A Stephen King Reader's Guide | Advice from a Lifelong Constant Reader

[@RedFuryBooks]

I had a minor production error and left off 11/22/63 from the Dark Tower Extended Order #3: you can include it with the other books to read between volumes 4 and 5.

[@Talking_Story]

Always say the same thing Different Seasons is the perfect gateway to King.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Absolutely!

[@Dylan13Collins]

I read Stephen King only for his tower stuff. I did this giant reading list with everything that had a minute reference. I'm ready to expand from there now and read some of his other works. This was super helpful! Thank you.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@stevehoran6011]

I still have the small six books in the serialization of The Green Mile. I think they came out weekly and I picked them up in the grocery store if memory serves me.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I wish I had kept mine when I bought the hardcover edition!

[@Danny_Matson]

Excellent video Josh! I hope this brings more viewers to your channel. It's very well made and concise. I've read most of your main recommendations. Working on the Dark Tower now (on book 4). Still have It and Salem's Lot left of the big hitters. It's been a fun journey for sure. Misery is the only one I would have highlighted that you didn't.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks, Danny! The only reason I left Misery off is I have a relative that sword to never read Stephen King again after Misery!

[@mistercapitan8641]

Started reading last year, read Pet Sematary, Misery and Different Seasons, currently reading and loving IT

[@RedFuryBooks]

Awesome! Enjoy the ride!

[@jan2bratt]

You made a wonderful and thorough guide! I think lots of people will be watching this one. I'm saving it in order to fill in the few gaps in my SK book collection. I've read nearly all of them except for all the Dark Tower series. Right now I'm nearly finished with You Like It Darker. I'm not disappointed. Good picks you made as suggestions for people starting out.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'll be starting You Like It Darker later this week - glad to hear it's been a great read! Thanks for checking out the video.

[@esmayrosalyne]

Wow Josh, thanks so much for putting this comprehensive recommendations video together. I have only read 3 Dark Tower books, Pet Sematary and Fairy Tale, so I have some catching up to do. I always get decision paralysis when I think of picking up my next King read, so this is invaluable. Will definitely be going back to this one when I am next in the mood for some King, you are incredible!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thank you, Esmay! I'm so glad you found some value from this video! I hope you love your King journey as I have! :)

[@leahandchad9882]

Thank you for this great list. I just started reading King and will definitely be coming back to this video. I think that “On writing “ would be so interesting to read.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad you found it helpful! Enjoy the King journey!

[@akellerhouse83]

I've read maybe 25 Steven King books, so I still have a ways to go. But my favorites are The Stand and 11-22-63. I read the Dark Tower series in whatever year book 7 was released, and I didn't know about all the connections to other books. I also read Hearts in Atlantis back then and I loved it. I did an extended re-read of Dark Tower a couple years ago. I found a really good list on Reddit or something. It had maybe 15 books on it, and I really recommend reading it that way.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I'm sure that reddit list is likely pretty similar to my 16-book list. I hope you find some new favorites when you pick up more King!

[@akellerhouse83]

@RedFuryBooks it was pretty similar. I'm glad I found it though, because I had forgotten about Wind Through the Keyhole. And I had never read Salem's Lot before I did my extended re-read either. I had forgotten so much about Wolves of the Calla that I wasn't even spoiled.

[@skywalker80316]

Constant reader, here. Just getting started on the Dark Tower. Thanks for the Dark Tower reading recommendations!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad to be of help - I hope you enjoy your journey to the tower!

[@kyrosv1289]

Really glad that you included On Writing in this list! :) I have it on my long term TBR!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@calebwelch6393]

Fantastic video! I hope you create more like this for individual authors!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks! I have a similar video planned for Dennis Lehane's work, probably to release later this year.

[@milanrajkovic2346]

such a great video! thank you!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad you liked it!

[@stevehoran6011]

This is absolutely terrific, and extended order #3 sounds very appealing for my eventual re-read of The Dark Tower. In the meantime, I’m re-reading a few as an extended read for You Like It Darker: Cujo and Duma Key paired with Rattlesnakes; and Revival paired with The Dreamers.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I love King's cross connections so much!

[@MattonBooks]

These are indeed questions I’ve asked myself more than once. Thanks for the excellent recommendations. 🙂👌🏻

[@RedFuryBooks]

Happy to help!

[@sirnitsalot]

Really great video. I read 11/22/63 as my first Stephen King novel last year and loved it. I’m in a bit of analysis paralysis over what to read next though. This video at least helped me narrow down from 100 to 10 or so 😂

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad to narrow it down to 10 lol! :)

[@andreabknight]

This is so useful- thanks for making this video. I would never have known about Dark Tower having spoilers for Salem's Lot.

[@lockdowntechie3122]

Hearts in Atlantis is an underrated masterpiece

[@MichaelRSchultheiss]

This is great! I've read a little King, but now I feel that I better understand the landscape of his oeuvre. Kudos!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks, Michael!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Incredible vid! I need to get to pretty much everything, and that Dark Tower extended reading order is pretty appealing

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks, Ben! Glad you liked the video and hope you have a great King journey when you start!

