My Top 10 Stephen King Books (I've Read A LOT!)

[@eternal7172]

From the 50 I've read, these would be my picks 10. Firestarter 9. It 8. Dark Tower lll: The Wastelands 7. Pet Sematary 6. Salem's Lot 5. Misery 4. The Stand 3. The Shining 2. The Green Mile 1. 11/22/63

[@iangubeli]

GREAT LIST!!!

[@jadamccallister3353]

11/22/63 is so freaking good 😭❤️

[@IanTerronesReads]

Mine is pretty similar but the stand is #1 and 11/22/63 is number 2

[@corycastleman6351]

Green Mile and 11/22/63 in the top 3 is 👌👌👌

[@RedFuryBooks]

Great list, Ian! We have a lot of titles in common in our lists too. And I appreciate the shout out - I don't know if I'm the big King authority you mentioned but I'm flattered you think so. Have fun delving into more King!

[@iangubeli]

Thank you!

[@sobarino]

2 of my favorite youtubers!

[@Elijah_Gillard]

Bros been reading King all month and dropped it on us all at once

[@thegreatwaugh]

I’m here for it!😂

[@SHDDUPINEEDTHISSSS]

When a new video by the FREAKIN' GUY is posted, I typically leave everything I am doing and take my iPad to my Stephen King shrine to watch it. But this time, I am ACTUALLY IN MAINE!!!!!! DUDE!!!

[@SHDDUPINEEDTHISSSS]

Please read Thinner and The Running Man!! They're amazing fun

[@No8Named8Shadow]

11/22/63 Not only is it my favorite King but it’s also one of my favorite reading experiences ever.

[@michaelcolbourn6719]

I'm not American and know nothing about US history or politics other than JFK was shit dead. Would this impact my enjoyment of it or still worth a go?

[@No8Named8Shadow]

@ It shouldn’t impact your reading. King does a great job of breaking down American culture of that time, and partly why it’s my fav is because a good chunk of it isn’t about JFK.

[@thebeardedone6741]

@@michaelcolbourn6719 you’ll come to find out the book isn’t really much about JFK but it’s worth it! Just know he was considered a great president and that maybe the world would’ve been better if he wasn’t killed

[@terrypack562]

Been reading a lot of King lately, 11/22/63 and The Stand are in my top 5 OAT and I'm loving the Dark Tower so far, excellent video as always man!

[@emilyharmston324]

Awesome list. My husband, who is NOT a Stephen King fan (he just has a hard time connecting to his writing style), loves Needful Things. My personal faves -- The Stand and The Green Mile.

[@tc8404]

I’m with husband because King talks toooooo much about things not needed but I do like the movies though

[@gabbyreads]

This is such a great list! I think Pet Semetary is still my #1, but there are a few books on this list I still need to read! 😊

[@angelaholmes8888]

Here's my picks 1. Dolores Claiborne 2. Billy summers 3. Wizard and glass 4. the dead zone 5. Rose madder 6. the gunslinger 7. Needful things 8. The wastelands 9. Insomnia 10. the stand

[@iangubeli]

Dolores almost made my list!!

[@Usishxbshsh]

About to start my first ever Stephen King book with Billy Summers 🤭 you & Ashlyn have inspired me

[@quinncrochet19]

You should read Pet Sematary! My first book by Stephen King..I read if a month ago and loved it. Some parts were hard to read (sad/disturbing) but I'm so glad I picked it as my first book. I would definitely recommend ❤

[@Usishxbshsh]

@@quinncrochet19 I’ll add it to my list!!

[@MadameV1993]

Ditto! Billy summers just arrived home and I can't wait to start on my Stephen King's journey (I've been dabbling in it with some short stories, but I think that reading a full physical book is the real deal. Happy reading experience

[@quinncrochet19]

@@MadameV1993 Do you own Different Seasons? I would definitely recommend reading Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

[@Twinbranchesgardening]

Bros killing the uploads this month I love ❤️ it

[@LetItBe16]

This man is on fire! Making up for lost time, by far! I wait on his videos every week and here lately has been some huge surprises!

