@Christos Eleftheriadis I tried reading IT and got bored as hell in the first 75 pages or so. Tell I was just getting to the good parts and I’ll start the book again.
@@aayushs8128 well it's a book which will either grow on you or will come to despise it completely.. IT always got and will get ambivalent reception for its ambitious, detailed and non-linear narration..If u like Dickens and Tolstoy, maybe u will like IT too...
How can this guy not include Salem's Lot? It's one of King's creepiest. Mr. Barlow's one of his greatest villains. Bar none. The way he exposes the towns dark secrets is masterful. Truly great writing 👍
An interesting selection indeed Edward! The first SK book I ever read - bizarrely - was Rose Madder, at the tender age of 10. I recall it fondly, and interestingly, haven't ever reread it. Completely agree with your opinion regarding The Waste Lands - a superb, and highly organised entry in the DT series. And yes, IT too is my favourite King novel, for the reasons you stated and many others. A true masterpiece. Thanks for sharing! Ian
Thanks for stopping by, Ian! ROSE MADDER is a good book, but I can't imagine starting there. My first was DOLORES CLAIBORNE. My mother wouldn't let me read King when I was younger, so I stole one of her boxes from the mail, and it was his newest book at the time, DOLORES CLAIBORNE from the Stephen King Library book club. I read that novel in three days. Never wanted to put it down. I haven't looked back since. :)
+Jack Archibald I can't imagine that being anyone's first. That would have messed me all up. Likely would've never read another King book. Not that THE GUNSLINGER is a bad book, it's just a bad example of his work.
My top 5: 1. Wizard and Glass 2. The Stand 3. Pet Semetary 4. The Shining 5. Different Seasons - more specifically Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. What an uplifting story!
I loved reading IT so much that it somehow managed to cure my insomnia. 2nd day of reading it and I slept like a baby. For at least three months anyway. I'm guessing I just got so immersed in the story that whatever kept me from sleeping was just no longer an issue.
Hey Mr. Lorn, just recently got back into Stephen King books and found ur channel. Love ur videos man! Bag of Bones in my top 5 as well so glad to see some love for it. Take care sir! 😁
I never heard of you channel before but I subscribe to an email list from LT Vargus and Tim McBain telling me about it. Glad you got your 1,000 subscribers, well deserved! Great list. I'll definitely give those I haven't yet a read.
bag of bones was amazing. I need to read it again. Its been years. One of the only books that had 40 plus page chapters that I didnt get tired of reading.
Out of your list, I've only read Pet Sematary and IT! Oh my God Zelda in that film scared the shit out of me, I've never watched it since ahaha. I'm not sure what my full top 5 would be, there's so many I want to read, but definitely in the top 2 would be The Green Mile and Misery!
I can't manage a TOP five since I've only read five: Insomnia, Misery, The Dead Zone, 'Salem's Lot, and Blaze. I've probably seen three times that many movie/tv productions of his works.
This is insane.... IT number 1 of course, and nr 2 Pet Sematary, yes! These are my two favorites by far.. You're the first person to share my opinion on nr 2... Haven't read 3-5 yet, but am planning to start on The Dark Tower...
I’ve never met/listened to/read someone who so closely mirrors my personal type five. I agree so wholeheartedly with four of these five that you’ve made me decide to go back and try Revival again. I just couldn’t into that one. I loved the beginning, but the dragging of the middle and the odd ending (an ending I do find terrifying though) just turned me off. If I could replace it, I would pick Insomnia. I know many people consider this one of his weakest but man, I just find it fascinating. I love the old geezer PIC and the DT series tie-ins, but something about the actual issue of insomnia, grief, moving on in old age, radicalized locals, and the women’s issues along with the writing style just solidifies it in my top five. Also it was the first full SK I ever read in its entirety. I was in the ninth grade. IT was read directly afterwards. I began my collection immediately and now own all of his work along with a couple first additions and rare Bachman’s. Much love, my guy. Keep up the good work.
List so far 5. Saloms Lot 4. Fire starter 3. The shining 2. Christine (big surprise for me gave me IT vibes at times) 1. IT (our pals in Derry will never be forgotten that story will be with me for life.)
