What Stephen King book should you read? | Discussion & Recommendations

[@CaatsGoMoooo]

Yoooo, FINALLY someone who's favourite is also Lisey's Story! It gets so much undue hate, which breaks my heart. The poetic writing, imagery, and the puzzle-like way the plot unfolds was just a total treat to read. No shame in admitting I cried like a baby during the last 15 or so pages LOL

[@alexe2255]

Top 5 SK books: 1. IT (read it!!) 2. The Stand 3. The Eyes of the Dragon 4. The Green Mile 5. The Shining

[@youcouldntbemorerightbroia4016]

Alex Elsheimer no bitch number two should be misery

[@matthewmedley8532]

Great taste. I would also put salems lot up there.

[@maxarellano5663]

Alex Elsheimer what about 11/22/63

[@MystFanGaming]

I feel like "The Long Walk" is a very underrated King novel

[@jennafra]

thank you so much for making this video, I have only read Carrie, the girl who loved tom Gordon, and 11/22/63. But I have many Stephen King books on my tbr, so this video definitely made me excited to pick them up : )

[@TheReadingRhodes]

No problem, I'm really glad to hear that!

[@rhondamcgowan7371]

Oh my gosh! You are the biggest book nerd! I love finding other peeps who understand my obsession!! By the way...great reviews!!!

[@lindsayejoy]

i'm apparently VERY late to this video but i wanted to say how much i enjoyed it. you have a great way of explaining books and your voice is soooo relaxing. thank you for taking the time to make this video as i am just reading my first SK novel ever.

[@twebible]

Thank you for taking the time to do this:) I think of the books you mentioned would be 11/22/63. I'll look for your next Stephen King video:)

[@TheReadingRhodes]

No problem! Definitely check out 11/22/63, like I said it's incredibly well written and a book I really think most people would love if they read it, regardless (for the most part) of what genres they enjoy. I've heard several people, who aren't huge fans of SK's other stuff, say that that book is great.

[@kamsbooksandstuff9966]

Loving The Stand so far I'm about 150 pages in and its my first one thanks for recommendation I will definitely pick up Salems Lot soon!

[@CurrrlyDAN]

Hey there! I started watching this video not really thinking I'd watch it all the way through... but here I am, 49 minutes in, and I gotta say I enjoyed listening to what you have to say about Stephen King's books (those of which you've read, I mean.) Thank you for making this video! I haven't read many of Stephen King's novels- just Carrie, Cell, The Shining and some short stories- but your video has definitely made me want to read more! I look forward to checking out more of your videos :D

[@L0ST2MyPSV]

The way you talk about these books make me want to read all of them. I dont have that time. but ill definitely read more King. Recently picked up The Stand and The Gunslinger. Great video.

[@pietkellers]

really enjoyed this video. Well done. just started reading Stephen King books and it looks like I am not going to stop. thanks for this video.

[@ConiAndrea]

Awesome video!! It was so much fun hearing your thoughts on every book you've read! :) Out of the ones you mentioned I really want to read Salem's Lot, The Stand and Lisey's Story, I haven't read any of The Dark Tower books but really want to after I read a few of King's earlists books, I've read about half of his novels and I do too want to read them all some day! Out of his Bachman novels I recommend The Long Walk, I've never felt so much physical pain while reading a book, it really messes with your head, in the best way possible! and I will be definitely pre-ordering Mr. Mercedes, sounds great!

[@TheReadingRhodes]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I'm glad you found more stuff from him you want to read! I've heard a lot of really great things about the other Bachman books, and The Long Walk specifically so I think I may try to get that soon.

[@cher1202]

Such a helpful and well organized video, thank you! Stephen King is very hit or miss for me as I don't typically enjoy horror, but I do like some of his more sci-fi or fantasy conceptualized novels, with my favorite by him being 11/22/63. The Talisman and Lisey's Story sound like ones I need to pick up.

[@TheReadingRhodes]

Please do! 11/22/63 and Lisey's Story both show a great range of storytelling ability, and The Talisman is just incredible and has the added bonus of another great writer contributing to the story.

[@noodlebamboo]

I have to admit I'm not interested in horror at all - but every title you mentioned that was not horror, was very appealing to me! Especially Under the Dome. So I'll be looking into those soon. Thanks for the very helpful video!

[@TheReadingRhodes]

I'm glad you found some things to be interested in! Under The Dome is great, really an epic drama book, with so many different characters and ideas thrown into it. I hope you enjoy whatever you decide to pick up by him!