[@shayna897]

My boyfriend is working on the Dark Tower series; and he is so hyped at all the connections in many other King books! I've been focusing on other series/books recently but this video got me excited to start reading Stephen King!

[@CozyCornerArt]

Oh! And Duma Key kidnapped me lol. I was walking reading it. Cooking reading it. I could not stop, it was so good!

[@Krusty_6X]

Duma Key was one of my all time favorite King books as well!

[@katiegloyd]

Love this video it’s so helpful with navigating all the good Stephen king books. I’ve only read three of his but I would love to see you read the body. I loved it so much and plus it’s a quick read too.

[@kristianascharrenberg9958]

I appreciate the passion!! Stephen King is the GOAT. The Dead Zone is my fave🤗

[@TheReadingWizard]

Hey I’m first, I’m reading salems lot right now and it is so good, Ian you inspired me to read more Stephen king, thanks!

[@louyou6614]

i never had a single unique experience because me too tbr i am too early in the bbok to judge very begigning

[@TheReadingWizard]

I am almost 100 pages in, I like it very much

[@hollygolightly1750]

Hope you have so much fun reading! Its one of my favourite books ever! 😊 Btw would also highly recommend the outsider, it‘s often overlooked but amazing imo

[@MoreConsole]

Nice list. Surprised not to see Misery on here. It's one of my fave books of all time.

[@iangubeli]

It almost made it! I had too many honorable mentions.

[@heathermccreary8933]

I was listening to Doctor Sleep today and realized there was a connection to NOS4A2 by Joe Hill. That blew my mind. LOL! Wonderful list! I need to read 11/22/63.

[@eclecticlikeolivia]

I'm on a Stephen King journey too! 11/22/63 is my favorite by far, but I've also read Salem's Lot and Misery this year, which I absolutely loved.

[@metanoia_p]

I've just started Salem's Lot!!!!! You made me keep on reading Stephen King after starting with The Shining early this year. Now I've already read 11/22/63, Billy Summers and Pet Semetary, and I really enjoy his characters. Unpopular opinion: I didn't really enjoy Pet Semetary that much... Maybe I had my expectations too high, I don't know. We'll see what happens with Salem's Lot (I don't really love terror, but Dracula is one of my super fav books). Hugs from Spain!!!! love Ashlynn's channel too

[@spookybookz9981]

As a horror bookworm I Loved this , my top 3 kings are 11.22.63, IT and fairytale !

[@taytolson4249]

I couldn’t finish IT 😭

[@douluvmee]

I read Cujo a few days ago. It was so sad, especially the ending. Although some parts of the book were a bit lackluster, it was still well-written, and I cried at the ending!

[@columbia2635]

I read Cujo in the early 80s, in a bikini, tanning on a chaise - and I bawled like a big ol' baby the whole way through. I don't think I could ever bring myself to read it again but it totally sold me on Stephen King's novels.

[@alexw8532]

Bought 11/22/63 for my November book, since he's a thick boi. I appreciate you put doctor sleep at the same rating as the shining. My favorite King so far has been Salems Lot. I've read it so many times over the last 15+ years. It was my first King and still my favorite. I see you and your wife read Fairy Tale! I cannot wait to see yalls thoughts (I loved it).

[@veronicavelardo03]

love the Stephen King content! Salem's lot is one of my favourites, but I still have to read a lot of his works

[@Capucinette]

As someone who owns more than 50 Stephen King Books, I LOVED THIS VIDEO. And YES, Pet Semetary and IT deserve to be exactly where you put them! They are my favorite King's books !!! Ok you got yourself a new follower thank youuuu

[@lessthandeserved]

I haven't read that many so my top 5 would be 5. Misery 4. The stand 3. Pet sematary 2. Shining 1. The green mile Needful things has been sitting on my shelf for forever now (it used to be my mum's so very long) and I think I should read it soon 🤔 I finished the second book in the dark tower series and really should continue that as well

[@CozyCornerArt]

Loved this! Also I bought the entire Red Rising series, it comes tomorrow, and I can't wait to start haha. Also any time someone has asked me where to start with Stephen King, I usually hand them to Pet Sematary or Salem's Lot. I think they're both approachable in length but representative enough of Stephen King that it's not like sending them to Hearts in Atlantis or something lol.

