First Stephen King book to read?

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MichelleP1708
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First Stephen King book to read?

Post by MichelleP1708 »

As an avid reader, I can't believe I haven't delved into King's work yet! However I am committed to reading one of his novels. However, there are so many to chose from it's difficult to know where to start. Looking for recommendations for where to start..
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kandscreeley
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Post by kandscreeley »

I would start with one of his compilations of stories. That way you can get several stories. If you don't like one, you might like another. Night Shift was his first collection of short stories and it includes many of his most famous ones (including ones movies were made from...) You might try that.
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MichelleP1708
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Post by MichelleP1708 »

Thanks for the recommendation. I was actually thinking that one of his compilations might be a good place to start.
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Londera
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Post by Londera »

I have not read all of his books. Some I dont think I will read because woah. I would start with The Dome or The Shining.
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Steph K
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Post by Steph K »

I agree a compilation is a great place to start. Some of his books that were made into movies would be a good starting place to, like Carrie, the Shining, or the Green Mile. 11/23/63 and Mr. Mercedes are two of his more recent books that are very popular. I would recommend them.
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Post by vaz222 »

Rose Madder was my first Stephen King book and I highly recommend it.
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HermitReviewer
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Post by HermitReviewer »

My first Stephen King book was Carrie but I recommend The Green Mile to start out as Carrie nearly put me off
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Howeread56
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Post by Howeread56 »

Try reading Everything's Eventual. Very good book.
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Pat Cooper
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Post by Pat Cooper »

We listened to this book on a trip. It was entralling. In some parts of the book we set in the car to listen to the story. Would recomend to anyone.
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Post by tummi- »

My first Stephen King book to read was Carrie. It was my first timer to read a horror/thriller book and I was fascinated my it. The second book was IT and I was hooked. Since then I can't pass a Stephen King book without buying. Would recommend to anyone .
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Cswrawr
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Post by Cswrawr »

My first Stephen King book was It. The Shining would be a good introduction... But it really depends on what you'd be interested in. He's nearly universally labeled horror but the scare factor in his books take a wide variety of forms. The Shining, Carrie, Firestarter, Pet Sematary are in the supernatural/paranormal genre. He does some very mortal horror, for instance, Cujo, and I'd count Under the Dome too. Monsters: It, Salem's Lot. And he also does some weird twisty turny fantasy: Insomnia, Rose Madder, Lisey's Story. And Dreamcatcher which I put in a genre all of its own called "Oh hell no"
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Post by thaservices1 »

I would start with IT. There are so many references and strange little hints in his other books that refer to that one. It's scary as all get out and it will prepare you to enter the darkness.
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Post by Rukiya Hatcher »

Hi! I've been reading Stephen King since I was young (probably too young), and I started with Cujo. However, if you'd like to be horrified beyond belief, right off the bat, can't go wrong with Pet Sematary. If you have time, I also think The Stand is a good jumping off point. It's a perfect balance between his two big strengths: utterly terrifying you with the supernatural and utterly terrifying you with human nature.

I have mixed feelings about his work after his motorcycle accident, I think it's way less scary and more thoughtful, but if you want to ease yourself into it, maybe start there.
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Post by elivia05 »

MichelleP1708 wrote: 12 Sep 2017, 13:32 As an avid reader, I can't believe I haven't delved into King's work yet! However I am committed to reading one of his novels. However, there are so many to chose from it's difficult to know where to start. Looking for recommendations for where to start..
I recommend that you start with Carrie or The Shining. You can't go wrong with a classic.
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Post by CinWin »

I guess it all depends on how "out there" you want to get. Some are very far-fetched - others more down to earth. My favorite was The Stand so I would have to recommend that. Enjoy...they are all great.
----"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."----
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