Stephen King's Reading List
Master of horror and suspense; bestselling author of The Shining, The Stand, On Writing. Recommends widely on Twitter and in essays.
Open in WellRead Daily app →Stephen King's Top 10 Favorite Books
Top 10 King has named in interviews and end-of-book essays in On Writing.
Source: www.aerogrammestudio.com
William Golding · 1954 · Buy on Amazon
"This chilling exploration of human nature's dark side, especially among children, fits Stephen King's interest in the corruption of innocence and the horror within ordinary people. It aligns with his recurring themes of societal breakdown and the monstrous potential lurking beneath the surface."
Katherine Anne Porter · 1962 · Buy on Amazon
"This novel's exploration of human cruelty and moral decay on a transatlantic voyage fits Stephen King's recurring interest in the darkness within ordinary people and confined spaces. It aligns with themes of societal breakdown and psychological horror found in his own work."
Richard Adams · 1972 · Buy on Amazon
"This epic tale of rabbits creating their own society, facing peril and finding hope, fits Stephen King's interest in the resilience of communities and the darkness lurking beneath idyllic surfaces."
Adam Johnson · 2012 · Buy on Amazon
"This harrowing novel of survival in North Korea fits Stephen King's interest in extreme human endurance and the psychological toll of oppressive systems. It lands in the same neighborhood as his explorations of good and evil under duress."
Thomas Williams · 1974 · Buy on Amazon
"This novel's blend of literary fiction with a dark, unsettling undercurrent and exploration of memory aligns with Stephen King's recurring themes of the past's haunting influence. Its focus on a writer's life also fits King's interest in the craft and struggles of authorship."
Ralph Ellison · 1952 · Buy on Amazon
"Its exploration of societal invisibility and psychological horror fits Stephen King's interest in the unseen terrors lurking beneath everyday life."
Cormac McCarthy · 1985 · Buy on Amazon
"The novel's unflinching depiction of human evil and the American frontier's brutal landscape aligns with Stephen King's exploration of horror rooted in historical violence and the dark side of humanity. Its visceral prose and relentless tension fit his interest in the psychological impact of extreme circumstances."
George Orwell · 1949 · Buy on Amazon
"Its chilling depiction of totalitarian control and psychological manipulation aligns with Stephen King's exploration of societal fears and the dark side of human nature. This dystopian classic resonates with his themes of power, surveillance, and the erosion of individual freedom."
Philip Roth · 1997 · Buy on Amazon
"This exploration of the unraveling of the American dream and the dark side of idealism fits Stephen King's interest in societal decay and the hidden horrors within seemingly ordinary lives."
J R R Tolkien · 1954 · Buy on Amazon
"Its epic scope and detailed world-building align with Stephen King's own expansive narratives and his exploration of good versus evil on a grand scale. This foundational fantasy also fits his appreciation for immersive storytelling."
By the Book: Stephen King (2015)
NYT By the Book column (2015-06-04).
Source: www.nytimes.com
Don Robertson · Buy on Amazon
"What I appreciate most in novels and novelists is generosity, a complete baring of the heart and mind, and Robertson always did that."
Don Robertson · Buy on Amazon
"What I appreciate most in novels and novelists is generosity, a complete baring of the heart and mind, and Robertson always did that."
Unknown · Buy on Amazon
"there are plenty of great short novels, like "Of Mice and Men," "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Flowers for Algernon.""
Unknown · Buy on Amazon
"there are plenty of great short novels, like "Of Mice and Men," "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Flowers for Algernon.""
Unknown · Buy on Amazon
"there are plenty of great short novels, like "Of Mice and Men," "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Flowers for Algernon.""
Greil Marcus · Buy on Amazon
""Mystery Train" and "Lipstick Traces," by Greil Marcus"
Thomas Williams · 1974 · Buy on Amazon
"I keep coming back to "The Hair of Harold Roux," by Thomas Williams."
Stephen King · Buy on Amazon
"The most rewarding books are the ones where the finished story almost lives up to the idea that sparked it. I felt that way about "11/22/63" and "Bag of Bones.""
Stephen King · Buy on Amazon
""Lisey's Story." I've always felt that marriage creates its own secret world, and only in a long marriage can two people at least approach real knowledge of each other."
Richard Matheson · Buy on Amazon
"My favorite was "The Shrinking Man," by Richard Matheson — I was 8 when I found that."
James Lee Burke · Buy on Amazon
""Wayfaring Stranger," by James Lee Burke. He's a gorgeous prose stylist."
Favorite books (2022)
Favorite books recommended by Stephen King, as compiled by radicalreads.com. Source article: https://radicalreads.com/stephen-king-favorite-books/.
Source: radicalreads.com
Van Cartmell & Charles Grayson · Buy on Amazon
Charles Dickens · Buy on Amazon
William Faulkner · Buy on Amazon
William Golding (also rec’d by Elon Musk ) · Buy on Amazon
Cormac McCarthy (also rec’d by Bruce Springsteen ) · Buy on Amazon
Frank Norris (also rec’d by David Bowie ) · Buy on Amazon
Salman Rushdie · Buy on Amazon
Paul Scott · Buy on Amazon
Mark Twain · Buy on Amazon