At work recently we had a discussion about where someone might jump into Stephen King’s work if they hadn’t read him before. This led to a conversation about favorite horror novels, old and new. So for this week’s Halloween “freebie” at Top Ten Tuesday, here are some of my favorites.
I grew up on Stephen King’s early books, and by that I mean I was probably reading him way younger than I should have been, but he’s an amazing storyteller. I’m curious if his early works feel dated today. What I remember most was his vivid imagery and the very realness of his characters’ thoughts and conversations, and the way he often built stories around things you encounter all the time, like school dances, cars, dogs.
There’s a point in King’s writing where I mostly stopped reading (somewhere around Misery and Dolores Claiborne in the mid-90s). For me the characters stopped being interesting and the stories just felt violent. Or maybe it was just that time in my life.
Here are my favorites, with the covers I remember from the 80s.
The Stand: This story may have needed some editing, but it remains one of the most vivid stories about a pandemic I’ve ever read. I love the way the characters cross the country looking for other people and have to rebuild their social structures. And Stu, Larry, Frannie, Harold, and Nadine remain some of the most memorable characters I’ve read.
Salem’s Lot: It’s been a long time since I’ve read this one, but I remember it being one of the scariest. And who doesn’t like a good vampire story?
It: There are storytelling flaws in this one, namely the anticlimactic last battle — but don’t read it for that. Read it for the really creepy imagery that will haunt your dreams. Clowns, sewers, birds, creepy houses. King knows what scares us.
The novellas: Some of King’s books may be way too long, but he excels at the novella. Different Seasons gives you three that have been made into movies: The Body, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, and Apt Pupil. The novellas show you that King can be at his creepiest when he’s not writing about anything supernatural at all. The Bachman Books have a more dystopian tone and are some of my favorite. They include The Long Walk and Running Man.
Worth noting: Some of my favorites when I was young are not known as King’s best, so I may just be sentimental about them. Christine hit home in a big way for me (and the movie is campy fun); The Dead Zone will feel very relevant today (and check out a very young Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen); and Firestarter was made into one of Drew Barrymore’s earliest movies and also features George C. Scott. Carrie, of course, is iconic, as is The Shining. But those have been done so many times they probably won’t feel new, and they aren’t my favorites. A newer read, 11/22/63 wasn’t one of my favorites but I do love the idea of a man who can go back in time and stop JFK’s assassination. It’s completely different from his other books.
Those are some of King’s classic works. Here are some newer books that are recommended Halloween reads.
Slade House by David Mitchell: This very short novel is a brilliant haunted house read. Mitchell is a master.
Anything by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: for vampires, read Certain Dark Things. For a creepy house, read Mexican Gothic. For Mayan gods, read The Gods of Jade and Shadow (more fantasy than horror, but still recommended).
Ordinary Monsters by J. M. Miro: Published this year, this book recalls the epic battles of some of Stephen King’s works, with powerful creatures hunting children with supernatural gifts, a mysterious Institute and a thin border between the living and the dead. It’s long and meandering but a gripping read.
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant: I loved this audiobook about a ship full of scientists and reporters looking to prove whether a rumor of mysterious mermaids is a hoax – of course they turn out to be very real and absolutely terrifying. You’ll also appreciate the diversity of the characters. It’s not great literature but this book will stay with you.
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker: this isn’t horror but I couldn’t resist mentioning this book based on two mythological creatures who meet in turn of the century New York. Wecker’s brilliant novel brings these two characters to life.
Those are some of my favorite old and new horror books. Do you have a Stephen King favorite? What are you reading this Halloween?
