Stephen King Book Rankings | Part III: 1990-1997

[@TangerineGrizzly]

Part 4 please!

[@matteofrance]

We need part 4

[@readinsteadbyjake]

Been waiting for this one bro. Sober King vs high King… always a fun subject to talk about..

[@Themaninblack19]

Cocaine King and Sober King , i prefer Cocaine King but its funny because Sober King wrote The Green Mile , my favorite ( So far ) King book

[@baciliogomez375]

You definitely should rank the short story collections in a separate video! Fair idea!

[@dannyplaza5474]

Wizard and Glass.. absolutely incredible

[@scottibee2167]

February 2, 2024 and we're still waiting on part 4.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I told you at the end it would be awhile.

[@matttrench7823]

When do you think you'll release it??@@mikesbookreviews

[@laurenduke300]

Insomnia was actually the first Stephen King book I ever read and I was 16. King has been my favorite author ever since.

[@donovanchilton5817]

That’s about the roughest first novel ever. So many dark tower references and shit. I would’ve been very confused.

[@d.m.3133]

I believe it was mine too. I remember being hooked. I’m about to reread it. I’ll read Dark Tower first. I haven’t read that.

[@perfect77]

It was my first King novel too!

[@bookscoffeeandadhd]

I read Insomnia last year, and it took me a while to get through it. I did really enjoy it, though. I didn't know until the ending that it has anything to do with the Dark Tower series. I was also reading with other people who had read DT. I tried reading that series probably 7yrs ago and couldn't get into it at all.

[@BaldBookTuber]

I’m really hoping Bag of Bones lands for you this time. I absolutely loved it.

[@angelaholmes8888]

That book is so great but also underrated I'm surprised that many people don't talk about it

[@dragonflii]

I loved it so much more in my second read through.

[@justaguy2365]

My first King book. That was 20 years ago and I can't really remember many details. But I did like it

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

Needful things is top tier!!! I’d out it either in front of the stand or behind it

[@NamasteBbooktube]

So begins the long wait for part 4.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Totally agree needful things is so underrated along with rose madder and Dolores Claiborne

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes

[@MORGUE88]

These videos are helping me through a hard time

[@turtleanton6539]

Liberay Police man is disturbing for sure

[@midnightunicorn5139]

Needful Things is one of my favourites 😊 probably my fave out of this videos additions, but also a fan of Insomnia and Desperation but I think I preferred the Regulators (been ages since I read it). Waiting for my fave book which came out in 1999 (I think)

[@Dylan13Collins]

Desperation was one of the first King books I read and I loved it! Going back and rereading it after having over 20 under my belt, it's just an okay King book. I totally agree with you.

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

Needful Things is one of my favorites. It is definitely in my top 5!!

[@peglamphier4745]

Me too. King writes it so well you feel like you're in town with these imperfect people.

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

@@peglamphier4745 Exactly!

[@kylerieman221]

I find it hard to argue with anything on this list really. In my memory, of the ones that I have read, I would probably put them around the same spots. I do agree that Needful Things is criminally underrated.

[@turtleanton6539]

Wastelands is supreme book

[@Miss_Cherry]

Soooo when do we get part 4? I just subscribed and you may a have already reviewed the newer books already. I really want to hear your thoughts on the Mr Mercedes trilogy, Outsiders and Holly. But Holly didn't come out until recently so I get that that may be in part 5 lol

[@michaelmccourt4992]

Thanks Mike! I appreciate your work and I would rather see you take time to do these re-reads and make the best possible list. Looking forward to part 4 but no rush!

[@DaveShaves44]

FINALLY!!!!! I love ranking vids haha

[@itscatoclock]

Stephen King has written so many books.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

You gotta stop making me want to chuck everything out the way to try some more King! 🤣

[@valeriesreadingcorner8451]

Gerald's Game actually made me cry.... it really got me in the feels.

[@billkeon880]

Just finishing Wizard and Glass now and the series so far does get better with each book. I loved Gunslinger and read it twice before book two. I also love Good, Bad and the Ugly as well, so maybe that’s why. I like meta books and I hear book 6 and 7 go that way, so I think I’ll like the entire series.