[@wiebkeh.4394]

I'm currently both catching up on King's more recent and re-reading his older stuff, so I have a top 8: 8. Cell 7. Cujo 6. The Shining 5. The Institute 4. Doctor Sleep 3. Carrie 2. Lisey's Story 1. Dolores Claiborne I guess my favourite sub genre within the King's realm is called "Good for her". 😅

[@columbia2635]

Your King list is much more familiar to me than the others so I guess I'm also a "Good for her" kind of reader!

[@dfp110]

I have been a SK fan since the 80's, when I first started reading him. Right now Im reading The Dark Half and really enjoying it. This was turned into a movie, which I saw and have wanted to read the book. There are always lots of details missed in the movies, and Iblikecto go an get "the rest of the story". My next SK read is 11/22/63.

[@brucegrossman3531]

Just read Needful Things last month. And shocked my current read Billy Summers wasn't in the top ten. I'm halfway through . And before I even started it I had Duma Key as my next King. Great to hear it's one of your top choices. Cause I don't see a lot of love for that one.

[@johnneeley1740]

1. 11/22/63 2. Pet Cemetery 3. The Shining 4. The Drawing of the 3 5. The Dark Tower I still need to read more I’m closer to 20 books of his read He’s amazing

[@queenkim8631]

My top 3 Stephen King books are Pet Sematary, Misery and 11/22/63😁 I've been procrastinating reading The Stand and It😅

[@Lezzite]

Start IT already, you won’t regret it I promise you.

[@sbragdon212]

The Goode Books shirt though 😂👍 (my fav book of all time, ironically!)

[@teachmrshh6169]

Yaaas! It is my fave, too! The detail is unreal!

[@My.Latest.Obsession]

I don’t think I’ve read 10 Stephen King books yet but I really enjoyed 11/22/63 and Revival.

[@raniareadsmore]

Bazaar of bad dreams was a good introduction to Stephen King for me. It’s a short story collection and gives a good glimpse into his writing style without committing to a chunky book. On another note, loving the uploads this month! ❤

[@avnish_s]

I really needed this video!!❤

[@Israel_Abramtzev]

Hi Ian, I read all of Stephen King Books, my Top 10: 10) Wizard and Glass (The fourth book in the The Dark Tower series).: 9) Needful Things. 8) Salem's Lot. 7) The Stand . 6) Misery , 5) Duma Key. 4) Pet Sematary. 3) It.. 2) The Shining. 1) Lisey Story.

[@tracywinters9629]

My husband got me into Stephen King just like you did with your wife and I love him, I still need to read alot more of his books.

[@avnish_s]

The humour iann brings to his videos.., i loved it the first time i watched him and he became THE booktuber of mine

[@Ky-kh5ur]

Furiously updating my TBR while watching this

[@TNgirl546]

IWhen the green mile first came out it came out in serial form. 6 books total from March to August (1996). It drove me crazy and I could not wait for the next one to come. I read them so fast.

[@sjthorn]

I have yet to read a lot of these, but they are all on my list, and many I own just waiting to be read. I agree that Needful Things needs way more love.

[@cathymachia385]

My favorite Stephen King book, and my favorite book of all time, is The Stand. I am currently rereading’Salem’s Lot, which I read the first time way back in the 1970’s. It scared me more than any book I have ever read. However, I am currently in the middle of the story, and it’s creepy but it’s not scaring me yet. Maybe I’ve read too many scary books. I recently read Needful Things and would definitely rate that one of King’s best. I’ve never read the Shining, so that’s next on my list. I agree with your top 10, except for It. Really didn’t like that one. Thanks for this list and I’m a new subscriber so keep up the good work!

