Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide
Stephen King

Stephen King Reading Order

28 series · 420 books · Born 21 September 1947

Stephen King is a prolific American author celebrated for his mastery of horror, suspense, and fantasy genres. With an impressive catalog of 420 books across 28 series—including the acclaimed Bill Hodges Trilogy, The Dark Tower series, and The Button Box—King has captivated millions since his debut in 1971. His works, characterized by gripping storytelling and richly developed characters, have made a significant impact on literature and popular culture, continuing to resonate with readers up until 2026.

American Vampire Series

Likely Complete

9 books (2010–2022)

Start with American Vampire, Vol. 1(With: Scott Snyder), the first of 9 books in the American Vampire series.

#Title
1
American Vampire, Vol. 1(With: Scott Snyder)
2
American Vampire, Vol. 2(By: Scott Snyder)
3
American Vampire, Vol. 3(By: Scott Snyder)
4
American Vampire, Vol. 4(By: Scott Snyder)
5
Cover of American Vampire Vol. 5(By: Scott Snyder)
American Vampire Vol. 5(By: Scott Snyder)
6
Cover of American Vampire, Vol. 6(By: Scott Snyder)
American Vampire, Vol. 6(By: Scott Snyder)
7
Cover of American Vampire Vol. 8(By: Scott Snyder)
American Vampire Vol. 8(By: Scott Snyder)
8
Cover of American Vampire, Vol. 7(By: Scott Snyder)
American Vampire, Vol. 7(By: Scott Snyder)
9
Cover of American Vampire 1976(By: Scott Snyder)
American Vampire 1976(By: Scott Snyder)

Anthologies Series

Ongoing

123 books (1978–2025)

Start with Tales of Unknown Horror, the first of 123 books in the Anthologies series.

