If you’re a horror fan, Stephen King needs to be on your TBR. He’s the undisputed king 👑 of the genre (pun intended) and has written some of the most chilling, addictive books out there. Whether you know him from his novels or the 30+ movie adaptations – because let’s be real, It is a horror classic 🎈- his stories are the perfect mix of creepy and unputdownable. So, if you’re ready to dive in, here’s my ultimate reading guide for the best way to read Stephen King’s world of horror. I’ll cover different subgenres he explores, and don’t worry – no spoilers! Just enough to get you hooked. 🔪📖
Best Way to Read Stephen King
Most of King’s books are standalones, so you can technically start anywhere. But if you want a solid introduction, here’s my recommended reading order for the best way to read Stephen King. Oh, if you’re tackling the Bill Hodges Trilogy (aka the Mr. Mercedes series), there is a specific order to follow.
📖 The Stand – A post-apocalyptic fantasy horror masterpiece. 🌍😱
📖 The Bill Hodges Trilogy (Mr. Mercedes series) – A mix of crime and psychological thriller:
- Mr. Mercedes 🚔💀
- Finders Keepers 🕵️♂️📚
- End of Watch 👁️🔮
📖 The Shining – Classic psychological horror at its finest. 🏚️🪞
📖 It – Supernatural horror with just the right amount of dark humor. 🎈🤡
Stephen King’s Books: A Reading Guide
Trigger/Content Warnings
Before diving in, here are some trigger/content warnings ⚠️ for those who want to be prepared. King doesn’t hold back on the horror – both supernatural and real – so some scenes can be intense. If certain topics are tough for you, feel free to skip over those sections while still enjoying the best way to read Stephen King.
The Stand, by Stephen King
⚠️ Graphic violence and death, SA, child death, trauma, mental illness, suicide, self-harm.
One of the toughest scenes, even for die-hard King fans, happens in chapter 55—it involves the death of a child, a heartbreaking moment meant to reinforce the bleak, post-apocalyptic world. While unsettling, this moment isn’t crucial to the plot, so you can skip it if needed.
The Bill Hodges Trilogy (Mr. Mercedes Series), by Stephen King
📖 Mr. Mercedes
⚠️ Graphic violence, mass murder, SA, suicide, mental illness, abuse.
The opening scene is brutal—a man deliberately drives into a crowd, killing multiple people. The antagonist’s scenes are often disturbing, so be mindful when reading sections focused on him.
📖 Finders Keepers
⚠️ Violence, child abuse, neglect, trauma, kidnapping, mental illness.
There’s a particularly graphic murder in chapter 3. While it’s a key plot point, you can skip the details without losing the story’s flow.
📖 End of Watch
⚠️ Violence, discussions of mental illness and suicide.
The most intense discussions of suicide happen in chapters 18 and 20—they’re not essential to the plot, so you can skim or skip if needed.
The Shining, by Stephen King
⚠️ Violence, graphic deaths, domestic and child abuse, alcoholism, mental illness, suicide, bereavement.
Starting from chapter 56, things get really intense as Jack spirals into madness. Violence and psychological horror ramp up until the end of the book.
It, by Stephen King
⚠️ Child abuse, neglect, violent deaths, SA, mental illness, trauma, bullying, homophobia, racism.
The opening chapter is one of the most disturbing in King’s work—a young boy is brutally murdered by Pennywise. Other intense moments happen in chapters 14, 22, and 23. Longtime King readers may not be shocked by the violence, but the fact that it involves children makes it especially unsettling.
Tropes
Stephen King loves his tropes, and he executes them brilliantly – especially the Ax-Crazy archetype, since most of his villains are straight-up unhinged. Here are the most prominent tropes in each book:
- The Stand – Southern Gothic Satan, hospital horror
- The Bill Hodges Trilogy – Ax-Crazy villains, reckless detective
- The Shining – Psychos, murder, descent into madness
- It – Emotional eater, nightmare-inducing clowns
These are just the tip of the iceberg – King’s books are packed with horror, psychological torment, and characters that will haunt your dreams. 😈
Meet the Characters in Stephen King’s Best Books
📖 The Stand Characters
Stuart Richard Redman – A quiet Texan who starts off living in his brother’s shadow. But after surviving the deadly Captain Trips superflu, he transforms into a leader worth admiring.
