Bringing you a fast paced list ranking all 61 Stephen King novels. Leave a comment below to let me know what your favourite is. Thanks for watching!!! Follow me on IG at jimmymango_
Full list in text form, if you want to check out the placement in an easy way: 61. Cell 60. Elevation 59. The Dark Half 58. Blaze 57. Roadwork 56. The Running Man 55. Cycle of the Werewolf 54. The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon 53. The Colorado Kid 52. Later 51. Thinner 50. Cujo 49. The Dead Zone 48. Dolores Claiborne 47. Guendy's Button Box 46. Lisey's Story 45. The Tommyknockers 44. Gerald's Game 43. Rose Madder 42. The Regulators 41. From a Buick 8 40. Song of Susannah (Dark Tower 6) 39. Doctor Sleep 38. The Institute 37. Carrie 36. Rage 35. Revival 34. Sleeping Beauties 33. The Green Mile 32. The Long Walk 31. The Eyes of the Dragon 30. The Gunslinger (Dark Tower 1) 29. Finders Keepers 28. End of Watch 27. Misery 26. The Dark Tower (Dark Tower 7) 25. The Wind through the Keyhole (Dark Tower 8) 24. Joyland 23. Duma Key 22. Desperation 21. Bag of Bones 20. Dreamcatcher 19. Black House 18. Wolves of the Calla (Dark Tower 5) 17. Mr. Mercedes 16. The Outsider 15. Firestarter 14. Pet Sematary 13. Salem's Lot 12. Christine 11. The Drawing of the Three (Dark Tower 2) 10. The Waste Lands (Dark Tower 3) 9. Under the Dome 8. 11/22/63 7. Insomnia 6. The Talisman 5. The Stand 4. Needful Things 3. The Shining 2. It 1. Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower 4)
Stephan king saved my very good friends life! When we were in middle school or before. Friend had a heart issue that needed surgery stephan king paid for it. Complete stranger, he didn't even blink. Saved a life. As a Mainer this Man is A legend!
Pet semetary was my first Stephen King book and I absolutely loved it. I still remember the dark and grey feeling I started to get after just a few pages. Later it wasn’t just dark but muddy and dirty, hopeless and nerve wrecking. 10/10
The thing I love about Pet Semetary isn't the gruesome coming back frkm the dead stuff... Its the way the novel explores grief and people's acceptance of death... If I rmeebr correctly rhe mum had a massive fear of death? (Because of Zelda). That was such a fascinating view for me...
I absolutely LOVED “the girl who loved Tom Gordon”! Definitely different then lots of his other books but I just absolutely loved it. I felt for this little girl and the tension was real for me.
I’m so glad to see Dark Tower 2 get so much support because that book blew me away when I had read it. Roland Vs the cops was one of the peak times of reading I’ve had in a book. With that said, SK has made some incredibly amazing stories. Dreamcatcher and Salem’s Lot were some of my all-time go-to for readings.
#61 cell #60 elevation #59 the dark half #58 Blaze #57 Road Work #56 the running man #55 cycle of the werewolf #54 the girl who loved tom gordan #53 the colarado kid #52 later #51 Thinner #50 Cujo #49 The dead Zone #48 Dolores Claiborne #47 Wendys Button Box #46 Lizzys Story #45 The Tommyknockers #44 geralds game #43 rose madder #42 the regulators #41 From a Buick 8 #40 Song of Susannah #39 Doctor Sleep #38 The Institute #37 Carrie #36 rage #35 revival #34 sleeping beauties #33 The green mile #32 The long walk #31 The eyes if the dragon #30 the gun slinger #29 Finders Keepers #28 end of watch #27 misery #26 The dark tower #25 The wind through the keyhole #24 Joyland #23 Duma Key #22 Desparation #21 Bag of Bones #20 dream catcher #19 The Black House #18 The Wolves of the Calla #17 Mr Mercedes #16 The Outsider #15 Firestarter #14 Pet sematary #13 salems Lot #12 Christine #11 The drawing of the three #10 The wastelands #9 Under the Dome #8 11/22/63 #7 Insomnia #6 The Talisman #5 The Stand #4 Needful Things #3 The Shining #2 It #1 Wizard Glass
Really surprised to see Insomnia outside the bottom 10. It was the weirdest, most depressing book I’ve ever read. It’s 1000+ pages about aging, death, and grief. Just miserable.