#Title
1
Cover of Tales of Unknown Horror
Tales of Unknown Horror
2
Cover of The Year's Best Horror Stories: Series VI
The Year's Best Horror Stories: Series VI
3
Cover of The Year's Finest Fantasy
The Year's Finest Fantasy
4
Cover of More Tales of Unknown Horror
More Tales of Unknown Horror
5
Cover of The Year's Best Horror Stories Series VII
The Year's Best Horror Stories Series VII
6
Cover of The Year's Finest Fantasy 2
The Year's Finest Fantasy 2
7
Cover of Dark Forces: New Stories of Suspense and Supernatural Horror
Dark Forces: New Stories of Suspense and Supernatural Horror
8
Cover of New Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos
New Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos
9
Cover of New Terrors II
New Terrors II
10
Cover of Fantasy Annual III
Fantasy Annual III
11
Fantasy Annual IV
12
Modern Masters of Horror
13
Cover of Shadows 4
Shadows 4
14
The Giant Book Of Horror Stories
15
The Seventeenth Fontana Book of Great Ghost Stories
16
Cover of 65 Great Spine Chillers
65 Great Spine Chillers
17
Cover of Death
Death
18
Cover of Fear Itself: The Horror Fiction of Stephen King
Fear Itself: The Horror Fiction of Stephen King
19
Cover of The Science Fiction Weight Loss Book
The Science Fiction Weight Loss Book
20
The Year's Best Horror Stories: Series XII
21
Cover of Great Tales of Fantasy and Science Fiction
Great Tales of Fantasy and Science Fiction
22
Cover of Realms of Darkness
Realms of Darkness
23
Cover of The Year's Best Horror Stories
The Year's Best Horror Stories
24
Cover of Horrors
Horrors
25
Cover of Kingdom of Fear: The World of Stephen King
Kingdom of Fear: The World of Stephen King
26
Cover of The Dark Descent
The Dark Descent
27
Cover of Volume I: The Color of Evil
Volume I: The Color of Evil
28
Cover of A Treasury of American Horror Stories
A Treasury of American Horror Stories
29
Dark Visions
30
Horror Factor 7
31
Cover of Prime Evil
Prime Evil
32
Cover of The Best Horror Stories from the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Best Horror Stories from the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
33
The Mammoth Book of Short Horror Novels
34
Cover of Book of the Dead
Book of the Dead
35
Cover of The Best of Modern Horror
The Best of Modern Horror
36
Dark Voices: No. 1
37
Cover of Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos
Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos
38
Cover of Volume II: The Medusa In The Shield
Volume II: The Medusa In The Shield
39
Cover of Horrorstory
Horrorstory
40
Cover of I Shudder at Your Touch: Twenty Two Tales of Sex and Horror
I Shudder at Your Touch: Twenty Two Tales of Sex and Horror
41
Cover of The Horror Hall of Fame
The Horror Hall of Fame
42
Cover of Volume III:A Fabulous, Formless Darkness
Volume III:A Fabulous, Formless Darkness
43
Cover of Midnight Graffiti
Midnight Graffiti
44
Cover of Mid-life Confidential
Mid-life Confidential
45
Cover of The Puffin Book of Horror Stories
The Puffin Book of Horror Stories
46
Cover of Young Blood
Young Blood
47
Cover of Horror Stories
Horror Stories
48
Cover of Space Movies
Space Movies
49
Cover of The Vampire Omnibus
The Vampire Omnibus
50
Cover of American Gothic Tales
American Gothic Tales
51
Dark Love
52
Pulp Frictions: Hardboiled Stories
53
Cover of Twists of the Tale: An Anthology of Cat Horror
Twists of the Tale: An Anthology of Cat Horror
54
Cover of Year's Best Fantasy & Horror: Ninth Annual Collection
Year's Best Fantasy & Horror: Ninth Annual Collection
55
Cover of Blood Thirst
Blood Thirst
56
Cover of Robert Bloch's Psychos
Robert Bloch's Psychos
57
Cover of Eternal Lovecraft: The Persistence of HPL in Popular Culture
Eternal Lovecraft: The Persistence of HPL in Popular Culture
58
Legends 1
59
Cover of The Best of the Best
The Best of the Best
60
Cover of The Playboy Book of Science Fiction
The Playboy Book of Science Fiction
61
Cover of 999: New Stories of Horror and Suspense
999: New Stories of Horror and Suspense
62
Cover of Scary! Stories That Will Make You Scream!
Scary! Stories That Will Make You Scream!
63
Cover of Technohorror: Inventions in Terror
Technohorror: Inventions in Terror
64
Cover of The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
65
Cover of The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Twelfth Annual Collection
The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Twelfth Annual Collection
66
Cover of Vintage Science Fiction
Vintage Science Fiction
67
Cover of The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century
The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century
68
Cover of A Century of Great Suspense Stories
A Century of Great Suspense Stories
69
Cover of Dark Masques
Dark Masques
70
Tails of Wonder and Imagination
71
Baseball: a Literary Anthology
72
The Wavedancer Benefit: A Tribute to Frank Muller
73
Cover of From the Borderlands
From the Borderlands
74
Cover of In the Shadow of the Master
In the Shadow of the Master
75
Cover of Great Ghost Stories
Great Ghost Stories
76
The Future Dictionary of America
77
Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Seventeenth Annual Collection
78
Cover of The Campfire Collection
The Campfire Collection
79
Cover of Transgressions
Transgressions
80
Cover of Transgressions, Vol. 2
Transgressions, Vol. 2
81
Cover of The Best American Short Stories 2007
The Best American Short Stories 2007
82
Cover of The Best of Cemetery Dance II
The Best of Cemetery Dance II
83
Cover of The Living Dead
The Living Dead
84
Cover of Best New Horror 20
Best New Horror 20
85
Cover of Dancing with the Dark
Dancing with the Dark
86
First Words: Earliest Writing from Favorite Contemporary Authors
87
Cover of The Big Book of NECON
The Big Book of NECON
88
Cover of The Dead That Walk
The Dead That Walk
89
Cover of Zombies: Encounters with the Hungry Dead
Zombies: Encounters with the Hungry Dead
90
Cover of Best New Horror 21
Best New Horror 21
91
Darkness: Two Decades of Modern Horror
92
Cover of Shivers VI
Shivers VI
93
Cover of A Book of Horrors
A Book of Horrors
94
Cover of Alien Contact
Alien Contact
95
Cover of Crucified Dreams
Crucified Dreams
96
Cover of Lightspeed: Year One
Lightspeed: Year One
97
Rage Against the Night
98
Cover of The Chronicles of Harris Burdick
The Chronicles of Harris Burdick
99
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Four
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Four
100
Cover of The Mammoth Book of Body Horror
The Mammoth Book of Body Horror
101
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror, 2012 Edition
102
Bad Seeds: Evil Progeny
103
Cover of Hard Listening: The Greatest Rock Band Ever (of Authors) Tells All
Hard Listening: The Greatest Rock Band Ever (of Authors) Tells All
104
Selected Shorts: Behaving Badly
105
Cover of Shivers VII
Shivers VII
106
Cover of Turn Down the Lights
Turn Down the Lights
107
Field of Fantasies
108
Cover of Woman: An Anthology
Woman: An Anthology
109
Chiral Mad 3
110
Cover of Detours
Detours
111
Cover of Grave Predictions
Grave Predictions
112
Cover of In Sunlight or In Shadow
In Sunlight or In Shadow
113
Cover of Six Scary Stories
Six Scary Stories
114
Cover of Flight or Fright
Flight or Fright
115
Cover of You, Human
You, Human
116
Cover of Dark Tides
Dark Tides
117
Cover of Terrifying Tales to Tell at Night
Terrifying Tales to Tell at Night
118
The Best Horror of the Year Volume Thirteen
119
Chiral Mad 5
120
Cover of Revelations
Revelations
121
Qualia Nous: Vol. 2
122
The Rack
123
The End of the World As We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King's The Stand