[@ericdringenberg7033]

Loved Wizards and Glass... And Needful Things. looking for The Green Mile now... Thx

[@vaughnhess2320]

Reading Needfull Things now, very underrated book. So…So…..Good.

[@texaspipeman8973]

Another great video. Thanks Mike for everything you do

[@DerdyDubs]

I found you through your King content! been waiting for this

[@silverkyle]

I haven't even watched the video yet but I've already clicked like simply on the title alone. Finally starting reading Stephen King for the first time because of you earlier this month with Carrie, and Salem's Lot is already on the way!

[@tysonmindham2986]

You’re right. The Breathing Method does keep Different Season from being a 10/10

[@Karlipagemaster]

I love watching Stephen King rankings because no two lists are exactly the same. It makes me feel like I never know what I'm gonna get when I start a book from him that I've never read before.

[@JordoSez]

Part 4 has gotta be coming soon!!!

[@joshuabillings5108]

I loved Wizard in Glass , I just hated sitting on that cliff waiting for Wolves to come out.

[@BubbaStaines]

I disliked flashing back in Wizard and Glass, but it eventually grew on me. The witchy scary lady was awesome.

[@andrewlavigne44]

Honestly still a very strong section of King's career: none of those books I hate, though Desperation was pretty weak last time I read it, Insomnia/Madder/Gerald's Game middle tier but decent (maybe Insomnia at the top of those for me), the remaining six books good to even great with a few like Green Mile and the Tower books being all timer contenders. I'd say the lowest period of King's career for me is 1998-2008 but still has some great books spread out among...Dreamcatcher and Cell or the almost aggressively mid titles like Duma Key and Lisey's Story (not to mention his worst short story collection, Just After Sunset).

[@ejsmith2246]

Thanks for the King content!!!

[@angelaholmes8888]

I absolutely had a blast reading the wastelands one of my favorite books in the series ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@Vera-fy5qb]

I love these series, please make the next part

[@Joda23]

Waiting for another part my friend

[@mikesbookreviews]

I know, I know. Gotta re-read many of them first.

[@markb3534]

Dark tower will probably always be my favorite.

[@BishopWalters12]

Needful Things is easily my favorite King book from the 90's and I think it was an underrated decade for King. Of course it doesn't match his work from the 70's or 80's but that's impossible.

[@beardedpriest9715]

Mike I think your absolutely right about The Green Mile. That book was fantastic. Easily in King’s top 5 in my opinion. Such a wonderful story.

[@angelaholmes8888]

I'm totally all in with wizard and glass it was interesting learning so much about roland Deshain definitely one of the best books in the series ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🙂

[@Cowboys09WM]

Agreed. I didn't care for it that much my first go round but loved it my second and third

[@baciliogomez375]

I’m gonna read desperation soon and I love the thoughts on it! I’ve heard a decent amount of good about it but is also good to hear a little of the bad and not make me get my absolute hopes up. Great video Mike!

[@carnissa]

Wizard and Glass is BY FAR my favorite DT book.

[@anotherbooktubechannel]

I just finished Dolores Clairborne yesterday and I loved it. I plan to do a full review on my channel soon but I was incredibly surprised by how compelling it was.

[@LivinNexus]

I've only read The Mist soo far, but I'm going to start Salem's Lot soon!! 🥰

[@scottcecil5441]

I know I’m late to the party but I’ve been enjoying this book tube channel lately and when I came across your comment on reading salems lot and the mist as your first king entries I thought that was so cool because I consider those the two scariest out of everything he’s written. Hope the rest of your king reading has gone well!

[@chrisconrod6265]

I think people are so desperate for part four because they love to hear your opinion on King. I'm on my first read through of King and have to say I'm loving almost everything I've picked up! When I started I just picked up whatever King book I had within arms reach, but since then I've decided to go in (mostly) publication order. You've convinced me to pick up Gerald's Game, and I'm going to read it before Dolores Claiborne although the next King I read is Wastelands. I've been itching to get back to the Dark Tower! btw I can't wait for The Regulators re-read. Read both back to back, loved one and strongly disliked the other! Bachman had a few bangers IMHO!

[@thatfuzzypotato1877]

Drawing of the Three was my favorite DT book, and always got treated like an idiot for not choosing gunslinger over it so I got super excited to hear someone else did too!

