Full list in text form, if you want to check out the placement in an easy way: 61. Cell 60. Elevation 59. The Dark Half 58. Blaze 57. Roadwork 56. The Running Man 55. Cycle of the Werewolf 54. The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon 53. The Colorado Kid 52. Later 51. Thinner 50. Cujo 49. The Dead Zone 48. Dolores Claiborne 47. Guendy's Button Box 46. Lisey's Story 45. The Tommyknockers 44. Gerald's Game 43. Rose Madder 42. The Regulators 41. From a Buick 8 40. Song of Susannah (Dark Tower 6) 39. Doctor Sleep 38. The Institute 37. Carrie 36. Rage 35. Revival 34. Sleeping Beauties 33. The Green Mile 32. The Long Walk 31. The Eyes of the Dragon 30. The Gunslinger (Dark Tower 1) 29. Finders Keepers 28. End of Watch 27. Misery 26. The Dark Tower (Dark Tower 7) 25. The Wind through the Keyhole (Dark Tower 8) 24. Joyland 23. Duma Key 22. Desperation 21. Bag of Bones 20. Dreamcatcher 19. Black House 18. Wolves of the Calla (Dark Tower 5) 17. Mr. Mercedes 16. The Outsider 15. Firestarter 14. Pet Sematary 13. Salem's Lot 12. Christine 11. The Drawing of the Three (Dark Tower 2) 10. The Waste Lands (Dark Tower 3) 9. Under the Dome 8. 11/22/63 7. Insomnia 6. The Talisman 5. The Stand 4. Needful Things 3. The Shining 2. It 1. Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower 4)
I paused the video twice because I really thought the music was coming from somewhere in my apartment, it didn’t fit the topic at all lol. Still a good video tho
I lived in Bangor during my teenage years , one street over from Stephen King. Got to meet him numerous times because my little brother was good friends with his son Owen. Absolute stand-up guy .... super nice and engaging with all of us kids . AND ..... we had the BEST Halloweens that anyone could ask for. In town he's just a normal guy, his kids went to public schools and he would walk by our street all the time on his way to the "Nite Owl" convenience store to pick up a newspaper or whatever else he needed. People always ask me if he was "weird or crazy" and I can honestly say that he is just a normal guy, and extremely generous and personable.
Very interesting. One thing that stands out to me in his works is his constant gruesome violence against children. Thats gotta be an interesting perspective to have known him as a child
I’ve never read a Stephen King novel before, but this video got randomly recommended to me. I just wanted to say I really like this guy’s personality, and he let his love of Stephen King shine through! Good job!
Stephan king saved my very good friends life! When we were in middle school or before. Friend had a heart issue that needed surgery stephan king paid for it. Complete stranger, he didn't even blink. Saved a life. As a Mainer this Man is A legend!
@@DannyCosmos - The miniseries turned me off from the first episode. Hell! From the moment the 'dome' came down, and the farmer was carrying his severed arm which, of course, would have been on the other side of the 'dome'. Got rid of the necrophilia stuff, too, by locking the girl in a fallout shelter instead.
Pet semetary was my first Stephen King book and I absolutely loved it. I still remember the dark and grey feeling I started to get after just a few pages. Later it wasn’t just dark but muddy and dirty, hopeless and nerve wrecking. 10/10
The thing I love about Pet Semetary isn't the gruesome coming back frkm the dead stuff... Its the way the novel explores grief and people's acceptance of death... If I rmeebr correctly rhe mum had a massive fear of death? (Because of Zelda). That was such a fascinating view for me...
I agree, Wizard & Glass is so nostalgic for me... I lived in south Texas and I read the whole book to my girlfriend before bed every night. We were 22. I have never been more in love & thinking about Wizard & glass makes me so lovesick.
I can’t describe what I disliked about the book, I cannot put it in words. I just found it very vague. Had to force myself to finish it. Maybe if I was reading it to a half naked hottie, I would’ve enjoyed it more.
I’m so glad to see Dark Tower 2 get so much support because that book blew me away when I had read it. Roland Vs the cops was one of the peak times of reading I’ve had in a book. With that said, SK has made some incredibly amazing stories. Dreamcatcher and Salem’s Lot were some of my all-time go-to for readings.
@@tomashajek8963 I think so too, it’s really good so far. I’ve just been getting started with Stephen king, I’ve read the institute, talisman and black house, misery, duma key, and now needful things. I wanna read the “big ones” like It or the stand last. Im also 15 so I have barely any free time to read lol
Needful Things has a very readable and immersive quality. I however find a few irritations with the story so o find it highly readable but not one of my favorites.
I absolutely LOVED “the girl who loved Tom Gordon”! Definitely different then lots of his other books but I just absolutely loved it. I felt for this little girl and the tension was real for me.
So glad you recognize the sheer timeless brilliance that is The Talisman. One of his most underrated novels, in no small part due to the incredibly well done finale; a common problem for many of King's stories is that they feel lazily finished.
I read The Talisman in college and got absolutely lost in this journey. Yes, the finale. I don't remember all that happened, but I remember enough. It was mind melting, haha. It's been 35 years. I need to re-read this.
@@Lucy.packett the talisman and the waste lands and the stand are my favorites out of his books. I think it comes down to whether you enjoy quests and fantasy or not.
I just love watching your videos over and over. It motivates me to read (not only King but others too, as I'm majoring in literature), seeing someone so passionate while talking about their favorite author/books. Love this channel!
#61 cell #60 elevation #59 the dark half #58 Blaze #57 Road Work #56 the running man #55 cycle of the werewolf #54 the girl who loved tom gordan #53 the colarado kid #52 later #51 Thinner #50 Cujo #49 The dead Zone #48 Dolores Claiborne #47 Wendys Button Box #46 Lizzys Story #45 The Tommyknockers #44 geralds game #43 rose madder #42 the regulators #41 From a Buick 8 #40 Song of Susannah #39 Doctor Sleep #38 The Institute #37 Carrie #36 rage #35 revival #34 sleeping beauties #33 The green mile #32 The long walk #31 The eyes if the dragon #30 the gun slinger #29 Finders Keepers #28 end of watch #27 misery #26 The dark tower #25 The wind through the keyhole #24 Joyland #23 Duma Key #22 Desparation #21 Bag of Bones #20 dream catcher #19 The Black House #18 The Wolves of the Calla #17 Mr Mercedes #16 The Outsider #15 Firestarter #14 Pet sematary #13 salems Lot #12 Christine #11 The drawing of the three #10 The wastelands #9 Under the Dome #8 11/22/63 #7 Insomnia #6 The Talisman #5 The Stand #4 Needful Things #3 The Shining #2 It #1 Wizard Glass
Really surprised to see Insomnia outside the bottom 10. It was the weirdest, most depressing book I’ve ever read. It’s 1000+ pages about aging, death, and grief. Just miserable.
I'm just glad to see Insomnia getting some love. I actually read it before I started the dark tower and really enjoyed it still. People call it slow but I found Ralph interesting from the start.
Insomnia is the only book I've ever picked up and not finished. I dont know why, but it's like it deletes itself from my memory as I'm reading it. I get about a third of the way through and have to put it down because I have no idea what's going on. I've tried so many times to read it, I've heard it's a great read, but it's a frustrating mental block for me.
I read Insomnia recently and I did enjoy it but I found it really dragged in the middle of the book. Could have been 150 pages shorter and been all the better for it.
I was so happy to see The Outsider higher on this list! I feel like so many readers overlook it but it really is a great read! It was my first introduction to Holly Gibney and she's become one of my favorite characters of King's!!
@yifeng007 How far in did you get? The interviews at thw beginning were hard for me to get through but once thise were over the story ended up picking up
Wizard and Glass is my favorite Dark Tower book, so it always surprises me when people say they don't like it. Number one for me would have to be Salem's Lot. That is the one which started it all for me.
As salems lot being almost my 15th book by king it didn't grab me like others did. The chemistry between the main character and the girl in the first little bit weirded me out, their dialoge was written so similarly it felt like a person talking to themselves. Needs a revisit for sure, ive wanted to read it for years so maybe I hyped it up too much
W&G was one of my least favorite King books. It killed the Dark Tower for me for a long time. It's really great that we have so many favorites to choose from. The Wasteland was my favorite of that series. Or The Drawing of the Three.