Beryl Evans Picture Series

Complete

1 book (2016–2016)

#Title
1
Charlie the Choo-Choo

Best Horror of the Year Series

Ongoing

18 books (2009–2025)

Start with The Best Horror of the Year: Volume One, the first of 18 books in the Best Horror of the Year series.

#Title
1
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year: Volume One
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume One
2
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Two
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Two
3
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Three
4
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Four
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Four
5
The Best Horror of the Year Volume Five
6
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Six
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Six
7
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Seven
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Seven
8
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Eight
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Eight
9
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Nine
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Nine
10
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Ten
11
The Best of the Best Horror of the Year: 10 Years of Essential Short Horror Fiction
12
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Eleven
13
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Twelve
14
The Best Horror of the Year Volume Thirteen
15
The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Fourteen
16
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Fifteen
The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Fifteen
17
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Sixteen
The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Sixteen
18
Cover of The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Seventeen
The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Seventeen

Bill Hodges Trilogy Series

Complete

3 books (2014–2016)

Start with Mr. Mercedes and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of Mr. Mercedes
Mr. Mercedes
2
Cover of Finders Keepers
Finders Keepers
3
Cover of End of Watch
End of Watch

Children's Series

Ongoing

2 books (2016–2025)

Start with Charlie the Choo-Choo(As: Beryl Evans) and read in order.

#Title
1
Charlie the Choo-Choo(As: Beryl Evans)
2
Cover of Hansel and Gretel(With: Maurice Sendak)
Hansel and Gretel(With: Maurice Sendak)

Graphic Novels Series

Complete

4 books (1982–2020)

Start with Creepshow, the first of 4 books in the Graphic Novels series.

#Title
1
Cover of Creepshow
Creepshow
2
Cover of The Talisman: Road of Trials(With: Peter Straub,Tony Shasteen)
The Talisman: Road of Trials(With: Peter Straub,Tony Shasteen)
3
Cover of The Dark Man: An Illustrated Poem
The Dark Man: An Illustrated Poem
4
Cover of Sleeping Beauties, Vol. 1
Sleeping Beauties, Vol. 1

Green Mile Series

Complete

6 books (1996–1996)

Start with Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix, the first of 6 books in the Green Mile series.