I have just started reading Stephen King's novels, I've already read IT and now I'm reading pet semetery. Fun fact, in Finland (I live there) the pet semetery's name is uinu, uinu, lemmikkini=sleep, sleep, my pet. And not lemmikkihautausmaa=the pet semetery.
My list 1. IT 2 The Shining 3. Carrie 4. Salem’s Lot 5. Misery Still have yet to re-read Pet Semetary. I probably don’t fully understand the grief and sadness towards the end of the book because I’m a bit heartless and just love reading about people getting killed. I also don’t have kids because so I can’t really relate to Lois Creed.
IT is definitely my favorite SK book. The Waste Lands was very good too. I’ve read the first 3 books of the DT series. My plan is to finish the series this winter. I haven’t read many SK books, but my friend and I are reading through his books in order of publication. Great list!
12: Carrie 11: The Dark Tower 1 10: 1922 9: Finders Keepers 8: Gwendy’s Button Box 7: End Of Watch 6: The Shining 5: Misery 4:The Dark Tower 2 3: Pet Sematary 2: Salem’s Lot 1: Mr Mercedes
I have only read 4 full books and reading a 5th right now. 1) IT 2) Misery 3) The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon 4) Carrie Currently reading Revival and I have mix feelings. Im 200 pages in.
I love your channel. Thanks so much for all you do. I’m not much of a horror reader except King; I usually prefer classics but you’ve inspired me to branch out a little. I really want to read The Terror. It’s on my list. So far, The Shining was the scariest book I’ve ever read. I’m working on the Exorcist but not sure if I’ll get though it. The idea just scares me AND I live alone so I gotta be careful.
That's so weird, I also saw Pet Semetary at a drive in double feature with Child's Play with my parents and younger brother. I think I was 6, and it was the only time I stayed up for both movies because I wanted the kids to be okay. It was the first Stephen King book I read, it's my favorite and the one I've reread the most. Bag of Bones was one I really enjoyed, and Revival was great. I'm still working on the Dark Tower books, but thanks for the list!
The _Pet Sematary_ audio book with Michael C. Hall is fantastic. It really sounds like Dexter Morgan is committing the most atrocious sins while trying to keep his composure.
How the hell did you get all your hardcovers minty buddy? My IT (Viking's Hardback bought in 1990) doesn't look as clean/white as yours. If you're nine when Pet Sematary is screened on cinemas, then we are the same age. If Belle is a real person, I bet she will go after your book shelves instead of mine! hahahahahah..... Nice videos. SUBSCRIBED.
+Agent Bruce Sato I think the IT in this video is a reprint from the Stephen King book club. It's maybe three years old. I try not to touch my first printing for obvious reasons lol. Thanks for watching and subscribing! 😁
I loved It. Curiously i'm one of the few people i know that didn't enjoy that much Pet Semetary (and it didn't scared me at all). I liked Bag of bones. My unusual top King's novel is Hearts in Atlantis, i really loved that book
The book Firestarter is one of my favorites as well. What the hell is “moderate - mental domination?” Such a cool story that starts off running and never looks back.
I think it's the closest we'll get to the old King. Then again, SLEEPING BEAUTIES might surprise me. Not that I think it will be bad, just not expecting another THE STAND.
So, I've read 22 books by Stephen King so far, and IT is my favorite one, I love it so much, it's been a few years since I read it and I still remember how scared I was of that book. Anyway, I read Revival as well, but didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would, like it was okay, but not in my top 5. I haven't read Bag of Bones yet, should I give it a try? And btw, have you read the Dark Tower series? Cause I read the first one and didn't like it at all, but everybody tells me it's good, so idk. Great video😀
+Christine Jackson I've read all of his books at least twice. The Dark Tower series is odd. I hate, and I mean I absolutely loathe, two of the books, book four and six, but I loved the rest of them. The first book is nothing but an extended prologue, the second book is an introduction to the characters, and the third book is where the journey really begins. If you like the second book, I say movie ahead. BAG OF BONES is King at his emotional best. It's not really that scary but the talemisma powerful one.
Edward Lorn I see, I think I'll read the series, cause I didn't really understood the world King created in the book, and that was a bit confusing, actually everything was😂 But I'll read it for sure. And Bag of Bones as well. I just started Gerald's Game, and I'm enjoying so far.
