I started my Stephen King journey with “The Shining” and absolutely loved it, then I read “Pet Sementary” another 5 stars. Then I read “11-22-63” and instantly became my favorite book of all time. I'm currently reading “Salem's Lot” and have plan this year to be a huge Stephen year. And all that is mostly thanks to you Mike.
Please, don't sleep on the Tommyknockers. Don't listen what people say. It's a great, poignant story with a nice main character and a lot of that King weirdness
I'm in the probable minority of people who started reading Stephen King books with The Dark Tower series. As you know, Mike, I Ioved every book and have no regrets about starting there. That said, I now feel like I have some catching up to do. Thank you for the helpful video!
I hardly read horror, I’m more of a fantasy reader, so I’m halfway through Fairy Tale - my first Stephen King! I love it so much and now I’m down the rabbit hole. Thanks for the great recommendations!
I'm sort of obsessed with catching *all* the connections, so I've been reading King's work in publication order. I was proud of myself for having read 13 books, feeling like that was a lot. Then I realized I'm still in what people call his "early work". But oh well. That just means I have a lot more King to enjoy
@@JaketheMovieGeek it's been a lot of fun. Honestly, they are really good. I've got a series of videos on my channel about the journey. They're not really very good but check them out if you want
I started with Misery, not fully knowing what I was in for. That's not a bad jumping off point. It's short, terrifying and clues you in for the ride. As a new reader I'd go straight to The Stand before wandering the rest of the multiverse.
Hot take here, I liked Misery but it’s not one of my favorites. It was my second Stephen king book. The plot was great but there’s certain parts (if you read it you know which) that dragged and I simply didn’t care about. It really brought the experience down for me.
@@MrMocha0411I know what parts you're refering to, but you're wrong. I don't know your age but you'll eventually come to appreciate those parts because they're essential to the thematic development of the novel
The simplest path and probably most logical place to start is with Carrie and then read his entire bibliography in published order. It's a tall task, but that is the truest roadmap and the one that was layed out in real-time starting in 1974. With that said, Mike's suggestions are certainly less intimidating and much more thematically-focused paths to take if you just want to get the gist of King's output. I would only add "On Writing" as a MUST to any King journey, however abbreviated or robust. A writer's remembered life is the context (and subtext) for his entire body of work and "On Writing" might be one of the best memoirs I've read.
Started with Dark Tower, and got curious about the references so afterwards, I read The Stand and Salem's Lot. Since then, I've read Carrie and now I'm going in publication order pretty casually. I was a fantasy fan back in the day and Dark Tower was the perfect entryway into King, for I was also a little guilty of thinking he was just horror.
I think the best place to start is Salem’s Lot because it ties into the Dark Tower, and it gives a reader a true sense about his narrative voice. Plus it is his retelling of Dracula, so it is an easy transition into his work.
Listening to his short stories while working makes time literally fly and then it makes time go by too fast! I used to listen while mowing my parent's huge yard as a kid! It turned a hated chore into one of my favorite things to do!
I just finished reading 11/22/63 last night so it was so nice seeing you talking about it on your new video today! What an amazing book, I feel devastated now that I finished it, it’s just so good and I’m sad it’s over
Was never a big reader, but decided to give King a try after watching videos by you and Daniel green. Started with The Shining knowing I could picture the characters from the movie as I read. Then dove right into 11/22/63 and haven’t stopped reading King since.
Salem's Lot was my #2 book of last year. I'm so excited to get into more king this year... Planning on reading The Shining, Pet Sematary and IT in April & May 👍
I didn’t read King until I started watching your channel. I started with Salems Lot, then read the Stand and then It. No regrets. I have 11/22/63, Later, The talisman and the shining on my kindle and plan to read at least two of them this year! (Probably later and the shining)
Currently in Wizard in Glass and loving it. I have read It, the Stand, Salem's Lot and several other books before beginning my journey to the tower. Loving it! Thanks for your great videos Mike.
I actually started with Dark tower... King's work has been so seeped into the culture that I honestly feel like I didn't miss anything from not reading anything else first...and what an amazing series
I recently started my deep dive into King with Salem’s Lot followed by Pet Semetary and currently in the final bit of It. I’ve had a blast reading so far! I’m looking forward to my first journey to the Dark Tower next! Thank you for posting these videos and converting us into constant readers!
I started with 'The Stand' was the first book checked out of my junior high library. My parents wouldn't let me pick stuff from the horror racks at the drugstore and had seen that name all over that rack. Mr. King's name leapt out from the spinner racks the library had for their paperbacks. It created this casual reader is still my favorite of his novels after all these years. For those looking for the spooky stuff; I use to suggest 'Night Shift' when someone asked me to suggest something. A certain real life phobia/terror seemed to stop everyone barely into the book. So switched to 'Skeleton Crew' especially after the movie 'The Mist' came out. I always thought the short story collections were a good way to get someone to gauge whether King was for them or not. Otherwise 'Different Seasons'. Though definitely more on the horrors of humanity, like short stories, the novella's give a wider picture what King does and a good barometer whether to read more of his stuff or not.
You and Brian started me on my King journey. I just counted and I'm now up to 20 completed books. Finished The Stand a few weeks ago (This is my Fav so far)and I'm about to start The Shinning today. I'm up to Wastelands in the Dark Tower, which I'll get to next. Reading a lot of the extended material for the Dark Tower and enjoying the threads I'm spotting in these other books. I'm going back and re watching your King videos on the books I've now read so I can finish the spoilers and listen to your multiverse connections. Absolutely love your King content, hope it gets the views for you!
Thank you for the great content, Mike. Your recommendation hardly ever disappoints me. I have never read any of the King books but I am planning to start with Different Seasons. Can't wait to dive into this multiverse.