Insomnia is definitely my favorite book from King. It's the only book of his that actually made me feel intense emotion. Others did run deep and get under my skin but nothing made me feel like Insomnia did. I cried, I was scared, I was angry, I felt so much and I'm so happy to see it getting so much love.
"Insomnia" means so much to me that I read it at least once a year. I think it's partly because I've suffered from a life-threatening form of insomnia for 30+ years, and the way he talks about what that's like is so accurate. In fact, that book saved my sanity - there are a lot of "side affects" of insomnia that most people know nothing about and Stephen King gets them absolutely right - it helped me know I wasn't alone or crazy. The parts of the story that were about spousal abuse and women's shelters were spot on, and the way it ties into "The Dark Tower" series also keeps pulling me back.
He’s so prolific it’s pretty incredible he doesn’t have a lot more awful stuff. Awesome video dude I know this probably took forever to organize and script out.
Holy shit, I can't believe you got Wizard and Glass as number one. It's my favorite as well and my draw dropped when you mentioned #2 cause I knew what had to be #1. Good stuff, thank you.
Holy hell, I thought I would never hear someone else besides myself pick Wizard and Glass as their favourite King book, let alone say it on video. I know everyone is different and everything is subjective but that book's ill-regarded reputation boggles my mind.
There's IT and then there's everything else. I respect the others on the list near the top, especially the Shining, but IT manages to both one of if not the greatest "Steven King" book, but probably one of the most interesting and well-written books about Americana in the 20th century. It just takes three readings to really see through it all. It is a horror novel that both elevates and transcends horror novels. It's bloody and violent and strange and scary but also uplifting and inspiring and nostalgic and brave.
I usually consider The Stand to be the greatest novel written by an American. I would have It #2 on my list though. I believe King has said himself that The Stand is his magnum opus.
"It" Just sheer brilliance. The mind just seeps up every emotion written in those pages. The literary beauty of this book made me tearful and fearful!!
I absolutely love The Long Walk! It was the first Stephen king novel I ever read and it’s still my favourite. Nobody talks about it enough, underrated King gem in my eyes.
The long walk and joyland pulled me in and all but forced me to finish in one sitting, despite having obligations the next day. Some of his other books do this towards the climax, but few from the get go like those two. Dunno, I was completely sold from page one.
Great list, wouldn't be my particular order, but that is the beauty of reading, Forming your own opinion. Some books I missed, I need to catch up with. Thanks for doing this!
I'm always interested (and amazed) to see how people's opinions differ. I haven't read nearly as much Stephen King books as you did, but seeing some of my favourites didn't even make top 40 blew me away, hah.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Wizard and Glass just as me!! It has to be my favorite Dark Tower novel as well! Just all the backstory we get from Roland is so insightful, so captivating, and yet so heartbreaking.
Always fascinating to see how other Constant Readers do their rankings; no two lists are the same. I'm currently re-reading Desperation for the first time in 15 years. That book is so underrated - Collie Entragian still scares me more that Pennywise.
Desperation has one of my all time favorite writing: when the group finds the woman on the laundromat (i think), and during the time they're with her one of the characters keeps thinking about how short her skirt is and how long her legs are. And it's only when she is out of sight that the character in question thinks to himself 'wait... Was her skirt that short when we found her OR IS IT GETTING SHORTER??' FULL BODY CHILLS
Mr Mango, gotta say, as a long time Constant Reader, and watcher of SK RU-vid critiques, I believe our tastes align perfectly! You get it , and Wizard and Glass is just beautiful!
First of all, VERY impressive that you can rank 61 books. Secondly doing it in 18 minutes is also impressive. #1 The Stand - Not even close, in my top 5 books ever written, and probably the only top book written by an American. #2 IT - we agree there. #3 Pet Semetary #4 The Shining #5 Wizard & The Glass I also think The Mist could have been included. It is a novella inside Skeleton Crew. And I also believe King's short story "The Boogeyman" is the most frightening short story ever written.
The whole time i was like “the numbers are getting really low and he hasnt mentioned wizard and glass, what the fuck is going on” and then It was your number 2 and i was like holy shit this guy actually likes dark tower 4. I tell ya what, though, really glad to hear some love for Rose Madder and Revival. Hella overlooked. Great list, man!