[@ginnystwocents]

I was gifted my aunt's collection of Stephen King books (not all but over 50). I posted my reaction to what ones I had heard of and what I haven't on my channel the other day with the second part coming out tomorrow evening. I read Misery and Gerald's Game as a teenager (I'm in my 40s now). This year I read Insomnia and Cycle Of The Werewolf. Thanks for your insight into some of them since I still have a lot to get through!

[@yanivbroder4884]

Some of my favorites (not including books from your list): Insomnia (great DT connections), Misery, The Dark Half, The Talisman (written with Peter Straub)

[@AmandasBooktopia]

I’m actually planning on reading 11/22/63 in November for Historathon. It will be my first Stephen King book. I’ve seen a bunch of the movies from his books but haven’t read a single one. I hope I like it as much as you do!

[@iangubeli]

Excited to hear your thoughts! That book is beautiful!

[@AmandasBooktopia]

I’ll let you know! Maybe I’ll do a vlog on it.

[@francesca.m.]

My guyyyy! Thank you soo much for suggesting Red Furys video! I just finished The Wastelands and his info on the Dark Tower tie in books was priceless! I was wondering about them and thinking I'd just finish the main series first, then read the tie ins. I'm so glad I watched his video before charging ahead with that reading order! I'm adding all his suggestions into my reading order and am so excited to have a mega list of books to get thru in order to finish the series! 🎉🫡🤠

[@edithluis4671]

I read The Stand because of your recommendation. While I did really like it, it was just too long and I was so over it by the time I got to 1100 pages! I’m on 11/22/63 now- so far so good. Pet Cemetery was my first SK. 👍🏼

[@perryking1679]

Like the list man i would like to recommend the bill hodges series starting with Mr. Mercedes totally caught me off guard not Stephen's usual style but they are amazing, also slightly newer ones of his are good like the institute and fairy tale

[@BookBuds]

Just read Pet Sematary and loved it !!! Such a great story !! I loved it so much I needed more immediately so I’m now reading Misery and I like it even more !! Great video !

[@Luckathefranglais]

I love dr sleep so much. It pretty deep about the shine. Also i love rose the hat about her goal and personality as it is well written as a character

[@miggs_fmp]

I've owned Pet Sematary for years now and haven't gotten around to actually reading it for some reason. I'm nearing the end of DT Book 3 tho! I'm super excited to read Book 4! Your videos really make me want to keep reading Stephen King!

[@kaylamcabee6881]

Finally!!! Currently reading Salem’s Lot. You and Ashlynn have inspired me to pick up SK!

[@mandyschmidt7960]

I still think Apt Pupil is his most disturbing and I love The Body as well. Different Seasons is definitely the one I've revisited the most, so that's my number one and the rest in no particular order are Mr. Mercedes (and anything with Holly and/or Bill and Jerome and his sister, I love this group of characters so much), Pet Semetary, Cujo, Lisey's Story, The Dead Zone, It, The Stand, Bag of Bones, Misery... damn it, I could list more, there are too many good ones...

[@flemingstephen16]

Apparently, I’ve started with #1 and am going to #2 next lol Red Fury Books is amazing. He’s got me wanting to fit GGK into my TBR somehow. I appreciate how you both read a wide variety of books. Also, a Stephen King conversation between you, Red Fury Books, and Mike’s Book Reviews would be fantastic.

[@vlado3915]

Just bought The Stand and cant wait to start that brick. Wish me luck !!

[@elenas8295]

This video came at the perfect time because I was just hit with an "I want to see what Stephen King is all about" mood!

[@Freakgirl1985]

I have still many Stephen King books left to read, but I have read a bunch and I loved "The Dark Tower" series - Fun fact: The colleague that told me to read it also spoiled the ending for me! - and also still hold "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" dear to my heart, because it was my first King.