Great idea ! It's a great book. That being said by a first time Stephen King reader such as myself. It was my first King read. I just finished reading it in February. I then moved on to reading the Green Mile, which I just finished two days ago. Mike's suggestions really are nailing it for me so far.
@@julieheon613 I have started IT after Different Seasons and it has a very similar coming of age vibe with Different Seasons with the added psychological and fantastical horror elements. Some of my best reads, for sure.
11/22/63 was my first King book and I absolutely loved it. Have since read the Green Mile, Salem's Lot and Later. God I enjoyed 11/22/63 so much. Might need to read it again this year!
I actually started with Cell myself. That kind of opened the floodgates for me and I went on to The Shining, Pet Sematary and IT. Been a Constant Reader ever since.
That looks like a great list, Mike. I recently read Joyland by King. I think that would be a great introduction to his work. It's a quick read and not as graphic as some of his other works. Like the Body, it's a good way to get your feet wet in his style.
I'm starting mine with IT cuz I was told I'm exactly like Eddie Kaspbrack and wanted to see if that was true plus I needed a book to read. To note: I haven't put the book down other than to watch youtube for a bit, I'm almost done and I got it yesterday.
Great list, Mike!! I haven't read all of King's work, but I still consider myself a Constant Reader. I'm loving (so far) discovering little easter eggs from different paths of the beam. Yay, reading!!
Started reading King about 4 years ago with IT, read a ton now, one of my all time favourite authors. Currently reading Christine, he has that many books it will take me half my life in between other reads to read em all and that’s not a bad thing to me!
My dad was in Intensive care and on a ventilator all last week. I played your stuff on loop just to have a friendly voice and little bit of distraction and background noise the whole time.
I found a website about 10-15 years ago that had a complete list of how his books are attached to the Dark Tower. I used that to enter the multiverse; Read all the books attached to book 1, then read book 1. Read all the books attached to Book 2, then read book 2, and so on. It took a year or so to do it, but it really opens up the story the Tower tries to tell in those seven books.
I started reading stephen king last year and started with pet sematary. It was a really good place to start. I was terrified and it made me want to continue reading king. I ended up reading 3 of his books back to back. Love the video!
@Rash23215 first book I have read outside of high-school. I have always wanted to be a reader but never stuck with it. The Stand changed that. I started reading it on Google books and blew through the preview. Then I went to barnes and noble to buy it not realizing it was stephen kings biggest book. Since then I've read IT, under the dome, fairy tale, Mr. Mercedes, mistborn, and I'm halfway through the way of kings.
@bernabefernandeztouceda7315 IT was very good but to be honest. I think Under the Dome was better. I like the big cast and the adult characters. IT was probably partially ruined for me because I saw the movies first so there wasn't any real surprises.
@@jasonjaffeux866 that's interesting, because I had problems with both novels. I loved IT on my first reading, but on reread I was extremely bored. Weird thing it's I still think about it and in a positive way. It's like I love the novel but not while I read it. The Dome was so boring that I ended skimming through it so I need a reread
The Green Mile is where I started, and it hooked me. Still my favorite book I’ve ever read. I feel like it’s a great starting point in his repertoire because it’s not his scariest, therefore not weeding out cautious readers, but it still has some of his trademark gruesomeness that fans have come to know and love. Also, he was at his A game when it comes to the character work in this one. Throw in some supernatural elements and you have all of the things that King is best at, right in one story. Start with The Green Mile and you won’t be disappointed
I started off with Fairytale since I saw it at the Costco near me and I was interested in it. I also really wanted to start reading Stephen King before and I love fantasy books. Now I’m reading Pet Sematary, I’m only on chapter 19 so I haven’t gotten to the scary stuff yet, but I’m excited for it. I’m going to read IT next and then probably The Shining. And then I’ll go on from there.
I won't lie Mike, I can't keep up with all the reviews, especially when it's part of a series and I don't want spoilers for that series, but I always try out your recommendations. Never steered me wrong. Right now I'm absolutely in love with Salem's Lot. I cannot put that book down. Thank you!
Zelda was one of the 1st things that ever scared me. Other then the movie dolls. Back in the day. I'm actually starting to try to read Stephen king has always been a favorite. Stand by me was also a favorite. I appreciate Your Channel for helping me in my next step in life. Actually trying to read
@Mike’sBookReviews this is awesome, as I really enjoy the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s IT and I received the book a few years later from my grandma for my 21st birthday and I must say, I read about half of it and really enjoyed it but, I got distracted with other life responsibilities and never got to read the last half of it so, I must say that may be where I start but we shall see. I guess that wouldn’t technically be my first King book because, I have read a few, namely The Shining, Pet Sematary and Salem’s Lot all of which I really enjoyed but, for some reason I haven’t read any of his other stuff yet, even though I own quite a few most handed down from my Aunt Fay who is a big Stephen King fan and has read all of his stuff. I honestly, plan on doing that over the next year or so but, I figure there’s no harm in getting started early which I definitely believe I will do, as I really enjoyed the stuff I did read but for some reason I never read the rest of them
My first Stephen King novel was "Carrie." I read it while sitting in Barnes n Noble waiting for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince release at midnight (book, not movie). I got there early, got my wristband, and had 4 hours to kill. I had seen a lot of movies based on his books at that point and I always LOVED them so I was like "Man, I gotta start reading this guy!" I haven't stopped since. I feel like everyone steals from both Stephen King and Rod Serling "Twilight Zone." To me, they're masters of storytelling.
Started with Salem’s Lot then bounced around. After watching all of your King videos when I got back into reading I have started from Carrie and am currently on The Stand. Reading them slowly as I have so many books on my TBR that are first reads.
