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Call to Patrons! (Patreon)

Published:
2023-06-14 15:51:26
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Hey Constant Listeners, Sammie here!

I'm attempting to put together a guide of sorts to offer to new King fans, and what better people to ask for insight than ya'll. 

So, let's hear from you: which books would you say are ideal for a new reader to start with? 

Whichever books get the most votes I will add to the guide and post to the socials, with all the credit going to you of course ;)

Can't wait to hear what you come up with!

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Comments

Sean Gerace

I always recommend the short story collections for people who are just starting out reading King, especially Night Shift and Skeleton Crew. I think you can get a broader sample of his work that way, instead of recommending one of his novels.

Cole Meyer

My go to first recommendations are Night Shift, and Salem’s Lot; however, a lot of my recommendations depend on what the reader is looking for like horror, romance, fantasy.

chris munch

Totally agree with Sean. Have ‘em read some bite size chunks before asking them to dive into a novel.

Julia Testa

I find his short stories and shorter fiction easier to recommend to folks! Different Seasons, The Green Mile, and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon are some of my favorite “intro to King” picks.

Jaygage

Different seasons and night shift would probably be the best places to start for new constant readers they both allow for snippets of kings best horror and more literary stories so people can get a taste before diving into his longer works

Matt Morris

Night Shift for a story collection! I’d also recommend Salem’s Lot, Misery, or Carrie as good first horror novels. If they aren’t as much of a horror reader, then Joyland or Dfferent Seasons!

Mark D

Agree with Night Shift. For novels The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, The Dead Zone, Misery

Eric

Salem’s Lot is a fantastic start to someone’s King journey. It also introduces them to Father Callahan long before he enters a certain Ka-Tet.

Dara Cosby

Night Shift, Everything’s Eventual and Salem’s Lot are great for beginners.

PantheraTigeris

I usually recommend Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon to give a short and sweet introduction. Just depends on what they are looking for! The short story collections are definitely a good place to start as well.

Daniel Spruill

Salem’s Lot is a perfect place to start IMO

Sean Brodeur

"The Shining" for horror. "The Dead Zone" for supernatural suspense. "The Long Walk" for some dystopia courtesy of Bachman.

Alex Harper

The Dead Zone, 11/22/63, and Misery are three books that I recommend to people unfamiliar with King. To me, they're all great crowd pleasers.

Alex Harper

Different Seasons is also a great collection to recommend because it has a mix of what King is really capable of.

brok bagnall

Salem’s Lot and Night Shift.

Erin Gallagher

Here for the Night Shift, all the way.

Damien Kiely

Definitely Night Shift. Cycle of the Werewolf as it features great illustrations that would attract graphic novel fans.

Sophia R

If they’re asking for King recommendations then they’re probably expecting some scares, so Salem’s Lot is ideal. Carrie is short and lets them dip their toe in without investing in a chunkster.

Villate McKitrick

Agree with Salem's Lot. I tell people who ask that I think The Stand is King's masterwork, but it is very long and not everyone is willing to invest the time. Same for the Dark Tower series, though I recommend it over almost any other King work. For someone who just wants to sample, I would recommend a short story collection, probably Skeleton Crew or Everything's Eventual.

Drake Dalton

Carrie, Dead Zone, Salem's lot, The Long Walk, and if they can handle a big book, 11/22/63.

Teresa

My first recommendations would be Salem’s Lot and Carrie.

Isaiah Williams

Depends which works for their taste best. For Horror, I would say Salem's Lot or Misery. For Sentimental King, Different Seasons or 11/22/63. For epic King, IT or The Stand.

Daidria Eckels Renkel

I think NIGHT SHIFT is a great starting point, i would definitely suggest a short story collection first.

SKJohn

It really depends on their preferred style, but... If they like supernatural horror: The Shining If they are younger: The Talisman If they dislike supernatural horror: Different Seasons If they are a literature nut and like reading: It If they are a teenage boy: The Long Walk

Cristena Roll

I agree with Night Shift or if they wanted a novel I would say The Shining

Bryant Burnette

I think it's a mistake to not tailor that answer to the individual. But if I gotta pick one, I say "Carrie." That's where the world began, so might as well start there.

Cosmo

Five book starter pack to introduce King: ‘salem’s Lot Night Shift The Dead Zone Cujo Different Seasons

Samantha Bourne

I never recommend the super long ones to start, but I love Night Shift and Different Seasons as intros. For his novels, I'd probably say Carrie, The Dead Zone, or Salem's Lot.

Brianna Horvat

Everything’s Eventual (incredibly solid collection of varied stories) followed by a mid-length heavy hitter like Dead Zone or Salems Lot.

The Losers' Club

Thank you everyone for your answers! After tallying these all up it looks like 'Night Shift" takes the #1 spot overwhelmingly.

The Losers' Club

I will be compiling these all together and making an image for our socials withe credit to you guys, so be on the look out!

Jessica C
>>113169228

I agree with Vanessa. Pet Sematary is your scared to death read, Different seasons is your - oh shit, he's a really great writer read.

Jason May

Carrie, not long and different enough from the movie to be enjoyed individually.