I'd never read the dark tower series and was given Insomnia to read as my first Stephen King book. I loved it and didn't have a problem following what was going on! I feel like it was actually a good intro to the dark tower, for me.
no for whatever faults song of Susanna has, it wasn't on account of any drugs. almost 3 years passed between the time of his accident and the time he started writing the last three books so he was well onto and probably already past his recovery. great review man I really love this video glad I found your channel. subbed Holy crap, you have an actual physical copy of Rage?!? that's too cool. unless somebody lost a bet, that must have cost you a small fortune
Last week, I read *11/22/63* and I can't stop thinking about it. I've tried picking up other books, but nothing compares. I was completely absorbed and loved every moment. I can't remember the last time a book captivated me like this. I'm definitely going to check out the books in your top 10. Thanks for the recommendations.
Hmm, I agree with a majority of this list. I would've rated The Regulators and Doctor Sleep, and Misery a bit higher. I LOVE that you rated The Long Walk somewhat high (my first King Novel and I insist it predicted reality TV competition). And I love that Needful Things made the top 5. It's a masterclass in human analysis.
I never read the dark tower series; however, Insomnia is one of my favorites. I also loved The Green Mile and read it many times. Duma Key was also a favorite. Definitely agree with a lot of your rankings :)
I know I’m commenting on here super late, but seeing you rank IT so high made me happy. It was also the first King novel I ever read way back in Jr. High and even after all these years and so many books later, IT remains the best novel I have ever read. It’s scary yet hopeful, brutal yet uplifting. It has horror, suspense, comedic relief, it’s just so complete. The length might be intimidating to some but you said it perfectly; it lets you just sink your teeth into it and just get lost in Derry and its happenings.
Very enjoyable video, and nice rationales for your rankings - they reveal an intimate personal connection with the books. I'm also thoroughly envious of your hardback first editions. Beautiful.
before I start watching, my favorites were The Stand, Desperation, Misery, and The Long Walk. Damn, we really made it scott free through the first half of the vid, only for all my favs to be plucked out around the same time
I'm surprised to see the dark half so low on your list. That was the novel that really got me into King, and it's remained within my top 10 since. To each their own however. Enjoyed the video nonetheless
I've really struggled since my early years (13-14) to digest King's mammoth books. First one I ever finished was "On Writing" and it captivated me. Then Shining and Bag of Bones...he's hit or miss with me, but I fully respect him as both man and writer.
Surprised you have Cell ranked the lowest I really enjoyed it. Also Blaze and next to last!? I absolutely loved that book, it made me cry lol 11/22/63 is absolutely fantastic I’m glad you have it ranked so high but the stand is my all time favorite King book.
I've only read Gwendy's Button Box and I fell in love with it, so I'm sad to see it ranked so low, but I'm sure there are MANY other great works by King (and I hope to get to a lot of them in my lifetime!) Also, nice sweatshirt :) Go owls!
Title is funny though. *Finishes editing video, runtime 18:22. Title: "Ranking all 61 Stephen King novels in 19 minutes or less!!!!!" little bit arbitrary for the title, but good video. The fact that King has 61 novels at all is evidence enough that he's a great writer with a long career.
Yes sir, the fact that you have the Talisman, Under the Dome and Insomnia in your top 10 and Rose Madder and Eyes of the Dragon made the list, I'm definitely going to follow your channel. I've read Talisman, Insomnia & Eyes of the Dragon a minimum 10 times, Rose Madder probably 5. Joyland, the Mr. Mercedes trilogy,other Institute and Drunken Fireworks are my favorite audio books, they're like old friends I think I know them verbatim 🤣
For such a subjective, uh, subject, you did a fantastic job. I loved hearing your quick impressions of the novels on the list. I grew up (as a lot of you have) reading King novels, and it's great that this exists for us to share in the love.
HA!! Wizard and Glass is my favorite as well! Young Roland stories are so important to his overall character arc. To see him and his friends face down the big coffin hunters is peak. The travelers rest scene is one of my favorite in any book.