[@kingofcomment-jn5rf]

hope part 4 gets here soon.

[@coffeedude]

Christmas came early this year boyss!!!

[@dylansullivan3258]

Hey Mike! Love the videos. Do you have a timetable on a release for part IV of this series?

[@atom0191]

Thanks for part 3!! So exciting

[@JokerJon00]

Where's part 4? Just kidding 😉 great vid Mike!

[@mayzo51184]

I love all your stephen King reviews. First, , I think Gerald's game was pretty scary too and it's the stuff that you could see actually happening that really does scare me too. . I mean don't get me wrong, Penywise and Zelda will still scare the crap out of me any time I read those books (same with Salem's Lot and the Shining), but damn! When you see what she has to do to get out of that room and then when you realize about the moonlight man, that's some scary stuff!Still havne't read any of the dark tower books so can't comment on that yet but I also agree with you on desperation. I read that book earlier this year and I have to say that it started out great but then like you, didn't care for most of the characters. Needful things is on my TBR list and I'm looking forward to reading it. I've heard only great things about that book. Looking forward to part 4 of this and whatever you have coming out on this channel. I know what you mean though about reading your favorite author and not wanting to rush it. He's my favorite too and I always want to take my time reading his books. I even reread some of Stephen King's classics once I'm done reading other books. Great video and I'll see you in the next one

[@piousmutilator4513]

Thanks for all you do, bro! As a Constant Reader myself, I love and appreciate your channel! I loved Desperation a lot more than I was anticipating! The beginning section of the book was WILD and threw me for a loop (in a good way). I get what you’re saying about the character work in this one, but I think it’s a different kind of book than his usual character-based novels (like The Stand, IT, TDT series, etc) and it’s more about the unrelenting chaotic events that take place in this town vs being mostly character focused. I give it 4.5/5 stars IMO.

[@piousmutilator4513]

And I really appreciated Rose Madder probably more than most CRs. The third act wasn’t as zany as I was expecting and it was a great read in line with my other reads along my journey to the Dark Tower! The first half of the book is GOLD!! Although it’s incredibly heartbreaking… kind of reminds me of what Beverly Marsh went through when she was an adult! Makes you wanna reach through the book and destroy that guy!

[@actung74]

Always interesting to see how other King fans feel about his books. There are so many that opinions can really vary. There are three books which mostly, not always, get top billing and when they don't, it can be cause for shock. Your on point, I think, with those three thought there is one I put ahead of them just because the subject matter fascinates me. The Dead Zone my favorite in general, not just favourite King, followed by IT, The Shining, and The Stand. 🙂

[@angelaholmes8888]

Max von snyder was brilliant in the role of Leland gaunt in the movie adaptation of needful things 🙂

[@aprilrich807]

Max Von Sydow.

[@gordonfelesina3170]

Love the channel!

[@robbiemcphee2852]

Dying for part 4 man! Any ETA for that?

[@marccoleman8937]

Can't wait to read the Green Mile! Thanks!!

[@glyndwr15]

I hate to say this, but King is like Bowie. His best stuff was from the period before he got sober. My favorite Dark Tower book was the first one because he wasn't just trying to tell an entertaining story, as with every other book in the series. The first one had a kind of tone or aesthetic which is missing in the others. To see what I mean, try conjuring up what images the first Dark Tower book painted in your head when you were reading it and then compare them to the images the others painted. The first book has Jake falling into the pit under the mountain, Roland traveling across the desert bent on revenge, Jake and Roland facing down the demon in the circle of stones, the mad woman preacher and the massacre of everybody in the town, the Man in Black and Roland in the golgotha and the vision Roland has of the universe at the end. Each of them is like an album cover or something. They're like that Andrew Wyeth painting, Christina's World, in that they incite your imagination without revealing too much and seem to point to some greater mystery which is never revealed. They're kind of like the images that great song lyrics can paint in your head. I can't think of any image like that from any of the other books. I can remember the story that unfolded throughout the series, which was at times great, but there were no memorable images that King painted after the first book, imo. And this is what I mean about King generally. After the 1980s, King couldn't write something like the first Dark Tower book. When you read it, you get a sense of its artistic aspirations and pathos, which is also something that's apparent in other earlier King works, like the novellas in Different Seasons. He seemed to lose that by the 1990s. By the time he wrote Needful Things, it was just gone. It's almost like he went into responsible careerist mode and was just paying bills by publishing books, at that point. Some of those books were great, but they were never truly inspired, I felt. King had to be in his 20s or 30s and high out of his mind to write something like The Shining. 90s King just wasn't capable of writing another Pet Semetary or Cujo.