Ive been random , i dont care about an order unless the series demands it like the Bill Hodges Trilogy or Dark Tower , aside from that i say start wherever you want and have fun and have fun finding the connections
My first Stephen King book was The Green Mile. I have watched the movies The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption. I think that book was good for me to start with because it eased me into his books. I am now reading Salem's Lot. I am enjoying it so far. I am 170 pages in and it is like I do not want to put it down. I also bought The Shining, The Stand, The Body and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption novellas. Once I finish reading Salem's Lot, I might have to psych myself up for The Shing and The Stand.
Cujo is underrated... In the movie Cujo is just a monster but in the book you feel sorry for Cujo bc he didn't understand why he was attacking the people.... Seriously if someone hasn't read it yet read it before the movie. Salem's Lot is my favorite. I recently reread Pet Semetary too, I liked it even better now since I a parent. I loved the Dark Tower series except I hated the end, it was so frustrating. I also think The Breathing Method is also not talked about enough. Different Seasons really was fantastic. I'm behind on the new books but catching up.
Thanks Mike! I just read The Gunslinger and enjoyed it, especially the ending. I'll be reading The Drawing of the Three in February. The Stand and 11/22/63 are others at the top of my King TBR!
Perfect timing for this video. I recently picked up a few Stephen King books but I wasn’t sure if I should start with those or what. Thank you for taking the time to give a run through on some of his books and explain how to jump in. You make every book sound so good!
One of your best! Loved this video. Perhaps another section, Smalltown USA, to sneak in Needful Things? You can pick the other two. I agree, IT slightly edges it over The Stand. Then again, I've read IT at least five times since the 90s, and The Stand only recently as I began my Dark Tower journey (only Black House left, and then Book 7).
11/22/63 is one of my fav. books of all times. Not just by Stephen King but in general at least in my Top 5. I always refused to read it, because of the Kennedy-Topic. I am not an american and I didn't live during that time period. I know general things about what happend back then and how it was a trauma to the US. But since that was long before my time and in a different country, I thought "Eh, thats not my kind of topic/book". But then I saw it on number 1 in so many ranking videos on YT that I gave it a try. And I loved it!
11/22/63 was the first Stephen King book I can remember reading as an adult. I saw it on the shelf at Kmart, of all places. I knew he was a prolific author, but I had him strictly in the horror box and didn't think he was that deep. But it was a gorgeous hardback, discounted, and the concept had me intrigued. I could not put it down. It didn't turn me into this massive Stephen King fan, but I've read more of his work and can't recall being very disappointed. Grossed out, terrified, heartbroken, encouraged, moved to tears, but not much in the way of disappointment.
I started with The Dead Zone because it's the only one I saw in the local second hand book store and I've been a constant reader ever since. Great selection Mike, agree with all of these!
thank you, i've never read stephen king before and looking to get into it. Any chance for a read-along? I feel like there are younger people like myself who never read King and older fans who haven't read King in a long time (maybe they read Salem's Lot 20 years ago per example). Anyway we can bring these two groups together for new King fans and old fans to rekindle their love of his works? Great video, thanks for the breakdown!
I finished The Shining yesterday. I've been reading it during my night shifts. Oh, I shouldn't have read it in the night! Room 217 surprised me a lot!😱 Now I'm starting Dr. Sleep. But it feels kind of strange. Mayba I should have waited a little bit. In my mind Danny is stil a kid. I really like your videos. Thank you, for inspiring me what to read next.
I started with The Green Mile in 8th grade, then read Cujo, then The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordan, then "It" in 9th grade. Green Mile & GWLTG have really stuck with me all these years later. I don't remember Cujo too much & I was obsessed with It but have gotten burnt out on it
I read my first SK book when I checked out "The Tommyknockers" from my high school library in 1987. Not his best work by any means but it did motivate me to read everything of his I could get my hands on from that point on. It actually wasn't a bad place to start because it was all uphill from there and created a lifelong fan. 😂
First King I ever read was 11/22/63 and I was an absolute MESS throughout the novel. As a history nerd and a lover of literature, It is absolutely my favorite King and I don't think anything will come close. I can't recommend it enough!
Yay another Stephen King video!!!!! I started Stephen King with Misery. I was instantly hooked and have been a constant reader since… And Mike thanks to your channel more than anything!!!!
I'm currently reading It. It's the first novel I've ever read at the age of 37 and I can't wait to read more stephen king after. I love the IT Films and it helps putting a face to the names
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LOVED this video so much. I'm always so happy when you talk about The King 🧡🧡
I'm sure if you're really worried about missing any of the connections, starting from the beginning of his work and working your way through chronologically is the best way. I found a TON of his stuff at goodwill in paperback at 2 dollars a book! I just need to find Salem's lot and I have a full list up to Delores Claiborne. Gonna king it up this year. Just started Carrie!
The gunslinger was my intro to king. I continued with drawing of the three, wastelands, the stand, salem's lot, Christine, Shawshank redemption, IT, and currently I am reading wolves of the calla. I've enjoyed all of them
I started reading SK because my older brother did but was too young, took me awhile but got Different Seasons and then read The Stand and then everything i could get my hands on 😊
Mike, I am SOOOO JEALOUS of all these beautiful old Stephen Kind book versions that you own!!! I have been looking for a copy of the different seasons book forever because it has the most beautiful cover art!!!!
First just found your channel an love it. Thank you for hard work. Second my very first Stephen King was The Stand. I was at technical school at Rantoul Air Force Base. It was setting on the back of a hairdryer at the Beauty salon. I still have this book. Taped together. My question is where would you put Kings book. “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon”. again thank you
Thanks for introducing Dolores Clairborne to me. I was immediately sold after watching your review of this one last year. Loved it. Need more people to talk about this one. I love Green Mile and found Later a pleasant (and horrifying) surprise.