Haven't read King in many, many years. Hard to believe I'm 50 and I was reading him when I was a teenager and obviously you are much younger than me. Also really surprising to see how many books he has written I haven't heard of. 'Firestarter' has always been my favourite. All the best tropes. A flawed hero, a relentless hunter, a powerful, innocent child and a nefarious secret agency. I really liked 'The Gunslinger' but then King made it in to a tome. I prefer the 'Dead Zone' film by Cronenberg over the book but I put the 'Running Man' book over the film, which I found too campy. I agree with you about 'The 'Shining' but I enjoyed the 'Doctor Sleep' film... Is the book not that good? I've had '11.22.63' highly recommended to me and it's on my bookshelf and I'm sure I will get around to it at some point before I'm dead. Got back in to comic books over the last 5 years and I'm reading 'Locke & Key' right now which is fun. Anyway good list Jimmy, will subscribe.
I’ve been reading stephen kings novels randomly (it, salems, the sand, pet sematary, etc) now after i start and finish the dark tower series i will go to this video and use your ranking. Thanks man Greetings from Peru 🇵🇪
Interesting to see Under the Dome in the top 10. That’s one of my faves, personally. A lot of folks didn’t care for it or didn’t even finish it. I thought it was fantastic.
Nice list. King was the author from my youth, so I loved the classic books. I thought my first was Salems Lot, the experience was amazing. But It and The Stand takes it to a higher level. I wish I have more time to read books. It was a great school time with his books. Greetings from Germany.
Loved all the dark tower books, loved the Shining but my all time favourite book is IT. It´s just out of this world, a one of a kind experience. It just sucks you into it and is simply perfect in every way.
I read a bunch of Stephen King books right after graduating high school in 1983. All in all I probably read 10 of his books here's my ranking: 11. Firestarter 10. Misery 9. Dolan's Cadillac 8. Silver Bullet 7. Cujo 6. Eyes of the Dragon 5. Pet Semetary 4. Christine 3. Different Seasons 2. The Stand 1. Dead Zone(also the first SK book I ever read)
I loved The Dead Zone too. Pretty much hated the endings of The Stand and IT, but loved the journey of them so much they top my list. You're gonna love IT ;-)
I read Insomnia before any of the dark tower novels and completely loved it. I found it works just fine standalone and it's the SK book I have read most.
I agree with a lot of your picks here, and I appreciate your list. I do have to say, though, I couldn't stand Wizard and Glass. I just couldn't get into it. The whole time, I was begging to get back to the main story with the Ka-tet. It's actually the book that made me stop reading the Dark Tower. But I respect your opinion. I'm also glad you put Under the Dome so high. I feel like that one doesn't get nearly enough love. Totally agree with you on The Shining and IT. Two of my absolute favorite books of all time.
Some thoughts: Tommyknockers was one of the longest, most boring reads I can remember. I really enjoyed Cell - it felt like a return to form after his accident. I really loved Thinner a lot - I read it while recovering from the Chicken Pox in grade 7. From a Buick 8 was a great concept that never paid off in the end. I loved the Regulators a lot more than Desperation, probably because I read it first. Duma Key hooked me like no Stephen King has is a LONG time - it's one of my very favs. I really disliked Bag of Bones - at least, the middle - it turns into a court case book for Act 2. I read Insomnia between The Wasteland and Wizard and Glass... and don't remember ANYTHING about the book. Maybe I should go back to it. I loved the original The Stand... is the extended even better? I couldnt finish IT or the Dead Zone. They just weren't for me. I really disliked Wizard and Glass - it was just slow and I didn't like the time-jump out of the main story. My top Stephen King is probably Pet Sematary, or the Dark Half... so that goes to show you just how different people are. Still to read - Blaze, 11/22/63, Under the Dome, Wind through the Keyhole, Doctor Sleep, The Bill Hodges Trilogy, the Institute, Dreamcatcher, any of his Hard-boiled crime novels thanks for the list. It was fun to look back on these classics. How about a novella and short story collection list?
Thanks for the feedback. Always interested in other opinions. And yes great idea for the short story collection vid. I was thinking the same thing. Coming soon…
You're going to love 11/22/63, my personal #1. I also agree with you about Insomnia, I honestly don't remember a thing about it, and Wizard and Glass. I couldn't get through it, so I actually abandoned the series about midway through that book. Then I read Wolves of the Calla, which is FANTASTIC, and my personal favorite of the series. So I got through the Dark Tower series having only read about 50% of Wizard and Glass. Wind Through the Keyhole is also good.