Salem’s Lot at the drugstore rack, black paperback with teeth and a drop of blood 🩸 falling. It kept calling to me…I was in 6th grade. My first King novel. I’m aging myself, but Salem’ Lot started my love affair with the Master.🙌🏻😉❤️🩸
I absolutely love The Long Walk! It was the first Stephen king novel I ever read and it’s still my favourite. Nobody talks about it enough, underrated King gem in my eyes.
The long walk and joyland pulled me in and all but forced me to finish in one sitting, despite having obligations the next day. Some of his other books do this towards the climax, but few from the get go like those two. Dunno, I was completely sold from page one.
The Stand is one book that also gives me a nostalgic feeling and will always be top on my list.. Also Salems Lot was one of my first SK books I've read and is definitely a page turner lol
@@ericp1803 I feel like the stand was such a long book that it intimidated people but it was better than the series especially the new remake cbs just did last year.. Also one of the things I liked most about Salems lot was even though it felt a little hefty it didn't drag at all like the like last few chapters of the stand did for me. And also we are getting a Salems lot movie in 2022 which looks promising!
As an avid reader and aspiring writer, I've always admired King, for the way he can build tension and fear and for how fast he can come up with good ideas and put them to paper. Nice rank, well done :)
those oldschool versions of King's works look really amazing on that shelf in the upper left corner! I love older, used (and loved) books, so cool. thanks for a great video!
Insomnia is definitely my favorite book from King. It's the only book of his that actually made me feel intense emotion. Others did run deep and get under my skin but nothing made me feel like Insomnia did. I cried, I was scared, I was angry, I felt so much and I'm so happy to see it getting so much love.
"Insomnia" means so much to me that I read it at least once a year. I think it's partly because I've suffered from a life-threatening form of insomnia for 30+ years, and the way he talks about what that's like is so accurate. In fact, that book saved my sanity - there are a lot of "side affects" of insomnia that most people know nothing about and Stephen King gets them absolutely right - it helped me know I wasn't alone or crazy. The parts of the story that were about spousal abuse and women's shelters were spot on, and the way it ties into "The Dark Tower" series also keeps pulling me back.
Although you didn't rank it super high, I'll always love Pet Sematary. It's one of the few books that I've had such a visceral emotional reaction to. Truly gave me a sense of misery and hatred toward Louis knowing what he was going to do in the latter half of the book. The foreshadowing was so effective for me and both sickened me and excited me knowing what was going to happen
Yes. My first book of him and always my fave. The grey and later dark/muddy feeling of this book always gave me chills. It also did a really great job at hitting me in my feels lol
Pet Sematary is by far my favorite Stephen King novel, I will never forget how I felt reading it for the first time. I actually won't read it again because of how great my first read was!
The succinctness of this list while not spoiling a thing is INCREDIBLE. Thank you so much for this. Saving it to reference later. Gonna note all of these titles down so that I don't get mixed up with Short Stories and whatnot for the time being.
Great list, wouldn't be my particular order, but that is the beauty of reading, Forming your own opinion. Some books I missed, I need to catch up with. Thanks for doing this!
Holy shit, I can't believe you got Wizard and Glass as number one. It's my favorite as well and my draw dropped when you mentioned #2 cause I knew what had to be #1. Good stuff, thank you.
He’s so prolific it’s pretty incredible he doesn’t have a lot more awful stuff. Awesome video dude I know this probably took forever to organize and script out.
Good to see someone else LOVED Wizard & Glass as much as I did. It's my favorite of the Dark Tower series. So immersive and hits every emotion, including romance which I typically despise in a book.
Cant remember i cried from that. Only book ive cried from is Dostojevskis "The Idiot". Dont even remember the story anymore, but i do remember i felt so sad for the main character. Had that classic tragedy vibes.
My #1 would be "11/22/63". It's just so good. I also really loved "Revival" more than a lot of people. King's ultimate gift IMO is his ability to really build characters. You feel a kinship with them and when his novels cover large periods of time and you see characters change and age, as is the case with "Revival", I feel King is at his best.
Stephen King's The Shining, a horror story about an alcoholic with violent tendencies worried that he will harm his family Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, a horror story about living with an alcoholic with violent tendencies and being worried he will hurt you. I think they make good book ends, as King was making apologies for his own actions, while Kubrick seems to have stripped away the sef-pity. Love the infamous cigarette ash scene where Wendy seems to be trying to convince herself that Jack broke Danny's arm by accident.
Stephen King's book just doesn't adapt very well into medium of movies or series so it was really good Kubrick adapted it quite loosely. Kubricks style is kinda anyway that he would bring actors newly re-written scene for that day everyday maybe even multiple times to the point of Nicholson not even reading them before he was sure which was the one they will shoot 😂 So that's just tells how much tought Kubrick put into building his movies and the book was more so the base of the house and Kubrick wrote everything to build it otherwise. The Outsiders have been propably only one series that I have really liked adapted from King. I haven't seen the original The Stand from 90's but it have been said to be good too, the new one was trash even tho it started ok. There is couple older movies ofcourse that are good like Pet Semetary and Children of the Corn is pretty good, Cujo. But the amount of bad adaptations just overwhelm the good quite easily. Original IT is good, the newer one was very overhyped but ok. The Mist I liked. Stephen King doesn't usually translate well if not taking liberties with his work. Like Castle Rock's first season was again very good and it's whole purpose is to pretty much take the very good bits and pieces that translate well from King and put them together. Unfortunatelly you could see that for season 2 they cut the budget and left the series run for not as competent people (it's common that someone really talented starts a standalone series and moves on but since it's a hit, the network/stream service wants more and it hardly ever works) so it was kinda mishmash, that one was ok AT best. Lastly just to add that obviously King is a terrific writer and I'm not putting that down. You just know when they are making a Stephen King project into other medium it's very much toss of a coin. There is 3 bad ones for every good one that I mentioned and so many ehh I guess it's ok ones.
@@lracseroom8286 Really! He is one of the best storytellers of the past generation. I love kubrick and I love King. I teach writing and Mass Communication, and every once in a while I see someone dissing Stephen King completely with these notions. He has too many issues, but i see this elitist scrunching up the nose with someone who writes about horror. You may or may not have liked the novel, but have you seen the craft behind it? There are such phenomenally written scenes. If you have read the novel, the way Jack slowly falls into isolation and insanity is beautifully put. You can feel the loneliness they descend into from miles away. I still remember the scene where he establishes this so succinctly, he describes the lobby and the atmosphere where everyone is leaving the hotel. A bunch of nuns and staff members remain. Slowly we feel the isolation, till the moment when the family waves bye to the manager. Understand art friend, Don't compare apples and oranges. He is a classic storyteller, while Kubrick is an auteur with a very unique voice and a thematic depth which many great artists have. Two completely different kind of artists. But Calling king a hack? Go read some more my friend and appreciate storytelling beyond embellishments.
What a terrific collection! I have a few of those vintage hardcovers, but I’m jealous of that King corner you’ve assembled. Some of my personal favorites: Pet Semetary, Dead Zone, From a Buick 8, and Christine.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Wizard and Glass just as me!! It has to be my favorite Dark Tower novel as well! Just all the backstory we get from Roland is so insightful, so captivating, and yet so heartbreaking.
Carrie was my first Stephen King book, I read. It's still my favorite to this day. I read it in High School. I couldn't put it down. I will never forget that feeling. Later in life, I read Doloris Claiborne, Duma Key, and The Running man.I'm not a huge Stephen King fan but the books I read from him I enjoyed very much.
I mean, not necessarily. If it's a series then yes people start with the first book. Or if they are a new author. But with someone as prolific and well established as King, you can almost start any where that piques your interest.
I know I’m commenting on here super late, but seeing you rank IT so high made me happy. It was also the first King novel I ever read way back in Jr. High and even after all these years and so many books later, IT remains the best novel I have ever read. It’s scary yet hopeful, brutal yet uplifting. It has horror, suspense, comedic relief, it’s just so complete. The length might be intimidating to some but you said it perfectly; it lets you just sink your teeth into it and just get lost in Derry and its happenings.
I've only read the Dark Tower series, but have to agree that Wizard and Glass was just so incredible. I think I might have cried at the end. The novel plays such a unique role in the larger story.
Appreciating the love for 'Needful Things' here, always one of my favourite novels, and although the book is better than the movie, they cast the characters in the movie perfectly, especially Max Von Sydow and JT Walsh. Love seeing 11.22.63 up there too, my third favourite King novel behind The Stand and It.
