My Top 5 Stephen King Reads

Stephen King has to be a name everyone has heard of, even if they are not readers. His collection of books has spawned many films, some more successful than others.

Surprisingly, two of the most iconic films made from his work are actually short stories. Both Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me are from his short story collection, and Shawshank is one of my favourite films.

Am I a fan of King? I am not sure. I have read several of his books and loved them, but I have also not finished some. He is very hit-and-miss for me. However, I have read enough of his books to have a favourite five, which I will share today in order.

The first on the list is a book I credit with getting me into reading. It has remained on my favourite book list for thirty years, so maybe I am sort of a fan.

The Stand

Before we all knew what a pandemic was, I was obsessed with The Stand. This book is not easy to read because of its sheer length, but it is fantastic. I first read it when I was in my early twenties, and it has remained one of my top five books of all time since then.

The Stand centres around a large group of characters and how they survive after a disease escapes a laboratory and kills about 90% of the population—the first part of the book centres around the plague. You meet a range of characters as equally developed as each other. The problem is you don't know who will survive and who won't.

The strength of this book is in two parts. The first is the amazing characters you meet and how their lives collide. One of my favourite characters is Nick. Nick is a deaf, mute man who writes all his communication down. He travels with a man called Tom, who can't read. The dynamics of this relationship are one of many that will keep you reading the 1000+ pages.

The second part of this book that will keep you reading is the downright heart-stopping horror moments. If you have read the book, I will say one thing to you: the tunnel scene. I must have read the whole chapter in one breath.

Some will say that they are not happy with The Stand's ending. In fact, King is often criticised for his endings, but I would say it is perfect. If you have never read King, I wouldn't suggest you start with The Stand, but it has to make your reading list.

Misery

Misery like The Stand has been made into a film, and although both adaptations are good, none are as good as the books. The skill of Misery lies in the fact that the true evil is not a mythical character or superbug. The evil is a woman with no special powers but one hell of an axe to grind.

The book centres around Paul Sheldon, a writer of a hugely successful series who wishes to write something else. He prepares a manuscript in which he kills his lead character, Misery. Having finished the manuscript, he drives across the country with it to deliver it but is involved in a car accident.

This is fine because superfan Annie Wilkes saves him from the accident. Annie mends his wounds and binds his broken bones. While he recovers in her spare room, she decides to read the latest manuscript of her favourite character, and that is where the trouble starts.

She finds out that Sheldon is preparing to kill Misery. She will not accept this, so she keeps him prisoner until he rewrites the book and Misery lives. Virtually all of this book is set in one bedroom with only two characters, but that does not mean it is an intense read.

The film adaptation is good, and Kathy Bates brings Annie's character to life. But, as with everything reading, the book is much better and will keep you awake at night.

On Writing

On Writing was the first book on writing I ever read. I was drawn to the fact that it was by Stephen King, and from a reader's point of view, it is a good read. If you are a writer, though, it is essential reading.

The book's first half is more of a memoir of how King started getting published and how he wrote some of his biggest novels, including the inspiration behind them.

The second half is where you get all your tips as King details his process and how you could write a bestseller. It is also packed with quotes everyone has heard and antidotes such as: 'You have to read widely, constantly refining (and redefining) your own work as you do so. It's hard for me to believe that people who read very little (or not at all in some cases) should presume to write and expect people to like what they have written, but I know it's true.'

There is also an interesting chapter on King's near-fatal accident and how his wife pushed him back into writing, which improved his mental health. Whether a writer or a King fan, you will get something from this book.

The Eyes of the Dragon

The Eyes of the Dragon is a fantasy novel, unlike anything you may have read before from King. It weaves a tale of magic, mystery, and betrayal set in the fictional medieval realm of Delain. The story centres around the royal family, particularly King Roland and his two sons, Prince Peter and Prince Thomas.

Prince Peter is the rightful heir to the throne, but his life takes a drastic turn when he is wrongfully accused and imprisoned for the murder of his father, King Roland. The murder was committed by the evil court magician, who has an ambition for the throne.

For those who have read The Stand, the court magician will seem familiar as it is none other than Randall Flagg. A character that then appears in The Dark Towers series.

Prince Thomas then ascends to the throne as a puppet under Flagg's control. While in the grim confines of his prison cell, Peter must rely on his wits and the loyalty of a few steadfast friends and allies outside the castle walls who believe in his innocence.

King explores themes of power, corruption, loyalty, and the quest for justice. Eyes of the Dragon stands out in King's books as a masterful fantasy story that appeals not just to his usual audience but also to younger readers and fans of epic tales of heroism and intrigue. It is a must-read.

Carrie

It would not be suitable to complete my top five without mentioning the first time I ever came into contact with King through his first novel, Carrie, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

I do not know many writers who can say they have a book that is fifty years old and still being read today. Some will criticise that it is obvious Carrie is his first novel due to the quality of the writing, but I would disagree. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of it.

Carrie White is a shy and bullied high school girl from the small town of Chamberlain, Maine. Carrie, raised by her profoundly religious and abusive mother, Margaret, discovers she possesses telekinetic powers after an incident in the girls' locker room at her school triggers them.

As Carrie begins to explore her new-found abilities, she faces relentless bullying from her peers and strict punishment from her mother. Her powers become stronger as her emotional state becomes more turbulent.

The story climaxes at the senior prom, where, after a cruel prank involving pig's blood publicly humiliates her, Carrie unleashes her full power in a devastating display of revenge against her tormentors and the entire town. It is King at his best and worth adding to your list if you have not read it.

Which is your favourite?

Some of you might be shocked by the books I included and those I didn't. This is why I love reading it is so subjective. Subjective to the person and the time in your life when you read it. I might now love some of those novels I didn't get on with, reading them at a different time.

An honourable mention should go to 11/22/63 and Insomnia, both books I liked that did not make the list. I have been considering re-reading 11/22/63 to see if, this time, I could fall in love with it like so many other fans of the book.

If you disagree with my list or there are some you think should be included, this is your opportunity. Hit comment and tell me your five favourite Stephen King novels. Creating the list might be more complicated than you think.