Top 15 Novels by Stephen King

I’ve been a devoted reader of Stephen King for as long as I can remember, with many sleepless nights spent pondering the terrifying worlds he creates. His books have the power to haunt the reader, leaving deep impressions that linger long after the last page. Even though some of his works have been adapted into films, both excellent and poorly received, King's storytelling mastery stands unmatched. His novels such as *The Shawshank Redemption*, *The Green Mile*, and *Misery* remain iconic, while others like *The Lawnmower Man* and *Maximum Overdrive* have been less successful. Still, King’s presence in both literature and cinema is undeniable. With the release of *The Mist* as a film, it's time to reflect on the top 15 books from his extensive repertoire. Below you’ll find a summary of each, straight from the Stephen King Web Presence.

15. The Dead Zone (1979)

After waking from a five-year coma caused by a car accident, Johnny Smith, a former teacher, discovers an unsettling ability: he can see people’s pasts and futures when he touches them. What many view as a supernatural gift, Johnny sees as a burden. His fiancée has moved on with another man, and the public pressures him to use his powers to solve their problems. But when Johnny has a disturbing vision of a ruthless politician, he must face a moral dilemma: should he alter the course of the future?

The death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary is known as “The Green Mile.” John Coffey, sentenced to death for the brutal crime of raping and killing two young girls, becomes the latest inmate to walk this path. Paul Edgecomb, the prison's ward superintendent, soon realizes that John Coffey is more than just a man on death row—he possesses a miraculous gift of healing.

One of Stephen King's high school courses was Fantasy and Science Fiction, where he introduced his students to Dracula. He was struck by how timeless the novel remained; the students enjoyed it, and he did as well. During one dinner, he mused about what might happen if Dracula were to return in the 20th century, in America. His wife jokingly replied, 'He’d probably get hit by a Yellow Cab on Park Avenue and die.' That remark ended the conversation, but the thought lingered in his mind. It occurred to him that his wife was probably right—Dracula would have a rough time in New York. However, what if he showed up in a quiet, rural town? This idea sparked his imagination, leading to the creation of ‘Salem’s Lot, originally titled Second Coming.

Twenty-eight years after making a promise, seven adults return to Derry, Maine, where, as children, they fought a malevolent entity that preyed on the town’s youth. Doubts lingered about whether they had truly defeated the creature, so the group, known as the Losers Club, had vowed to return if the terror ever resurfaced. Now, with children being murdered once again, their forgotten memories of that summer resurface as they prepare for another confrontation with the monster lurking in Derry’s sewers.

Bobbi Anderson, a writer, becomes consumed by the urge to dig up something she’s uncovered buried in the woods near her home. With the assistance of her friend Jim Gardener, she uncovers an alien spacecraft. The residents of Haven are exposed to the Tommyknockers—the alien beings who once piloted the craft—and their health begins to deteriorate. However, under the alien influence, the townspeople develop the uncanny ability to create advanced, innovative devices, even as the influence grows increasingly sinister.

The Dark Tower series is a seven-book saga written by Stephen King, telling the story of Roland Deschain’s quest for the enigmatic 'Dark Tower.' This structure is both a literal entity and a metaphor that plays a central role in the series. Throughout his journey, Roland seeks to understand the true nature of the Tower. The series blends multiple genres, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, and western elements. King has referred to The Dark Tower as his magnum opus, and alongside the seven primary novels, many of his other works are interconnected with this epic, introducing new characters and concepts that expand the story.

In front of Dr. Louis Creed's home in rural Maine, a stretch of road regularly claims the lives of local pets. Louis, who has recently relocated from Chicago to Ludlow with his wife Rachel, their children, and their cat, soon learns of a pet cemetery created by neighborhood children for the animals lost to traffic. Deeper in the woods, however, lies a much darker secret: an ancient Indian burial ground whose dark powers Louis discovers when their pet cat is killed.

A tale of obsession, a 17-year-old outcast named Arnie Cunningham becomes infatuated with his new girlfriend and a mysterious 1958 Plymouth Fury. Named Christine by her previous owner, Arnie’s first car becomes dangerously possessive, jealous, and lethal.

Ralph Roberts, struggling with insomnia after the death of his wife, finds himself waking earlier each night until sleep eludes him completely. During his sleepless vigils, he begins to see bizarre occurrences in Derry, Maine—strange colored ribbons emanating from people's heads and odd little men roaming the streets at night. As Ralph and his friend Lois Chasse delve deeper, they uncover a web of events tied to something far more unsettling than mere exhaustion-induced hallucinations.

In ‘Cujo,’ the once-adorable St. Bernard transforms into a lethal predator after a rabid bat bites him. Donna Trenton, abandoned by her husband on business in New York, begins an affair with a nearby handyman. But when her car breaks down, she and her son Tad are trapped in a garage, struggling to survive against the ferocious dog that stalks them.

5. Different Seasons (1982)

Stephen King reflects on the question, ‘Is horror all you write?’ in the Afterword to ‘Different Seasons,’ a brilliant compilation of four novellas. While King is celebrated for his horror stories, this collection demonstrates his ability to transcend the genre, offering readers gripping tales filled with vivid characters, intense plots, and the unmistakable King touch of suspense and excitement.

4. Misery (1987)

‘Misery’ centers on Paul Sheldon, a successful author of romance novels, who dreams of transitioning to serious literary work. When he’s rescued by Annie Wilkes, an obsessive fan, after a car accident, she becomes furious upon discovering that he’s killed off the main character of his series. Holding him captive, Annie forces Sheldon to write a new book that brings Misery back to life.

3. Carrie (1974)

Carrie White, a high school outcast, uncovers her telekinetic powers while grappling with her oppressive, ultra-religious mother and enduring relentless bullying from her classmates. Her struggle to belong culminates in a fateful and explosive moment during the senior prom.

2. Skeleton Crew (1985)

A remarkable compilation of short stories, featuring a variety of unforgettable tales, including:

The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet Beachworld Big Wheels Cain Rose Up For Owen Gramma Here There Be Tygers The Jaunt The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands The Mist The Monkey Mrs. Todd’s Shortcut Morning Deliveries Nona Paranoid: A Chant The Raft The Reach The Reaper’s Image Survivor Type Uncle Otto’s Truck The Wedding Gig Word Processor of the Gods

1. The Stand (1978)

A man escapes a biological weapons facility after a catastrophic accident, carrying with him the lethal Captain Tripps virus, a swiftly mutating strain of flu. In the weeks that follow, it decimates most of the global population. As the world falls into chaos, the survivors face a choice: join an elderly black woman heading to Boulder or follow Randall Flagg, the dark man, who has established a stronghold in Las Vegas. The two groups brace for a final showdown between good and evil.

NOTE: If this list reaches 100 comments, I will purchase a copy of any one of the books listed here for the person who leaves the 100th comment (must be a registered user!).