Edward Lorn Yeah, I've heard great things about the movie, that's why I want to read the book actually. I got it for my birthday like 5 months ago, and I have to admit I was scared to read it, and I haven't been scared of his book in a while. Anyway, I'm really excited.
Unfortunately I never finished "Bag of Bones", but there are certain scenes that have stuck with me to this day. "Give me that back, that's my dustcatcher." My Top 5: 1. It 2. Pet Sematary 3. Misery 4. Drawing of the Three 5. The Dead Zone
King’s “It” scared me so bad I threw the book away (literally). I threw it in the trash so I wouldn’t pick it back up a week or two later thinking I can handle it( as I had already done several times). Of course a month later I bought “it” again, threw that one away too! You would think I would of learned! But, I couldn’t not know what happened to the kids. Finally bought “ it”third time was able to finish it. To be so scared that you swear, promise, curse, that you will not read another page is a talent only king has.
Edward Lorn I mean that people just need time to discover Revival. I believe it will become a future masterpiece, appreciated by all, just like It or Misery.
+Mark Pippin there's absolutely no reason not to call it that now. Unless you're waiting on the appreciation of scholars and such, and then who really cares what they think? The book is a masterpiece, and no amount of time will change that. My point is, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. If you consider it a masterpiece, that's what it is to you, and I would definitely agree with you. All art is subjective, and I refuse to wait for someone else to tell me something is great before I appreciate it. 😁
+Mark Pippin I've heard a lot from the crowd who seems to think King hasn't written a good book since the 80s and they hated the book. Most of those people are stuck in Nostalgia Land and haven't even tried his newer stuff. Others who didn't like it didn't like it because it didn't live up to the KING RETURNS TO HORROR hype BS. King will never be old school King again, and I respect him for that. He's grown and become more than his horror roots. I think people who dislike REVIVAL were simply hurt that it wasn't another PET SEMATARY as was hinted in promos. All that being said, I feel the right people are giving the book credit. And as long as fans like us keep introducing new readers to this book, it should have a wonderful second life in paperback. 😁
Spot on with the citizen Kane description of IT. It is easily my favorite King novel, so well written and the pace just moves effortlessly. Great video, you have a new subscriber here!
I have 7 Stephen king books and 1 audiobook so far. For physical books I have; IT, Carrie, Cujo, The Shinning, Pet Sematary, Misery, Fire Starter, and 11/22/63. For audiobook I have The Stand on my moms Audible account since she gave me one of her free credits to use.
I've only recently gotten into reading king's books.. so far my favourites have been Pet semetary, Misery and The Green Mile.. thanks for further suggestions 😄
We have the exact same tie for number one: Pet Sematary and It. They showcase more than any other book all the things King is the master at. I call It the To Kill a Mockingbird of horror novels.
Out of the SK books I've read, I suppose my top 5 would be: 1. It 2. The Talisman (w/ Peter Straub) 3. Needful Things 4. The Shining 5. Pet Sematery Honourable Mention to The Dark Half.
Great video, totally agree with the number one, even though I despise that scene...my top 5 currently goes like this: 1. It 2. 11/22/63 3. The Stand 4. The Shining 5. Needful Things
Cleomar Maraga thanks! Nice list. THE SHINING and THE STAND rank high for me as well. NEDFUL THINGS... That ending lol. 11/22/63 was a little too heavy on the romance for me. Have you seen my top worst? Interested if you agree with any of those.
Thanks, man!! Well, I have to agree with you on the ending of Needful Things, the final confrontation between Alan Pangborn and Leland was VERY disapointing, but I loved how Lelang Gaunt managed to set everyone against each other in Castle Rock and the opening chapter was incredible ("You've been here before...") I actually saw your top worst SK books right before I watched this one, and we share the same opinion on the worst book, Wizard and Glass was so unappealing to me...ok there was at least one great scene in it, the reference of The Stand I haven't read the other books mentioned on that video but as I intend to read all of his books I'll get to those at some point...when I finish Gerald's Game I'll have read 21 of his books and hope to read Pet Sematary very soon
Edward, what do you think of the rest of the Dark Tower saga? I really loved The Gunslinger and The Drawing of the Three, unfortunately I didn't like The Wastelands so much and Wizard and Glass was awful, so I'm not really excited to continue reading the series :/
Cleomar Maraga if you didn't like THE WASTE LANDS I doubt you'll enjoy the rest of the series because the remaining books are a lot like that one. That being said, I would try WOLVES OF THE CALLA just to see if you enjoy it. I will warn you, though, SONG OF SUSANNAH is almost as bad as WIZARD AND GLASS. If I did a top ten worst, it would definitely be in the bottom five. The last book makes up for both shitty books, in my opinion. It's the only fantasy series I've ever enjoyed.
