly start to go south. He eventually finds the ‘pet sematary’ – an ancient Indian burial ground rumored to bring the dead back to life… only not quite as ‘alive’ as they were before. A tragedy soon occurs, pushing Louis to make desperate choices.

In essence, Pet Sematary explores how far people will go to get what they want, regardless of the dire consequences. Hidden beneath the horror is a intimate story about love, death, and coping with grief.

Many Stephen King fans consider the book to be one of his creepiest and most enduring releases ever. I’m inclined to agree!

Most suited for: Readers who want a masterful blend of fleshed-out characters and a truly foreboding atmosphere. This book will also unnerve anyone with mortality issues and / or an existential crisis!

It

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Ah, what best-of Stephen King list would be complete without It! Hordes of people have seen the recent movie, with quite a few having also caught the older two-part TV broadcast.

But what about the book?

Well, from the King novels I’ve read (and I’ve read most), It falls easily into my Top 3 favorites. Not simply because I love Pennywise, but also due to the fact that the novel encompasses some of Stephen King’s best writing ever.

It’s story is already familiar territory for many, thanks to the movies. However, what you won’t see onscreen is the evocative nuance that King gives to his various themes. If you’re an adult, this book will make you feel nostalgic, transporting you back to simpler times of youthful comradery and friendship. It is also a cauldron of our childhood nightmares, from which King takes glee in smearing our minds with our own primeval fears.

Some folks may be put off by the sheer length of It. But, if you’re a genuine horror buff, this long read is entirely worth your while. All you’ve seen in theaters is simply a watered-down, PG version of what really happens in the book. Give It a try!

Most suited for: Fans who want more Pennywise – and a no-holds-barred rendition of the story. A must-read!



P.S. Once finished, you can always share your thoughts on the infamous… ‘group therapy’ sewer scene.

Sale It: A Novel King, Stephen (Author)

English (Publication Language)

1184 Pages - 07/30/2019 (Publication Date) - Scribner (Publisher)

The Shining

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The Shining is about Jack Torrance – a writer (again!) who accepts a job as a winter caretaker of Overlook Hotel. Things seem innocuous at first. However, it isn’t long before Jack begins to slowly lose his sanity to the sinister forces that haunt the vacant hallways and rooms. Only Danny – Jack’s supernaturally gifted son – is able to truly sense the evil that feeds his father’s descent into utter madness.

The book shares some similarity with Stanley Kubrick’s legendary 1980 film of the same name. However, there are quite a few major differences.

For instance, King takes strides to paint Jack as a struggling victim – rather than an outright maniac – to the malevolent influence of Overlook Hotel. There are also other varying details, such as Jack’s weapon of choice, that actually alter how certain scenes unfold in the novel. In fact, the differences are so significant that King has even gone on record to express his dissatisfaction with the film.

I don’t regard The Shining as the author’s most lavish work – at least, when compared to other stuff he’s published. Regardless, it has long served as one of the best Stephen King books for beginners, and has rightfully remained a shining (ha!) hallmark of horror novels for decades.

Most suited for: People who loved the movie and wish to deepen their appreciation of the cult classic. The Shining‘s relatively short length (by Stephen King’s standards) also make it a digestible read for anyone just starting out with his massive ouevre.

Horror fans, check out our exclusive list of underrated horror movies to watch!

11.22.63

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11.22.63 is widely heralded as Stephen King’s recent return to peak form.

The plot begins with Jake Epping, an English teacher, who leads a somewhat ordinary life in Lisbon Falls, Maine. That is, until his friend Al shows him a storeroom that is, in fact, a time portal to the past – one that transports him to a specific day in 1958. Jake’s mission? To prevent the assassination of J. F. Kennedy!

I love how 11.22.63 sets very clear time-travel rules from the get-go. The story is never really bogged down by an over-attention to sci-fi paradoxes and continuums. Thus, King gives himself ample room to focus on truly breathing life into his characters amid a vivid setting of bygone days.

11.22.63 isn’t an outright horror novel. So, for some, it may not be among the best Stephen King books for beginners. However, I contend there’s just so much to adore about this book that you really ought to give it a try.

For starters, it’s a clever blend of history with fiction, suspense and science fiction, with even some romance thrown in. The cohesive result is a prime example of King’s intricate storytelling and genre-traversing imagination.

Most suited for: Those who want a thrilling, world-immersive King experience, and are drawn to historical fiction.

(You might also want to see our list of best HP Lovecraft books!)

The Stand

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Alongside The Dark Tower, The Stand is touted by many fans as King’s magnum opus. And with good reason.

The book is a sprawling dystopian epic comprising two main beats. The first details how a mutated sickness is first released, decimating the world’s population.

