Stephen King is one of the most prolific authors of our time. His books span decades and genres, readers with thrilling stories and unforgettable characters. If you are a fan or just getting started, it is helpful to know the order of his works to fully appreciate the evolution of his writing.
Here is a guide to Stephen King books in order, making it easier for you to dive into his literary world.
Stephen King books in order
Here is Stephen King books in order:
The Early Years
Stephen King started his writing career with horror, quickly establishing himself as a master of the genre. His early works are some of his most iconic and set the stage for his later success.
Carrie (1974): This debut novel tells the story of a bullied teenage girl with telekinetic powers. It explores themes of revenge and supernatural horror, making it a standout in King’s early career.
Salem’s Lot (1975): This book reimagines the vampire myth, set in a small town in Maine. It’s a chilling tale of evil taking over a seemingly ordinary place.
The Shining (1977): One of King’s most famous works, this novel follows the Torrance family as they become caretakers of the haunted Overlook Hotel. It’s a story of isolation, madness, and supernatural horror.
Rage (1977): Published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, this book is a psychological thriller about a high school student who takes his class hostage.
The Stand (1978): This post-apocalyptic epic details a world decimated by a plague and the ensuing battle between good and evil. It’s a massive, intricate story that showcases King’s storytelling prowess.
The Long Walk (1979): Another Bachman book, this dystopian novel features a deadly walking contest where only the strongest survive.
The Dead Zone (1979): This novel explores the life of a man who wakes from a coma with psychic abilities. It’s a mix of thriller and supernatural elements.
The 1980s Boom
The 1980s were a prolific decade for King, with many of his books becoming bestsellers and later adapted into films and TV shows.
Firestarter (1980): This novel follows a young girl with pyrokinesis, hunted by a secret government agency. It’s a tale of survival and power.
Roadwork (1981): Under the Bachman name, this novel delves into the life of a man resisting change and modernization.
Cujo (1981): A story of a rabid dog terrorizing a small town, this book is a gripping tale of fear and survival.
The Running Man (1982): This dystopian novel, also published as Richard Bachman, depicts a deadly game show in a future America.
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982): The first book in the Dark Tower series introduces Roland, the last gunslinger, in his quest across a desolate world. This series blends fantasy, horror, and western genres.
Christine (1983): This novel tells the story of a possessed car and its deadly influence over its owner.
Pet Sematary (1983): A chilling tale of grief and resurrection, this book explores the consequences of bringing the dead back to life.
Cycle of the Werewolf (1983): This novella, paired with illustrations, tells the story of a werewolf terrorizing a small town.
The Talisman (1984): Co-written with Peter Straub, this novel follows a boy on a quest to save his dying mother by traveling through parallel worlds.
Thinner (1984): Published as Bachman, this novel follows a man cursed to lose weight uncontrollably.
It (1986): One of King’s most famous works, this novel tells the story of a group of friends confronting a shape-shifting monster that preys on children.
The Eyes of the Dragon (1987): This fantasy novel is a departure from King’s usual horror, telling a tale of magic and betrayal in a medieval kingdom.
The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987): Continuing Roland’s quest, this book introduces new companions and deepens the series’ mythos.
Misery (1987): A psychological horror novel about a writer held captive by his “number one fan,” this book is a tense and claustrophobic read.
The Tommyknockers (1987): This novel explores the impact of a buried alien spacecraft on a small town, blending science fiction with horror.
The Dark Half (1989): This novel follows a writer whose pseudonym takes on a life of its own, leading to a series of murders.
The 1990s and Beyond
King continued to write prolifically into the 1990s and 2000s, experimenting with different genres and storytelling techniques.
The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (1991): Roland’s journey continues, with new challenges and revelations in his quest for the Dark Tower.
Needful Things (1991): This novel tells the story of a sinister shopkeeper who sells items that fulfill desires but come with a terrible price.
Gerald’s Game (1992): A psychological thriller about a woman handcuffed to a bed in a remote cabin, facing both physical and psychological terrors.
Dolores Claiborne (1992): This novel explores the life of a woman accused of murder, revealing secrets and trauma.
Insomnia (1994): This novel follows an elderly man plagued by insomnia who begins to see auras and other supernatural phenomena.
Rose Madder (1995): This novel tells the story of a woman escaping an abusive marriage, finding strength and supernatural assistance in a mysterious painting.
The Green Mile (1996): Originally published as a serial novel, this story follows a death row supervisor and the miraculous events surrounding one of the inmates.
Desperation (1996): This novel explores the battle between good and evil in a remote Nevada town.
The Regulators (1996): Published as Richard Bachman, this novel is a parallel story to “Desperation,” set in a suburban neighborhood under siege.
Bag of Bones (1998): This novel follows a writer mourning his wife’s death who encounters supernatural occurrences at his summer home.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999): This novel tells the story of a young girl lost in the woods, surviving through her wits and imagining baseball player Tom Gordon as her protector.
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass (1997): This installment of the Dark Tower series delves into Roland’s past and his journey with his ka-tet.
Dreamcatcher (2001): This novel blends science fiction and horror, following four friends facing an alien invasion.
Black House (2001): Co-written with Peter Straub, this sequel to “The Talisman” continues the adventures of Jack Sawyer in a dark and dangerous world.
From a Buick 8 (2002): This novel tells the story of a car that serves as a portal to another dimension, blending mystery and supernatural elements.
The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla (2003): Roland and his ka-tet face new challenges as they continue their quest for the Dark Tower.
The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah (2004): This book focuses on Susannah Dean’s journey and the group’s struggle to reunite.
The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower (2004): The final book in the series, this novel concludes Roland’s epic quest, tying together the threads of the entire series.
Cell (2006): This novel explores the aftermath of a pulse transmitted through cell phones, turning people into mindless killers.
Lisey’s Story (2006): This novel delves into the life of a widow uncovering dark secrets about her late husband’s past and his connection to a supernatural world.
Duma Key (2008): This novel follows a man recovering from a traumatic accident who discovers his artistic talents have supernatural powers.
Under the Dome (2009): This novel tells the story of a small town suddenly enclosed by an invisible dome, exploring themes of power, survival, and community.
11/22/63 (2011): This time-travel novel follows a man attempting to prevent the assassination of JFK, blending historical fiction with supernatural elements.
Doctor Sleep (2013): A sequel to “The Shining,” this novel follows a grown-up Danny Torrance as he battles new supernatural threats.
Mr. Mercedes (2014): This detective novel follows a retired cop hunting a mass murderer, marking the start of the Bill Hodges trilogy.
Finders Keepers (2015): The second book in the Bill Hodges trilogy, this novel follows a literary obsession that turns deadly.
End of Watch (2016): The conclusion of the Bill Hodges trilogy, this novel blends crime thriller with supernatural elements.
The Outsider (2018): This novel follows the investigation of a brutal murder that seems to have a supernatural twist.
The Institute (2019): This novel explores the lives of children with special abilities who are kidnapped and held in a sinister facility.
If It Bleeds (2020): This collection of novellas includes stories that delve into the supernatural and psychological horror.
Later (2021): This novel follows a boy with the ability to see and communicate with the dead, blending crime and supernatural elements.
Billy Summers (2021): This novel tells the story of a hitman with a moral code, blending crime fiction with character-driven drama.
Conclusion
Stephen King’s extensive bibliography spans decades and genres, showcasing his versatility and storytelling prowess. From early horror classics like “Carrie” and
