BOOKISH NOOK | BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS | STEPHEN KING
5 Stephen King Books for First-Time Readers: My Recommendations
A Stephen King starter pack
During my teenage years, many things excited me, and books were one of those things (they still are). My reading habits have evolved a great deal since then, and they have grown more mature over the years. But back then, I would read anything I could get my hands on: biographies, novels, fiction, nonfiction, and even romance. Horror was a genre I never touched, as it never fascinated me. Then, I was introduced to Stephen King.
The master storyteller weaved such an astounding web of intrigue, fascination, and intercreate wording that I was instantly gripped by his literary genius from the very first book. From supernatural encounters to psychological thrillers, King paints the surroundings, the characters, and the scenarios in such fine detail that one gets immersed in his world.
It can be a bit overwhelming for a first-time reader if you decide to delve into his works. So before you get your hands on the heavyweights like IT, Misery, or the Dark Tower series, here are 5 books that serve as ideal entry points into the eerie corridors of King’s imagination.
Cujo
A tale set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine, Cujo tells the story of a Saint Bernard, a rabid bat, and the people of that town, especially the Trenton family, who become intertwined in a chain of events that result in a fight for their survival against a relentless predator.
Cujo is a compelling read for first-time readers as it slowly builds up the tension and revolves around the everyday struggles of the people. With an easy-to-follow plot and detailed character descriptions, It will keep you at the edge of your seat (it was the edge of the bed in my case) and is a great introduction to the dynamic world of Stephen King’s storytelling.
There is a 1983 movie based on the book, a quite decent take I must say. My advice is that you read the book first.
The Tommyknockers
The discovery of a buried spaceship in the town of Haven, Maine (a lot of stuff happens in Maine, King’s home state) disrupts the lives of the townspeople. Chaos erupts and only a small group of people are left to confront an out-worldly entity lurking beneath the earth’s surface.
I chose The Tommyknockers as the second book after the realism of Cujo because it dives into King’s prowess in supernatural writing. The reader will find it quite a rewarding read as it covers the themes of addiction, obsession, and the depth of human nature. Science fiction never looked so interesting as the story revolves around multifaceted characters in this journey of horror and suspense.
A television miniseries based on the book was made in 1993. Watch only if you have time to kill.
Thinner
Billy, an overweight lawyer, mistakenly runs over a gypsy woman and escapes justice. He then receives a curse from the Romani (another name for the Gipsies) that leaves him getting thinner and thinner. Fearful that he will one day turn into nothing, Billy embarks on a quest to lift the curse before it’s too late.
Thinner starts slow and gradually builds up to a boiling point of suspense. I remember the last stages had me reading till 5 am. Themes of redemption and guilt are prevalent in the writing. King writes this under his pseudonym, Richard Bachman.
As always, King’s books are a Hollywood magnet, and there is a 1996 movie based on the book. Again, watch it if you have time to kill, but read the book first.
Firestarter
A young girl, Charlie McGee, has pyrokinetic abilities. She and her father are hunted by secret government agencies. The story depicts the bond between parent and child and sheds light on unethical experimentation and scientific exploitation. Charlie’s powers make her powerful and a target in a world that isn’t ready to accept her.
Firestarter was made into a movie in 1984. A very young Drew Barrymore stars as Charlie, and it’s a pretty decent adaptation of the book.
The Shining
The quintessential masterpiece of King’s writing catalogue, The Shining has made its mark into the history lore as a literary cult classic. The story involves Jack Torrance, his wife and their son as they move to take care of an empty hotel “The Overlook". As the hotel’s dark secrets begin to unravel, the son Danny discovers psychic abilities, and Jack starts to lose his mind. The story culminates in a thrilling conclusion.
Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 movie The Shining is based upon the book. Even though highly praised it sways a bit away from the original material. (Stephen King never liked it). Jack Nicholson’s iconic “Here’s Johnny” is neither in the script nor the book but something Jack came up with himself.
After much fan demand, King wrote Dr. Sleep in 2013, which continues the story. As always, it was made into a movie in 2019, a pretty decent take on the book.
Word of advice: always read the book first because it’s an experience no movie can give you, no matter how well it’s been made.
So here you have it: 5 books to start your suspenseful, supernatural, psychological thriller/horror genre journey, thanks to the genius named Stephen King.