[@Johanna_reads]

Excellent guide! I’m not usually a fan of required extended reading in a series, but I am so glad I read Salem’s Lot before reading Wolves of the Calla! I can’t imagine enjoying Wolves as much if I hadn’t done that.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Definitely!

[@thegreatwaugh]

Thanks for The Dark Tower reading order suggestions!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Glad to help!

[@jobuckley2999]

The Shining, great choice. Yes, on The Green Mile. For crime I would pick Billy Summers for a single and next the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. Different Seasons is wonderful. Spot on. On Writing for me was a book for writers. I don't write so I didn't love it. I have never read any Dark Tower novels. No stone throwing please :)

[@RedFuryBooks]

Haha, no stone throwing! I loved hearing your picks and glad we have a lot of common agreement!

[@abutler625]

New to king. Started with 11/22/63 and loved it. Moved on to It (45% through). Also loving it. I almost started to feel actual anxiety about what order I should read in after finishing It and just decided I’ll go publication order other than dark tower series and the shining/doctor sleep

[@RedFuryBooks]

You have a fantastic journey ahead - enjoy the ride!

[@thelibraryladder]

Great overview, Josh. I think your selection of finalists in each category was on the money, although I'd have chosen different starting points in some (e.g., Salem's Lot instead of The Shining; and Night Shift instead of Different Seasons to highlight his short stories rather than his novellas). Also, I was surprised you didn't include 11/22/63 in your Dark Tower extended order. That's the novel that tied the Dark Tower series all together for me like a Rosetta Stone when I read it somewhere in the middle of the series (after either book 3 or 4), preparing me for what transpires in books 5-7.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Up until the morning that I filmed, I was going to pick 'Salem's Lot! I'm not sure what changed my mind, as it was a last minute change. But I think they both work really well. As for the omission 11/22/63... alas, that was a production error. I had it in the folder for that slide but the formatting didn't work and when I re-uploaded it, I forgot to include it. :(

[@thelibraryladder]

@@RedFuryBooks I completely understand. Keeping track of video discussion points and other elements when covering such a broad topic is a challenge. It’s rare that a video of mine doesn’t have production errors (most are minor, but a couple have been more substantive). I think YT Studio has added the capability to edit uploaded videos (in a limited way) if you want to include some text identifying 11/22/63 as part of the extended Dark Tower sequence. I haven’t really explored that YT feature, so I’m not sure how it works.

[@RedFuryBooks]

@@thelibraryladder oh that's great to know! I'll have to look into that and see if I can add that. I'm kicking myself right now for not scripting that part of the video as I would've not made the error.

[@Christine5280CO]

Thanks for the Stephen King content. This video was great and very helpful. I’ve read two of his novels and just started Different Seasons - I’m loving it so far.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you enjoy the journey!

[@iangubeli]

Excellent video! I often get asked these very questions from people in my community. It’s hard to answer because I still consider myself a “new” King reader. I’m going to start directing people to this video, because this was perfect!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I appreciate it, Ian! I hope you enjoy your King journey as well!

[@cipriansirbu3699]

A very helpful video,I wish I had it two years ago. Didn't know where to start with Stephen King so I went with the publication order but before The Dead Zone,I started to jump all over the place 😅,reading IT,The Green Mile,The Bill Hodges trilogy and a few more. I haven't got to The Dark Tower series so maybe that will be my next read,that or Different Seasons which I wanted to read for ages.

[@RedFuryBooks]

It sounds like you jumped around to some great ones! I hope you enjoy both The Dark Tower and Different Seasons!

[@OluoB]

I have not read any of King's work yet and I never really planned to, not because I had any negative prejudice or anything, but I just never really gave it much thought about it. I started to contemplate about getting some of his books thanks to you and Mike, since you both talked that King writes amazing characters and characters (especially side characters - really, my favorite characters are often the side ones) are usually the thing I find myself enjoying the most in books. The Stand's brief synopsis grabbed my attention the most, but I had an opportunity to buy the Institute and Sleeping Beauties a few months ago, so I did. The Institute also seems like it could be my type, but as of Sleeping Beauties, I bought it just because I had the chance and I hear many people saying that they do note like it (not that it will stop me from reading it). I did not expect you to recommend any of these 2 as first King reads, as they do not appear to be his most popular work, but how do you think they would fare for a 1st time King reader? Also, even if I will find myself not enjoying them, I'am still going to read some of his other books in the future, so even though I did not read any of King's works, I still thank you for opening my mind a bit, I really enjoy your discussions :).

[@RedFuryBooks]

I wouldn't start with Sleeping Beauties - I found that to be a great disappointment despite an absolutely brilliant idea. But The Institute might work as an entry point, as it has a lot of the things that King does well, like a strong young protagonist, on display. I'm glad to hear that Mike and I have maybe convinced you to read some King! He's my favorite for a reason, and I hope you find some books you enjoy by him!

[@OluoB]

@@RedFuryBooks Good to hear that about The Institute! I will most likely use it as an entry point then. I would also like to read the Dark Tower some time in the future, so your extended guide is very helpful - I would have never thought that it spoils events from Salem's Lot. Thanks again!