I wasn't expecting to see Wizard and Glass as the #1 pick, mostly because not everybody likes that book. But I gotta say it's my favorite one from the Dark Tower novels as well. Not only because it's a total different type of story from the rest of the series, but because it really helps you understand why Roland is the way he is. It's gripping, beautiful and heartbreaking. Awesome list, you got yourself a new sub.
Wow, Rose Madder is a personal fave of mine (read it during quite a formative period and it stuck with me) but when I talk to people who are "King fans" they've usually not even read it! The fact that it scraped into your list above no. 45 makes me really happy
I haven't read even half the books you listed, but I fully agree that wizard and glass was incredibly capavitating. Easily the best in the dark tower series.
There's IT and then there's everything else. I respect the others on the list near the top, especially the Shining, but IT manages to both one of if not the greatest "Steven King" book, but probably one of the most interesting and well-written books about Americana in the 20th century. It just takes three readings to really see through it all. It is a horror novel that both elevates and transcends horror novels. It's bloody and violent and strange and scary but also uplifting and inspiring and nostalgic and brave.
I usually consider The Stand to be the greatest novel written by an American. I would have It #2 on my list though. I believe King has said himself that The Stand is his magnum opus.
"It" Just sheer brilliance. The mind just seeps up every emotion written in those pages. The literary beauty of this book made me tearful and fearful!!
I'm so hype that you have book 4 of the dark tower series as your favorite too. While I haven't read much of his other works yet because I started reading King from the gunslinger, I have never read any other book that's put me in the story as good as King did it with Roland's retelling of his younger days. Love the list!
I really enjoyed your list. I haven’t read much of SKs newer stuff. I’ll be filling her my cart. I’ve been reading SK since I was a teenager. I think I was 16 when I picked up The Gunslinger. I had read all of his other stuff up until then, and it changed my life. So many people dislike it, but for me. It encapsulates everything you ever needed to know about Roland. You knew that he was a tragic hero and maybe not even a hero. And the story of him getting his guns, I get misty just thinking of it. And Jake. Man. I loved every moment. I bought the last book and held it for a long while before I could let myself finish it. I started it at 16 and finished the series at 38. I’m 51 and I’ve reread it many times. It only gets better.
Very enjoyable video, and nice rationales for your rankings - they reveal an intimate personal connection with the books. I'm also thoroughly envious of your hardback first editions. Beautiful.
I 100% agree with Wizard and Glass being #1!! I’ve never gotten lost in a novel like I did for that book. The Dark Tower series is my all time favorite series and that particular installment of the franchise is the closest thing to perfection that you can find in literature. It’s just that good!
Holy hell, I thought I would never hear someone else besides myself pick Wizard and Glass as their favourite King book, let alone say it on video. I know everyone is different and everything is subjective but that book's ill-regarded reputation boggles my mind.
Duma Key was my first Stephen King book back in high school and it still stands as my favorite (so far). I'm glad to find some solid recommendations through your list!
Really great list, I agree with many of the rankings and I LOVE that u have The Talisman so high. The Talisman is the one book I have read multiple times. Followed by IT and The Stand, but Talisman I read at least 4 times. I guess it’s part of nostalgia for me as well, but I always felt so much emotion with this book, especially with Wolf, don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Really enjoyed your rankings!
I loved The Talisman! I loved Jack Sawyer!! I don't know if you've ever seen the film The Client with Susan Sarandonon but the kid in that is exactly how I pictured Jack. I think his name's Brad Renfro.
@@josebro352 yes I saw it and he actually would have made a great Jack. That kid was also in Sleepers, another great film. I always thought that kid Osment from The 6th Sense would have been good or Joseph Gordon Leavitt from 3rd Rock. Now the best pick is probably Jaeden Martell from It. Lots of fans campaigned for him.
I can tell you are a very serious Constant Reader 1. You’ve read all the books 2. You have an affinity for the first editions and limited editions. Subbed!
I'm always interested (and amazed) to see how people's opinions differ. I haven't read nearly as much Stephen King books as you did, but seeing some of my favourites didn't even make top 40 blew me away, hah.
11/22/63 seriously became one of my favorite books when I read it. Happened to stop in the library for the first time in 15 years, and picked up that one. Had the book read within 3 days (which is saying something cause it's a long book!). It's so good that during book swaps for people, I've bought them this book and only ever heard amazing reviews. Must read if you haven't yet.
The best Stephen King ranking video on TH-cam. Always knew and heard about the greatness of King's works, but didn't quite dive into it (mainly cuz I'm not a big horror fan). But this video inspired me to grab a couple of the stories instantly, and I'm very thankful for that. Quick, brief but to the point, and with no spoilers... just perfect. Cheers!
'Drawing of the three' has a really special place in my heart. I happened to randomly find a copy of it at home, nobody knows how it got there, and it was my first introduction to both The dark Tower and King in general. I just love it
I’m so glad you gave “The Long Walk” credit. It’s my favorite novel of all time, so I would’ve put it at #1, but since most people that I talk to about it say it’s one of his worst ones, thank you so much for putting it in the top half!!! Love that book! Made me rethink pretty much everything.
I so enjoyed the list, and seeing Wizard & Glass as #1 is spot-on for me as well… my absolute favorite. Well done all around and thank you for taking the time!
Wizard and glass is also my favorite! This video actually really motivated me to keep reading the King books I haven’t read yet so thanks a lot for sharing 😊
I've never read any of the Dark Tower stuff and hadn't really realized how much King I have yet to read. I was happy to see Needful Things get ranked so high. I enjoyed your take and might check out Mr. Mercedes next, though my personal favorite will always be Pet Semetary. Great job!
YES, thank you for not putting The Stand first! GAH! My favorite lost out by one book! I had to laugh when you said you could really sink your teeth into IT. I've read it six times and am thoroughly disgusted by Patrick Hochstetter's death each and every time. One among many, but that one just... Definitely best consumed in small pieces, but fantastic character and world-building, despite the horrible "coming together" scene in the last third
For such a subjective, uh, subject, you did a fantastic job. I loved hearing your quick impressions of the novels on the list. I grew up (as a lot of you have) reading King novels, and it's great that this exists for us to share in the love.
I'd never read the dark tower series and was given Insomnia to read as my first Stephen King book. I loved it and didn't have a problem following what was going on! I feel like it was actually a good intro to the dark tower, for me.
Awesome ranking video, man! I too grew up reading King, his work (aside from being entertaining and fun) helped me understand people and the way we think and act. His characters have always seemed so real and genuine, even if a story wasn't that great, I would read till the end just to know what happened to the characters. His early works especially taught me things about the world that, as a young boy, I found invaluable. Keep up the good work man.
Thank you for this video! As a new Stephen King fan, I've enjoyed all of your videos and it always makes me happy to see new content! Please keep up the great work! :)
You might not see this but i want you to know that Wizard & Glass is my favorite SK novel as well and it’s the same for me with how immersive it was the first time and even when i listened on audible. I wish he wrote more novels set in Mid-World and before the world moved on, it’s why the Talisman is so good too because it has such a similar vibe. Anyways great list and i love seeing other Constant Readers
I don’t know if I can pick a number one. Wizard s and Glass though. When I finished this book, I couldn’t pick up another book for days. This one just Stu k with me. I Love it
I'm just finishing 11/22/63 and not surprised it featured in your top 10. So many elements to this book, and it's beautifully written. Along with Duma Key, it's my favourite among King's more recent work.
My brother gave me The Stand ("Apocalipsis" in my country) as a souvenir when he came back from a trip a little bit before the pandemic, and I started reading it when my country began its lockdown. I'm glad I read it at that time, because I wasn't yet hit by the situation so it didn't kill my stability but I still get to say I read it during a real pandemic! But jokes aside, that book was really good and Nick Andros is one of my favourite characters ever.
IT is, for me, the best experience that i've ever had in my whole life. Is so sad that people out there just thinks that it is about a silly clown, when actually is a life journey full of trauma, friendship and the darkest sides of the human being. Thanks for this amazing video
Always fascinating to see how other Constant Readers do their rankings; no two lists are the same. I'm currently re-reading Desperation for the first time in 15 years. That book is so underrated - Collie Entragian still scares me more that Pennywise.