My first one was The Shinning. Coming from Croatia,back in the day there were not a lot of SK books to be found.I think The Shinning,Cujo and Firestarter were the only ones to be found in my library.Luckily for me in the beginning of 90',just around the corner from my childhood home,a bookstore opend with a lot of English books so I was "forced" to learn the language 😁 Btw,another great video Mike👌
I figured you'd be the best guy to ask. From what I've read about it, the original publication of The Stand (the short version) had it's ending. Then when King got the long version published he rewrote the ending for the new publication. Then when the TV miniseries came out in 2019-2020 he re-wrote it again (not sure if the script was ever published). Should we be trying to get our hands on all three versions so we can experience all three endings? What are we missing if we only pick up the long version because the short version is impossible to find?
I started with Pet Sematary (only because I couldn't find a copy of the Shining that day) and I fell in love with King's writing. After that, I started going in publication order. Teeny tiny Easter eggs in Pet Sematary referencing other books convinced me so I can get the references right away. I've since read Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, and Night Shift (one of the best books I've ever read - Sometimes They Come Back is the best short story my eyes have ever had the privilege to read). Currently reading the Stand, and I'm finding it an excellent read, even though I'm only 250 pages in as of writing this comment.
@@bernabefernandeztouceda7315 I'm so glad you like Children of the Corn! I enjoyed it too! I've heard awful things about the movies so I don't plan on watching them.
@@bernabefernandeztouceda7315 The only movies I can gather are just as good as or, are better than the books are The Mist, Shawshank, and The Green Mile. I look forward to seeing those
@@bessonovafan6454 I don't like movies at all, so I don't know. Plus why I should be comparing works in different media? Sometimes I feel like all those adaptations, good or bad, are damaging King's legacy. Why nobody talks about Dickens or Tolstoi adaptations?
first king book i read was in high school being the mist from skeleton crew and i really liked it because cool plot, creepy atmosphere and it was easy to read. not long after i did try to read The Stand and Needful Things but they were too challenging for me at the time for that my reading skills were not great. now i could read through them no problem im sure but i want to dive into his other works before jumping into those epics. last year is where i started to get back into reading again and the king book i chose to jump back on the saddle with was the long walk and the stories in different seasons and i loved them
I started with Carrie, then the shining, then Joyland and doctor sleep. I throughly enjoyed each of them. I own around 55 of his books (mostly Found in thrift stores) and can’t wait to get through them all
Salem’s Lot was my first entry into SK and since then I haven’t stopped reading him. Also if you like Stephen King and Peter Straub, you will love Ronald Malfi’s work just as much. Here’s a list of Malfi novels that might intrigue you Come With Me (Similar to Lissey’s Story but not the same at all) Black Mouth (Malfi’s version of IT) Little Girls Ghostwritten (a collection of four novellas) Bone White The Narrows The Night Parade We Should Have Left Well Enough Alone(short story) December Park Snow …There are many more. He also have a new collection of five horror novellas coming out this summer titled “They Lurk.”
Hey man!!Just super love what u do😍 I have finally started The Dark Tower Series and right now going through book no 2. Do u think that there ever going to b another book in The Dark Tower series?
Great video Mike! I read Salem's Lot last month and I loved it. I also read The eyes of the dragon and DT 1-3 (I'm reading Wizard & Glass at the moment). Can't wait to read more of his books!
I’m trying to remember the first Stephen King book I read. It was about 13 years ago. It might have been The Long Walk. My dad was telling me that I should read some King and he recommended The Long Walk as an introduction because I wasn’t much of a horror fan then. But I also remember reading Blaze early on and I’m almost positive I read The Stand before diving into The Dark Tower.
I bought Misery yesterday, which will be my first Stephen King book. Thanks a lot man for these recommendations, hopefully this start a new horror book journey
I started my Stephen King journey with “The Shining” and absolutely loved it, then I read “Pet Sementary” another 5 stars. Then I read “11-22-63” and instantly became my favorite book of all time. I'm currently reading “Salem's Lot” and have plan this year to be a huge Stephen year.
And all that is mostly thanks to you Mike.
Please, don't sleep on the Tommyknockers. Don't listen what people say. It's a great, poignant story with a nice main character and a lot of that King weirdness
I’m doing the same thing I read pet sematary and then the shining I’m now reading heart shaped box-Joe Hill. My next read will be 11-22-63
I'm in the probable minority of people who started reading Stephen King books with The Dark Tower series. As you know, Mike, I Ioved every book and have no regrets about starting there. That said, I now feel like I have some catching up to do. Thank you for the helpful video!
I did too. Read it before Salem’s Lot (well, like 10 years before).
It is The best
This is what I did. And feel like it enriched all the connected stories I got to later
Same here, Philip. So much King I haven’t read.
That's fantasy not Stephen King's forte
I hardly read horror, I’m more of a fantasy reader, so I’m halfway through Fairy Tale - my first Stephen King! I love it so much and now I’m down the rabbit hole. Thanks for the great recommendations!
Hello, pretty lady, if you liked that and want to keep reading his fantasies, I highly recommend the first 5 Dark Tower books ❤
I'm sort of obsessed with catching *all* the connections, so I've been reading King's work in publication order. I was proud of myself for having read 13 books, feeling like that was a lot. Then I realized I'm still in what people call his "early work". But oh well. That just means I have a lot more King to enjoy
I’m considering reading him in publication order
@@JaketheMovieGeek it's been a lot of fun. Honestly, they are really good. I've got a series of videos on my channel about the journey. They're not really very good but check them out if you want
11/22/63 kickstarted my King obsession! Now I'm going back through the catalog.
That was your very first King?
I started with Misery, not fully knowing what I was in for. That's not a bad jumping off point. It's short, terrifying and clues you in for the ride. As a new reader I'd go straight to The Stand before wandering the rest of the multiverse.
I started with misery as well!!
I want to start with misery, am I making a mistake?
@@ramijkhan9038 Not at all. It doesn't tie in to most of the other books in major ways. It's one of his best, too.