#Title
1
Cover of Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix
Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix
2
Cover of Coffey on the Mile
Coffey on the Mile
3
Cover of Coffey's Hands
Coffey's Hands
4
Cover of The Mouse on the Mile
The Mouse on the Mile
5
Cover of The Night Journey
The Night Journey
6
Cover of The Two Dead Girls
The Two Dead Girls

Holly Gibney Series

Ongoing

7 books (2014–2025)

Start with Mr. Mercedes, the first of 7 books in the Holly Gibney series.

#Title
1
Cover of Mr. Mercedes
Mr. Mercedes
2
Cover of Finders Keepers
Finders Keepers
3
Cover of End of Watch
End of Watch
4
Cover of The Outsider
The Outsider
5
Cover of If It Bleeds
If It Bleeds
6
Holly
7
Never Flinch

Legends Series

Complete

3 books (1998–1999)

Start with Legends II: Dragon, Sword, and King(By: Diana Gabaldon,George R.R. Martin,Orson Scott Card,Terry Brooks,Robert Silverberg,Neil Gaiman,Elizabeth Haydon) and read in order.

#Title
1
Legends II: Dragon, Sword, and King(By: Diana Gabaldon,George R.R. Martin,Orson Scott Card,Terry Brooks,Robert Silverberg,Neil Gaiman,Elizabeth Haydon)
2
Legends(With: Anne McCaffrey,Robert Silverberg)
3
Cover of Legends 3(By: Terry Pratchett,Tad Williams,Robert Jordan,Robert Silverberg,Ursula K. Le Guin)
Legends 3(By: Terry Pratchett,Tad Williams,Robert Jordan,Robert Silverberg,Ursula K. Le Guin)

Non-Fiction Series

Complete

9 books (1981–2016)

Start with Danse Macabre, the first of 9 books in the Non-Fiction series.

#Title
1
Cover of Danse Macabre
Danse Macabre
2
Stephen King's Danse Macabre
3
Cover of Bare Bones: Conversations on Terror with Stephen King(With: Chuck Miller,Tim Underwood)
Bare Bones: Conversations on Terror with Stephen King(With: Chuck Miller,Tim Underwood)
4
Cover of Nightmares in the Sky: Gargoyles and Grotesques
Nightmares in the Sky: Gargoyles and Grotesques
5
Cover of Feast of Fear: Conversations with Stephen King(With: Chuck Miller,Tim Underwood)
Feast of Fear: Conversations with Stephen King(With: Chuck Miller,Tim Underwood)
6
Cover of On Writing
On Writing
7
Cover of Faithful
Faithful
8
Guns
9
Cover of Hearts in Suspension
Hearts in Suspension

Plays Series

Complete

2 books (1999–2013)

Start with Storm of the Century: An Original Screenplay and read in order.

#Title
1
Storm of the Century: An Original Screenplay
2
Cover of Ghost Brothers of Darkland County(With: T. Bone Burnett)
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County(With: T. Bone Burnett)

Secretary of Dreams Series

Complete

2 books (2006–2010)

Start with The Secretary of Dreams and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of The Secretary of Dreams
The Secretary of Dreams
2
Cover of The Secretary of Dreams Volume 2
The Secretary of Dreams Volume 2

Short Stories/Novellas Series

Likely Complete

100 books (1971–2023)

Start with The Blue Air Compressor, the first of 100 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.