[@OluoB]

@@RedFuryBooks Hey! I just finished The Institute yesterday and I enjoyed it - read it in 2 days :) Even though that was my first King book I can already see that praises for his writing of children were not misplaced - the main cast of the kids was quite memorable I would say. I also liked the ending and I'm glad I read it. I will most likely read Needful Things (in original this time, as I read the Institute in Polish - my native language) next, which should be a completely different experience judging from what you usually say about it in your videos. Thank you again for great book discussions and overall content on your channel!

[@RedFuryBooks]

@@OluoB awesome! Have fun with Needful Things or whichever you choose next!

[@cynthiafialka]

What a well thought out and explained video. I’ve read a lot of King but not quite all. Haven’t read any of his short story collections. I will be reading 11/22/63 in the next few months which I’m really looking forward to. Somehow I never read the last two books in The Dark Tower series. Have so many books on my TBR and I don’t think I want to spend the time to reread the first 5.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I hope you love 11/22/63 as I do!

[@stevenstewart782]

I don't know why but I've never really thought of Stephen king as a horror Author Everything I've read feels like A thriller Fantasy

[@RedFuryBooks]

I agree with you, but most bookstores place him in the horror genre, and his early works gave him the "King of Horror" nickname, which stuck.

[@djskinny123]

I look forward to seeing your new perspective on Dark Tower. I read that a couple years ago and thought it was awesome. I'm planning on reading Under the Dome and Salem's Lot next.

[@RedFuryBooks]

Enjoy!

[@blackcatseye22]

Was going to read Fairy Tale as my first Stephen King, but maybe I will pick up The Green Mile.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you enjoy it! And do think The Green Mile is a better entry point for King.

[@jobuckley2999]

Perfect! The Green Mile is amazing.

[@samuelmartin2608]

The only King book I have is Night Shift. I'll have to get Different Seasons next!

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@juliuscaesarreyes1984]

Excellent video as always! I would love to dive into the universe of Dark Tower, something about it is ominously interesting. On a different note, I'm just recently finishing the Shadow Series of Orson Scott Card following your ultimate recommendations. I'm at Shadow of the Giant now. By any chance, as a request that may be asked by many of us, could you make a list of book recommendations that have the same theme as Ender's Game? I would love a video from you discussing books that have child geniuses, politics and military commanders. I hope this request comes to light. Looking forward to more of your videos!

[@RedFuryBooks]

Thanks for checking out the video and glad that my Ender's books recommendation have worked for you! I'll have to give your video idea some thought....

[@heidi6281]

Some other fantastic Dark Tower content are the Beginnings comic books. They start with Roland as a young boy up to the point where the flashback starts in Wizard & Glass. Stephen King was involved in this project too.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I don't read comics, but might have to pick those up!

[@Kite562reviews]

I have to say I'm an avid King reader when it comes to introducing new people to King I usually ask them "Do you like short stories or novels?" My short story recommendations Skeleton crew and nightshift If they like novels Salems lot, The Dark Half, The Shining, Carrie there are a lot more King novels I've read in my time but these are the novels I recommend newbies start with.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I almost picked Night Shift for the short fiction recommendation - it's fantastic.

[@gommine]

Stephen King is one of those authors I keep meaning to tackle, but somehow I never seems to happen. I read '11/22/63' which I absolutely LOVED (I found the HBO adaptation so terrible, I couldn't make it past the first episode) and 'On Writing', which I also really enjoyed. I think I'll pick something from the crime list, or maybe another magical realism. I'm not very keen on horror, although I should really read at least one novel from the master of horror and THEN decide if it's not for me.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I hope this video was helpful in picking your next King read! You certainly have lots of options!

[@nathanpoirier7200]

first king book i ever read was IT

[@RedFuryBooks]

You started with one of the best!

[@nathanpoirier7200]

@@RedFuryBooks one of my favorites but i think the best is Misery

[@paulwilliams6913]

I really do need to read 11/22/63, since my dissertation is on alternate history fiction and it’s one of the more popular novels in the genre. I just…for some reason, King does little to interest me. I honestly think I just need to take the plunge.

[@EuropaPhoenix]

Roma Aeterna by Robert Silverberg is a very interesting uchronia (alternate history).

[@paulwilliams6913]

@@EuropaPhoenix I’m sure I’ll get to that one eventually, though maybe I should bump it up since stuff about Rome is currently in vogue.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I will say that 11/22/63 seems to be a book loved by King fans as much as non-King fans. Given your background, you may find some merit in it, although it's more time travel and changing the past-oriented that alternate history.

[@paulwilliams6913]

@@RedFuryBooks I mean, there are lots of alternate history texts that have dealt with the time travel element, including the first major alternate history novel, Bring the Jubilee. I have a faculty member in my department and a few colleagues who’ve also spoken highly of 11/22/63. I’ll get to it, eventually :)

[@anonymous219]

King's obsession with child sex really turned me off his books. Not to mention the absolute shite of the 7th Dark Tower entry.