Hot take here, I liked Misery but it’s not one of my favorites. It was my second Stephen king book. The plot was great but there’s certain parts (if you read it you know which) that dragged and I simply didn’t care about. It really brought the experience down for me.
@@MrMocha0411I know what parts you're refering to, but you're wrong. I don't know your age but you'll eventually come to appreciate those parts because they're essential to the thematic development of the novel
The simplest path and probably most logical place to start is with Carrie and then read his entire bibliography in published order. It's a tall task, but that is the truest roadmap and the one that was layed out in real-time starting in 1974.
With that said, Mike's suggestions are certainly less intimidating and much more thematically-focused paths to take if you just want to get the gist of King's output. I would only add "On Writing" as a MUST to any King journey, however abbreviated or robust. A writer's remembered life is the context (and subtext) for his entire body of work and "On Writing" might be one of the best memoirs I've read.
Started with Dark Tower, and got curious about the references so afterwards, I read The Stand and Salem's Lot. Since then, I've read Carrie and now I'm going in publication order pretty casually. I was a fantasy fan back in the day and Dark Tower was the perfect entryway into King, for I was also a little guilty of thinking he was just horror.
I think the best place to start is Salem’s Lot because it ties into the Dark Tower, and it gives a reader a true sense about his narrative voice. Plus it is his retelling of Dracula, so it is an easy transition into his work.
Totally agree with you
I’ve read Salem’s Lot (one of my favorite King works) and plan on starting Dark Tower this year. What connection is there? Didn’t know there was one.
@@trevorfultz a character from Salem’s Lot has a continued story in the later dark tower books.
@@ryanb3665 oh interesting. Thanks!
Salem’s Lot was definitely my first intro to the KING
Listening to his short stories while working makes time literally fly and then it makes time go by too fast! I used to listen while mowing my parent's huge yard as a kid! It turned a hated chore into one of my favorite things to do!
I just finished reading 11/22/63 last night so it was so nice seeing you talking about it on your new video today! What an amazing book, I feel devastated now that I finished it, it’s just so good and I’m sad it’s over
Was never a big reader, but decided to give King a try after watching videos by you and Daniel green. Started with The Shining knowing I could picture the characters from the movie as I read. Then dove right into 11/22/63 and haven’t stopped reading King since.
Salem's Lot was my #2 book of last year. I'm so excited to get into more king this year... Planning on reading The Shining, Pet Sematary and IT in April & May 👍
I didn’t read King until I started watching your channel. I started with Salems Lot, then read the Stand and then It. No regrets.
I have 11/22/63, Later, The talisman and the shining on my kindle and plan to read at least two of them this year! (Probably later and the shining)
The Ka Tet were my ka-tet from my teens through early 20s. Felt that. Thankee sai.
Salem's Lot and The Shining are also very "curl-up under a blanket"-cozy reads. To me, at least.
Currently in Wizard in Glass and loving it. I have read It, the Stand, Salem's Lot and several other books before beginning my journey to the tower. Loving it! Thanks for your great videos Mike.
I actually started with Dark tower... King's work has been so seeped into the culture that I honestly feel like I didn't miss anything from not reading anything else first...and what an amazing series
I recently started my deep dive into King with Salem’s Lot followed by Pet Semetary and currently in the final bit of It. I’ve had a blast reading so far! I’m looking forward to my first journey to the Dark Tower next! Thank you for posting these videos and converting us into constant readers!
I started with 'The Stand' was the first book checked out of my junior high library. My parents wouldn't let me pick stuff from the horror racks at the drugstore and had seen that name all over that rack. Mr. King's name leapt out from the spinner racks the library had for their paperbacks. It created this casual reader is still my favorite of his novels after all these years.
For those looking for the spooky stuff; I use to suggest 'Night Shift' when someone asked me to suggest something. A certain real life phobia/terror seemed to stop everyone barely into the book. So switched to 'Skeleton Crew' especially after the movie 'The Mist' came out. I always thought the short story collections were a good way to get someone to gauge whether King was for them or not.
Otherwise 'Different Seasons'. Though definitely more on the horrors of humanity, like short stories, the novella's give a wider picture what King does and a good barometer whether to read more of his stuff or not.
You and Brian started me on my King journey. I just counted and I'm now up to 20 completed books. Finished The Stand a few weeks ago (This is my Fav so far)and I'm about to start The Shinning today. I'm up to Wastelands in the Dark Tower, which I'll get to next. Reading a lot of the extended material for the Dark Tower and enjoying the threads I'm spotting in these other books. I'm going back and re watching your King videos on the books I've now read so I can finish the spoilers and listen to your multiverse connections. Absolutely love your King content, hope it gets the views for you!
Thank you for the great content, Mike. Your recommendation hardly ever disappoints me.
I have never read any of the King books but I am planning to start with Different Seasons. Can't wait to dive into this multiverse.
Great idea ! It's a great book. That being said by a first time Stephen King reader such as myself. It was my first King read. I just finished reading it in February. I then moved on to reading the Green Mile, which I just finished two days ago. Mike's suggestions really are nailing it for me so far.
@@julieheon613 I have started IT after Different Seasons and it has a very similar coming of age vibe with Different Seasons with the added psychological and fantastical horror elements. Some of my best reads, for sure.
11/22/63 was my first King book and I absolutely loved it. Have since read the Green Mile, Salem's Lot and Later. God I enjoyed 11/22/63 so much. Might need to read it again this year!
Wow, that's a tough book to lose your King virginity
I actually started with Cell myself. That kind of opened the floodgates for me and I went on to The Shining, Pet Sematary and IT. Been a Constant Reader ever since.
Lol those novels you've read after Cell would be like Cervantes in comparision 😂
That looks like a great list, Mike. I recently read Joyland by King. I think that would be a great introduction to his work. It's a quick read and not as graphic as some of his other works. Like the Body, it's a good way to get your feet wet in his style.