#Title
1
The Blue Air Compressor
2
Cover of One for the Road
One for the Road
3
The Ledge
4
I Am the Doorway
5
I Know What You Need
6
Cover of Jerusalem's Lot
Jerusalem's Lot
7
Cover of Night Surf
Night Surf
8
Cover of Quitters, Inc.
Quitters, Inc.
9
The Man Who Loved Flowers
10
Cover of The Mangler
The Mangler
11
The Woman in the Room
12
The Crate
13
Cover of Crouch End
Crouch End
14
Cover of The Mist
The Mist
15
The Monkey
16
Cover of Do the Dead Sing?
Do the Dead Sing?
17
Cover of The Jaunt
The Jaunt
18
Cover of The Body
The Body
19
Cover of The Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption
20
Cover of Apt Pupil
Apt Pupil
21
Cover of Cycle of the Werewolf
Cycle of the Werewolf
22
Cover of Silver Bullet
Silver Bullet
23
Uncle Otto's Truck
24
Cover of Word Processor of the Gods
Word Processor of the Gods
25
Cover of The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet
The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet
26
The Breathing Method
27
The Raft
28
For the Birds
29
Cover of Mrs. Todd's Shortcut
Mrs. Todd's Shortcut
30
Cover of The End of the Whole Mess
The End of the Whole Mess
31
The Last Rung on the Ladder
32
Cover of Trucks
Trucks
33
The Night Flier
34
Cover of Dolan's Cadillac
Dolan's Cadillac
35
Cover of Home delivery
Home delivery
36
Cover of My Pretty Pony
My Pretty Pony
37
Cover of Sneakers
Sneakers
38
Cover of The Langoliers
The Langoliers
39
Cover of The Library Policeman
The Library Policeman
40
Cover of The Sun Dog
The Sun Dog
41
Cover of Secret Window, Secret Garden
Secret Window, Secret Garden
42
Cover of Three Carols
Three Carols
43
Children of the Corn
44
Gray Matter
45
The Ten O'Clock People
46
Cover of The Man in the Black Suit
The Man in the Black Suit
47
Cover of The Lawnmower Man
The Lawnmower Man
48
Cover of Umney's Last Case
Umney's Last Case
49
Cover of 1408
1408
50
Cover of Everything's Eventual
Everything's Eventual
51
Cover of Riding the Bullet
Riding the Bullet
52
Zenith Rising / The Plant
53
LT's Theory of Pets
54
Cover of Autopsy Room Four
Autopsy Room Four
55
Lisey and the Madman
56
Cover of The Things They Left Behind
The Things They Left Behind
57
Stationary Bike
58
The Road Virus Heads North
59
Ayana
60
Cover of Mute
Mute
61
Cover of Harvey's Dream
Harvey's Dream
62
63
The Gingerbread Girl
64
Cover of Morality
Morality
65
Cover of Premium Harmony
Premium Harmony
66
Cover of The Bone Church
The Bone Church
67
68
1922
69
Cover of Blockade Billy
Blockade Billy
70
Cover of Tommy
Tommy
71
Cover of Herman Wouk Is Still Alive
Herman Wouk Is Still Alive
72
Mile 81
73
The Little Green God of Agony
74
Cover of Under the Weather / À la dure
Under the Weather / À la dure
75
A Face in the Crowd(With: Stewart O'Nan)
76
Batman and Robin have an Altercation
77
Big Driver
78
Cover of Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
79
Cover of In the Tall Grass(With: Joe Hill)
In the Tall Grass(With: Joe Hill)
80
Cover of Stephen King's Battleground
Stephen King's Battleground
81
Throttle(With: Joe Hill)
82
A Good Marriage
83
Cover of That Bus Is Another World
That Bus Is Another World
84
Bad Little Kid
85
Drunken Fireworks
86
Cover of Mister Yummy
Mister Yummy
87
Cookie Jar
88
Cover of Elevation
Elevation
89
Laurie
90
Cover of Low Men In Yellow Coats (in Hearts in Atlantis)
Low Men In Yellow Coats (in Hearts in Atlantis)
91
Cover of Obits
Obits
92
Cover of The Turbulence Expert
The Turbulence Expert
93
Squad D
94
On Slide Inn Road
95
96
The Fifth Step
97
Red Screen
98
Willie the Weirdo / Willie le Zinzin
99
Cover of Finn
Finn
100
Rattlesnakes

Short Story Collections Series

Ongoing

21 books (1978–2024)

Start with Night Shift, the first of 21 books in the Short Story Collections series.

