I would have said The Stand was my favorite Stephen King book until this year. After I read Fairy Tale I changed my mind. But I love pretty much everything by Stephen King.
In 1974, I was 12 years old and found Carrie...oh my goodness. I was frightened an intrigued. Then, I read The Shining at 15...These books cemented my love for this storyteller. He saw the monster within-not some made up creature, but parts of the human psyche. My sister and I sill scare each other with a description from The Stand : A dark sweet treat... I think my age of discovery of his writing plays a huge part in my ranking. 1.Carrie 2. The Shining 3'Salem's Lot (still scared) 4 It (horrified and had to give it away. 5.Skeleton Crew. 6 The Green Mile (the serialization caught me) 7. Dr Sleep (I wondered about Danny Torrence) 8.Needful Things. 9.Hearts in Atlantis 10.Different Seasons. Love your channel so much. No one in my house wants to get into the weeds about books:).
Did you ever hear the story behind Carrie? King wrote it, then doubted himself and threw it away. His wife fished it outbox the trash, curious and after reading it, convinced him to send it in. The rest is history…can you imagine it would have stayed in the trash?! 🙀
Absolutely loved "The Long Walk". Absolutely adored "On Writing". Felt strangely moved by "Salem's Lot." I still have tons of his books waiting on my shelves. Buts as they age well, there's no hurry.
Great list, and fantastic number one. Not only is it my favorite Stephen King book, it's one of my 10 favorite of all time. I love that you listed The Gunslinger as well. I see a lot of people talk down on the book, and list it as their least favorite of The Dark Tower series, but I love The Gunslinger as well. Different Seasons would make my top 10 as well. I love each of the stories, and the book produced 3 of Kings best movies...such an underrated book. Very fun video...thanks.
Under The Dome had great potential but it suffers similar problems as most Stephen King books, convoluted, absurd and too out there endings. I think IT is probably the only Stephen King book where I didn't feel the need to ask wtf is this shit? The Stand was the most disappointing in this regard. Salem's Lot had alot of potential too, but after about a 3rd of the way it just becomes nonsense.
Great list! My top 3 are 1. 11/22/63 - this book is almost perfect for me! 2. The Green Mile. I don't think I ever cried so much from a book. 3. Pet Semetary. This one was so scary and sad. Wizard and Glass is right up there for me too.
I’ve been reading The Dark Tower books for such a long time. I’m so intimidated by Wolves of the Calla but I need to pick it up and get going with the series again. I think The Shining has so far been my favourite book of King’s - it really hit the mark for me because I love stories where buildings almost feel like characters in and of themselves. I really look forward to reading 11/22/63 next year. I feel like I’ll absolutely adore it 😊
Fantastic discussion! I love both the Shining book and the Shining movie. No need to choose one over the other--appreciate both on their own terms and you'll be rewarded!
Nice list: I'd never disagree or argue on one's favorites; my personal theory is King is such a good writer, he literally has any number of takes one could find to be their favorite and not be wrong. Me ?...I've been riding with the King since 1976...my list is a bit different 10) Misery 9) The Stand - uncut 8) 11/22/63 7) The Dead Zone 6) The Talisman 5) The Long Walk 4) The Drawing of the Three 3) The Wastelands 2) Wizard and Glass 1) 'Salems Lot
Great list! Even more helpful: a great explanation of the best audiences for each book. (No gore for me, thank you very much. I started but put down Misery pretty quickly because I could not take it.) I agree with your choice of 11/22/63 as King’s best book. What an exciting ride it provides! What an interesting premise! Not on your list but on mine is a novella,The Body, made into the terrific film Stand By Me by Rob Reiner. Also a great exploration, (like It) of what it was it was like to be 12 in the late 50s/early 60s. Also no horror or gore. I think that King captures the feelings of childhood and adolescence better than any other writer I know.
I agree: King writes some of the best adolescent characters. He truly understands what it means to grow up and be stuck in that twilight zone between child and adult.
At the moment my favorite books of his are: 1 - The Long Walk 2 - Night Shift 3 - Pet Sematary 4 - The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (if only choosing one book from the series) 5 - Misery 6 - The Stand 7 - Everything's Eventual 8 - Skeleton Crew 9 - Salem's Lot 10 - The Dead Zone A long time ago I would have said that The Stand was my favorite, but I reread the book a short time ago I saw my displeasure and even hatred with some aspects of the book crystallizing. The Long Walk is what I consider to be the most literary and dense book he has ever written, unlike so many other longer books that don't have much to chew on. And in general I've always preferred his short stories to most of his novels. I finally read Needful Things in July. I was really hoping would become one of my favorites, but unfortunately the book was a disappointment for me. Giving a score I would say it is 6.5/10 or 3/5 stars on goodreads.