[@LongIslandReader]

Really enjoyed this video! Just found your channel today & have been watching your videos. I have read several Stephen King novels, but not enough! The last one I read was Duma Key which I enjoyed. He is definitely the Master!

[@TheReadingRhodes]

Thank you! I think I need to reread Duma Key, I only read it once when it first came out. I remember really being into it but found the end to be a little weird. If you liked that one, I'd definitely recommend Bag of Bones as your next SK read if you haven't read it yet.

[@LongIslandReader]

I'll definitely check that one out! Thanks!

[@bookbabbler2845]

So refreshing to see your videos . I subbed last night after watching the first one . I have only read a handful of King's books, my favorite so far being 11-22-63 . I have a couple more ( The Stand and The Shining ) You have inspired me to pick up a few more and give them a try . Keep on making videos ,and I'll keep watching them . :)

[@FinalBlowJoe]

I have several of his books which I kind of inherited when my older sister left home when I was younger, haven't read many of them though. Always been a bit wary of his work due to all the hype to be honest but your enthusiasm makes me think I should. I liked the Bachman books, The Long Walk I thought was fascinating, very psychological. I loved Night Shift and Nightmares & Dreamscapes

[@TheReadingRhodes]

I can understand being a bit wary of reading his stuff, but I hope you'll check some more stuff out! I'm going to try to read The Long Walk really soon, cause I've heard so many things about it and it's probably one of the SK books people recommend to me most often.

[@FinalBlowJoe]

Since writing that comment I went to look at my King books and they appear to have vanished, appropriate for his style but frustrating.

[@kimandzackjervis6683]

I've read about 20 King books and I think 11/22/63 is pretty high up there. The Stand and It are epic. They take alot of dedication. Sometimes (thinking of It here) he gets a little bogged down. But the feeling you have when you finish a journey with the characters he creates is one of a kind.

[@Bookupied]

Love the Stand By Me movie! I had no idea it was based on a King novel. And Secret Window is one of my favourite movies. I loved reading On Writing, it's just so interesting to get to know a bit about his life. Thank you for taking the time to film this, it's been very interesting to hear your thoughts! (I've been watching this in several sittings, haha)

[@TheReadingRhodes]

You should definitely check out his novellas then, if you like those movies! Almost all of his Novellas would make really great films - they're usually structured in a way that works well for cinema. That's perfectly fine! =] I realize it's way too long for most people to sit through all the way.

[@peterbach9276]

I live in hungary(middle europe). I couldnt find these books, but I got invited to america by my sister, and I asked her to get the book it. It will be delivered today. I cant wait

[@aleksandrawegner9356]

I loved Needful Things, I remember reading it in my first language around early high school. I still remember it pretty well, it really got stuck with me.

[@TheReadingRhodes]

Same here! It was one of my firsts, and (maybe because of that) it's always stuck with me as well. It's one of his most interesting ideas in my opinion, with some of his best characters.

[@alanbraswell5545]

Dream Catcher and the Tommy Knockers were two books that Stephen King wrote that he said were two of his worst ones that he wrote. Isomnia is a book that is only understood if one has read the Dark Tower Series. Stephen King actually writes stories about good versus evil. Sometimes evil wins, but not always. The characters in his stories are ones that one would not pick to defeat evil. The Shining is my best of the Stephen Kings novels.Cell is a book that has a lot of cheesy dialouge.

[@mickeyganger7478]

Thank you for making this video Chris! Such a useful info for me to start reading King's books.

[@benhillman8384]

Friend, I'm late to the party but this was a very enjoyable listen that I'm sure I will probably have to go over more than once to actually absorb -I really enjoyed this quick-fire look at a single author. The dark tower is almost certainly my favorite King book, despite being almost totally marred by all the others following it. It's such a well formed and tantalising piece, more reminiscent of Gene Wolfe's ouevre, that if the main conceit of the structure (No spoilers) had occurred within this first volume it might have been something truly "of the first water."

[@Bookupied]

Ah, I need to read 'Salem's Lot!!! For some reason I always thought it was about witches.. haha. And I definitley want to read The Talisman.

[@TheReadingRhodes]

Seems like an easy mistake to make, cause of the salem witch trials :P I'm glad you saw some things you want to read!

[@JaimieStarshine]

I'm starting off with 'Under the Dome', I didn't realize how long it was compared to King's other work. Maybe I should have started with something else. I watched the TV show, not sure if I'll be watching the newest season, as I don't like what they were doing with it. I've read about 60 pages so far and it is very different from the show.

[@niksbookworld779]

I watched the TV show and I just saw the series premiere for season 3 last night. It was good but the show isn't what I thought it was going to be. But it's good.