@@Fixxer315 yes, one bit that stands out is the section on people who survived the initial plague but succumbed due to other reasons. It's very harrowing but poignant
i was a massive reader in general a couple months ago and i hit a wall at a Stephen King book and havent been able to recover from it so i was interseted to see where you put that book. you put it first lmao
I prefer the book version of "The Shining" to the movie I can't say it's better. The movie and book are two completely different stories with completely different themes with only superficial similarities really. I think the difference is best summed up like this: the book is about escaping addiction, the movie is about escaping abuse. Both very good but very different.
This difference confused me so much. I was young when I read The Shining, and then watched the movie and couldn't get over how I misremembered the book! I still thought if you bought a book, you made the book...
Good list. I'd say Wizard and Glass and Drawing of Three should be switched on the list but to each his own. I would probably have Hearts in Atlantis on the list instead of Cell. Did not care for Cell at all. Didn't even finish. Thanks for putting this together!
So my favorite book didn’t fare too bad. Under The Dome at 9, out of 61, not bad. I’ve read maybe a dozen or so of his books and that’s the one I flew through the quickest. It was so perfectly written in my opinion. I had trouble reading anything else for about a month after I finished it because they were all just so bad. Not his books, just any book I picked up, my mind would say meh, it’s not Under The Dome, this sucks lol nice list! I have a lot of catching up to do!
I can see why people like Under the Dome so much, it is very Kingish. I feel like he just wanted to write the backstory of every single person in a small town. Every person in this town has a traumatic event in their past that they think about all the time. It was the ending that i didnt like, at all. Aliens, really?
Super fun and interesting list! I've never read insomnia because I've heard it wasn't good. I've only gotten through the first 5 of the Dark Tower series, so i may finish that up then jump into Insomnia. I haven't read all of his books (I've read a lot but you listed some I'd never even heard of!!), but of the ones I've read, I've always loved The Talisman it's amazing and i read it often. I also love The Stand, the Shining, It and Doctor Sleep. Revival was also really good. I remember reading it and wanting to discuss it only to find none of my Stephen King fan friends had ever read it!
I read Insomnia after only reading the Gunslinger at the time I think and I still remember really loving it. Then while I was reading the Dark Tower I started to realize some of those connections - can't wait to reread Insomnia now that I'm done the series to get a whole new perspective on the book! Also props for reading everything of his! I know I'm still working my way through all his works haha
The Talisman and eyes of the Dragon my dad begged me to read for years: I finally read The Talisman it was such a great book that’s not talked about enough. I really need to read Eyes next
Needful Things is high on many readers' lists, it is on mine. Amazing that the lead character was also critical in The Dark Half,, a novel that didn't rank so high.
I've read "The Long Walk" soo many times. There's just something special about it. It was the first novel King ever wrote and he was still in college. "Carrie" was the first novel published.
My cat Bob Jr seems to adore listening to The Gunslinger. Like way more than I expected honestly. Just found that interesting and it warmed my heart ngl lol Like I've never seen him enjoy listening to anything the way he enjoyed that.
I'm in love with King, here in Brazil we don't have all the novels (I think maybe 4 books was never released yet) I already read 34, my top 3 is: 3: The Stand 2: The Shining 1: It I loved your video! Greetings from Brazil!