The second part follows three groups of immune survivors. Each of them mysteriously share the same dream of an old lady – a spiritual guru named Mother Abagail, who asks them to seek her out. However, as their journey unfolds, these survivors find themselves caught in an unexpected battle against enigmatic super-villain Randall Flagg.

Just so you know, the complete unabridged version of The Stand clocks in at a staggering 500,000 words, thereabouts. So, the novel is surely no small undertaking if you’re someone who usually likes quick reads over a weekend.

However, if you’re eager to jump straight into one of King’s most ambitious works, The Stand is almost certainly your best choice. You’ll find yourself increasingly caring for each character’s hopes and suffering. The book is also King’s near-perfect parable of good vs. evil as he masterfully entwines bittersweet triumph with tragedy.

Most suited for: Folks ready for the cream of the crop of King’s writing. It’s a huge time-investment – but, trust me, it’s worth every enthralling minute.

Sale The Stand King, Stephen (Author)

English (Publication Language)

1472 Pages - 06/28/2011 (Publication Date) - Anchor (Publisher)

Are you a zombie fanatic? We’ve put together a list of great zombie books your brainnnsss will love!

Carrie

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To be honest, I initially hesitated to include Carrie in this list.

While this well-loved classic still marks a remarkably strong debut, I don’t think it’s King’s most nuanced and fully-realized work. Especially when set against many of his later publications.

However, I recommend Carrie because the book is arguably one of his most accessible reads. In many ways, King’s tale of Carrie White – a bullied, awkward teenager with telekinetic powers – still represents the quintessential revenge story with an evergreen appeal.

As King’s first published novel, you’ll find Carrie to be a perfect showcase of the author’s immense potential at an early stage. Moreover, his supernatural take on teenage cruelty is as relevant today as it ever was, echoing modern instances of (cyber)bullying and adolescent pressures to fit in with the herd.

So, thank you Tabitha King for rescuing Carrie from the trash! We might never have known Stephen King otherwise.

Most suited for: Readers who want to chronologically work their way through King’s authorial progress – or simply fans of great revenge stories. Either way, this is the book that launched his phenomenal career!

The Dark Tower series

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For starters, let’s pretend the abysmal 2017 movie adaptation never happened. OK?

With that aside, I am – along with countless other King fans – an unabashed loyalist of The Dark Tower series!

On paper, you’d think King’s hodge-podge of dark fantasy, old Western tropes, horror, and science fiction adds up to little more than a really hot mess.

However, this is far from the truth. As said by long-time fan and journalist James Smythe, “The Gunslinger (the first book in the series) is a quiet, meditative novel; as inauspicious a way to start a sprawling epic fantasy series as I’ve ever encountered.” I share the exact same sentiment!

The Dark Tower begins with the last gunslinger, Roland Deschain, as he embarks on a (meta)physical quest to kill the Man in Black and find the Dark Tower. He encounters many friends and enemies along the way, most notably a boy named Jake. This fateful meeting forges a strong father-son type bond between the two, coupled with an odd ‘multiversal’ split.

On a broad level, The Dark Tower is the massive centerfold that connects and references many of King’s other published works. I believe this expansive fictional web, complete with King’s interlacing of characters and Universes, is testament to his astonishing foresight as a storyteller.

However, new readers with no interest in King’s macro world-building stuff need not worry. You’ll be glad to know The Dark Tower is fully enjoyable as a standalone series, made up of eight books.

Yes, the first book does meander at times, and can feel a bit sluggish. However, I suggest you push through it! You’ll be rewarded by a highly captivating tale that isn’t simply among King’s finest – but is also often celebrated as one of the best fictional epics of all-time.

Must suited for: People who’ve already read some of King’s other books, and want to sink their teeth into something far, far grander.

Other Best Stephen King Books to Start With

Needful Things

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A fan favorite, Needful Things showcases King’s talents at building a slow, creeping sense of dread. This book is finely tuned horror that explores the deepest, darkest parts of our human psyche.

The Running Man

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A sci-fi thriller about a depraved gameshow as mercenaries are sent out to hunt contestants as prey. A fast-paced, action-packed cult classic!

The Long Walk

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An early King novel (written as Bachman) and, in my opinion, an underrated classic. Think The Hunger Games before there was The Hunger Games – but much more visceral and stripped-down.

Firestarter

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Like Carrie, Firestarter is about a girl with strange supernatural powers – only this time, it’s pyrokinesis. This book is quite often overlooked by fans. However, I find it to be old-school King at his best as he spins an intoxicating horror tale from a simple but effective premise.

The Green Mile

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Birthing the award-winning movie, The Green Mile wrecks havoc all over your poor emotions. This book (compiled from a series of short-form releases) explores themes of mortality, bigotry, and injustice that are still relevant today.

(Enjoyed this list? Check out our other fiction book lists!)

Which Stephen King book would you introduce to beginners? Did I miss any? Drop me an email and I’ll include your suggestion!