[@matthewmedley8532]

Recommend starting with an early classic like salems lot. Misery is a brilliant example of king firing on all cylinders as well.

[@RobinHoodGirlWonder]

I'm halfway through Under The Dome and loving it! Also great channel :) We share similar tastes in books.

[@TheReadingRhodes]

Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying Under the Dome, it's one of the densest things he's written but really shows off his character and town-building skills.

[@nedcovington4731]

Good video and great channel overall. Small quip, King was hit by a van, not a transfer truck! My favorites are It, Stand, Under the Dome and Salems Lot.

[@nedcovington4731]

You've inspired me to read Lisey's Story!

[@meredithbillington1544]

20 years ago I started reading the Dark Tower series. I have read The Gunslinger at least three times. I'd be interested in a read along, though I don't own any of the books and would have to check the books out from the library.

[@Abonanno24601]

the Dark Tower series is one of the best piece of work he ever wrote. I love how it ties a lot of his other books together.

[@patcoston]

I recommend always putting up the covers to make it easy for viewers to jump to the books they want to hear about. You could also put the time-stamp in your description for each book. Either that, or hold the book still and don't cover the title, so people can actually read it. Thanks for editing out your uhhs, and ahhs. I was here for Mr. Mercedes, The Long Walk and the Tommyknockers. it got really dark near the end! You can now stream Mr. Mercedes season 1 (book 1) and season 2 (book 3). Read the Bachman books! Especially The Long Walk.

[@MooniK55]

I definitely want to read all of them! And i'm sorry to say that i haven't read The Dark Tower yet. I agree with Joyland beeing a quick and fun read, and i loved Misery! The Shining was good too, maybe i found it a little slow at the beginning but i was fascinated by the story behind the inn. The more complicated book i read by S.K. so far was IT; it is so full of stuff, there are some pretty brutal things too. But in the end it's amazing. It's a little scary to get into it at first: it's huge! I would definitely reccomend it, along with Pet Sematary. I'm looking forward to read Dr. Sleep and The Tommyknockers too. ;) Hope i'll have some extra money soon.

[@TheReadingRhodes]

IT is very near the top of my list of SK to read - someday I'll read everything by him. The Tommyknockers is actually on my shelf, I just haven't gotten around to it yet...but it seems really underrated and hardly talked about and I know barely anything about it so I'm excited for that.

[@chickenpoodle1]

Gerald's Game, Dolores Claiborne, Pet Semetary, The Green Mile and Eyes of The Dragon are good too. Favorite short story is Mrs. Todd's Shortcut and Rage which is out of circulation due to a gun violence incident.

[@pouliner01]

My top 5 1.It 2.Salem's lot 3. 22/11/63 4. the shining 5. Different seasons

[@isismolina3]

The first book I ever read from Stephen King was The Shining and I loved it. Then I picked up Doctor Sleep and now it is my favorite book. This was really interesting!

[@TheReadingRhodes]

Thank you! The Shining/Doctor Sleep combo is amazing and is definitely some of King's best work

[@isismolina3]

Well, since those are the only books I've read from him I will have to take your word on that. I'm still unsure if I should read "Carrie" or "The Talisman" next because they both sound great.

[@corey24fan]

My top 5 5. Cell 4. Pet Sematary 3. Carrie 2. The Shining 1. 11/22/63

[@youcouldntbemorerightbroia4016]

Neon Future Trick Shots cell is crap

[@matthewmedley8532]

Would you consider pet sematary must read king? Never got round to reading it.

[@cuttynichols]

Dude ... had a good time watching entire video.. really like the read along idea...what a way to connect...I'll more then likely watch all your vids. Carlos. Detroit..

[@rolanddarktower1]

'salems Lot is one of his best but it isn't ridiculously long like some of his best (It, the Stand, Under the Dome, and the Dark Tower series)

[@annatherese02]

Love Stephen King! I've actually watched this video a couple of months ago but I just wanted to come back to it now and I realized you didn't include It? Haven't you read it yet? Really enjoyed that book.

[@TheReadingRhodes]

Anna FG I still haven't read IT yet - I know, it's shameful haha. I'm definitely going to get to it in 2015 for sure.

[@jer2dabear]

+TheReading Rhodes have you read "it" yet? it's AMAZING!