Great list! I would also put the Holly Gibney books as a group on my list. I love her as a character. And I agree with you about 11.22.63....incredible. Totally different genre but captivating.
My top 10 is 1. It 2. Pet Semetery 3. Needful Things 3. The Shinng 5. The Green Mile 6. The Institute 7. Cujo 8. Salems Lot 9. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon 10. Desperation I tried to get into The Stand but i cant finish it for some reason.
It's difficult to rank his books because he's had so many excellent ones, but I agree with your top two. IT and 11-22-63 are also the ones that had the greatest emotional impact on me. I'd include Dr. Sleep somewhere in my own top ten.
My top ten are: 1) Salem's Lot 2) The Green Mile 3) The Tommyknockers 4) Insomnia 5) It 6) Needful Things 7) The Dead Zone 8) Christine 9) Rose Madder 10) The Stand
1. Pet Sematary 2. 11/22/63 3. Dolan's Cadillac (i love revenge stories!) 4. Riding the Bullet 5. The Stand I also red The Stand during lockdown and loved it so much (and watched 28 days later also, it was weird but fun) Thanks for your list!
My top 5 are the following: 5. IT - A classic, but potentially may be dethroned from the top 5 at some point 4. Pet Sematary - Not much else to add from what you said. A creepy tale of how the dead should stay dead 3. Revival - Cosmic horror galore and one of the best (if not the best) Stephen King endings. Existential crisis after I finished. 2. Salem's Lot - My favorite novel of his. Love the town, love the characters, love the spookiness. 1. The Storm of the Century - A screenplay but my favorite story that he has ever written. The atmosphere to this is incredible as is the miniseries.
IT, hands down, the greatest to me. IT is ( IMHO ) Stephen King's all time masterpiece . My mother read the book in one night , from early evening to early morning. 100 stars.
@@cafeaulivre LOL , my mom wasn't the scaredy cat. But this was an awesome achievement given how huge the book is. I am from Germany , now living in the US, and I have the book in both languages. I am right now re-reading IT ( no pun intended ) ! I like his other books too but IT will live forever rent free in my head.
My favorites from your list are: Salems Lot Misery The Stand The Shining The Green Mile On Writing I would also add: The Dead Zone Danse Macabre The Eyes of the Dragon
Just started reading Pet Sematary two days ago as my first ever SK book. Already have whole TBR just of King’s books lmao Feel free to recommend more :D
I DNF’d The Stand because we got stuck in traffic in The Holland tunnel leaving NYC , in 1985. I was in a Drum and Bugle Corps and we just had a free ay in the city. I was shocked I made it that far into the book. I thought I only read a couple of chapters. Went back last week to Google and it told me was about 35 chapters into the book. I guess I started before we left for NYC from PA. I read about 5 pages of pet cemetery and my ADHD could not latch on, so I put it aside. It was a dear friend of mine favorite Stephen King Novel. I have not read The Shining, but after listening to the movie from the other room 2 times, watching it without sound a few times, and then putting it together, I was able to watch it. It was a right of passage as an Oregonian, to watch this movie in the 80s. Given that it was filmed at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood near Portland Oregon. I have been in the parking lot of Timberline, but I have never been in the lodge. We stopped to watch some summer skiers before we continued over the pass towards Bend Oregon. Now the snow level is well away from the lodge, and the US Ski Team no longer trains there since the early 2000s. I do want to read this novel and The Dark Tower Series. I will Try Salems Lot first, but I am unsure if I can handle it. I also DNF’d your Number2 about 650 pages in, and it took me over a year or two to walk within arms reach of a storm drain. I have not seen either film adaptations. My favorite King novel is the one he wrote with Straub, ‘The Talisman’ this is a retelling of a Mark Twain book worth its weight in the number of pages it is. The horror element is barely there for me. I grew up around 12 step programs, so the drug abuse was something I was familiar with. I read this book right before I tried ‘It.’ Thinking because I liked this one, I could handle a clown. I did not like the sexual Black House, I believe the epilogue of The Talisman said it best, this is a story about a boy who went on a journey, to continue the story would ruin it. Then they ruined it with Jack being a middle aged man in law enforcement. I could not believe they decided to write it, but then disappointed they did write it. So, I hold dear The Talisman. Now to see what you rate number one.