I'm starting mine with IT cuz I was told I'm exactly like Eddie Kaspbrack and wanted to see if that was true plus I needed a book to read.
To note: I haven't put the book down other than to watch youtube for a bit, I'm almost done and I got it yesterday.
I was 11 and discovered the shining back in the 80s and been hooked for years. Not every book is a hit for me, but I enjoy most of them
Great list, Mike!! I haven't read all of King's work, but I still consider myself a Constant Reader. I'm loving (so far) discovering little easter eggs from different paths of the beam. Yay, reading!!
Started reading King about 4 years ago with IT, read a ton now, one of my all time favourite authors. Currently reading Christine, he has that many books it will take me half my life in between other reads to read em all and that’s not a bad thing to me!
My dad was in Intensive care and on a ventilator all last week. I played your stuff on loop just to have a friendly voice and little bit of distraction and background noise the whole time.
I found a website about 10-15 years ago that had a complete list of how his books are attached to the Dark Tower. I used that to enter the multiverse; Read all the books attached to book 1, then read book 1. Read all the books attached to Book 2, then read book 2, and so on. It took a year or so to do it, but it really opens up the story the Tower tries to tell in those seven books.
It is because of you I have been reading more. Thanks and keep up the good work.
I started reading stephen king last year and started with pet sematary. It was a really good place to start. I was terrified and it made me want to continue reading king. I ended up reading 3 of his books back to back. Love the video!
King’s classic horror books are brilliant!
WoW you pretty as hell, remind me of my old crush
Really beautiful
Finally the long walk getting the acknowledgment it deserves ❤️🙌🏼
The stand was my very first stephen king book. It's the first book I ever read. I started it last October. I'm full in to reading his stuff now
Wait.... first book ever read as in 1st SK book or 1st book ever read in general??
@Rash23215 first book I have read outside of high-school. I have always wanted to be a reader but never stuck with it. The Stand changed that. I started reading it on Google books and blew through the preview. Then I went to barnes and noble to buy it not realizing it was stephen kings biggest book. Since then I've read IT, under the dome, fairy tale, Mr. Mercedes, mistborn, and I'm halfway through the way of kings.
@@jasonjaffeux866what do you think about IT and Dome??
@bernabefernandeztouceda7315 IT was very good but to be honest. I think Under the Dome was better. I like the big cast and the adult characters. IT was probably partially ruined for me because I saw the movies first so there wasn't any real surprises.
@@jasonjaffeux866 that's interesting, because I had problems with both novels. I loved IT on my first reading, but on reread I was extremely bored. Weird thing it's I still think about it and in a positive way. It's like I love the novel but not while I read it. The Dome was so boring that I ended skimming through it so I need a reread
The Green Mile is where I started, and it hooked me. Still my favorite book I’ve ever read. I feel like it’s a great starting point in his repertoire because it’s not his scariest, therefore not weeding out cautious readers, but it still has some of his trademark gruesomeness that fans have come to know and love. Also, he was at his A game when it comes to the character work in this one. Throw in some supernatural elements and you have all of the things that King is best at, right in one story. Start with The Green Mile and you won’t be disappointed
My first Stephen king book was Just After Sunset. I'm on my 26th or 27th Stephen King book. Just started Fairy Tale
I read Carrie and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption when I was in 7th grade in 1984. I've been hooked ever since.
I started off with Fairytale since I saw it at the Costco near me and I was interested in it. I also really wanted to start reading Stephen King before and I love fantasy books. Now I’m reading Pet Sematary, I’m only on chapter 19 so I haven’t gotten to the scary stuff yet, but I’m excited for it. I’m going to read IT next and then probably The Shining. And then I’ll go on from there.
Im 160 pages into the stand and i absolutely love it!!
It sucks
I won't lie Mike, I can't keep up with all the reviews, especially when it's part of a series and I don't want spoilers for that series, but I always try out your recommendations. Never steered me wrong. Right now I'm absolutely in love with Salem's Lot. I cannot put that book down. Thank you!
Zelda was one of the 1st things that ever scared me. Other then the movie dolls. Back in the day. I'm actually starting to try to read Stephen king has always been a favorite. Stand by me was also a favorite. I appreciate Your Channel for helping me in my next step in life. Actually trying to read
It's still freaky
@Mike’sBookReviews this is awesome, as I really enjoy the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s IT and I received the book a few years later from my grandma for my 21st birthday and I must say, I read about half of it and really enjoyed it but, I got distracted with other life responsibilities and never got to read the last half of it so, I must say that may be where I start but we shall see.
I guess that wouldn’t technically be my first King book because, I have read a few, namely The Shining, Pet Sematary and Salem’s Lot all of which I really enjoyed but, for some reason I haven’t read any of his other stuff yet, even though I own quite a few most handed down from my Aunt Fay who is a big Stephen King fan and has read all of his stuff.
I honestly, plan on doing that over the next year or so but, I figure there’s no harm in getting started early which I definitely believe I will do, as I really enjoyed the stuff I did read but for some reason I never read the rest of them
I love your content Mike. Thanks for getting me into reading again!
My first Stephen King novel was "Carrie." I read it while sitting in Barnes n Noble waiting for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince release at midnight (book, not movie). I got there early, got my wristband, and had 4 hours to kill. I had seen a lot of movies based on his books at that point and I always LOVED them so I was like "Man, I gotta start reading this guy!" I haven't stopped since.
I feel like everyone steals from both Stephen King and Rod Serling "Twilight Zone." To me, they're masters of storytelling.
Definitely eager to start the dive into King
Start with Shining, then Carrie, then Pet Sematary, then Misery and you will be ready for The Tommyknockers
I just got back to reading Stephen King after taking a break after reading the gunslinger. Really helpful and cheers
The gunslinger is really good
Thanks Mike. I asked you this very question on the last live stream. Happy to say I’ll be starting different seasons on Friday!