[@homemarcenaro9412]

You did a wonderful job with this video dude, thank you so much! Greetings from Argentina! 😄

[@danpallatt5413]

I've only read The Shining just recently and it's probably the best book I've read in a long time. I've also got his book as Richard Bachman The Long Walk. Is there any particular book that I should definitely read after The Shining that you'd recommend. Great video btw

[@channelworld111]

You totally got me craving some Stephen King books!! I've always wanted to read his books, I don't why I haven't yet. I've seen most of the movie adaptations though, when I was little I don't remember how but with a friend we managed to get that old movie "it" and I remember I was terrified for months after watching it haha. But I love horror stories so the next time I order books I'll add Stephen King to the mix, who knows when I'll get them cause I live in Argentina but I'll let you know when I do cause I'm getting them thanks to you after all... 1 more thing, Have you read "Between the devil and the deep blue sea"? If not you should try it, you might like it. There are some characters in it with some mind powers they call it the glow (reminds me of the shining right?) It's kind of a dark story maybe creepy to some people... the setting is amazing, an old mansion, a cliff, woods, a maze... I liked it a lot. Yes it has some romance, but I liked it too I'm such a girl that way :) Greeting from Argentina!! See ya!!

[@TheReadingRhodes]

IT is such a freaky movie so I understand haha. I love Tim Curry as Pennywise. I need to read IT - I think I probably will soon, as I don't remember way too much about the story since it's been a while since I saw the movie. Definitely get some Stephen King, especially if you love horror! And thank you for that recommendation! I've never heard of that before. I mean wow..."glow", an old mansion, a maze...sounds a lot like The Shining haha. I'll take a look into it!

[@plaguedoctormasque8089]

The Stand blew my mind Epic is damming with faint with faint praise!!!

[@marcusjahn4909]

You're very delightful to listen to

[@bronan4775]

Top 5 5. Mr. Mercedes 4. The Shining 3. Revival 2. The Dark Tower Series 1. 'Salem's Lot

[@chrisshaver]

I'm a huge King fan and have read most of his stuff. I loved your reviews but have one correction..... King was hit by a van and not a tractor trailer. he later bought the van and beat the hell out of it with a bat. lol. great job and keep it up

[@culturefan]

Good job dude, I enjoy some Stephen King as well. Wondered if you'd read Rose Madder? I'm so behind in reading some of his books, but got inspired to start one due to you vid. Thanks.

[@KevinsKontentKorner]

William Wright I thought Rose Madder was a fantastic book. Probably his best book that doesn't get much attention. My favorite of all time is Bag of Bones.

[@davida.cortez9346]

1). The Stand (Definitely a masterpiece) 2). The Dark Tower Series (Don't read this first) 3). It (This would be #1 but I read The Stand first) 4). Carrie (Start with this one first or) 5). The Shining (This is also a good first read if you haven't read SK)

[@matthewmedley4979]

1 Green Mile 2 IT 3 Mr Mercedes 4 Salem's Lot 5 The Shining

[@elijohnson2875]

1) The Stand 2) IT 3) The Shining 4) Under the Dome 5) The Dark Half

[@matthewmedley8532]

David A. Cortez fantastic list. I would put salems lot and the entire mr Mercedes trilogy just below that 5. Joylands a classic also.

[@ismaeelzaid5337]

Is it just me or "Carrie" is vey similar to Roald Dahl's "Matilda". Everyone hates them and they both have telikinetic powers.

[@thedanger1269]

Lol yea butt Matilda doesn't end in mass murder.

[@PeeweePanda]

The Danger!!! LeL

[@ANoteToSelf]

1. Bag of Bones 2. Full Dark, No Stars 3. The Dead Zone 4. The Talisman 5. Misery

[@upmysIeeves]

Interesting. A lot of reviewers that i've come across didn't like Bag of Bones. What did you like about it?

[@ANoteToSelf]

bacon92780 WHAAA? REALLY! It's got a pretty solid rating on Goodreads. I loved the story(so does everyone I've recommended it to). It scared the shit out of me, but mostly I related to the message of grief and loved the mystery. It was a larrgeeee book, but it wasn't slow for me at all. There was only one chapter early on that was a little boring. I would definitely recommend!

[@MissChanelization]

ANoteToSelf

[@ANoteToSelf]

denise alicea yes?

[@oothunderkock7267]

As of now I own Nightmares and Dreamscapes, Dreamcatcher, Full Dark No Stars, It, Salem's Lot, Needful Things, Four Past Midnight, The Talisman, Bag Of Bones, Hearts In Atlantis, and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (which I've read) please recommend which one I should read first.

[@rolanddarktower1]

+OOThunder Kock Salem's Lot

[@niksbookworld779]

I don't know if you were reviewing every book or not but I saw that you skipped some books like Dreamcatcher after you talked about the car accident. That book came out awhile after the accident. Like a couple months.