#Title
1
Cover of Night Shift
Night Shift
2
Cover of Different Seasons
Different Seasons
3
Cover of Skeleton Crew
Skeleton Crew
4
Cover of Four Past Midnight
Four Past Midnight
5
Cover of Nightmares and Dreamscapes
Nightmares and Dreamscapes
6
The Man in the Black Suit: 4 Dark Tales
7
Six Stories
8
Cover of The Green Mile
The Green Mile
9
Blood and Smoke
10
Graveyard Shift: and Other Stories from Night Shift
11
Cover of Hearts in Atlantis
Hearts in Atlantis
12
Cover of Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing
Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing
13
Cover of Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales
Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales
14
Cover of Just After Sunset
Just After Sunset
15
Cover of Stephen King Goes to the Movies
Stephen King Goes to the Movies
16
Cover of Full Dark, No Stars
Full Dark, No Stars
17
Cover of In the Deathroom and Lunch at the Gotham Café
In the Deathroom and Lunch at the Gotham Café
18
Cover of Road Rage(With: Joe Hill,Richard Matheson,Chris Ryall)
Road Rage(With: Joe Hill,Richard Matheson,Chris Ryall)
19
Cover of The Bazaar of Bad Dreams
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams
20
Cover of If It Bleeds
If It Bleeds
21
You Like It Darker

Standalone Novels Series

Ongoing

45 books (1974–2025)

Start with Carrie, the first of 45 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#Title
1
Cover of Carrie
Carrie
2
Cover of 'Salem's Lot
'Salem's Lot
3
Cover of Rage(As: Richard Bachman)
Rage(As: Richard Bachman)
4
Cover of The Stand
The Stand
5
Cover of The Dead Zone
The Dead Zone
6
Cover of The Long Walk(As: Richard Bachman)
The Long Walk(As: Richard Bachman)
7
Cover of Firestarter
Firestarter
8
Cover of Cujo
Cujo
9
Cover of Roadwork(As: Richard Bachman)
Roadwork(As: Richard Bachman)
10
Cover of The Running Man(As: Richard Bachman)
The Running Man(As: Richard Bachman)
11
Cover of Christine
Christine
12
Cover of Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary
13
Cover of Thinner(As: Richard Bachman)
Thinner(As: Richard Bachman)
14
15
Cover of Misery
Misery
16
The Eyes of the Dragon
17
Cover of The Tommyknockers
The Tommyknockers
18
Cover of One Past Midnight: The Langoliers (Four Past Midnight)
One Past Midnight: The Langoliers (Four Past Midnight)
19
The Dark Half
20
Needful Things
21
Cover of Dolores Claiborne
Dolores Claiborne
22
Cover of Gerald's Game
Gerald's Game
23
Cover of Insomnia
Insomnia
24
Cover of Rose Madder
Rose Madder
25
Cover of Desperation
Desperation
26
Cover of The Regulators(As: Richard Bachman)
The Regulators(As: Richard Bachman)
27
Bag of Bones
28
Cover of The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
29
Dreamcatcher
30
Cover of From a Buick 8
From a Buick 8
31
Cover of The Colorado Kid
The Colorado Kid
32
Cover of Cell
Cell
33
Cover of Lisey's Story
Lisey's Story
34
Cover of Blaze(As: Richard Bachman)
Blaze(As: Richard Bachman)
35
Cover of Duma Key
Duma Key
36
Cover of Under the Dome
Under the Dome
37
Cover of 11/22/63
11/22/63
38
Cover of Joyland
Joyland
39
Cover of Revival
Revival
40
Cover of Sleeping Beauties(With: Owen King)
Sleeping Beauties(With: Owen King)
41
Cover of The Institute
The Institute
42
Cover of Billy Summers
Billy Summers
43
Cover of Later
Later
44
Cover of Fairy Tale
Fairy Tale
45
Cover of The Life of Chuck
The Life of Chuck

Talisman Series

Ongoing

3 books (1984–2026)

Start with The Talisman and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of The Talisman
The Talisman
2
Black House
3
Cover of Other Worlds Than These
Other Worlds Than These

The Button Box Series

Likely Complete

3 books (2017–2022)