Desperation has one of my all time favorite writing: when the group finds the woman on the laundromat (i think), and during the time they're with her one of the characters keeps thinking about how short her skirt is and how long her legs are. And it's only when she is out of sight that the character in question thinks to himself 'wait... Was her skirt that short when we found her OR IS IT GETTING SHORTER??' FULL BODY CHILLS
no for whatever faults song of Susanna has, it wasn't on account of any drugs. almost 3 years passed between the time of his accident and the time he started writing the last three books so he was well onto and probably already past his recovery. great review man I really love this video glad I found your channel. subbed Holy crap, you have an actual physical copy of Rage?!? that's too cool. unless somebody lost a bet, that must have cost you a small fortune
Mr Mango, gotta say, as a long time Constant Reader, and watcher of SK TH-cam critiques, I believe our tastes align perfectly! You get it , and Wizard and Glass is just beautiful!
I never read the dark tower series; however, Insomnia is one of my favorites. I also loved The Green Mile and read it many times. Duma Key was also a favorite. Definitely agree with a lot of your rankings :)
A very interesting list dude. I too hold Wizard and Glass in very high regard. For me, The Drawing Of the Three has to be in my top three. An utterly unique book that can stand alone from the Dark Tower. Anyway, thank you for the interesting list and the time you took to make it!
Title is funny though. *Finishes editing video, runtime 18:22. Title: "Ranking all 61 Stephen King novels in 19 minutes or less!!!!!" little bit arbitrary for the title, but good video. The fact that King has 61 novels at all is evidence enough that he's a great writer with a long career.
I've read eight books from Stephen King for now, I'm currently on my 9th one (Misery). For now, my absolute favourite is Pet Sematary. I loved how disturbing it was.
Love coming back to this video after reading more and more King. Have read about 25 of his books so far and I am currently half way through Fairy Tale. I am loving it so far, can’t wait to watch your video on it
First of all, VERY impressive that you can rank 61 books. Secondly doing it in 18 minutes is also impressive. #1 The Stand - Not even close, in my top 5 books ever written, and probably the only top book written by an American. #2 IT - we agree there. #3 Pet Semetary #4 The Shining #5 Wizard & The Glass I also think The Mist could have been included. It is a novella inside Skeleton Crew. And I also believe King's short story "The Boogeyman" is the most frightening short story ever written.
I am late to the Stephen King club but I'm here now so that's what counts. I've read 11.22.63, IT, Pet Cemetary, Carrie, The Mist, The Green Mile, and Dolores Claiborne. I have Mr Mercedes in my lap right now. I'm starting it tonight. I can't wait to dive into this story. Thank you for posting this video. It's been really helpful to me. Happy reading
Low-key inspired me to read all of King. Thought it was daunting but now I really want to read every book if everything is that good for the most part.
I've read like every novel 2 or 3 times and I will say, as much of a diehard king fan as I am, he is often put on a pedestal, mostly by people who have never read him lol. Of all the novels he has written, there are like 20 that are truly incredible. There are many that are forced, quickly thrown together, fall apart after amazing openings, etc etc. They are not all on equal footing, not even close. This guy actually put the one novel that most think don't even sound like Steven king, at the top of his list
Full list in text form, if you want to check out the placement in an easy way:
61. Cell
60. Elevation
59. The Dark Half
58. Blaze
57. Roadwork
56. The Running Man
55. Cycle of the Werewolf
54. The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon
53. The Colorado Kid
52. Later
51. Thinner
50. Cujo
49. The Dead Zone
48. Dolores Claiborne
47. Guendy's Button Box
46. Lisey's Story
45. The Tommyknockers
44. Gerald's Game
43. Rose Madder
42. The Regulators
41. From a Buick 8
40. Song of Susannah (Dark Tower 6)
39. Doctor Sleep
38. The Institute
37. Carrie
36. Rage
35. Revival
34. Sleeping Beauties
33. The Green Mile
32. The Long Walk
31. The Eyes of the Dragon
30. The Gunslinger (Dark Tower 1)
29. Finders Keepers
28. End of Watch
27. Misery
26. The Dark Tower (Dark Tower 7)
25. The Wind through the Keyhole (Dark Tower 8)
24. Joyland
23. Duma Key
22. Desperation
21. Bag of Bones
20. Dreamcatcher
19. Black House
18. Wolves of the Calla (Dark Tower 5)
17. Mr. Mercedes
16. The Outsider
15. Firestarter
14. Pet Sematary
13. Salem's Lot
12. Christine
11. The Drawing of the Three (Dark Tower 2)
10. The Waste Lands (Dark Tower 3)
9. Under the Dome
8. 11/22/63
7. Insomnia
6. The Talisman
5. The Stand
4. Needful Things
3. The Shining
2. It
1. Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower 4)
Did he just completely miss "Hearts in Atlantis"??
(And "Big Driver")... He probably thought they were too $#itty to make the list... lol
@@sarlaccstapeworm990 This list doesn't include any collections or novellas.
@@acoupleofschoes Oooh ok... Gotcha!👍 lol
my bestie misery so low :(
I can see why he put wizard and glass at number 1, that book has always held a special place to me for some reason I can't explain.
You can tell he loves Stephen King because he was already saying “this is a really good read” at the near bottom of the list
He is a phenomenal author I’ve only read children of the corn and am reading IT right now but he really does what he does well
@@JayOnDaCob I can recommend misery and the long walk
I could tell because he has a Steven King conor in his house
I think he overrated many books.
You can really tell he loves king because the video is 19 minutes long. Only real king fans understand this!
The novels: 🩸🔪💀⛓
The music: ✨🎹💫😇
Great list!
I paused the video twice because I really thought the music was coming from somewhere in my apartment, it didn’t fit the topic at all lol. Still a good video tho
lmfao
The youtuber: 😐 (with the occasional 🙂)
Wonderful juxtaposition lmao!
I lived in Bangor during my teenage years , one street over from Stephen King. Got to meet him numerous times because my little brother was good friends with his son Owen. Absolute stand-up guy .... super nice and engaging with all of us kids . AND ..... we had the BEST Halloweens that anyone could ask for. In town he's just a normal guy, his kids went to public schools and he would walk by our street all the time on his way to the "Nite Owl" convenience store to pick up a newspaper or whatever else he needed. People always ask me if he was "weird or crazy" and I can honestly say that he is just a normal guy, and extremely generous and personable.
That’s so cool! I love his world view expressed via tweets. Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting. One thing that stands out to me in his works is his constant gruesome violence against children. Thats gotta be an interesting perspective to have known him as a child
Oh my god bro that’s awesome
love this! ❤
Damn, your lucky!
I’ve never read a Stephen King novel before, but this video got randomly recommended to me. I just wanted to say I really like this guy’s personality, and he let his love of Stephen King shine through! Good job!
If you read one, you’ll never come back
11.23.63 was very good
Read misery!!
Salems lot is fantastic!!
I’d start with the Shining, IT, Pet Sematary, or Misery :) some of the best books I’ve ever read
This is definitely one of the more unique King rankings I've seen...love to see how people react to his books in such different ways
I love how you analyze the books and summarize them without spoiling them. I've been looking for a review like this.
Stephan king saved my very good friends life!
When we were in middle school or before. Friend had a heart issue that needed surgery stephan king paid for it. Complete stranger, he didn't even blink. Saved a life. As a Mainer this Man is A legend!
💛💛💛💛💛💛💛
That's a book right there!
Lol, I was expecting something much more figurative!
Under the Dome was so amazing because as the story progressed, it became less about the dome and more about the people inside trying to survive.
did you like the show? i loved season 1
@@DannyCosmos the show sucks compared to the book. Go read it, not gonna regret the decision. It's quite different
Deeply insightful comment. Can see why you're a fan of the most popular author alive. Totally not sarcasm.
@@DannyCosmos - The miniseries turned me off from the first episode. Hell! From the moment the 'dome' came down, and the farmer was carrying his severed arm which, of course, would have been on the other side of the 'dome'. Got rid of the necrophilia stuff, too, by locking the girl in a fallout shelter instead.
@@300deQI but Hank is in it
Pet semetary was my first Stephen King book and I absolutely loved it. I still remember the dark and grey feeling I started to get after just a few pages. Later it wasn’t just dark but muddy and dirty, hopeless and nerve wrecking. 10/10
When Pascal first comes to him still makes me shiver when I think about it.
His best novel.
The thing I love about Pet Semetary isn't the gruesome coming back frkm the dead stuff... Its the way the novel explores grief and people's acceptance of death...