[@bronan4775]

He only talked about the books he has or has read

[@PunkRockDiva1979]

the shining and It both books scare the crap out of me. love me some stephen king books

[@caseyledbetter8003]

i know this video is really old but have you checked out It yet? if so what's your thoughts on it. it's my favorite novel by him.

[@bawbscharfe6949]

Holy crap! 1980's Crispin Glover has a KZbin channel. Watch out David Letterman!

[@maria-fecamargo470]

How many stars do you give Under The Dome? I haven't read a single book by Stephen King. I actually only read YA but I just finished watching the Under The Dome tv show and I've heared it's so much different from the book so I really intresting in buying it but like I said...I haven't read a Stephen King book yet and Under The Dome is really huge so...what do you think?

[@niksbookworld779]

And why did it get dark in your room at the end?

[@brandonwright7677]

And the greenmile... lol good book.

[@jack-he7fv]

Where is IT?

[@BetweenLinesAndLife]

I was always too scared to read Stephen King, because.. I dont really know why.. But I always thought that, if you love books you have to read Stephen King! So thanks for that video (by the way, I looove long videos) I definitely find some books I probably gonna read!

[@Southpole100]

Would you recommend reading IT, after only reading The Shining and Pet Sematary? or should I read something that's not as long, before getting to IT?

[@DaveNoodles]

+Southpole100 It is probably his best, so it can be read at any time.

[@joker12384]

definitely read IT its my personal favorite a really great and diverse story.

[@e.d.m3076]

Your hair is amazing! :)

[@ZakSalter]

The girl who loved Tom Gordon the main character was a teenage girl as we'll...

[@Bookupied]

And yeah, Pet Sematary is AMAZING.

[@TheReadingRhodes]

I need to get to that one ASAP!

[@Bookupied]

TheReading Rhodes Do!

[@plaguedoctormasque8089]

The shining was soooo much better then the movie.

[@willquinndeb]

ok before you even start had to stop the video.. you know you have SK issues when the books in the background are all blurry but I can tell you what they are right down to the Dome I have all of his books I collect them all have read them all download all the audio only books I am addicted to SK and he's had a lot of bad bad bad books no aurthor is going to nail it every time.. now you do have to get through a lot of God stuff and for someone like me who is not much a of God person sometimes these books are hard to get through his two new ones both God related one you can't help but know its all God related cause its called the Revival ... The Shinning excellent and love it just re-read the Dead Zone loved Needlful Things as well wish you had added IT was an excellent book as well, as for his accident i am not sure where you got your info the info I got was he was hit by a van he even did a little blurb about it in Kingdom Hospital but the driver a guy named Byran Edwin Smith was distracted by his dog and hit SK from behind knocking him 14 feet from the pavement into the ditch you may google to verify (told you I'm Sk's number one fan lol) I loved Lisey's story and still cannot believe to this day he thought of having her eat hamburger helper and koolaid pretty cool its stuff like that makes the reader such as myself connect so close to him and even with the stuff he says which will upset others and some books he has come out with aka Dreamcatchers omg hated it totally hated it he must have been soo tanked when writing that one, but we will buy and keep following him because he writes and includes us does not leave us out makes it clear they are like us and we can all relate... I would also suggest you read Insomnia love that book also Bag of Bones excellent book Hearts of Atlantis None of these are horror but interesting and well worth the read oh hell read them all you have to read Tommyknockers you have to or Salem's Lot you need to read that so you can understand where some of the characters from the Roland series come from ....

[@unixone7558]

The one Stephen King book I've read so far is Revival, and honestly I didn't really like it. The writing is fine, I can see why others like it, I just don't. It won't stop me from reading other Stephen King, but I did hit a sour note in my opinion. I think the reason I disliked it was because of it's view on religion, it's just spiteful. At least that's how I saw it.

[@MovieHound17]

+Unix One that is kinda like watching the radiers trilogy for the first time, but you start with the 4th one.....try the original stuff he has written....they are timeless and enthralling. Salems Lot, Pet semetary, the shinning.

[@unixone7558]

MovieHound17 I was actually thinking of reading The Shining or Carrie next.

[@MovieHound17]

Unix One go with the shinning....NOW! lol.

[@unixone7558]

MovieHound17 I would if I could find a copy and had the money.

[@DaveNoodles]

+MovieHound17 Revival is also original. I think what you meant was older stuff.

[@jameslamprell4189]

liseys story is terrible, a bad book to recommend to first time king readers. shame.