[@Yamp44]

Oh! I forgot to ask : you often talk about the movie adaptations of some of King's book, and I was wondering if eventually, you could do videos on your appreciation of some of those movies? Like if you think they did justice to the book, what you thought worked or didn't work, are the characters well represented and are the actors casted in the roles like how you envisioned them in your mind and would you reccommend watching it? Same with the Lord of the Rings movie. You being such a Tolkien fan, I'm curious to hear what was your take on the LOTR trilogy. Did you think they respected Tolkien's vision? Do you think some things they left out of the story would have been important additions? Do you think they did the characters justice? Etc.

[@aprilrich807]

I adored Gerald’s Game…until the end. I remember thinking “Huh???”

[@token4774]

I read everything by Stephen King in my teens and I loved it all, especially The Stand, which is one of my all-time favorite books. When I was in my 20s in the 1990s, I got busy with work and life, and I lost interest in King. I remember reading Gerald's Game, and I hated it. I gave up on King then and I have not read much King since. But Stephen King always held a place in my heart. Many times, I stayed up all night reading Stephen King as a teenager. A few years ago, I found Blake Crouch and he reminded me of Stephen King and now I've read most of Crouch's books. Mike, your channel has inspired me to read some more Stephen King and I'm currently reading The Talisman, and I'm loving it. Yes, Richard whines and and he is weak, but I like him anyway. The story is vintage King. Mike, I really enjoy your channel. I found your channel when I searched for Blake Crouch - I found your interview with him. I like your taste in literature, and I'm watching lots of your videos. Thanks, and please keep the videos coming!

[@JuanMartinez-ib7mz]

I think Gerald's Game is about why some of the past traumas should NOT stay repressed. Underrated gem.

[@Yamp44]

This is the point where I stopped reading Stephen King. The only book I have read in this whole selection was The Green Mile, which is indeed a very good book. My not reading more Stephen King was not because I thought these books wouldn't be any good, but at that point, I had my fill of horror books and wanted to venture into other types of writings. I had a big "crime and thriller" phase after that. Now I'm back in the horror genre, but I'm mostly reading the classics (like Blackwood, M.R. James, Robert Bloch, etc). I've read the entirety of Lovecraft's work. I always mean to go back to King, but never get around to it. But these videos sure get me in the mood to do go back at some point.

[@valerieramirez6446]

Yes! King is my favorite author. Just finished reading It, and completely love it. “It” and “the shining “ are my top favorites.

[@adamrasmusson6976]

Can we get a countdown of "Most Satisfying moments" of Stephen king novels. Such as the ending to Salems Lot, with Ben Mears and Barlow. I just remember pointing at the book saying, "Yes, you get what you deserve!" The lead up and climax was so satisfying in that book.

[@markmiles3768]

Insomnia is my favorite of the 60 King books I have read! It hit me hard! Ralph Roberts is my favorite King character.

[@scary_cactus334]

Part 4 please???

[@vincentlorusso689]

Great video. I appreciate the level of thought and analysis, even when I disagree about this or that. Thank you.

[@michaelevans4515]

I loved The Wastelands also but I found Wizard & Glass so boring and so difficult to finish. In fact I stopped reading Dark Tower at that point. I will go back to it one day. Edit: I just watched towards the end of your video and heard you just mention how a lot of people stop reading at this point also. Haha.

[@jacobsimac4492]

You always make me want to read Stephen king but the couple I’ve read I just couldn’t get into it.

[@markb3534]

27 minutes is more than long enough to click the thumbs up button. ;)

[@sandy23stories40]

I love you t- shirt I need one too 😊 amazing video Mike

[@billkeon880]

First read of Desperation rated it as 4/5. Regulators was 3.75. Second read of Desperation was 3.9. It just felt like Gunslinger environment and wasteland, combined with a true crime novel with a demented killer. Liked it quite a bit. Regulators was very close behind, though a little acid trippy. Read Gerald’s game thirty years ago and remember liking a lot so you’ve convinced me to re-read it soon and read Delores for first time. Green Mile is due as well. I love new King so will be interested in part IV

[@jackdyer8655]

Take your time! Great vids

[@anotherbooktubechannel]

Haven't even watched yet. Just wanna say AWWWWWWWWWWWW YEAH! WHAT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!