If I rmeebr correctly rhe mum had a massive fear of death? (Because of Zelda). That was such a fascinating view for me...
I read it in highschool and I was kinda disappointed....I read it again as s patent of a toddler and it ruined me😂
I agree, Wizard & Glass is so nostalgic for me... I lived in south Texas and I read the whole book to my girlfriend before bed every night. We were 22. I have never been more in love & thinking about Wizard & glass makes me so lovesick.
I can’t describe what I disliked about the book, I cannot put it in words. I just found it very vague. Had to force myself to finish it. Maybe if I was reading it to a half naked hottie, I would’ve enjoyed it more.
I must say, I love these editions. One cover more gorgeous than the next.
One of my favorite first editions is Needful Things, it just calls to me and I don’t know why… but I hope to own a first edition of it one day!
It's maybe pedantic, but you're describing them getting uglier as they go on and it makes me chuckle.
@@onesoldierserving i noticed that too, can’t tell if it was intentional or not lol
The cover art he had in the 80s and 90s is unmatched
I’m so glad to see Dark Tower 2 get so much support because that book blew me away when I had read it. Roland Vs the cops was one of the peak times of reading I’ve had in a book. With that said, SK has made some incredibly amazing stories. Dreamcatcher and Salem’s Lot were some of my all-time go-to for readings.
Love the 2nd ... just the susanna's part I felt boring... the rest is good
Setting aside disagreements on order of your ranking, CONGRATS on reading them all! King writes faster than I can read.
truest shit i've ever heard
"King writes faster than I can read! I feel tbe same! 🤣
My personal favorite is Needful Things. The whole thing felt so immersive, as well as the commentary on human nature pulled me in.
It's my favorite as well !
Reading it right now
@@vittoriapagliardini1937 that's great, i'm sure you'll like it!
@@tomashajek8963 I think so too, it’s really good so far. I’ve just been getting started with Stephen king, I’ve read the institute, talisman and black house, misery, duma key, and now needful things. I wanna read the “big ones” like It or the stand last. Im also 15 so I have barely any free time to read lol
Needful Things has a very readable and immersive quality. I however find a few irritations with the story so o find it highly readable but not one of my favorites.
So happy to see Wizard and Glass get its props! It was such a gut-wrenching experience, and I am not a sentimental person.
Plus, a very convincing love story. Thought the girl was going to escape in the end.
I absolutely LOVED “the girl who loved Tom Gordon”! Definitely different then lots of his other books but I just absolutely loved it. I felt for this little girl and the tension was real for me.
I agree. Loved it for the same reasons!
The best king book. Hands down.
It's the first one I ever read and it was as a little girl, my mom said it was the worst of his books but I really loved it a lot
One of the first Stephen King books I read!
You have to look up the pop up book of this! It’s Illustrated by Alan Dingman and so beautifully done 🥺
The Long Walk hands down is my fave! Needs to be made into a movie! I started reading Mr. King when I was 13, now I'm 39 and I still love his books!
One of my faves too.
Same!
I loved the book but thought he completely messed up the ending! It just ended so quickly and all the tension was diffused!
Same, it's so crazy that he drafted his best book while he was in high school/college
‘Mr. King’
I couldn't agree more about Wizard & Glass. It is also my favorite and I was shocked when it ended up being your #1 as well. Great list.
So glad you recognize the sheer timeless brilliance that is The Talisman. One of his most underrated novels, in no small part due to the incredibly well done finale; a common problem for many of King's stories is that they feel lazily finished.
Am I the only SK fan who didn’t care for the Talisman? Lol Black House was waaaaay better in my opinion.
I read The Talisman in college and got absolutely lost in this journey. Yes, the finale. I don't remember all that happened, but I remember enough. It was mind melting, haha. It's been 35 years. I need to re-read this.
@@Lucy.packett the talisman and the waste lands and the stand are my favorites out of his books. I think it comes down to whether you enjoy quests and fantasy or not.
I agree with you about his endings.
I LOVE The Talisman. Probably in my top 5 books of all time. It’s an epic. A 20th century Odyssey.
I just love watching your videos over and over. It motivates me to read (not only King but others too, as I'm majoring in literature), seeing someone so passionate while talking about their favorite author/books. Love this channel!
#61 cell
#60 elevation
#59 the dark half
#58 Blaze
#57 Road Work
#56 the running man
#55 cycle of the werewolf
#54 the girl who loved tom gordan
#53 the colarado kid
#52 later
#51 Thinner
#50 Cujo
#49 The dead Zone
#48 Dolores Claiborne
#47 Wendys Button Box
#46 Lizzys Story
#45 The Tommyknockers
#44 geralds game
#43 rose madder
#42 the regulators
#41 From a Buick 8
#40 Song of Susannah
#39 Doctor Sleep
#38 The Institute
#37 Carrie
#36 rage
#35 revival
#34 sleeping beauties
#33 The green mile
#32 The long walk
#31 The eyes if the dragon
#30 the gun slinger
#29 Finders Keepers
#28 end of watch
#27 misery
#26 The dark tower
#25 The wind through the keyhole
#24 Joyland
#23 Duma Key
#22 Desparation
#21 Bag of Bones
#20 dream catcher
#19 The Black House
#18 The Wolves of the Calla
#17 Mr Mercedes
#16 The Outsider
#15 Firestarter
#14 Pet sematary
#13 salems Lot
#12 Christine
#11 The drawing of the three
#10 The wastelands
#9 Under the Dome
#8 11/22/63
#7 Insomnia
#6 The Talisman
#5 The Stand
#4 Needful Things
#3 The Shining
#2 It
#1 Wizard Glass
Clutch comment
The stand is number one
Really surprised to see Insomnia outside the bottom 10. It was the weirdest, most depressing book I’ve ever read. It’s 1000+ pages about aging, death, and grief. Just miserable.
Hearts in Atlantis....another Tower tie in ....missed?
Thanks
I'm just glad to see Insomnia getting some love. I actually read it before I started the dark tower and really enjoyed it still. People call it slow but I found Ralph interesting from the start.
Insomnia is the only book I've ever picked up and not finished. I dont know why, but it's like it deletes itself from my memory as I'm reading it. I get about a third of the way through and have to put it down because I have no idea what's going on. I've tried so many times to read it, I've heard it's a great read, but it's a frustrating mental block for me.
Same. I have never read Dark Tower
insomnia had me enthralled
I read Insomnia recently and I did enjoy it but I found it really dragged in the middle of the book. Could have been 150 pages shorter and been all the better for it.
My all time SK favorite!
I was so happy to see The Outsider higher on this list! I feel like so many readers overlook it but it really is a great read! It was my first introduction to Holly Gibney and she's become one of my favorite characters of King's!!
The Outsider is by far my favorite king book
Currently listening to it on Audible
Why The outsider is not for me.😢😢😢
@yifeng007 How far in did you get? The interviews at thw beginning were hard for me to get through but once thise were over the story ended up picking up
I personally loved the first part of the book, was well and truly hooked, but was disappointed in the direction the story ultimately went.
Wizard and Glass is my favorite Dark Tower book, so it always surprises me when people say they don't like it. Number one for me would have to be Salem's Lot. That is the one which started it all for me.
As salems lot being almost my 15th book by king it didn't grab me like others did. The chemistry between the main character and the girl in the first little bit weirded me out, their dialoge was written so similarly it felt like a person talking to themselves. Needs a revisit for sure, ive wanted to read it for years so maybe I hyped it up too much
id have to reread all the dark tower books i think, but to me wizards and glass is the one book that made me stop reading the series for a year.
W&G was one of my least favorite King books. It killed the Dark Tower for me for a long time. It's really great that we have so many favorites to choose from. The Wasteland was my favorite of that series. Or The Drawing of the Three.
Salem’s Lot at the drugstore rack, black paperback with teeth and a drop of blood 🩸 falling. It kept calling to me…I was in 6th grade. My first King novel. I’m aging myself, but Salem’ Lot started my love affair with the Master.🙌🏻😉❤️🩸
Wizard and Glass was also my favorite Dark Tower book! But number one altogether is The Stand, with Salem’s Lot as a close second.
You really empressed me. Reading all of SK books is one of my life goals
Ive,read them all but 2 and I'm working on those now. Billy summers and green mile
Just DO it!
@@midnightmoon3230 Billy Summers is fantastic! Best thing he's done in YEARS!