Here's my picks 1. Dolores Claiborne 2. Billy summers 3. Wizard and glass 4. Rose madder 5. The dead zone 6. Needful things 7. The gunslinger 8. the long walk 9. Insomnia 10. The talisman
I have read several of his books several times, never finished Salem's Lot or IT. I did enjoy the TV movies of both and remake of IT. My favorite short story is Word Processor of the Gods. This story smacks of Twilight Zone vibes.
@@cafeaulivre absolutely! Definitely my favourite author at this point. I have to say it took me a few days to get over the ending too 🤣 I know people say it was the ending the book needed and it was incredible...and it was... But I can't help but wish it had worked out for the 2 amazing characters. They both deserved it
Grew up reading King when both he and I were young. My faves are accordingly all early work. Good to see lots of early work stands up! (See what I did there? 😊)
That’s okay…I used to devour them one after another, only to stay away from his books for years afterwards. I only started reading King again a few years ago myself.
@@cafeaulivre Many friends of mine say it’s a MUST DO, I’ve had a lot of interest in The Stand of all his books, so I may end up doing that, we will see haha!
I love just about all early SK (pre-sobriety is what I consider early SK) but the only two I've re-read multiple times were the Shining and Pet Sematary. I'd re-read IT more if it wasn't 27 lb.
My current top 10 (this changes a lot...) 1. The Stand 2. IT 3. 11/22/63 4. Dark Tower VII - The Dark Tower 5. Needful Things 6. Salem's Lot 7. Under the Dome 8. Dark Tower II - Drawing of the Three 9. Dark Tower III - The Waste Lands 10. The Green Mile Bubbling under - The Shining, Pet Sematary, Misery, Desperation, Duma Key & The Outsider
Fairy Tale was a fun read, I agree, but having spent my youth with Labyrinth and The Neverending story, to me, it felt at times like something I knew too well. But still a very good book, I agree.
22/11/63 was the book that brought me back to Stephen King after 30 years of (almost not) reading his books. I read The Dark Tower series and a re-read of The Stand around 2017/2018/2019. But nothing else by him for the last 30 years. And then I read 22/11/63 not expecting it to be interesting because, well.. I am not american and I am not from JFK's time period. So his assassination is not affecting me in any way other than every other assassination of a politican would. Don't mean to be rude. It was just something that happend before I was born in a country I am not living in. I know about it and how it shook the US and the world back then. But would a novel about it interest me? I was certain it would not. But so many channels recommended it that I gave it a try. And I loved it. By huge part because it is NOT a political novel nor is it revolving only about the JFK issue. But everything that happen in this book just made it a perfect story to tell. And showes that King can also do romance without being corny. I loved the book. Since then I re-read almost all the King-titles from my teenage days and some books that are completely new to me. Like Bag of Bones. That one was good imo.
I certainly agree with your #1 choice, but what would you say if the tale of time travel and the butterfly effect were actually true ? Too far fetched? Maybe but Stephen King drops hints that mirror the actual events that I and my family have experienced since a particular stone came into the possession of my Great Uncle (David Smith) in Egypt, in 1923. He was working as a Captain for White Star steamship lines. Yes Captain Smith, for White Star; it was eleven years after that most memorable tragedy. Ever since 1970, when I inherited that stone at the age of 12 I have experienced events and 'coincidences' that defy reason. When I was given the stone (or device) I was told of its origin and importance by his wife and my Great Aunt Bessie. She told me the other members of the family thought it was too important to pass to a child of my age, but she felt that I was the right person to receive it. She gave it to me in private, and told me about its origin and history in hushed tones and often looking over her shoulder, to make sure nobody knew of her gift to me. It wasn't until two years later that unusual events began to occur. That particular day, many things happened, but the first was, while hiking to the local dairy farm I saw a snake on the path, a snake that was eating its own tail. Many other things happened that day that were firsts in my life, and all occurring on that one day. That image of the snake eating its own tail appears in 11/22/63 as does a specific time mentioned twice in the book. That specific time was something that was said to me on another day a few years later that was another one of those days that so many things happened, including an event that was unexplainable and still is.
