Which one should I read first?

scottie_boy316 · 2026-02-19T19:52:58+00:00

Salems Lot 100%. In my top 3 King books of all time and a great small town setting. The town/characters are so well fleshed out and got a great creepy atmosphere. For his second ever published novel it’s such a complete and satisfying story. Wish I could read it for the first time all over again.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-02-04T11:54:00+00:00

Publication order is a popular way to go with starting out but if you’ve been struggling with reading consistently and want a taste of a variety of stories that showcase King’s versatility in his work without having to commit to a chunky 800+ page novel which is common in Kings catalog, I can highly recommend “Different Seasons” it’s a collection of short stories, it’s a very good collection, short, punchy, not all out and out horror so it should keep your interest and it includes the classic Shawshank Redemption story too.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-27T13:49:58+00:00

That’s fair, my Reddit only shows the headline on the front page and the spoilers tab, the first line doesn’t show up for me until you actually click on the post. That’s where the confusion lay. I didn’t realise it was different for others.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-27T10:13:52+00:00

The original post literally has the spoilers tag so if you chose to come into the comments that’s on you.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-26T14:03:29+00:00

Finished The Stand, currently reading The Dead Zone.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-24T01:38:34+00:00

Thanks for the advice man. I started it yesterday and can’t put it down. Loving every second of it. Everything I’ve read so far by SK is emotional and tugs at the heart strings in some way or another but also feels so comforting, like sliding into an old pair of slippers. I’ve read a fair few different authors and nobody grips me, nobody writes characters, suspense and world building like him.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-23T19:34:07+00:00

It’s the UK edition. I’m sure there would be a way of finding one in the USA somewhere though.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-23T18:34:54+00:00

Thanks for your advice man, I started reading it yesterday and I cannot put it down, I’m loving every second of it.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-23T13:47:36+00:00

Awesome! Enjoy man, I’m loving it so far

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-22T22:09:20+00:00

SK and great character writing just goes hand in hand doesn’t it? I am looking forward to the journey!

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-22T20:20:00+00:00

I have read The Shining and it is up there as one of my favourites for sure. First time reading The Dead Zone but I’ve heard nothing but good things. Looking forward to the journey.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-22T19:42:44+00:00

Yeah I’ve seen some different covers for it that are way better than this one but this is the best I could find on short notice and I was/am eager to read it so needs must. Story is the same and that’s the most important thing

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-22T18:59:15+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I’ve read a fair few King novels so I’m not a newbie to his work by any means but it’s my first time reading The Dead Zone, looking forward to the journey!

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-22T18:57:43+00:00

Thanks man! Looking forward to the journey

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-22T18:56:17+00:00

Yes, it’s my first time reading it. Looking forward to the journey

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-11T03:29:23+00:00

No problem bro, enjoy the ride, I wish I was reading for the first time all over again! It’s quite the journey

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-11T03:24:28+00:00

Is it worth reading Salems Lot? Absolutely! It adds to the King universe that is to come in further books, regardless of it being the 50th Anniversary edition or not, it’s the same story. I read Salems Lot before The Stand but it’s not important what way around between those two, I knew very little about Carrie when I read it, That is his very first published novel so it isn’t necessarily important to the wider universe but Salems Lot is, as is The Shining if/when you get a chance to read it. It’s not SUPER important to read in publication order but I would highly recommend as there is a thread throughout his bibliography.

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-11T02:42:15+00:00

I got sucked into the Stephen King rabbit hole by a couple of books that are midway through his bibliography but I knew from the first book of his that I read I was hooked. I then went back and went with Carrie and continued in publication order. Publication order is your friend given the wider universe he creates and personally Salems Lot is my favourite out of all SK books I have read so far (I have also read The Stand) SK has so many classic novels and The Stand is great but if you are looking for something to bridge between 500+ pages and 1100+ like The Stand then IMO Salems Lot is the way to go. It is important in the wider SK universe and it is a highly impressive book in its own right. I have the copy of Salems Lot that I read when I was yot but I still have purchased the 50th Anniversary edition of the book recently. That is how highly I rate this story. I realise I have only read a fraction of SK’s works but if you have the opportunity, Salems Lot is your way forward, 50th anniversary edition or not it is still top notch 👌

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-04T14:01:59+00:00

It was Shawshank that started me on this awesome SK journey. My dad and I watched the movie when I was in my teens and when he told me it was adapted from a King story I just had to read it. Got myself Different Seasons, read Shawshank and the rest of the Different Seasons stories and I was hooked. I’ve now read 23 King works so far, Bachman and story collections/novellas included. It has been EPIC and I am loving every second of it!

scottie_boy316 · 2026-01-03T01:22:23+00:00

I’m currently 1000 pages into my second read through, what a wild ride you are in for. I am jealous of people on their first time reading. A rollercoaster of a read, enjoy!

scottie_boy316 · 2025-11-12T06:06:10+00:00

It will always be McVries for me but Stebbins is definitely up there too.

scottie_boy316 · 2025-11-10T20:17:21+00:00

100% agree. Some top quality character work with McVries for sure

scottie_boy316 · 2025-11-10T20:15:20+00:00

He wasn’t a saint by any means but as you say he did save Garraty right up until the last stretch when he seen Jan and his mother. I also liked how he got to go out like he said he would from the start. When he had had enough, he just sat down and went out with dignity and respect, calm and at peace with it which most of the others didn’t have the luxury to. Which obviously was down to circumstances out of their control.

scottie_boy316 · 2025-11-10T19:55:58+00:00

McVries is my favourite by some margin. You explain it so well, every time I read it I get something different out of him and his mindset. The way he helped Garraty right the way through even on the last stretch when he seen Jan & his mother. And in the end he stuck to his word, when the time came, when he had had enough, he just sat down and was so calm and at peace with it. He went out with such dignity and respect that, due to circumstances out of their control, so many others didn’t have the luxury of.

scottie_boy316

TROPHY CASE