@@pamelalagree-kanotz6845 yeah I'm bout 120 pages in and it seems really great
@@midnightmoon3230 both are great don't get out of bed 'til you're done
I absolutely love The Long Walk! It was the first Stephen king novel I ever read and it’s still my favourite. Nobody talks about it enough, underrated King gem in my eyes.
Me too!! Amazing book
The long walk and joyland pulled me in and all but forced me to finish in one sitting, despite having obligations the next day. Some of his other books do this towards the climax, but few from the get go like those two. Dunno, I was completely sold from page one.
After i read the long walk, i was frightened everytime i went to walk. I felt so much emotions while reading it
The Stand is one book that also gives me a nostalgic feeling and will always be top on my list.. Also Salems Lot was one of my first SK books I've read and is definitely a page turner lol
Salems Lot was much better than I had expected. The Stand was also a super kickass book. The audiobooks for these are A+.
@@ericp1803 I feel like the stand was such a long book that it intimidated people but it was better than the series especially the new remake cbs just did last year.. Also one of the things I liked most about Salems lot was even though it felt a little hefty it didn't drag at all like the like last few chapters of the stand did for me. And also we are getting a Salems lot movie in 2022 which looks promising!
yess i loved re-reading the stand, i think it will always have a place in my heart
OMG I can't believe you ranked Insomnia so high! Finally someone who really likes this book, which is my all time favorite! Thanks you, man!!!
That was my first king book I ever read
Loved most of it but didn't like the ending. Hey ho
As an avid reader and aspiring writer, I've always admired King, for the way he can build tension and fear and for how fast he can come up with good ideas and put them to paper. Nice rank, well done :)
those oldschool versions of King's works look really amazing on that shelf in the upper left corner! I love older, used (and loved) books, so cool. thanks for a great video!
Insomnia is definitely my favorite book from King. It's the only book of his that actually made me feel intense emotion. Others did run deep and get under my skin but nothing made me feel like Insomnia did. I cried, I was scared, I was angry, I felt so much and I'm so happy to see it getting so much love.
"Insomnia" means so much to me that I read it at least once a year. I think it's partly because I've suffered from a life-threatening form of insomnia for 30+ years, and the way he talks about what that's like is so accurate. In fact, that book saved my sanity - there are a lot of "side affects" of insomnia that most people know nothing about and Stephen King gets them absolutely right - it helped me know I wasn't alone or crazy. The parts of the story that were about spousal abuse and women's shelters were spot on, and the way it ties into "The Dark Tower" series also keeps pulling me back.
Was looking for next king read and this is the comment that pushed me to my decision! Thank you and I’ll let u know how I like it when done!
@@eellin6 Glad I could help! I hope you enjoy it. :)
Like this book, glad to see it get a high rating on the list.
Although you didn't rank it super high, I'll always love Pet Sematary. It's one of the few books that I've had such a visceral emotional reaction to. Truly gave me a sense of misery and hatred toward Louis knowing what he was going to do in the latter half of the book. The foreshadowing was so effective for me and both sickened me and excited me knowing what was going to happen
Yes. My first book of him and always my fave. The grey and later dark/muddy feeling of this book always gave me chills. It also did a really great job at hitting me in my feels lol
Pet Sematary is by far my favorite Stephen King novel, I will never forget how I felt reading it for the first time. I actually won't read it again because of how great my first read was!
The succinctness of this list while not spoiling a thing is INCREDIBLE. Thank you so much for this. Saving it to reference later. Gonna note all of these titles down so that I don't get mixed up with Short Stories and whatnot for the time being.
Great list, wouldn't be my particular order, but that is the beauty of reading, Forming your own opinion. Some books I missed, I need to catch up with. Thanks for doing this!
Holy shit, I can't believe you got Wizard and Glass as number one. It's my favorite as well and my draw dropped when you mentioned #2 cause I knew what had to be #1. Good stuff, thank you.
He’s so prolific it’s pretty incredible he doesn’t have a lot more awful stuff. Awesome video dude I know this probably took forever to organize and script out.
Love that you have Wizard And Glass as your favorite. Not only is it my favorite King novel, but it may be my favorite novel of all. So so good.
Good to see someone else LOVED Wizard & Glass as much as I did. It's my favorite of the Dark Tower series. So immersive and hits every emotion, including romance which I typically despise in a book.
The Talisman was absolutely fantastic. One of the longest books I've read in a while, but so so worth it. First book to make me cry. Phenomenal
I've read that book from cover to cover at least 3 times and maybe more. Completely awesome!
Cant remember i cried from that. Only book ive cried from is Dostojevskis "The Idiot". Dont even remember the story anymore, but i do remember i felt so sad for the main character. Had that classic tragedy vibes.
My #1 would be "11/22/63". It's just so good. I also really loved "Revival" more than a lot of people. King's ultimate gift IMO is his ability to really build characters. You feel a kinship with them and when his novels cover large periods of time and you see characters change and age, as is the case with "Revival", I feel King is at his best.
11/22/63 definitely right up there with his best. Just a beautifully crafted story.
So if I LOVE JFK but I can't stand LBJ, will I be able to stomach that book? I want to read it, but I'm almost worried to lol.
@@504ever4 it's been awhile since I read it but I don't even remember LBJ being in it at all
@@504ever4 yeah no worries at all
@@504ever4 LBJ was just mentioned in passing. JFK did appear but his role wasn't as big as you'd expect.
Stephen King's The Shining, a horror story about an alcoholic with violent tendencies worried that he will harm his family
Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, a horror story about living with an alcoholic with violent tendencies and being worried he will hurt you.
I think they make good book ends, as King was making apologies for his own actions, while Kubrick seems to have stripped away the sef-pity. Love the infamous cigarette ash scene where Wendy seems to be trying to convince herself that Jack broke Danny's arm by accident.
Stephen King's book just doesn't adapt very well into medium of movies or series so it was really good Kubrick adapted it quite loosely. Kubricks style is kinda anyway that he would bring actors newly re-written scene for that day everyday maybe even multiple times to the point of Nicholson not even reading them before he was sure which was the one they will shoot 😂 So that's just tells how much tought Kubrick put into building his movies and the book was more so the base of the house and Kubrick wrote everything to build it otherwise.
The Outsiders have been propably only one series that I have really liked adapted from King. I haven't seen the original The Stand from 90's but it have been said to be good too, the new one was trash even tho it started ok. There is couple older movies ofcourse that are good like Pet Semetary and Children of the Corn is pretty good, Cujo. But the amount of bad adaptations just overwhelm the good quite easily. Original IT is good, the newer one was very overhyped but ok. The Mist I liked.
Stephen King doesn't usually translate well if not taking liberties with his work. Like Castle Rock's first season was again very good and it's whole purpose is to pretty much take the very good bits and pieces that translate well from King and put them together. Unfortunatelly you could see that for season 2 they cut the budget and left the series run for not as competent people (it's common that someone really talented starts a standalone series and moves on but since it's a hit, the network/stream service wants more and it hardly ever works) so it was kinda mishmash, that one was ok AT best.
Lastly just to add that obviously King is a terrific writer and I'm not putting that down. You just know when they are making a Stephen King project into other medium it's very much toss of a coin. There is 3 bad ones for every good one that I mentioned and so many ehh I guess it's ok ones.
Well said!
Book is okay. King is a hack who couldn't deal with an actual artist turning his table napkin sketch into actual art.
That's too simplistic an explanation. There is so much wrong in it, where do I start.
@@lracseroom8286 Really! He is one of the best storytellers of the past generation. I love kubrick and I love King. I teach writing and Mass Communication, and every once in a while I see someone dissing Stephen King completely with these notions. He has too many issues, but i see this elitist scrunching up the nose with someone who writes about horror. You may or may not have liked the novel, but have you seen the craft behind it?
There are such phenomenally written scenes. If you have read the novel, the way Jack slowly falls into isolation and insanity is beautifully put. You can feel the loneliness they descend into from miles away. I still remember the scene where he establishes this so succinctly, he describes the lobby and the atmosphere where everyone is leaving the hotel. A bunch of nuns and staff members remain. Slowly we feel the isolation, till the moment when the family waves bye to the manager.
Understand art friend, Don't compare apples and oranges.
He is a classic storyteller, while Kubrick is an auteur with a very unique voice and a thematic depth which many great artists have. Two completely different kind of artists.
But Calling king a hack? Go read some more my friend and appreciate storytelling beyond embellishments.