Nice list but what's with mentioning of "trigger warnings"? These ARE horror books, right? People are not compelled to read them... If you allow an opinion, "Misery" has no place on any top list except on the list of the most boring books :P
There is a difference between having a good fright and being personally afflicted in a bad way about a book. I’ll give a very simple example I happen to know quite well: to many readers, the imagery of someone being hanged is nothing really unsettling. A friend of mine however discovered a sibling after their suicide by hanging. They still are very much affected by such imagery up to today. That’s what trigger warnings are for: to keep people safe while reading. And of course you’re very much entitled to your opinion: you didn’t like Misery. That’s fine…I’m sure there are other King books that were for you.
What’s your favorite Stephen King book? Let me know in the comments and we'll talk Stephen King some more!
I would have said The Stand was my favorite Stephen King book until this year. After I read Fairy Tale I changed my mind. But I love pretty much everything by Stephen King.
I never get tired of watching Stephen King Top 10 Lists for some reason lol, great video 👌🏻
There are worse habits 🤣
In 1974, I was 12 years old and found Carrie...oh my goodness. I was frightened an intrigued. Then, I read The Shining at 15...These books cemented my love for this storyteller. He saw the monster within-not some made up creature, but parts of the human psyche. My sister and I sill scare each other with a description from The Stand : A dark sweet treat... I think my age of discovery of his writing plays a huge part in my ranking. 1.Carrie 2. The Shining 3'Salem's Lot (still scared) 4 It (horrified and had to give it away. 5.Skeleton Crew. 6 The Green Mile (the serialization caught me) 7. Dr Sleep (I wondered about Danny Torrence) 8.Needful Things. 9.Hearts in Atlantis 10.Different Seasons. Love your channel so much. No one in my house wants to get into the weeds about books:).
Did you ever hear the story behind Carrie? King wrote it, then doubted himself and threw it away. His wife fished it outbox the trash, curious and after reading it, convinced him to send it in. The rest is history…can you imagine it would have stayed in the trash?! 🙀
@@cafeaulivre No! I didn't know that---what a world it would have been/ My imagination was so stimulated. The library opened my world.
My first Kings were also library copies, with a crumpled cover and yellowed pages.
11/22/63 is a masterpiece and that ending almost made me cry. I am not a crying man.
I can totally relate 😋
Great video! Fabulous way of summing up each book. I 100% agree with your top choice. 🙌
Thank you!
Absolutely loved "The Long Walk". Absolutely adored "On Writing". Felt strangely moved by "Salem's Lot." I still have tons of his books waiting on my shelves. Buts as they age well, there's no hurry.
There certainly isn’t! And more will join then!
The Stand is my favorite!
It’s quite the journey, also in length 😋
Great list, and fantastic number one. Not only is it my favorite Stephen King book, it's one of my 10 favorite of all time. I love that you listed The Gunslinger as well. I see a lot of people talk down on the book, and list it as their least favorite of The Dark Tower series, but I love The Gunslinger as well. Different Seasons would make my top 10 as well. I love each of the stories, and the book produced 3 of Kings best movies...such an underrated book. Very fun video...thanks.
Different Seasons was a bit hit or miss for me…loved some of the stories, others not so much
I love the gunslinger one of my favorites
@@cafeaulivre That's fair, and it's been 20+ years since I've read it, so I may be viewing it through rose colored glasses.
Excellent video and some great titles. A few not mentioned that would make my personal top 10:
Revival, Under the Dome, The Institute.
I think Under The Dome was one of my first Stephen King reads.
Under The Dome had great potential but it suffers similar problems as most Stephen King books, convoluted, absurd and too out there endings. I think IT is probably the only Stephen King book where I didn't feel the need to ask wtf is this shit? The Stand was the most disappointing in this regard. Salem's Lot had alot of potential too, but after about a 3rd of the way it just becomes nonsense.
I loved Revival but man was it bleak!
@@lisalantrip7509 Yeah, not a comfort read!
Great list! My top 3 are 1. 11/22/63 - this book is almost perfect for me! 2. The Green Mile. I don't think I ever cried so much from a book. 3. Pet Semetary. This one was so scary and sad. Wizard and Glass is right up there for me too.
Great list!
I’ve been reading The Dark Tower books for such a long time. I’m so intimidated by Wolves of the Calla but I need to pick it up and get going with the series again.
I think The Shining has so far been my favourite book of King’s - it really hit the mark for me because I love stories where buildings almost feel like characters in and of themselves.