This video was a trip down memory lane... Got into Stephen King in the late 90s/early 2000s. I was in college and I worked at Papa John's. There was a used bookstore right next to Papa John's and one night after work when I went out to my car there was a box of used paperbacks someone had left or forgot. I grabbed the box and took it home. Stuck it in a corner in my room and forgot about it. I was never much of a reader. Maybe a few weeks later (not sure exactly) I was bored one night. Did not have internet back then, no friends, and I guess nothing on TV. I remember picking up the King book that said Skeleton Crew on the front and I was like what the hell...theres nothing better to do. The first story was The Mist. I was completely immersed immediately and stayed up all night reading it and I think I even read a couple the other short stories. I read all of Skeleton Crew over the next week, some stories twice, really liked Miss Todd shortcut, the jaunt, the raft, survivor type...I barely got any sleep. Then I went through that box of books. I found the Eyes of the Dragon which I thought was really good back then, although I don't think it holds its own now. Found some other decent science fiction like Isaac Asimov in that box, but nothing like King. I worked on a oil rig that summer of 2000 to make some extra cash and would go offshore once every 2 weeks and stay there for two weeks straight. So my ritual was to buy one of the biggest Stephen King novels at the used bookstore and read it while I was stuck offshore. I happened to buy The Stand first because I had actually heard of the TV series from back in the '90s so I figured it must be pretty good and it's still my favorite read to this day. I never got any sleep those weeks and was constantly tired during the day. That book was like a drug. I probably read it 50 times. The next shift I brought the Tommyknockers out there, which is still a personal favorite. The next 2 week shift I brought Needful Things which would probably be in my top five. Over the next few years I slowly picked up pretty much every Stephen King novel there was. What was funny is the late 90s/ early 2000s was kind of King's decline phase. He had gotten hit by the car and I think he was struggling with getting older, sober, and the things that come with that. I bought Cell which was one of his big new novels at that time and like you said it wasn't very good, and noticed his late 90s stuff mostly wasn't as good so I kind of gave up on his new stuff since 2005 or so. Also he got very political which is stupid because it alienates half of your fan base basically. Maybe I'll give some of his newer books a try since you have rated them pretty high and obviously have read the older stuff too. The only somewhat newer books I've read from him were the final 3 Dark Tower books because...well you just had to after how amazing part two, three, and four were. Regardless, I think the coked up drunk Stephen King of the late 70s and 80s is still the best. The stand, fire starter, The shining, cujo, misery, pet sematery, the formative books of The Dark Tower especially part 2 and 3... there will never be a stretch like that again. It's been kind fun to see the revival of Stephen King during the last decade, makes me feel like I was one of the first ones to that revival in the early 2000s. I think people are starting to appreciate what an incredible run he's had.
*I LOVED "Desperation"!!!* HIGHLY underrated Book..and Tak is one of the most, *IF not THE most,* underrated King villains! Even Pennywise could be destroyed, but not Tak..people need to slap some respect on that, AND YOU DID! I GREATLY appreciate that *=)* I did read "Regulator's" right afterwards, and you are right..it gets super out there (to say the least)..I hated I had to relearn all the character's names with different personas 😂 granted there are some somewhat duplicate characters ("don't call me cookie and I won't call you cake" 😂), but it IS in an alternate universe..Tak to me wasn't exactly the same Tak in "Desperation" though, if that makes sense..I feel like it was Tak's twin brother, *almost* identical 🤷 I really liked the "kids drawing" aspect of it, but I could see how that wouldn't be someone's cup of tea..I think parts dragged on a bit while I didn't feel that was the case at all with "Desperation", even the dilapidated theatre description entertained me..I loved it! I welcome any thoughts you might have on that *=)* That would be a hell of a movie if they made it, although a mini-series on HBO would be much better..I ALWAYS love how he writes from character's minds, how you get a glimpse of their POV (it definitely makes you feel bad for Cujo in that way)..I just wanted to share, for whatever it's worth *=)* good job though *=)* you get a thumbs up on this one 👍🏼
i'm 17 and have read around about 10-15 stephen king books so far, reading cujo right now c=and i can just say he is probably my favourite author just the way a person can get stuck into his books is really incredible
I feel stabbed in the gut seeing The Dark Half so early as its probably in my top 5, but I understand everyone has different preferences, especially when it comes to King
Completely agree on Wizard & Glass - really provides so much depth into Roland and is a great story independently. I also feel like people don't talk about Cuthbert enough- best character in the series IMO, complemented perfectly by Alain.
Would have put Salem's Lot in the top 5, but still like your list. Not a fan of The Stand or It as because both had such great first halfs but then then it felt like he didn't know where to go with either story and they failed to live up to the promise of the first half. Actually thought Joe Hill's The Fireman was better than the old man's The Stand.
As a big king fan I appreciate the time spent. Ranking him is challenging because what standerd do you use.? There are some books that were a little to far fetched but somehow enjoyable. Other novels are well written but due to subject matter you don't want to reread.. Other novels are well written and artistic and simply are not really of interest to me.. Other novels are good but are simple ones or short which are honestly not your favorite but due to accessibility and shorter length get reread more often. Others have a very brisk pace not his best but due to length and style highly rereadable. Tommyknocker and Dreamcatchers are in no way his best yet I can't help enjoying these for its sheer absurdity truly guilty pleasures. Personally my favorites are It, the Shining, and Delores Claibourne and the Talisman. The Stand may be his best but it is essentially in its uncut version too long and it can drag.