What a terrific collection! I have a few of those vintage hardcovers, but I’m jealous of that King corner you’ve assembled. Some of my personal favorites: Pet Semetary, Dead Zone, From a Buick 8, and Christine.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Wizard and Glass just as me!! It has to be my favorite Dark Tower novel as well! Just all the backstory we get from Roland is so insightful, so captivating, and yet so heartbreaking.
My favourite king book. Happiness. Tears. Page Turner. Loved it.
Wow! Really bold to put "Wizard and Glass" on top of the list! Well done, though: I really loved it, too. Hail to the King!!
Carrie was my first Stephen King book, I read. It's still my favorite to this day. I read it in High School. I couldn't put it down. I will never forget that feeling.
Later in life, I read Doloris Claiborne, Duma Key, and The Running man.I'm not a huge Stephen King fan but the books I read from him I enjoyed very much.
Pet sematary was my first, but Carrie was my most recent favorite
Carrie was my first Stephen King too!!
Carrie was also the first book I read by him. Stephen King is my favourite author now.
Carrie technically should be most people's first. Most people tend to start with an authors first novel, which carrie is.
I mean, not necessarily. If it's a series then yes people start with the first book. Or if they are a new author. But with someone as prolific and well established as King, you can almost start any where that piques your interest.
I was irrationally excited to know that someone else loves Wizard and Glass as much as I did. LOL! Same for Insomnia. Great list!
I know I’m commenting on here super late, but seeing you rank IT so high made me happy. It was also the first King novel I ever read way back in Jr. High and even after all these years and so many books later, IT remains the best novel I have ever read. It’s scary yet hopeful, brutal yet uplifting. It has horror, suspense, comedic relief, it’s just so complete. The length might be intimidating to some but you said it perfectly; it lets you just sink your teeth into it and just get lost in Derry and its happenings.
I've only read the Dark Tower series, but have to agree that Wizard and Glass was just so incredible. I think I might have cried at the end. The novel plays such a unique role in the larger story.
Many days and pleasant nights
Yes, you cried! And so did I! OMG, I love that book.
Appreciating the love for 'Needful Things' here, always one of my favourite novels, and although the book is better than the movie, they cast the characters in the movie perfectly, especially Max Von Sydow and JT Walsh. Love seeing 11.22.63 up there too, my third favourite King novel behind The Stand and It.
I wasn't expecting to see Wizard and Glass as the #1 pick, mostly because not everybody likes that book. But I gotta say it's my favorite one from the Dark Tower novels as well. Not only because it's a total different type of story from the rest of the series, but because it really helps you understand why Roland is the way he is. It's gripping, beautiful and heartbreaking.
Awesome list, you got yourself a new sub.
Wow, Rose Madder is a personal fave of mine (read it during quite a formative period and it stuck with me) but when I talk to people who are "King fans" they've usually not even read it! The fact that it scraped into your list above no. 45 makes me really happy
I love it too😊
Very underrated book
One of my faves too ❤️
I waited so long to read it because everyone is ranking it so low. But I absolutely loved it.
Glad he made it rank higher
Rose Madder it's my favorite too, honestly
I love how you picked Wizard and Glass as your number 1! Best Dark Tower book and best love story I've ever read
Dude. Wizard and Glass is my favorite as well! So damn amazing.
I haven't read even half the books you listed, but I fully agree that wizard and glass was incredibly capavitating. Easily the best in the dark tower series.
So good that they made a comic series based on This book.
There's IT and then there's everything else. I respect the others on the list near the top, especially the Shining, but IT manages to both one of if not the greatest "Steven King" book, but probably one of the most interesting and well-written books about Americana in the 20th century. It just takes three readings to really see through it all.
It is a horror novel that both elevates and transcends horror novels. It's bloody and violent and strange and scary but also uplifting and inspiring and nostalgic and brave.
You said it man, it's King's Magnum Opus
And you can't forget all the underage smut you get with it 😊 /j
Just takes 3 readings to really see through it all? Yeah, a 1,500-pages book that needs to be read 3 times.
I'd rather read The Stand 10 times.
I usually consider The Stand to be the greatest novel written by an American. I would have It #2 on my list though. I believe King has said himself that The Stand is his magnum opus.
"It" Just sheer brilliance. The mind just seeps up every emotion written in those pages. The literary beauty of this book made me tearful and fearful!!
I'm so hype that you have book 4 of the dark tower series as your favorite too. While I haven't read much of his other works yet because I started reading King from the gunslinger, I have never read any other book that's put me in the story as good as King did it with Roland's retelling of his younger days. Love the list!
I really enjoyed your list. I haven’t read much of SKs newer stuff. I’ll be filling her my cart. I’ve been reading SK since I was a teenager. I think I was 16 when I picked up The Gunslinger. I had read all of his other stuff up until then, and it changed my life. So many people dislike it, but for me. It encapsulates everything you ever needed to know about Roland. You knew that he was a tragic hero and maybe not even a hero. And the story of him getting his guns, I get misty just thinking of it. And Jake. Man. I loved every moment. I bought the last book and held it for a long while before I could let myself finish it. I started it at 16 and finished the series at 38. I’m 51 and I’ve reread it many times. It only gets better.
Very enjoyable video, and nice rationales for your rankings - they reveal an intimate personal connection with the books. I'm also thoroughly envious of your hardback first editions. Beautiful.
Thanks! I really appreciate that!
Great list- I really appreciate your unabashed Dark Tower appreciation. That is 100% the lens through which I read King as well.
I 100% agree with Wizard and Glass being #1!! I’ve never gotten lost in a novel like I did for that book. The Dark Tower series is my all time favorite series and that particular installment of the franchise is the closest thing to perfection that you can find in literature. It’s just that good!
Many days and pleasant nights
Oh man, I just totally agree with you.
@@danielthueson7350 And may you have twice the number.
Holy hell, I thought I would never hear someone else besides myself pick Wizard and Glass as their favourite King book, let alone say it on video. I know everyone is different and everything is subjective but that book's ill-regarded reputation boggles my mind.
Its more loved than you think.
My second favorite of the DT series.
It's my #1 all time
Duma Key was my first Stephen King book back in high school and it still stands as my favorite (so far). I'm glad to find some solid recommendations through your list!
The exact same! Looooved Duma Key
Really great list, I agree with many of the rankings and I LOVE that u have The Talisman so high. The Talisman is the one book I have read multiple times. Followed by IT and The Stand, but Talisman I read at least 4 times. I guess it’s part of nostalgia for me as well, but I always felt so much emotion with this book, especially with Wolf, don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Really enjoyed your rankings!
Yes! The Talisman
Wolf! Right here and now!
100%. Needful things is overlooked by mostly as well!
I loved The Talisman! I loved Jack Sawyer!! I don't know if you've ever seen the film The Client with Susan Sarandonon but the kid in that is exactly how I pictured Jack. I think his name's Brad Renfro.
@@josebro352 yes I saw it and he actually would have made a great Jack. That kid was also in Sleepers, another great film. I always thought that kid Osment from The 6th Sense would have been good or Joseph Gordon Leavitt from 3rd Rock. Now the best pick is probably Jaeden Martell from It. Lots of fans campaigned for him.
I can tell you are a very serious Constant Reader 1. You’ve read all the books 2. You have an affinity for the first editions and limited editions. Subbed!
You would be correct with all those assumptions. Thanks!
Can't tell you how amazing it was to see Wizard and Glass as your #1! Also my favorite King novel
I'm always interested (and amazed) to see how people's opinions differ. I haven't read nearly as much Stephen King books as you did, but seeing some of my favourites didn't even make top 40 blew me away, hah.
11/22/63 seriously became one of my favorite books when I read it. Happened to stop in the library for the first time in 15 years, and picked up that one. Had the book read within 3 days (which is saying something cause it's a long book!). It's so good that during book swaps for people, I've bought them this book and only ever heard amazing reviews. Must read if you haven't yet.
The best Stephen King ranking video on TH-cam. Always knew and heard about the greatness of King's works, but didn't quite dive into it (mainly cuz I'm not a big horror fan). But this video inspired me to grab a couple of the stories instantly, and I'm very thankful for that. Quick, brief but to the point, and with no spoilers... just perfect. Cheers!
'Drawing of the three' has a really special place in my heart. I happened to randomly find a copy of it at home, nobody knows how it got there, and it was my first introduction to both The dark Tower and King in general. I just love it
It was mine as well. A friend loved the series but only had a copy of the third.