Start with Gwendy's Button Box(With: Richard T. Chizmar) and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of Gwendy's Button Box(With: Richard T. Chizmar)
Gwendy's Button Box(With: Richard T. Chizmar)
2
Cover of Gwendy's Magic Feather(By: Richard T. Chizmar)
Gwendy's Magic Feather(By: Richard T. Chizmar)
3
Cover of Gwendy's Final Task(With: Richard T. Chizmar)
Gwendy's Final Task(With: Richard T. Chizmar)

The Dark Descent Series

Complete

3 books (1987–1991)

Start with Volume I: The Color of Evil and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of Volume I: The Color of Evil
Volume I: The Color of Evil
2
Cover of Volume II: The Medusa In The Shield
Volume II: The Medusa In The Shield
3
Cover of Volume III:A Fabulous, Formless Darkness
Volume III:A Fabulous, Formless Darkness

The Dark Tower Series

CompleteChronological order differs

9 books (1982–2012)

Start with The Gunslinger. Publication and chronological order differ — publication order is recommended for first-time readers.

#Title
1
The Gunslinger
2
Cover of The Drawing of the Three
The Drawing of the Three
3
Cover of The Waste Lands
The Waste Lands
4
Cover of Wizard and Glass
Wizard and Glass
5
Wolves of the Calla
6
Cover of Song of Susannah
Song of Susannah
7
Cover of The Dark Tower
The Dark Tower
8
The Complete Concordance(With: Robin Furth)
9
Cover of The Wind Through the Keyhole
The Wind Through the Keyhole

The Dark Tower: Beginnings Series

CompleteChronological order differs

6 books (2007–2017)

Start with The Gunslinger Born(By: Robin Furth,Peter David). Publication and chronological order differ — publication order is recommended for first-time readers.

#Title
1
Cover of The Gunslinger Born(By: Robin Furth,Peter David)
The Gunslinger Born(By: Robin Furth,Peter David)
2
Cover of The Long Road Home(By: Robin Furth,Peter David,Richard Isanove)
The Long Road Home(By: Robin Furth,Peter David,Richard Isanove)
3
Cover of The Fall of Gilead(By: Robin Furth,Peter David,Richard Isanove)
The Fall of Gilead(By: Robin Furth,Peter David,Richard Isanove)
4
Cover of Treachery(By: Robin Furth,Peter David,Richard Isanove)
Treachery(By: Robin Furth,Peter David,Richard Isanove)
5
Cover of Battle of Jericho Hill(With: Robin Furth,Peter David)
Battle of Jericho Hill(With: Robin Furth,Peter David)
6
Cover of The Sailor(By: Robin Furth)
The Sailor(By: Robin Furth)

The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three Series

Likely CompleteChronological order differs

5 books (2020–2023)

Start with Bitter Medicine. Publication and chronological order differ — publication order is recommended for first-time readers.

#Title
1
Cover of Bitter Medicine
Bitter Medicine
2
House of Cards
3
Cover of Lady of Shadows
Lady of Shadows
4
Cover of The Prisoner
The Prisoner
5
Cover of The Drawing of the Three Omnibus(By: Robin Furth)
The Drawing of the Three Omnibus(By: Robin Furth)

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Series

CompleteChronological order differs

6 books (2019–2019)

Start with Last Shots. Publication and chronological order differ — publication order is recommended for first-time readers.

#Title
1
Cover of Last Shots
Last Shots
2
Cover of The Battle of Tull
The Battle of Tull
3
The Journey Begins
4
Cover of The Little Sisters of Eluria
The Little Sisters of Eluria
5
Cover of The Man in Black
The Man in Black
6
Cover of The Way Station
The Way Station

The Outsider Series

Complete

2 books (2018–2020)

Start with The Outsider and read in order.

#Title
1
Cover of The Outsider
The Outsider
2
Cover of If It Bleeds
If It Bleeds

The Shining Series

Complete

3 books (1977–2013)

Start with Before the Play and read in order.