I really look forward to reading 11/22/63 next year. I feel like I’ll absolutely adore it 😊
I think you just might ☺
Interesting list.
I have a hard time ranking after my top 3:
1) The Stand
2) It
3) Dark Tower series
And what’s your opinion on the books in the DT series?
Great list, Bart! I'm not reading horror these days but when I did, my favorite King was 'Salem's Lot. 🧛♂
Might be a sign to explore some of his non-horror work then…from The Outsider (which is more a detective novel if I remember correctly) to 11/22/63.
@@cafeaulivre: I've read and enjoyed both of them. I was thinking of reading The Body especially since I've never seen the film Stand By Me.
Fantastic discussion! I love both the Shining book and the Shining movie. No need to choose one over the other--appreciate both on their own terms and you'll be rewarded!
your voice is so relaxing you should do audiobooks
Thank you…I don’t know if I would be able to, I have the highest respect for audiobook narrators. Some are ever so good.
Nice list: I'd never disagree or argue on one's favorites; my personal theory is King is such a good writer, he literally has any number of takes one could find to be their favorite and not be wrong.
Me ?...I've been riding with the King since 1976...my list is a bit different
10) Misery
9) The Stand - uncut
8) 11/22/63
7) The Dead Zone
6) The Talisman
5) The Long Walk
4) The Drawing of the Three
3) The Wastelands
2) Wizard and Glass
1) 'Salems Lot
Oh, by all means, it’s all personal preference, but I do love how it gets people to share their love for the author and the stories
Great list! Even more helpful: a great explanation of the best audiences for each book. (No gore for me, thank you very much. I started but put down Misery pretty quickly because I could not take it.)
I agree with your choice of 11/22/63 as King’s best book. What an exciting ride it provides! What an interesting premise!
Not on your list but on mine is a novella,The Body, made into the terrific film Stand By Me by Rob Reiner. Also a great exploration, (like It) of what it was it was like to be 12 in the late 50s/early 60s. Also no horror or gore. I think that King captures the feelings of childhood and adolescence better than any other writer I know.
I agree: King writes some of the best adolescent characters. He truly understands what it means to grow up and be stuck in that twilight zone between child and adult.
Wizard and Glass and The Stand for me
Great choice!
At the moment my favorite books of his are:
1 - The Long Walk
2 - Night Shift
3 - Pet Sematary
4 - The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (if only choosing one book from the series)
5 - Misery
6 - The Stand
7 - Everything's Eventual
8 - Skeleton Crew
9 - Salem's Lot
10 - The Dead Zone
A long time ago I would have said that The Stand was my favorite, but I reread the book a short time ago I saw my displeasure and even hatred with some aspects of the book crystallizing.
The Long Walk is what I consider to be the most literary and dense book he has ever written, unlike so many other longer books that don't have much to chew on.
And in general I've always preferred his short stories to most of his novels.
I finally read Needful Things in July. I was really hoping would become one of my favorites, but unfortunately the book was a disappointment for me.
Giving a score I would say it is 6.5/10 or 3/5 stars on goodreads.
I must say: I have not read The Long Walk yet. Time to bump it up that tbr then!
Omg i loved the long walk!
The Stand was the first book I read by Stephen King, and is my favorite to this day. However, the book that scared me the most was ‘Salem’s Lot.
Great list! I would also put the Holly Gibney books as a group on my list. I love her as a character. And I agree with you about 11.22.63....incredible. Totally different genre but captivating.
Im really curious to see whether he’ll stay on this non-horror path in the future or not.
My top 10 is 1. It 2. Pet Semetery 3. Needful Things 3. The Shinng 5. The Green Mile 6. The Institute 7. Cujo 8. Salems Lot 9. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon 10. Desperation
I tried to get into The Stand but i cant finish it for some reason.
I guess The Stand is one of those books that is or isn’t for you, and that’s okay, He has written enough to choose from 😄
It's difficult to rank his books because he's had so many excellent ones, but I agree with your top two. IT and 11-22-63 are also the ones that had the greatest emotional impact on me. I'd include Dr. Sleep somewhere in my own top ten.
Dr. Sleep was good, but you do have to read The Shining first imo.
Great video! The Green Mile is the one for me, the only one I've read so far.😄 I will read your No 1, thanks for the recommendation.
Hope you enjoy it ! 😊
My top ten are:
1) Salem's Lot
2) The Green Mile
3) The Tommyknockers
4) Insomnia
5) It
6) Needful Things
7) The Dead Zone
8) Christine
9) Rose Madder
10) The Stand
Good one!