I’m so glad you gave “The Long Walk” credit. It’s my favorite novel of all time, so I would’ve put it at #1, but since most people that I talk to about it say it’s one of his worst ones, thank you so much for putting it in the top half!!! Love that book! Made me rethink pretty much everything.
Same! It was also the first book I read by SK as I was previously wary of the horror genre, but after reading The Long Walk, I was hooked.
I so enjoyed the list, and seeing Wizard & Glass as #1 is spot-on for me as well… my absolute favorite. Well done all around and thank you for taking the time!
I have never read ANY better book, by any author!
Wizard and glass is also my favorite! This video actually really motivated me to keep reading the King books I haven’t read yet so thanks a lot for sharing 😊
I've never read any of the Dark Tower stuff and hadn't really realized how much King I have yet to read. I was happy to see Needful Things get ranked so high. I enjoyed your take and might check out Mr. Mercedes next, though my personal favorite will always be Pet Semetary. Great job!
YES, thank you for not putting The Stand first! GAH! My favorite lost out by one book! I had to laugh when you said you could really sink your teeth into IT. I've read it six times and am thoroughly disgusted by Patrick Hochstetter's death each and every time. One among many, but that one just... Definitely best consumed in small pieces, but fantastic character and world-building, despite the horrible "coming together" scene in the last third
For such a subjective, uh, subject, you did a fantastic job. I loved hearing your quick impressions of the novels on the list. I grew up (as a lot of you have) reading King novels, and it's great that this exists for us to share in the love.
I'd never read the dark tower series and was given Insomnia to read as my first Stephen King book. I loved it and didn't have a problem following what was going on! I feel like it was actually a good intro to the dark tower, for me.
I'm glad you ranked Insomnia so highly. I've never read any of the Dark Towers series, but still really enjoyed it.
Awesome ranking video, man! I too grew up reading King, his work (aside from being entertaining and fun) helped me understand people and the way we think and act. His characters have always seemed so real and genuine, even if a story wasn't that great, I would read till the end just to know what happened to the characters. His early works especially taught me things about the world that, as a young boy, I found invaluable. Keep up the good work man.
Thank you for this video! As a new Stephen King fan, I've enjoyed all of your videos and it always makes me happy to see new content! Please keep up the great work! :)
Thank you! I’ll try my best to keep good videos coming.
You might not see this but i want you to know that Wizard & Glass is my favorite SK novel as well and it’s the same for me with how immersive it was the first time and even when i listened on audible. I wish he wrote more novels set in Mid-World and before the world moved on, it’s why the Talisman is so good too because it has such a similar vibe. Anyways great list and i love seeing other Constant Readers
Me too, I'm so surpised he chose it. I was thining as he was running down the list 'I think I'd put Wizard and Glass first'
I just need more Cuthbert please... I am a prisoner and the monkey on my back is named Cuthbert Allgood
I don’t know if I can pick a number one. Wizard s and Glass though. When I finished this book, I couldn’t pick up another book for days. This one just Stu k with me.
I Love it
I'm just finishing 11/22/63 and not surprised it featured in your top 10. So many elements to this book, and it's beautifully written. Along with Duma Key, it's my favourite among King's more recent work.
My brother gave me The Stand ("Apocalipsis" in my country) as a souvenir when he came back from a trip a little bit before the pandemic, and I started reading it when my country began its lockdown. I'm glad I read it at that time, because I wasn't yet hit by the situation so it didn't kill my stability but I still get to say I read it during a real pandemic! But jokes aside, that book was really good and Nick Andros is one of my favourite characters ever.
M - o - o - n. That spells Nick Andros, lawys yes!
IT is, for me, the best experience that i've ever had in my whole life. Is so sad that people out there just thinks that it is about a silly clown, when actually is a life journey full of trauma, friendship and the darkest sides of the human being. Thanks for this amazing video
Loved it......until I got to the ending.
Always fascinating to see how other Constant Readers do their rankings; no two lists are the same. I'm currently re-reading Desperation for the first time in 15 years. That book is so underrated - Collie Entragian still scares me more that Pennywise.
It's pretty amazing, isn't it? I find that often times I enjoy the King novels most others don't even rate.
I actually would much prefer to see Tak return in another novel over Pennywise. Tak is one of King's undervalued agents of evil.
I’m absolutely terrified of clowns and dolls…mostly clowns…did I mention terror? 🤡😳😱 Pennywise! 🤡🤯
Desperation has one of my all time favorite writing: when the group finds the woman on the laundromat (i think), and during the time they're with her one of the characters keeps thinking about how short her skirt is and how long her legs are. And it's only when she is out of sight that the character in question thinks to himself 'wait... Was her skirt that short when we found her OR IS IT GETTING SHORTER??' FULL BODY CHILLS
@@arivegas just read it, you got it right! Billinglsey realizes Audrey’s skirt might be too short for a business meeting right before Tak kills him
no for whatever faults song of Susanna has, it wasn't on account of any drugs. almost 3 years passed between the time of his accident and the time he started writing the last three books so he was well onto and probably already past his recovery.
great review man I really love this video glad I found your channel. subbed
Holy crap, you have an actual physical copy of Rage?!? that's too cool. unless somebody lost a bet, that must have cost you a small fortune
Mr Mango, gotta say, as a long time Constant Reader, and watcher of SK TH-cam critiques, I believe our tastes align perfectly! You get it , and Wizard and Glass is just beautiful!
I never read the dark tower series; however, Insomnia is one of my favorites. I also loved The Green Mile and read it many times. Duma Key was also a favorite. Definitely agree with a lot of your rankings :)
Read The Dark Tower Series!
Couldnt agree more with your #1 - Wizard & Glass, such a beauty!
Great list. My all-time favorite book is The Talisman - glad to see where it placed in your list. Wizard and Glass is my favorite DT book. Fun video.
A very interesting list dude. I too hold Wizard and Glass in very high regard. For me, The Drawing Of the Three has to be in my top three. An utterly unique book that can stand alone from the Dark Tower. Anyway, thank you for the interesting list and the time you took to make it!
I love this guy man he is such a good person to hang with for 18 minutes I’m going to subscribe you have earned it my man
Title is funny though. *Finishes editing video, runtime 18:22. Title: "Ranking all 61 Stephen King novels in 19 minutes or less!!!!!" little bit arbitrary for the title, but good video. The fact that King has 61 novels at all is evidence enough that he's a great writer with a long career.
Yooo im so stoked somebody else loves needful things as much as i do! Kings character studies are at his finest in that novel
I wasn’t aware he wrote so many books. Will have to put a number of these titles on my list! Thanx
I've read eight books from Stephen King for now, I'm currently on my 9th one (Misery). For now, my absolute favourite is Pet Sematary. I loved how disturbing it was.
Pet Sematary and the Stand for me - some were dreadful like Tommyknockers
Love coming back to this video after reading more and more King. Have read about 25 of his books so far and I am currently half way through Fairy Tale. I am loving it so far, can’t wait to watch your video on it
First of all, VERY impressive that you can rank 61 books. Secondly doing it in 18 minutes is also impressive.
#1 The Stand - Not even close, in my top 5 books ever written, and probably the only top book written by an American.
#2 IT - we agree there.
#3 Pet Semetary
#4 The Shining
#5 Wizard & The Glass
I also think The Mist could have been included. It is a novella inside Skeleton Crew.
And I also believe King's short story "The Boogeyman" is the most frightening short story ever written.
I've read IT, Under The Dome, Outsider, and Carrie so far. I loved all of them and approve of their high ranking on this list.
I am late to the Stephen King club but I'm here now so that's what counts. I've read 11.22.63, IT, Pet Cemetary, Carrie, The Mist, The Green Mile, and Dolores Claiborne. I have Mr Mercedes in my lap right now. I'm starting it tonight. I can't wait to dive into this story. Thank you for posting this video. It's been really helpful to me. Happy reading
Low-key inspired me to read all of King. Thought it was daunting but now I really want to read every book if everything is that good for the most part.
I've read like every novel 2 or 3 times and I will say, as much of a diehard king fan as I am, he is often put on a pedestal, mostly by people who have never read him lol. Of all the novels he has written, there are like 20 that are truly incredible. There are many that are forced, quickly thrown together, fall apart after amazing openings, etc etc. They are not all on equal footing, not even close. This guy actually put the one novel that most think don't even sound like Steven king, at the top of his list