[@JohnSaxon-vw5vi]

So excited for this video and too see your fantastic top ten 🔟 prayers and blessings to you and your wife and families love your Aussie family friend John xxx

[@rogerwilliams4493]

The best thing I've ever read by King is the short story/essay "Head Down." It's a non fiction account of his kids little league season and run to a state championship. I believe it's reprinted at the end of Nightmares and Dreamscapes.

[@sherribugd3799]

My top 2 are It and Salems Lot. The rest are Pet Sematary, The Stand, Misery, Carrie, The Dark Half, Needful Things, Gerald’s Game, The Green Mike, and Skeleton Crew.

[@kamidsjournee]

I was a fan when they first came out (yes, I’m old). At the time, The Dark Tower was unobtainable. My first king/straub novel was The Talisman. Now, I own almost everything he’s written and I’m reading them chronologically. I want to discover the thread that binds them. Excellent video!

[@Viviannn29]

The only one I’ve read was IT followed by watching the movies developing an obsession to the point where I pretty much cry about Stan and Eddie like every day 😭 but it’s my favorite fandom and like I LOVE IT SO MUCHHHH❤❤❤❤

[@tessib.1043]

My absolute favorite is It as well, but my second would be Bag of Bones.

[@StarWarrior91]

11/22/63 was my first King book ever and I loved it. Best book of the year for me

[@AngiGustafson]

I’ve been reading Stephen King since I was 13 and he has been my favorite author ever since hands down my top two books are The Green Mile and The Stand

[@russellsmivs]

I've only read five Stephen King books and so far my order is: 1. Misery 2. The Shining 3. The Gunslinger 4. Delores Claiborne 5. 1922 Currently reading Fairytale

[@conoredwards4423]

I'm currently reading Needful Things and it's my first Stephen King novel

[@angelaholmes8888]

There's an adaptation of needful things it came out in the 90,s starring max von Snyder and ed Harris

[@meganpitts]

I have not read a Stephen King book😅 but 11/22/63 sounds right up my alley. I love anything to do with time travel in shows or books so I definitely have that one on my list. Not really a fan of horror but I’d definitely be into ready more of his lit fiction too

[@lizc.214]

It was my 1st King book and enjoyed immensely! The book is close to 900 pages, but it flew by for me. This book gets tagged as horror, but it isn't.

[@ednalee906]

I have started my first Stephen King book "The Stand" so I had to skip that part of the video. I was surprised that it came in number 4 for you but I understand why. I am just starting it and I am liking it so far. Because of its size I am giving myself a couple of months to finish it.

[@thebeardedone6741]

Racheal’s ending on pet Semetary really hurt me more than anything else about it, what happened to her and Ellie because of the grief Louis was going through and the length he was willing to take to fix the unfixable but make it worse than what it already was broke my heart for the broken family

[@abbirreads]

Thank you for making this! I'm actually named after one of King's characters and so I feel like I should read more of him. I just bought The Shining on vacation.

[@morganhein2781]

I've been reading bits of Stephen King and my favorite so far is Misery. 11/22/63 is a close 2nd but the other books I've read by him I wasn't too crazy about(IT and Under the Dome).

[@Alex-jo6rb]

I love Pet sematary (all time fav book), the dead zone, 11/22, and salems lot the most

[@behindthecontrollergaming]

I’m currently reading It. I’m a little over half. But so far I fully agree with what you said. I’m still super super super early in my reading and Stephen king journey but man it’s so good

[@grafffuller3265]

I've only read a few of Stephen King's books (the first two of the Dark Tower series, and The Stand). I'm am NOT a horror fan (though my wife IS). So, we have ALL the Stephen King books, but now I think I can trust you to guide the best. I will be continuing The Dark Tower series, especially to get to Wizard and Glass, but will be picking up the books left on this list, that I have not read (which is actually TEN books). Thanks for this list. We really enjoy your videos. Talk to you, later.

[@MoniquetheBookGeek]

Currently on my Stephen King journey... The Shining is my favorite, which I read as a teen and re-read last month.