@@cafeaulivrethank you
Very good list, I don’t disagree with any of your choices! My top 3 are: #3-The Green Mile. #2-11/22/63. #1-The Stand.
Clearly not a horror fan 😊
1. Pet Sematary
2. 11/22/63
3. Dolan's Cadillac (i love revenge stories!)
4. Riding the Bullet
5. The Stand
I also red The Stand during lockdown and loved it so much (and watched 28 days later also, it was weird but fun)
Thanks for your list!
And thank you for yours!
My top 5 are the following:
5. IT - A classic, but potentially may be dethroned from the top 5 at some point
4. Pet Sematary - Not much else to add from what you said. A creepy tale of how the dead should stay dead
3. Revival - Cosmic horror galore and one of the best (if not the best) Stephen King endings. Existential crisis after I finished.
2. Salem's Lot - My favorite novel of his. Love the town, love the characters, love the spookiness.
1. The Storm of the Century - A screenplay but my favorite story that he has ever written. The atmosphere to this is incredible as is the miniseries.
I don’t think I ever read/watched The Storm of the Century…consider me intrigued !
@@cafeaulivre Oh do yourself the favor and check it out, but wait till the winter as the weather plays a massive role in it.
Will definitely do then! Thanks for rhetorical recommendation!
Finally a unique list 🤣 rather than seeing The Stand at number one
I'm really interested in picking up 'The Dead Zone'. It's Dave Musson's personal favorite.
That was the first of his novels to rank among the ten best-selling novels of the year in the United States.
The JFK book has been sitting unread on my bookshelf for centuries. Your passion is nudging me to maybe finally give it a go. Thank you.
Enjoy your reading!
IT, hands down, the greatest to me. IT is ( IMHO ) Stephen King's all time masterpiece . My mother read the book in one night , from early evening to early morning. 100 stars.
And did she pull the all-nighter because she was too afraid to go to sleep? 😋
@@cafeaulivre LOL , my mom wasn't the scaredy cat. But this was an awesome achievement given how huge the book is. I am from Germany , now living in the US, and I have the book in both languages. I am right now re-reading IT ( no pun intended ) ! I like his other books too but IT will live forever rent free in my head.
It is a huge book indeed! It’s actually two books in a way: when the Losers’ Club was young and then later
My favorites from your list are:
Salems Lot
Misery
The Stand
The Shining
The Green Mile
On Writing
I would also add:
The Dead Zone
Danse Macabre
The Eyes of the Dragon
I’m glad to see more people enjoyed On Writing, wasn’t sure if I should include it.
I haven't read any Stephen King, but I've ordered the stand since it's the most interesting to me
That’s an ambitious start 💪
Just started reading Pet Sematary two days ago as my first ever SK book. Already have whole TBR just of King’s books lmao
Feel free to recommend more :D
Quite the start you made there!
I DNF’d The Stand because we got stuck in traffic in The Holland tunnel leaving NYC , in 1985. I was in a Drum and Bugle Corps and we just had a free ay in the city. I was shocked I made it that far into the book. I thought I only read a couple of chapters. Went back last week to Google and it told me was about 35 chapters into the book. I guess I started before we left for NYC from PA. I read about 5 pages of pet cemetery and my ADHD could not latch on, so I put it aside. It was a dear friend of mine favorite Stephen King Novel.
I have not read The Shining, but after listening to the movie from the other room 2 times, watching it without sound a few times, and then putting it together, I was able to watch it. It was a right of passage as an Oregonian, to watch this movie in the 80s. Given that it was filmed at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood near Portland Oregon. I have been in the parking lot of Timberline, but I have never been in the lodge. We stopped to watch some summer skiers before we continued over the pass towards Bend Oregon. Now the snow level is well away from the lodge, and the US Ski Team no longer trains there since the early 2000s. I do want to read this novel and The Dark Tower Series. I will Try Salems Lot first, but I am unsure if I can handle it.
I also DNF’d your Number2 about 650 pages in, and it took me over a year or two to walk within arms reach of a storm drain. I have not seen either film adaptations.
