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.
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!
@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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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 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!
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 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'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 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
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 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)
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!
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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!
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!
I started with Cujo “it was the scariest movie that I saw as a kid” then on to The Stand the uncut version. It took me the entire month of December to finish and I didn’t want it to end. Definitely my favorite book so far. I just finished Pet Semetary. Man was that book is unsettling. And now I’m currently reading the Shining. I have been a constant reader of King since November and I am loving the journey. ❤📖📚ps I plan to read my copy of It this summer! 🤡
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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
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!
@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 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!
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.
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
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.
I decided to start reading The Long Walk back in 2021 and then I got covid. I didn't get to finish it but right now I'm reading The Green Mile and I'm so excited to finish it. After that, I'm going to read Pet Sematary next.
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!
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?
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
my first king book was misery, which i found perfectly terrifying. i then read salem’s lot and the shining. recently i picked up the first two dark tower books and am now reading the stand. i think i was lucky to stumble upon a pretty good starting order!
I read The Shining and was a little disappointed the twins were not in it inviting Danny to play. But totally made up for it for the creepy playground tunnel scene. I still shiver when I think about it. My first Stephen King book was Christine and I found it very disappointing. But I had some hard-core King fans say that it is not a good first book and I read The Stand next. That is when I became a Constant Reader.
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.
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 started with Carrie and Rose madder, both are still my favorites of his work with rose madder being the top, I’d say it’s slightly controversial because people either love it, hate it, or aren’t very familiar with it
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.
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!
I read my first Stephen King last year. I read Elevation. If you hadn’t told me who wrote it I think I could have guessed it was Stephen King. Even had never read anything by him! I’m excited to read more from him this year.
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!!!!
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).
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LOVED this video so much. I'm always so happy when you talk about The King 🧡🧡
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 still love that closing line from The Body (Stand By Me) so much..." I never had any friends later on like the ones I did when I was twelve.....Jesus, does anyone?". Perfect.
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.
C'mon, Mike, we all know the best books to start with are Tommyknockers Dreamcatcher and The Regulators...Just kidding of course. I agree with a lot of your choices. 11/22/63, Delores Claiborne and The Green Mile would be ones I would suggest most often.
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
Oy is one of my favourite characters and he doesn't really say much apart from "Oy" or partially repeat what others have said. He is brave, supportive and definately a strong member of the ka-tet.
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 😊
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
11/22/63 kickstarted my King obsession! Now I'm going back through the catalog.
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
Im 160 pages into the stand and i absolutely love it!!
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.
The Ka Tet were my ka-tet from my teens through early 20s. Felt that. Thankee sai.
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 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.
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 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.
Definitely eager to start the dive into 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!
Salem's Lot and The Shining are also very "curl-up under a blanket"-cozy reads. To me, at least.
My first Stephen king book was Just After Sunset. I'm on my 26th or 27th Stephen King book. Just started Fairy Tale
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!
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 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'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 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
Randall Flagg makes his debut in Eyes of the Dragon!!!
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 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)
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
It is because of you I have been reading more. Thanks and keep up the good work.
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.
Two of my favorite King novels are never talked about on booktube: Duma Key & The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon!
Eyes of the Dragon is a great fantasy book. So cozy.
11/22/63 is my all time favorite book. I'm due for my next re-read!
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!!
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.
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!
If The Long Walk doesn't feel too intense to you, then that's a good starting place.
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!
I started with Cujo “it was the scariest movie that I saw as a kid” then on to The Stand the uncut version. It took me the entire month of December to finish and I didn’t want it to end. Definitely my favorite book so far. I just finished Pet Semetary. Man was that book is unsettling. And now I’m currently reading the Shining. I have been a constant reader of King since November and I am loving the journey. ❤📖📚ps I plan to read my copy of It this summer! 🤡
The Stand is an incredible journey.
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.
Great overview. I'm reading The Stand right now. Thanks Mike!
I love your content Mike. Thanks for getting me into reading again!
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 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
Stephen King on Mikes Book Reviews? I’m there!
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! 🙏🏽
I started with Salems' Lot and Skeleton Crew.
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.
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'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.
Thanks for doing this video mike 👍
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 journey into Stephen King works started with his short stories.
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
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!
@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 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!
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.
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
Started with carrie yesterday, on part 2 right now
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.
I decided to start reading The Long Walk back in 2021 and then I got covid. I didn't get to finish it but right now I'm reading The Green Mile and I'm so excited to finish it. After that, I'm going to read Pet Sematary next.
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!
I started reading SK with The Stand. It became my favorite book of all time, and I became a constant reader 😁
Excellent!! I could have listened to this all day!
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?
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 just started with fairy tale just this month lol. Excited to read more!
my first king book was misery, which i found perfectly terrifying. i then read salem’s lot and the shining. recently i picked up the first two dark tower books and am now reading the stand. i think i was lucky to stumble upon a pretty good starting order!
I read The Shining and was a little disappointed the twins were not in it inviting Danny to play. But totally made up for it for the creepy playground tunnel scene. I still shiver when I think about it.
My first Stephen King book was Christine and I found it very disappointing. But I had some hard-core King fans say that it is not a good first book and I read The Stand next. That is when I became a Constant Reader.
I finished my first stephen king book a couple months ago with Misery. I absolutely loved it❤
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.
Thanks Mike LOVE Mr. King
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 started with Carrie and Rose madder, both are still my favorites of his work with rose madder being the top, I’d say it’s slightly controversial because people either love it, hate it, or aren’t very familiar with it
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.
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!
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!
I read my first Stephen King last year. I read Elevation. If you hadn’t told me who wrote it I think I could have guessed it was Stephen King. Even had never read anything by him! I’m excited to read more from him this year.
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!!!!
I just saw a first edition, first print of Carie at half Price books in St. Louis mint condition for $3000!
The Talisman. Co-authored. But worth a read.
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).
LOVED this video so much. I'm always so happy when you talk about The King 🧡🧡
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 still love that closing line from The Body (Stand By Me) so much..." I never had any friends later on like the ones I did when I was twelve.....Jesus, does anyone?". Perfect.
11/22/63 is the best book I have ever read. That ending is phenomenal.
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.
C'mon, Mike, we all know the best books to start with are Tommyknockers Dreamcatcher and The Regulators...Just kidding of course. I agree with a lot of your choices. 11/22/63, Delores Claiborne and The Green Mile would be ones I would suggest most often.
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 haven't read a lot of King but 11/22/63 was amazing, could not put it down; I believe I finished in two days.
Oy is one of my favourite characters and he doesn't really say much apart from "Oy" or partially repeat what others have said. He is brave, supportive and definately a strong member of the ka-tet.
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 😊