Forgot to say, this is my first King book, I’m sure I will love it
I’ve read a lot of King but not close to everything that you have read so this is a great addition to your king content! Thanks Mike! 🙏🏽
Started with Salem’s Lot then bounced around. After watching all of your King videos when I got back into reading I have started from Carrie and am currently on The Stand.
Reading them slowly as I have so many books on my TBR that are first reads.
Two of my favorite King novels are never talked about on booktube: Duma Key & The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon!
Ive been random , i dont care about an order unless the series demands it like the Bill Hodges Trilogy or Dark Tower , aside from that i say start wherever you want and have fun and have fun finding the connections
My first Stephen King book was The Green Mile. I have watched the movies The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption. I think that book was good for me to start with because it eased me into his books. I am now reading Salem's Lot. I am enjoying it so far. I am 170 pages in and it is like I do not want to put it down. I also bought The Shining, The Stand, The Body and Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption novellas. Once I finish reading Salem's Lot, I might have to psych myself up for The Shing and The Stand.
Cujo is underrated... In the movie Cujo is just a monster but in the book you feel sorry for Cujo bc he didn't understand why he was attacking the people.... Seriously if someone hasn't read it yet read it before the movie.
Salem's Lot is my favorite.
I recently reread Pet Semetary too, I liked it even better now since I a parent.
I loved the Dark Tower series except I hated the end, it was so frustrating.
I also think The Breathing Method is also not talked about enough. Different Seasons really was fantastic.
I'm behind on the new books but catching up.
I’m very excited to be starting the Dark Tower this year!
Thanks Mike! I just read The Gunslinger and enjoyed it, especially the ending. I'll be reading The Drawing of the Three in February. The Stand and 11/22/63 are others at the top of my King TBR!
Great overview. I'm reading The Stand right now. Thanks Mike!
Perfect timing for this video. I recently picked up a few Stephen King books but I wasn’t sure if I should start with those or what. Thank you for taking the time to give a run through on some of his books and explain how to jump in. You make every book sound so good!
One of your best! Loved this video. Perhaps another section, Smalltown USA, to sneak in Needful Things? You can pick the other two. I agree, IT slightly edges it over The Stand. Then again, I've read IT at least five times since the 90s, and The Stand only recently as I began my Dark Tower journey (only Black House left, and then Book 7).
11/22/63 is one of my fav. books of all times. Not just by Stephen King but in general at least in my Top 5. I always refused to read it, because of the Kennedy-Topic. I am not an american and I didn't live during that time period. I know general things about what happend back then and how it was a trauma to the US. But since that was long before my time and in a different country, I thought "Eh, thats not my kind of topic/book". But then I saw it on number 1 in so many ranking videos on YT that I gave it a try. And I loved it!
Guess this will be the year I will read my first Stephen King book and think I'll start with The Stand after just finishing Swan Song last week.
11/22/63 was the first Stephen King book I can remember reading as an adult. I saw it on the shelf at Kmart, of all places. I knew he was a prolific author, but I had him strictly in the horror box and didn't think he was that deep. But it was a gorgeous hardback, discounted, and the concept had me intrigued. I could not put it down. It didn't turn me into this massive Stephen King fan, but I've read more of his work and can't recall being very disappointed. Grossed out, terrified, heartbroken, encouraged, moved to tears, but not much in the way of disappointment.
Deep 🤣🤣🤣
I started with The Dead Zone because it's the only one I saw in the local second hand book store and I've been a constant reader ever since. Great selection Mike, agree with all of these!
Thanks for doing this video mike 👍
11/22/63 is my all time favorite book. I'm due for my next re-read!
thank you, i've never read stephen king before and looking to get into it.
Any chance for a read-along? I feel like there are younger people like myself who never read King and older fans who haven't read King in a long time (maybe they read Salem's Lot 20 years ago per example). Anyway we can bring these two groups together for new King fans and old fans to rekindle their love of his works?
Great video, thanks for the breakdown!
I finished The Shining yesterday. I've been reading it during my night shifts. Oh, I shouldn't have read it in the night! Room 217 surprised me a lot!😱
Now I'm starting Dr. Sleep. But it feels kind of strange. Mayba I should have waited a little bit.
In my mind Danny is stil a kid.
I really like your videos. Thank you, for inspiring me what to read next.
Hey Mike, I try to watch all your videos about Stephen King. I get some insight I may have missed or overlooked. I wish you had more!
First King book I ever read was Carrie; and it was even more sad than the movie.
I just got Carrie yesterday. Looking forward to it. I haven‘t seen the movie by now. Will definitely do that after i finished the book.
I started with The Green Mile in 8th grade, then read Cujo, then The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordan, then "It" in 9th grade. Green Mile & GWLTG have really stuck with me all these years later. I don't remember Cujo too much & I was obsessed with It but have gotten burnt out on it
I read my first SK book when I checked out "The Tommyknockers" from my high school library in 1987. Not his best work by any means but it did motivate me to read everything of his I could get my hands on from that point on. It actually wasn't a bad place to start because it was all uphill from there and created a lifelong fan. 😂
First King I ever read was 11/22/63 and I was an absolute MESS throughout the novel. As a history nerd and a lover of literature, It is absolutely my favorite King and I don't think anything will come close. I can't recommend it enough!
Yay another Stephen King video!!!!! I started Stephen King with Misery. I was instantly hooked and have been a constant reader since… And Mike thanks to your channel more than anything!!!!
I finished my first stephen king book a couple months ago with Misery. I absolutely loved it❤
I'm currently reading It. It's the first novel I've ever read at the age of 37 and I can't wait to read more stephen king after. I love the IT Films and it helps putting a face to the names
LOVED this video so much. I'm always so happy when you talk about The King 🧡🧡
I'm sure if you're really worried about missing any of the connections, starting from the beginning of his work and working your way through chronologically is the best way.