Larry Underwood – A reckless, selfish musician who hates himself for it. He had just released an album before the apocalypse hit, and now, he’s wandering through what’s left of the world.
Nick Andros – Deaf, mute, and orphaned, Nick has survived a tragic past filled with bullying and attempted kidnappings. But despite his struggles, he rises as one of the book’s strongest protagonists.
📖 The Bill Hodges Trilogy Characters
Kermit William “Bill” Hodges – A retired detective haunted by his failure to solve a major case. Depressed and drowning in alcohol, Bill’s life changes when a letter reignites his obsession with the case, leading him back into action.
Jerome Robinson – Harvard-bound and well-rounded, Jerome starts off as Bill’s errand boy but soon gets pulled deep into the investigation.
Holly Gibney – Neurodivergent, brilliant, and pivotal to the plot. Holly starts off in the series but later gets her own self-titled novel.
📖 The Shining Characters
Jack Torrance – A struggling writer hoping to cure his writer’s block at an isolated hotel. Instead, he spirals into madness and tries to murder his family.
Danny Torrance – A young boy with the ability to read minds and see the future. He’s braver than most adults, especially when it comes to surviving his father’s violent outbursts. 🥺
Wendy Torrance – Jack’s long-suffering wife. Though she stays with him despite his abuse, she fiercely protects their son, Danny.
📖 It Characters
Richie Tozier – Nicknamed Trashmouth, Richie is the loudmouthed, glasses-wearing troublemaker of the Losers’ Club. He may be a menace, but he’s also got some of the best grades in school.
Bill Denbrough – The unofficial leader of the Losers’ Club. After Pennywise kills his younger brother, Bill is the one who decides they have to fight back.
Pennywise – The nightmare-fuel clown. Most of Derry underestimates him—until he starts luring children to their doom with his signature red balloon and eerie grin. 😳
My Ranking of Stephen King’s Best Books
Ranking these novels was nearly impossible because, honestly, they’re all masterpieces. But if I had to choose, here’s how I’d stack them up:
🥇 It – Hands down one of the best horror stories ever. The plot is absolutely terrifying, but underneath all the nightmare fuel, there’s a surprisingly heartwarming message about friendship. Sure, it’s nearly 1,500 pages long, but so worth it.
🥈 Mr. Mercedes – A cat-and-mouse thriller with some of the most relatable, well-crafted characters. The tension? Chef’s kiss.
🥉 The Shining – A classic for a reason. The horror? Peak. The movie? Iconic. And little Danny? The purest, bravest kid we should all aspire to be like.
🏅 End of Watch – A brilliantly intense, cleverly crafted conclusion to The Bill Hodges Trilogy. The kind of thriller that grabs you and doesn’t let go.
🏅 Finders Keepers – An intriguing mystery with just the right amount of humor. Watching all the puzzle pieces slowly click into place? So satisfying.
Of course, Stephen King’s catalog is huge, and there are plenty more books to explore. But if you’re looking for the best way to read Stephen King, these are the perfect starting points. Whether you love horror, crime, or thrillers, his books are ridiculously addictive. And while I wait for his next release? Guess I’ll just have to re-read these. 😁
This reading guide was written by our Bookly Pro Reader, Jess 💙
Looking for some more bookish inspo?
Whether you’re diving into Stephen King’s vast horror universe or just looking for your next great read, we’ve got plenty of guides to keep your TBR stacked. Need a boost to get back into reading? Check out 15 Books To Get Out Of A Reading Slump. Or, if you’re in the mood for another epic saga, our Game of Thrones Reading Guide will help you navigate Westeros like a pro. No matter what you pick up next, happy reading—and maybe keep a light on. 😉
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