Hi all!

Today I am sharing my five favourite books from the master of horror himself: Stephen King! Even if you’ve never read one of his novels before, you cannot deny you haven’t heard of him. I am slowly, SLOWLY, making my way through his entire works. It will probably take me many years – the man never stops writing! Without further ado, let’s get into it!

1.) The Shining 

The Shining is in my top 10 favourite horror movies of all time, but before it was adapted to screen, it was a book. The novel and film are vastly different and yet, I enjoy both equally. The story follows Jack, Wendy, and Danny Torrance, during an isolated winter, in which Jack becomes the caretaker of Colorado’s, Overlook Hotel. It deals with themes of parenthood, isolation, addiction and tragedy. I believe it is one of his scariest works. The hedge animals alone had me struggling to sleep!

2.) Misery 

The book to screen adaptation of Misery, is one of the most accurate I’ve come across. It is based on the relationship between two main characters – romance novelist, Paul Sheldon and his deranged, self-proclaimed number one fan, Annie Wilkes. Even knowing how the story ends, I was still on edge every time Annie popped up. I’m glad I watched the film first, as I could picture Kathy Bates in the role. It is a must-read for those new to King.

3.) IT 

It’s no secret IT is my favourite book of all time and my number one favourite horror movie. It’s one of his longest works but trust me, it’s worth the journey. The story follows the experiences of seven children, terrorized by an evil entity that exploits the fears of its victims. It’s a coming-of-age tale about the bonds of friendship and underdogs rising against adversity. Oh, and there is a killer demon clown named Pennywise. If you only read one book on this list, let it be this one!

4.) Gerald’s Game 

I believe Gerald’s Game is highly underrated. It has an excellent film adaptation by Mike Flanagan, but the book is even better. The story follows a woman, whose husband dies of a heart attack, whilst handcuffed to a bed in a remote location. It doesn’t take long for her to realise she is trapped, with little hope of rescue. Dehydrated, delirious and full of trauma, our protagonist struggles to discern what is real and what isn’t. The ending is truly horrific. It’s empowering, yet violent.

5.) Pet Sematary 

Last, but certainly not least, we have Pet Sematary. The 1989 adaptation is also one of my favourite horror films. We read it for my bookclub in December 2022. If you wish to check that out, click here. When the Creeds move into a beautiful old house in rural Maine, it all seems too good to be true. Physician father, beautiful wife, charming little daughter, adorable infant son and now, an idyllic home. As a family, they’ve got it all. But the nearby woods hide a blood-chilling truth-more terrifying than death itself. The Creeds are going to learn that sometimes, dead is better. It’s haunting, gripping and terribly sad. If you’re a parent, like myself, the reading experience will hit hard. It’s a horror classic and a must for your shelves.

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know your favourite Stephen King novels! 

Peace & Love xoxo