[@nilulal545]

Finally, Roland (😉) into the Dark Tower series!! I made a promise a serious commitment that by the end of 2025, I'll finish all SK books till this date is out. IT took me a very long time, but I was happy to finish that chunker!! 😊

[@michaelcolbourn6719]

Im currently only on my 9th King boom which is the Stand and about halfway through. And 2 of those are novellas from collection published individually. To rank them so far it would be: 8. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon 7. The Mist 6. The Shining 5. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redmeption 4. The Eyes of The Dragon 3. Carrie 2. Pet Semetary 1. Misery

[@emont0227]

never been this early to a video!! so excited🎉✨

[@thegreatwaugh]

Awesome video and great list!

[@pieohpah69]

I really like Pet Semetary, but I place Mr. Mercedes an Tommyknockers on my top 10 as well. Nice list, and good effort

[@kiiroMADE]

What makes you put Tommyknockers on your top10? Most people seem to put that book in the gutter. I actually haven't read any SK-book yet but am about to start with it, Tommyknockers has always intrigued me when looking it up.

[@pieohpah69]

@ I loved the begining and feel in Tommyknockers. And it was fun

[@CouiniDeluxe]

I haven't read all of Stephen King's books yet, but for now Needflul Things is the first on my top 10 list of all his books ever. I really loved that story.

[@Kittyzero13426]

Fun video to see during October and It is number one. That is one book I am not planning to read because unfortunately the movie has made me scared of clowns when I was little so I will take your word on that one. I have been eyeing on reading Pet Semantary, 11/22/63, or Fairy Tale for my first Stephen King book. Happy reading!

[@quinncrochet19]

Pet Sematary!! Was my first. So good!

[@veelog295]

Thanks! Entertaining and well done.

[@ashleydochuk9603]

My fav is 11/22/63. But I also loved the long walk! I really want to read the dark tower series and the eyes of the dragon.

[@elisabethprice4697]

Wow posting again so soon I love it!!!!!!!!!

[@paperpagespossibilities]

Two of my favorite Stephen King works are actually short stories, both The Mist and The Langoliers. I'd love to hear your thoughts on them!

[@GaryGriffiths-kx2zp]

“Needful Things,” a triumph. Such an uncanny dissection. Of the dark side of human beings. Probably my favorite next to The Stand and Green Mile.

[@smonroig]

ARE U KIDDING ME?!!! Best month ever.

[@Megrosalie]

I am going to add all these Stephen king books on my tbr !!!! ASAP!

[@Visheshmishra12906]

Pet Sematary....... One of my most favorite books and i wanna tell that when i was going to start off that book i was thinking that how could a book with per cemetery can haunt me or can leave a heavy impact on me and i was also curious to know that how Stephen king was gonna justify the title 'maybe death is better' but when i read it ohh man it was really dark and became one of my most favourite book of all time...

[@Ghostvix]

My current goal is to read as many of King's books as I can. 😅

[@iangubeli]

Same!

[@Nataliecj]

I'm very early in my Stephen King journey (I've only read The Body, 11/22/63, Dolores Claiborne, The Dark Tower, The Institute, Low Men in Yellow Coats and It), but It is also my favourite by far. I'm afraid nothing will live up to it. I'm excited to read all the books on your list. There's a shop that I pass on my way to work that's called Needful Things, I wonder if it was named after the book.

[@nick_4972]

As an adult, I've read one Stephen King book and it was 11/22/63. Finished about a couple months ago. Don't know how any of his other books can top that one. Probably shouldn't have started with one of his best lol

[@ginjani_8247]

Great vid! You made a list entertaining and now i wanna read duma key lol

[@InSophiesBooks]

Pet Sematary is still my #1 by King but I still need to read Needful Things from your list

[@pattiy8240]

The Stand, Green Mile, Pet Cemetery on my list. Pet Cemetery scared me the most! While reading, I actually thought I could feel grit in my teeth.