My favorite King novel is the one he wrote with Straub, ‘The Talisman’ this is a retelling of a Mark Twain book worth its weight in the number of pages it is. The horror element is barely there for me. I grew up around 12 step programs, so the drug abuse was something I was familiar with. I read this book right before I tried ‘It.’ Thinking because I liked this one, I could handle a clown. I did not like the sexual Black House, I believe the epilogue of The Talisman said it best, this is a story about a boy who went on a journey, to continue the story would ruin it. Then they ruined it with Jack being a middle aged man in law enforcement. I could not believe they decided to write it, but then disappointed they did write it. So, I hold dear The Talisman. Now to see what you rate number one.
It is totally fine if horror is not for you. After all, we read for our own entertainment and if you’re not enjoying it, by all means, DNF it.
From the 80's novels; I love Cujo the best. From the more modern years, I really loved "Revival".
I havn’t read Revival yet…on the neverending TBR it goes! 😋
Here's my picks
1. Dolores Claiborne
2. Billy summers
3. Wizard and glass
4. Rose madder
5. The dead zone
6. Needful things
7. The gunslinger
8. the long walk
9. Insomnia
10. The talisman
Love it! 😻
@@cafeaulivre thanks 😊
I have read several of his books several times, never finished Salem's Lot or IT. I did enjoy the TV movies of both and remake of IT. My favorite short story is Word Processor of the Gods. This story smacks of Twilight Zone vibes.
I rally loved the dark half and the dead zone
I believe number 1. I just finished that book and it became my favourite book ever. A spot previously held by the stand. So so so good
And it has me wondering about all the books he is still going to write!
@@cafeaulivre absolutely! Definitely my favourite author at this point.
I have to say it took me a few days to get over the ending too 🤣 I know people say it was the ending the book needed and it was incredible...and it was... But I can't help but wish it had worked out for the 2 amazing characters. They both deserved it
My favorite Stephen King novels are Revival, The Shining and Doctor Sleep.
I was astonished by how few people knew Doctor Sleep was a sequel to The Shining
Grew up reading King when both he and I were young. My faves are accordingly all early work. Good to see lots of early work stands up! (See what I did there? 😊)
Oh, I noticed 😉
My favourites so far are The Shining and Misery!
Can’t argue with those choices: both are excellent indeed
I haven’t read a single King In my life…. I know I know… disappointing… but I’m getting there😂
That’s okay…I used to devour them one after another, only to stay away from his books for years afterwards. I only started reading King again a few years ago myself.
@@cafeaulivre Many friends of mine say it’s a MUST DO, I’ve had a lot of interest in The Stand of all his books, so I may end up doing that, we will see haha!
@@cafeaulivre Same here. I lost interest in the '90s because his books got to where they felt phoned in. The Kennedy book got me back into him.
I'm at page 333 right now and it's the best thing I've read in my life
Enjoy your reading!
@@cafeaulivre I'm REALLY enjoying it, since I started my journey from Carrie until I get to You Like It Darker 🤣
I love just about all early SK (pre-sobriety is what I consider early SK) but the only two I've re-read multiple times were the Shining and Pet Sematary. I'd re-read IT more if it wasn't 27 lb.
IT is quite the brick, agreed.
Favorite novel: 11/22/63
Favorite novella collection: Different Seasons
Favorite short story collection: Night Shift
Different Seasons was a bit of a hit or miss for me…loved Shawshank of course, the others not always.
@@cafeaulivre I'm not a big fan of shorter stories. I much prefer his novels.
My current top 10 (this changes a lot...)
1. The Stand
2. IT
3. 11/22/63
4. Dark Tower VII - The Dark Tower
5. Needful Things
6. Salem's Lot
7. Under the Dome
8. Dark Tower II - Drawing of the Three
9. Dark Tower III - The Waste Lands
10. The Green Mile
Bubbling under - The Shining, Pet Sematary, Misery, Desperation, Duma Key & The Outsider
I AGREE WITH NEEDFUL THINGS!!! YOUR LIST IS ALMOST THE SAME AS MINE
Great minds read alike 😋
O so many good books and I love Needful Things and the movie too.I don't have number 1 so many are my favorites I can't label them.
❤❤❤❤❤ the shining,Carrie pet sematery, Salem lot firestarter love Stephen king
A horror fan indeed 😉
I loved fairy-tale ❤ nobody seems to mention it !!
Fairy Tale was a fun read, I agree, but having spent my youth with Labyrinth and The Neverending story, to me, it felt at times like something I knew too well. But still a very good book, I agree.