Got a soft spot for Shining, IT, Misery, The Stand and pre-2000s books (devoured them in middle school and High School). Rage and The Road are masterpieces IMHO and I've never enjoyed the Fantasy series that much. Short stores and novellas from SK are underrated imho, I remember being scared sh tless from Night Shift and Skeleton Crew.
Nahhhhh Cujo is way better than DeadZone. I’ve been on a journey to read all of his novels too. Cujo is a classic example of realistic horror. Imagine… man’s best friend… The contrast with the human condition with a peak inside of the lives of our main characters made it incredibly believable.
Dude! I have been raising eyebrows for years, boldly declaring the 4th book in King's series of 7 (or 8) as my favorite ... not just of his books, but of all books! Each time you started another sequence of 10, I was, like, willing you to "Wait, wait, don't say Wizard & Glass! Not yet, not yet!" When you still hadn't said it through #6, I was cheering so hard ... MY favorite had made it to YOUR Top 5! Then Top 3! And all that time, I had completely overlooked that you had not yet mentioned It, which is also my #2 favorite of King's ... Omg, we're like best friends now! Wow. I got into that WAY more than I expected to. Anyway, you'll get no roasting from me, brother. TDT4:W&G was such masterful storytelling. I have never been more in love with King's incredible imagination and his ability to convey it all in such riveting detail. His infinite command of the characters was (as it almost always is) my favorite part. Rhea was so richly brought to life on the page, cackling in perverse delight over the voyeuristic treats the grapefruit brought her, grossly finger-testing Susan, and holding court from her little wagon while she screamed through the town. The way the gunslinger kids were described as being a little scary to the lunch ladies is something I have still never seen in any movie quite the same way I see that in my mind - the closest portrayal is probably the way biker gangs have townspeople skirting around them, or maybe the vamp kids in The Lost Boys. The way young Roland commanded the respect of his first ka-tet without ever being a dick; how the boys came up behind that long string of riders and picked them off, one by one; Roland screaming, "To me!" in the scene where they finish them off (I think); the way they used the thinny in that other scene in the box canyon; the way they played the dolts, counting horses and saddles and boats and nets, knowing all the while they were there on false pretenses; the whole political theater playing out in the town just below the surface; the girl in the window, Susan Delgado, caught up in all that drama and forced through the last few years of her youth (and, SPOILER!, her life) in such an ugly way; the BEAUTIFUL love story between her and Roland; and I swear I could feel his agony at losing her right down to the bottom of my soul! Sheeit, that is a good book! On top of all of that (and so much more; nearly every page bore some literary treasure), this was simply one of the most competently written books I've ever read. Here is this "king of horror" and "master of the macabre" kicking Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey's asses at a western! Nor have I ever read any other fantasy novel or series that has been more engaging or imaginative, more MATURE, as everything else requires you to believe the unbelievable, like talking animals (even Oy is presented in a completely reasonable, believable way!). And this also contains one of the most romantic love stories I've ever read! So, in ONE book, Stephen King transcends multiple genres (none of which he is known for), unravels one of the most enjoyable, complex plots of his career (in remarkable fashion), and sets the entire series to that point on solid ground with the greatest foundational backstory ever, and (as far as I can tell) he never dropped a single ball! In my opinion, King was born to write The Dark Tower, and DT4 is the very best of the series. So, I probably would have roasted you if you HADN'T put it at #1! As it is, however, I'm subscribing.... :) May you have long days and pleasant nights, my friend. As for my part, we are well met.
Loved this video..the fact that he managed to give such a clear idea of 61 books in 19 min is the most amazing thing for me..and you know how long some of the books are! Love Stephen King..haven't read all, but favourites would be It, Shining, 11/22/63, Mr. Mercedes, Duma Key, Outsider and End of watch..thank you for this video
I understand your opinion on Song of Susannah, but when I read it I just couldn't put it down. I finished the whole thing in a couple of days - I just really wanted to get to the tower. On the other hand, I really didn't enjoy Wizard and Glass as much as many people seemed to. The stuff with Blaine, and the stuff with the Ka-Tet in Topeka was great, but the whole flashback was just too long for my liking. I didn't quite care enough about Roland's backstory, and it really dragged in some parts. It took me the longest to read by far out of any of the Dark Tower books
