If horror, science-fiction, suspense, and fantasy books are your thing, then you must have come across one or two books written by Stephen King. Popularly known as the “king of horror”, Stephen King has written many books, some of which have adapted into comic books, films, and TV shows.
If you would like to read King’s work, this article gives you a complete list of Stephen King’s books in order of publication.
Who Is Stephen King?
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Born in September 1947 in Portland, Maine, Stephen Edwin King is a celebrated author known for his extensive literary work, most of which revolves around horror, science-fiction, supernatural fiction, crime, and fantasy. King was born to two parents: his father Donald Edwin King and his mother Nellie Ruth King. However, his father left the family when King was two years old.
Although King was born and raised a Methodist, he lost his belief in religion when he was in high school. But he still believes in the existence of a supernatural being. King completed his elementary education at Lisbon Falls High School in Lisbon Falls, Maine, in 1966. He became an avid reader of EC horror comics at an early age, which inspired his interest in fiction and horror books.
King developed an interest in writing while in elementary school where he contributed articles to Dave’s Rag newspaper that was published by his brother using a mimeograph machine. Later, he started writing stories based on movies he had watched and sold them to his friends. His first story to be published independently was titled “I Was a Teenage Grave Robber.”
So far, King has published 63 books and sold more than 350 copies. As mentioned above, most of his books have been adapted into popular movies, comic books, mini-series, and TV shows. Although King’s literary work is majorly fiction, he has also written five non-fiction books. He has also authored about 200 short stories that have been published in book collections.
His work has earned him numerous accolades including the Bram Stoker Award, World Fantasy Award, and British Fantasy Society Award. In 2003, King was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Foundation. Other notable awards include the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2004, the Grand Master Award in 2007, and the National Medal of Arts in 2015.
Stephen King Books in Order
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It’s important to mention that King is the only living author with the largest number of books that have been adapted into films and TV series. Also, it’s worth noting that King writes under two pen names: John Swithen and Richard Bachman. Here are Stephen King Books in order.
Stephen King Books in Order of Publication
1. Carrie (1974)
2. Salem’s Lot (1975)
3. The Shining (1977)
4. Rage (1977)
5. The Stand (1978)
6. Night Shift (1977)
7. The Long Walk (1979)
8. The Dead Zone (1979)
9. The Mist (1979)
10. Firestarter (1980)
11. Roadwork (1981)
12. Danse Macabre, non-fiction, (1981)
13. Cujo (1981)
14. The Running Man (1982)
15. The Dark Tower, novel series, (1982 – 2012)
16. Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (1982)
17. The Body (1982)
18. Apt Pupil (1982)
19. The Breathing Method (1982)
20. Pet Sematary (1982)
21. Christine (1983)
22. The Talisman (1984)
23. Cycle of the Werewolf (1985)
24. Thinner (1984)
25. Skeleton Crew (1985)
26. The Bachman Books, novel collection, (1985)
27. It (1986)
28. The Eyes of the Dragon (1987)
29. Misery (1987)
30. The Tommyknockers (1987)
31. Nightmares in The Sky, non-fiction, (1987)
32. The Dark Half (1989)
33. The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition (1990)
34. Four Past Midnight (1990)
35. The Sun Dog (1990)
36. Secret Window, Secret Garden (1990)
37. The Library Policeman (1990)
38. The Langoliers (1990)
39. Needful Things (1991)
40. Gerald’s Game (1992)
41. Dolores Claiborne (1992)
42. Nightmares & Dreamscapes (1993)
43. Insomnia (1994)
44. Blind Willie (1994)
45. Rose Madder (1995)
46. The Green Mile, novel series, (1996)
47. Desperation (1996)
48. The Regulators (1996)
49. Bag of Bones (1998)
50. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999)
51. Hearts in Atlantis (1999)
52. N (1999)
53. Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing, non-fiction, (1999)
54. Elevation (1999)
55. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, non-fiction, (1999)
56. Gwendy’s Button Box (1999)
57. Dreamcatcher (2001)
58. Black House (2001)
59. Everything’s Eventual (2001)
60. From a Buick 8 (2001)
61. Faithful, non-fiction, (2004)
62. The Colorado Kid (2005)
63. Salem’s Lot Illustrated Edition (2005)
64. The Secretary of Dreams: Volume One (2005)
65. Cell (2006)
66. Lisey’s Story (2006)
67. Blaze (2007)
68. Duma Key (2008)
69. Just After Sunset (2008)
70. Stephen King Goes to the Movies (2009)
71. Under the Dome (2009)
72. The Secretary of Dreams: Volume 2 (2010)
73. Full Dark, No Stars (2010)
74. 11/22/63 (2011)
75. GUNS (2013)
76. Joyland (2013)
77. Doctor Sleep (2013)
78. Mr. Mercedes (2014)
79. Revival (2014)
80. Finders Keepers (2015)
81. Joyland Illustrated Edition (2015)
82. The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015)
83. Blockade Billy (2015)
84. UR (2015)
85. End of Watch (2016)
86. Charlie the Choo-Choo (2016)
87. Sleeping Beauties (2017)
88. The Outsider (2018)
89. The Institute (2019)
90. If It Bleeds (2020)
Most Popular Stephen King’s Books
1. Carrie
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Aside from being his first novel, Carrie is popular for its unique portrayal of underage sex, negative views of religion, and violence. It was also among the most frequently proscribed books in U.S. schools in the 1990s. This book tells the story of a telekinetic teenager called Carrie White who has to deal with bullying in high school and an abusive religious family.
Carrie later discovers that she has telekinetic energy, which she uses to mount revenge on her oppressors. However, she ends up destroying the fictional town of Chamberlain, Maine.
2. It
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This book tells the story of seven kids haunted by a monster called “It”, which appears in the form of Pennywise the Clown. The story happens between 1958 and 1985 in the fictional town of Derry, Maine.
3. The Shining
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Published in 1977, this book is one of King’s bestsellers and has already been adapted into a movie. It tells the story of Jack Torrance, a caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, who desires to spend quality time with his family and concentrate on his writing.
Unfortunately, a winter storm holds him leaves him stuck at the hotel where he’s possessed by evil forces that had earlier tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to take hold of his son, Danny.
4. The Stand
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Full of supernatural and fantasy intrigues intertwined into an apocalyptic timeline, this book tells the story of a plague that almost wipes out an entire population. The people who survive the plague are split into two groups and a battle ensues between the good and the evil.
5. Salem’s Lot
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Published in 1975, this is the second book to be written and published by Stephen King. It tells the story of Ben Mears – a writer who goes back to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot after 25 years and realizes that the residents are turning into vampires. This book led to King’s nomination for the World Fantasy Award and the All-Time Best Fantasy Novel Award in 1976 and 1987 respectively.