#Title
1
Before the Play
2
Cover of The Shining
The Shining
3
Cover of Doctor Sleep
Doctor Sleep

The Stand: Graphic Novels Series

Complete

6 books (2009–2012)

Start with American Nightmares(With: Mike Perkins,LauraMartin,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa), the first of 6 books in the The Stand: Graphic Novels series.

#Title
1
Cover of American Nightmares(With: Mike Perkins,LauraMartin,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
American Nightmares(With: Mike Perkins,LauraMartin,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
2
Cover of Captain Trips(With: Mike Perkins,LauraMartin,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
Captain Trips(With: Mike Perkins,LauraMartin,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
3
Cover of Hardcases(With: Mike Perkins,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
Hardcases(With: Mike Perkins,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
4
Cover of Soul Survivors(With: Mike Perkins,LauraMartin,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
Soul Survivors(With: Mike Perkins,LauraMartin,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
5
Cover of No Man's Land(With: Mike Perkins,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
No Man's Land(With: Mike Perkins,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
6
Cover of The Night Has Come(With: Mike Perkins,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)
The Night Has Come(With: Mike Perkins,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa)

The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror Series

Ongoing

15 books (2010–2024)

Start with The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2010 Edition, the first of 15 books in the The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror series.

#Title
1
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2010 Edition
2
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2011 Edition
3
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror, 2012 Edition
4
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2013 Edition
5
Cover of The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2014 Edition
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2014 Edition
6
Cover of The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2015 Edition
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2015 Edition
7
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2016 Edition
8
The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2017 Edition
9
The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2018 Edition
10
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2019 Edition
11
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Volume 1
12
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Volume 2
13
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror, Volume 3
14
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Volume 4
15
The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Volume 5

Transgressions Series

Complete

4 books (2005–2006)

Start with Transgressions(With: Lawrence Block,Anne Perry,Jeffery Deaver,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Donald E Westlake,Bonnie Jeanne Perry,Joyce Carol Oates,Walter Mosley,John Farris), the first of 4 books in the Transgressions series.

#Title
1
Cover of Transgressions(With: Lawrence Block,Anne Perry,Jeffery Deaver,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Donald E Westlake,Bonnie Jeanne Perry,Joyce Carol Oates,Walter Mosley,John Farris)
Transgressions(With: Lawrence Block,Anne Perry,Jeffery Deaver,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Donald E Westlake,Bonnie Jeanne Perry,Joyce Carol Oates,Walter Mosley,John Farris)
2
Cover of Transgressions, Vol. 2(With: Lawrence Block,Ed McBain,John Farris)
Transgressions, Vol. 2(With: Lawrence Block,Ed McBain,John Farris)
3
Cover of Transgressions, Vol. 3(By: Anne Perry,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Donald E Westlake,John Farris)
Transgressions, Vol. 3(By: Anne Perry,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain,Donald E Westlake,John Farris)
4
Cover of Transgressions, Vol. 4(By: Anne Perry,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain)
Transgressions, Vol. 4(By: Anne Perry,Sharyn McCrumb,Ed McBain)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Stephen King written?
Stephen King has written 420 books across 28 series. Their published works span from 1971 to 2026.
What is the first book in each Stephen King series?
Here are the first books in Stephen King's series: American Vampire: American Vampire, Vol. 1(With: Scott Snyder); Anthologies: Tales of Unknown Horror; Best Horror of the Year: The Best Horror of the Year: Volume One; Bill Hodges Trilogy: Mr. Mercedes; Children's: Charlie the Choo-Choo(As: Beryl Evans).
What order should I read Stephen King's books?
We recommend reading Stephen King's series in publication order. Note that some series have a different chronological order — see the series details above for guidance. Each series can be read independently.
Is Stephen King still writing new books?
Yes, Stephen King has 8 ongoing series: Anthologies, Best Horror of the Year, Children's, Holly Gibney, Short Story Collections and 3 more.
Should I read Stephen King's books in chronological or publication order?
For first-time readers, we recommend publication order. Some of Stephen King's series have a different chronological order, but the stories were written to be enjoyed in the order they were published.

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