22/11/63 was the book that brought me back to Stephen King after 30 years of (almost not) reading his books. I read The Dark Tower series and a re-read of The Stand around 2017/2018/2019. But nothing else by him for the last 30 years. And then I read 22/11/63 not expecting it to be interesting because, well.. I am not american and I am not from JFK's time period. So his assassination is not affecting me in any way other than every other assassination of a politican would. Don't mean to be rude. It was just something that happend before I was born in a country I am not living in. I know about it and how it shook the US and the world back then. But would a novel about it interest me? I was certain it would not. But so many channels recommended it that I gave it a try. And I loved it. By huge part because it is NOT a political novel nor is it revolving only about the JFK issue. But everything that happen in this book just made it a perfect story to tell. And showes that King can also do romance without being corny. I loved the book. Since then I re-read almost all the King-titles from my teenage days and some books that are completely new to me. Like Bag of Bones. That one was good imo.
Reading The Stand is a feat already, rereading it is just plain brave 🤭
Joyland I thought was great.
I certainly agree with your #1 choice, but what would you say if the tale of time travel and the butterfly effect were actually true ? Too far fetched? Maybe but Stephen King drops hints that mirror the actual events that I and my family have experienced since a particular stone came into the possession of my Great Uncle (David Smith) in Egypt, in 1923. He was working as a Captain for White Star steamship lines. Yes Captain Smith, for White Star; it was eleven years after that most memorable tragedy. Ever since 1970, when I inherited that stone at the age of 12 I have experienced events and 'coincidences' that defy reason. When I was given the stone (or device) I was told of its origin and importance by his wife and my Great Aunt Bessie. She told me the other members of the family thought it was too important to pass to a child of my age, but she felt that I was the right person to receive it. She gave it to me in private, and told me about its origin and history in hushed tones and often looking over her shoulder, to make sure nobody knew of her gift to me. It wasn't until two years later that unusual events began to occur. That particular day, many things happened, but the first was, while hiking to the local dairy farm I saw a snake on the path, a snake that was eating its own tail. Many other things happened that day that were firsts in my life, and all occurring on that one day. That image of the snake eating its own tail appears in 11/22/63 as does a specific time mentioned twice in the book. That specific time was something that was said to me on another day a few years later that was another one of those days that so many things happened, including an event that was unexplainable and still is.
Sounds like a novel in it’s own right
@cafeaulivre it's not a novel, but an autobiographical non fiction. The device is not a machine, it is a stone. Wish I could say more, but not here.
For now 11/22/63 is number one then fairy tale and the insitute. Might change after reading It and The stand 😊
IT was such a close second for me
I love Insomnia. It is so good.
I remember finding that one a bit confusing, so much was going on.
I do love Pennywise... oh not the killer clown, the punk band.
I have never been able to get into Stephen King. Maybe I should give him another try.
Pennywise, not the clown, was a large part of my youth as well 😉
@@cafeaulivre I knew I liked you.
I was more into grunge, but I never shied away from bands like Pennywise, Bad Religion, Greenday or Alien Ant Farm 🤘
@@cafeaulivre I do love Grunge. Nirvana was the soundtrack of my high-school years.
Glad to see Needful Things up there.
I really enjoyed it!
The stand was a terrible book imho... So many pages of leading nowhere :)
That’s a sign it wasn’t for you and that’s totally fine. Luckily, King has written so many novels by now, there’s bound to be something for everyone
@@cafeaulivre I liked a few
I don't believe it!👾
😂
Nice list but what's with mentioning of "trigger warnings"? These ARE horror books, right? People are not compelled to read them...
If you allow an opinion, "Misery" has no place on any top list except on the list of the most boring books :P
There is a difference between having a good fright and being personally afflicted in a bad way about a book. I’ll give a very simple example I happen to know quite well: to many readers, the imagery of someone being hanged is nothing really unsettling. A friend of mine however discovered a sibling after their suicide by hanging. They still are very much affected by such imagery up to today. That’s what trigger warnings are for: to keep people safe while reading.
And of course you’re very much entitled to your opinion: you didn’t like Misery. That’s fine…I’m sure there are other King books that were for you.
@@cafeaulivre I would say, mostly all of the others 😂 (save "Revival" - a shameless Lovecraft ripoff)
Bro. You straight lost me at Needful Things. Horrible book. I love Stephen King and Needful Things is the worst of his that I've read. Ugh.
And that’s fine, it’s a sign the book just wasn’t for you. Luckily, King has written enough to please every reader