[@peglamphier4745]

I agree, NEEDFUL THINGS is vastly under-rated. I love the complexity of the cast and how he makes us care about all of them, even the ass-bags. And Pangborn's story? So freaking good. And GERALD'S GAME is a masterclass in a fiction exercise. One character, one room and a novel. The GREEN MILE is a White Savior story, so that's problematic.

[@dpeady78]

I still want a tv series of Needful Things with Tom Cruise as Leland Gaunt He’s got that creepy charisma

[@VinceAnity]

Part 4 ? 😂😊

[@tomahawkchop7669]

I am also doing a reread and I like you originally read them in my teens. Just finished tommyknockers:(

[@nsartin23]

Finally… let’s goo!

[@christopherseymour5210]

Needful Things is one of my all time favorites, and I am an all in person on Wizard & Glass- it might be my favorite King novel. Gerald's Game was so much better than I expected, though I'd probably never read it again because it's got some rough parts. Desperation was a huge disappointment for me, you're spot on about the character's lacking depth.

[@angelaholmes8888]

Love Dolores Claiborne it's really great king did a great job along with insomnia

[@victorpavymusic]

Completely agree about Gerald’s Game. I have read it twenty years ago but the memories of it stills haunts me. The first half of the book is great but the second half is absolutely fantastic. From the 14 King books I have read it is very close to the top. I am currently halfway through The Green Mile. It’s fantastic. On the other hand Desesperation that I have read in the period it was released was a huge disappointment. I struggled hard to get some enjoyment from that book.

[@codytidwell5086]

I agree on Gerald’s Game. I’ve always considered it King’s scariest novel.

[@lukegibson2838]

Where is part 4?!? PLEASE 😢

[@timmeyer9191]

I had a feeling Green Mile was going to come in behind Pet Symetary. Looks like lines 2 and 3 are going to need expanding soon. I was looking at the icon of the books coming up, but I didn't see The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. Also, do you plan to include Storm of the Century on this? I know it was written as a screenplay, but if you're including novellas why not this?

[@annnnnnn.9728]

Can You do a video talking about Stephen king film adaptations?☺️

[@alynam82]

I can't really do anything differently here. I LOVED Wastelands and Wizard and Glass, so they were appropriately placed. Green Mile, Gerald's Game and Delores Claiborne were great reads, but it's been a long time since I read them. And I felt the same way about Desperation and Rose Madder, though it's been MANY years since I read those. Either way, I love hearing you talk about King. I was fanboy'in during the whole video

[@sarahmcdonald9624]

Misery was my first King book. Making Salems Lot the second one I’ve ever read. Unpopular opinion…I didn’t like Salems Lot, not even a little bit. Maybe it’s because Misery was top tier for me? Idk, I really can’t understand what people like about it.🤷‍♀️

[@dragonflii]

I'm a huge King fan, but never read Dark Tower until after your encouragement. I just finished Wizard and Glass. I will say that I did lose interest somewhat near the end and had to come back to it. But, it was very enjoyable for the most part.

[@claytonhomer3096]

I think your list in general is very good. We agree on most of which ones are very good and bad but slightly flipped. For me I would say Dolores Claiborne is above Needful Things and Gerald's Game. I would have Wizard and Glass as the best DT book just nudging out Waste Lands (both are top tier for me.) The Green Mile is number 5 in all King books for me so we agree there. Can't wait for part 4 cause I haven't read Bag of Bones since it released and I remember being mixed about it similar to Insomnia. Some parts were great some was kinda boring and it was bloated.

[@lew.parker]

When's Part 4!? 😀🤘🏻

[@colinsetford4179]

I’d have put Rose Madder a touch higher but other than that, spot on.

[@alexm3448]

Wizard and Glass was the series highlight for me but really DT books 1-4 are perfect

[@kingofcomment-jn5rf]

i recommend 1997-2011