I found a TON of his stuff at goodwill in paperback at 2 dollars a book!
I just need to find Salem's lot and I have a full list up to Delores Claiborne. Gonna king it up this year. Just started Carrie!
Excellent!! I could have listened to this all day!
The gunslinger was my intro to king. I continued with drawing of the three, wastelands, the stand, salem's lot, Christine, Shawshank redemption, IT, and currently I am reading wolves of the calla. I've enjoyed all of them
I'm restarting what I started in highschool with 111-22-63. I just finished the first section and I'm blown away. My goal is to read them all.
Just picked up different seasons and the first 3 dark tower books at my local used book shop!
I started reading SK because my older brother did but was too young, took me awhile but got Different Seasons and then read The Stand and then everything i could get my hands on 😊
Mike, I am SOOOO JEALOUS of all these beautiful old Stephen Kind book versions that you own!!! I have been looking for a copy of the different seasons book forever because it has the most beautiful cover art!!!!
First just found your channel an love it. Thank you for hard work. Second my very first Stephen King was The Stand. I was at technical school at Rantoul Air Force Base. It was setting on the back of a hairdryer at the Beauty salon. I still have this book. Taped together. My question is where would you put Kings book. “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon”. again thank you
Thanks for introducing Dolores Clairborne to me. I was immediately sold after watching your review of this one last year. Loved it. Need more people to talk about this one. I love Green Mile and found Later a pleasant (and horrifying) surprise.
My first one was The Shinning. Coming from Croatia,back in the day there were not a lot of SK books to be found.I think The Shinning,Cujo and Firestarter were the only ones to be found in my library.Luckily for me in the beginning of 90',just around the corner from my childhood home,a bookstore opend with a lot of English books so I was "forced" to learn the language 😁
Btw,another great video Mike👌
If The Long Walk doesn't feel too intense to you, then that's a good starting place.
I figured you'd be the best guy to ask. From what I've read about it, the original publication of The Stand (the short version) had it's ending. Then when King got the long version published he rewrote the ending for the new publication. Then when the TV miniseries came out in 2019-2020 he re-wrote it again (not sure if the script was ever published). Should we be trying to get our hands on all three versions so we can experience all three endings? What are we missing if we only pick up the long version because the short version is impossible to find?
I started with Pet Sematary (only because I couldn't find a copy of the Shining that day) and I fell in love with King's writing. After that, I started going in publication order. Teeny tiny Easter eggs in Pet Sematary referencing other books convinced me so I can get the references right away. I've since read Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Shining, and Night Shift (one of the best books I've ever read - Sometimes They Come Back is the best short story my eyes have ever had the privilege to read). Currently reading the Stand, and I'm finding it an excellent read, even though I'm only 250 pages in as of writing this comment.
Children of the corn better than sometimes
@@bernabefernandeztouceda7315 I'm so glad you like Children of the Corn! I enjoyed it too! I've heard awful things about the movies so I don't plan on watching them.
@@bessonovafan6454 fuck movies 🤣
@@bernabefernandeztouceda7315 The only movies I can gather are just as good as or, are better than the books are The Mist, Shawshank, and The Green Mile. I look forward to seeing those
@@bessonovafan6454 I don't like movies at all, so I don't know. Plus why I should be comparing works in different media? Sometimes I feel like all those adaptations, good or bad, are damaging King's legacy. Why nobody talks about Dickens or Tolstoi adaptations?
Thanks Mike LOVE Mr. King
I started reading SK with The Stand. It became my favorite book of all time, and I became a constant reader 😁
first king book i read was in high school being the mist from skeleton crew and i really liked it because cool plot, creepy atmosphere and it was easy to read. not long after i did try to read The Stand and Needful Things but they were too challenging for me at the time for that my reading skills were not great. now i could read through them no problem im sure but i want to dive into his other works before jumping into those epics. last year is where i started to get back into reading again and the king book i chose to jump back on the saddle with was the long walk and the stories in different seasons and i loved them
I started with Carrie, then the shining, then Joyland and doctor sleep. I throughly enjoyed each of them. I own around 55 of his books (mostly
Found in thrift stores) and can’t wait to get through them all
I already have Different Seasons, so I’ll probably go with that one. Used to not like novella’s, but I’ve come around in the last year or so.
Salem’s Lot was my first entry into SK and since then I haven’t stopped reading him. Also if you like Stephen King and Peter Straub, you will love Ronald Malfi’s work just as much.
Here’s a list of Malfi novels that might intrigue you
Come With Me (Similar to Lissey’s Story but not the same at all)
Black Mouth (Malfi’s version of IT)
Little Girls
Ghostwritten (a collection of four novellas)
Bone White
The Narrows
The Night Parade
We Should Have Left Well Enough Alone(short story)
December Park
Snow
…There are many more. He also have a new collection of five horror novellas coming out this summer titled “They Lurk.”
Hey man!!Just super love what u do😍
I have finally started The Dark Tower Series and right now going through book no 2.
Do u think that there ever going to b another book in The Dark Tower series?
Great video Mike! I read Salem's Lot last month and I loved it. I also read The eyes of the dragon and DT 1-3 (I'm reading Wizard & Glass at the moment). Can't wait to read more of his books!
I’m trying to remember the first Stephen King book I read. It was about 13 years ago. It might have been The Long Walk. My dad was telling me that I should read some King and he recommended The Long Walk as an introduction because I wasn’t much of a horror fan then. But I also remember reading Blaze early on and I’m almost positive I read The Stand before diving into The Dark Tower.
Love your stephen king Videos. Different Seasons was my first book, but Salems Lot made me a constant reader for life.
I bought Misery yesterday, which will be my first Stephen King book. Thanks a lot man for these recommendations, hopefully this start a new horror book journey