For me: Under the Dome, 11/22/63, Drawing of the Three, It, and Christine. I'd also like to give a nod to the Bill Hodges trilogy, The Shining, and the rest of the Dark Tower series. I also really liked his newest book, The Outsider. Also, yay! Someone else likes Revival. I liked that book. And I'm about to read Pet Sematary.
I’d love to see an update to this now that the institute and the outsider exist. Personally my five would be: The stand IT The Shining Pet sematary Carrie or Rage I’m only about 15 books in though.
Hey love your stuff. I have read IT, Pet Sematary, Carrie, The Shinning and im almost done The Stand was wondering what you would recommend for my next read
Love this dude's videos. Why am I now just finding these???....and I absolutely agree Zelda was horrifying. "Rachelllllllllll, Rachellllllll"...but call me crazy, I never quite understand why Rachel was happy when Zelda died. She mentions laughing and be happy she was dead. Was it cuz she was embarrassed/scared of her?? Actually there are a lot of Stephen Kings stories I have questions about
The last 300 pages in “IT” are worst, very bad ending. The ending in the miniseries 1990 was much more reasonable and without the crap of the orgy, turtle 🐢 and the macroverse.
Hi E...i agree with a couple of your picks...and everyones top5 will differ but to me 'Salems Lot is almost a perfect book and his best...the main reason is the way he includes the town as a main character....and just the sense of impending dread as the book steamrolls towards its conclusion
Edward Lorn SL and Dracula are the very few vampire novels ive read.....not really into vampires myself...i discovered you channel because of my love of King and his Dark Tower uber story and was looking for like minded people looking for the connectivity in his work....so as we say here in Belfast, Ireland.....Fair play on ya mucker for sorting the craic out for me ya boy ye... ( translates as 'Thanks my friend for sorting through everything and trying to explain it......craic( pronounced crack) has a few meanings like Ka...in this instant it means information.
Edward Lorn I look forward to continuing to watch your content. If i may ask?? What genre do you prefer to read or are you an 'equal opportunities reader' so to speak and just enjoy what ever book tickles your tonsils????
I read Pet Sematary last Halloween. It absolutely horrified me. Like a waking nightmare. To me, the most disturbing stories usually revolve around a person destroying himself/herself, and this is about the slow and gradual destruction of Louis Creed and everything he holds dear. I could not sleep for three nights after reading it, but it was exceptionally effective at what it set out to do.
11/22/63 was okay, but I've never been much for "romance" King. Don't care for WIZARD AND GLASS for the same reason. Thanks for watching and commenting!
And The Waste Lands was GREAT! I just uh . . . drank a lot reading it, and lived the Motel life. We had this little woodsy area I'd always go to and read. With a couple (stop fooling yourself) shots of Gin to go. Damn, and I need to read BoB and Revival. I'm still working my way through older King books. Loved your Pet Sematary story too, hehe. OZ THE GWEAT AND TEWWIBLE! 😀 Have a good one, man. Sorry I'm a newbie. Lol. IT IS MY FAVORITE TOO :). My first King book. So damn incredible.
Pet Sematary was my first intro to King. I saw it around 8 or 9, too. I've always loved horror and never really was scared, but Zelda Goldman was and is my worst nightmare. She scared the hell out of me. "Rachel!" *shudders* I still hate the name Rachel....
This is a question for anyone. I read the talisman when I was nine it was my first what I would have called an adult book as a kid, I loved it I was a bright kid but all I remember is the feeling i had while reading it but nothing of the story, so my question is should I read it again. I kinda don’t want to wast my time.
Honestly that controversial scene in IT didn't bother me when I read the book mainly because I could see where Stephen King was coming from and in my opinion I wouldn't take that out of the book but yes it's still a weird scene not gonna lie about that
