You'd think following a guy who has been writing for over fifty years would be easy. Just pick up the first one and keep going until you hit the latest one, right? Honestly, that’s a one-way ticket to burnout. Stephen King isn’t just an author; he’s an ecosystem. If you try to tackle the stephen king list of books in order by just looking at copyright dates, you’re going to hit some serious speed bumps.
Take 1981, for example. You’ve got Cujo, which is a relentless, cocaine-fueled nightmare about a dog. But then you’ve also got Danse Macabre, a deep-dive nonfiction book about horror history. They aren't even in the same universe of "vibes."
Most people want the list because they’re afraid of missing the "Easter eggs." King’s books are famously connected—a shared multiverse where a villain from a 1978 novel might show up in a 2025 release. If you’re looking for the definitive way to navigate the 80+ titles (and counting) in his bibliography, you need to understand the difference between publication order and the "Constant Reader" path.
The Chronological Stephen King List of Books in Order
If you’re a completionist, the publication timeline is your bible. It lets you see King grow from a nervous kid in Maine to the "King of Horror," then to a literary statesman, and finally to the seasoned pro who is currently working on Never Flinch (slated for 2025).
Here is how the foundational years look. You'll notice he moves fast.
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- 1974 – 1979: The Early Fire. This is where the legends were born. Carrie (1974) started it all, followed immediately by 'Salem's Lot (1975) and The Shining (1977). He also dropped his first massive epic, The Stand, in 1978. During this time, he was also sneaking out books under the name Richard Bachman, like Rage and The Long Walk.
- 1980 – 1989: The Prolific Peak. This decade is honestly exhausting to look at. We got Firestarter (1980), Cujo (1981), The Gunslinger (1982), Christine (1983), Pet Sematary (1983), and the beast that is IT (1986). He was also collaborating with Peter Straub on The Talisman (1984).
- 1990 – 1999: The Expansion. This era gave us The Green Mile (1996), which was originally released as monthly chapbooks. It also saw him get hit by a van in 1999, an event that fundamentally changed his writing voice.
- 2000 – 2019: The Modern Era. King finished The Dark Tower series in 2004. He also wrote 11/22/63 (2011), which many argue is his best work. This is also when the "Bill Hodges" trilogy started with Mr. Mercedes (2014), introducing the world to Holly Gibney.
- 2020 – 2026: The Legacy Years. We've recently seen Billy Summers (2021), Fairy Tale (2022), and Holly (2023). In 2024, he gave us the short story collection You Like It Darker. Looking ahead, 2025 is a big year with the release of the picture book Hansel and Gretel (illustrated by Maurice Sendak) and the upcoming novel Never Flinch.
The Bachman Problem
You can't talk about the stephen king list of books in order without mentioning Richard Bachman. King used this pseudonym to see if he could "make it" again without his famous name. It’s kinda fascinating. Books like The Running Man (1982) and Thinner (1984) feel grittier and meaner than the standard King fare. If you’re reading chronologically, don’t skip these. They are essential to understanding his mindset in the late 70s and early 80s.
Why the Dark Tower Changes Everything
If you’re just reading for the "main story" of the King universe, you’re reading for the Dark Tower. It’s the hub of the wheel. Everything else—The Stand, 'Salem's Lot, Insomnia, Hearts in Atlantis—are just spokes.
If you read the Dark Tower books (1 through 7, plus the "4.5" mid-quel The Wind Through the Keyhole) in a vacuum, you’ll be fine. But you'll miss the moment where a character you thought died in 1975 walks into a bar in the middle of a desert.
The "Expanded" Dark Tower order is a beast. Experts like those at the StephenKing.com message boards suggest a mix. You might read the first three Tower books, then take a break to read The Stand and 'Salem's Lot before hitting book four, Wizard and Glass. Why? Because characters from those "standalone" books literally walk into the narrative. It’s a meta-fictional trip that only works if you’ve done the homework.
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The Holly Gibney Saga
One of the most recent trends in the stephen king list of books in order is the rise of Holly Gibney. She’s a character King clearly fell in love with. If you want to follow her specific arc, the order is:
- Mr. Mercedes
- Finders Keepers
- End of Watch
- The Outsider
- If It Bleeds (specifically the title novella)
- Holly
- Never Flinch (Coming 2025)
You can read Holly by itself, but you'll be missing out on years of character growth and trauma that make her who she is.
The 2025 and 2026 Outlook
What’s coming next? King is 78 now. He’s explicitly said in interviews with places like USA Today that he’s "off the warranty." He’s trying to clear his desk.
The immediate future looks like this:
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- September 2, 2025: Hansel and Gretel. This is a collaboration with the Maurice Sendak Foundation. It’s a dark reimagining of the Grimm tale.
- Late 2025 / Early 2026: Never Flinch. This novel is expected to feature Holly Gibney again, but it’s also rumored to have multiple intertwining storylines.
- The Talisman 3: King has confirmed he is working on the final book in the Talisman trilogy to honor his late friend Peter Straub. This will likely be one of his final "mega-epics" that ties directly back into the Dark Tower.
Misconceptions About Reading in Order
A big mistake people make is thinking they have to start with Carrie. Honestly? Carrie is a bit raw. It’s an epistolary novel—lots of "news clippings" and "court transcripts." If that's not your thing, don't feel guilty skipping to The Shining.
Another myth: "The movies are basically the books."
Hard no. The Shining movie is a masterpiece of film, but it’s a terrible adaptation of the book's heart. The Running Man movie is an 80s action flick; the book is a bleak social commentary where the ending is vastly different (and much more controversial). If you’ve seen the movies, you still haven't "read" the books.
Actionable Steps for Your King Journey
If you’re ready to dive in, don’t just buy a random paperback. Follow this plan:
- Identify your goal. Do you want the hits? Start with The Shining, Misery, and 11/22/63.
- Use a checklist. Websites like Fantastic Fiction or the official StephenKing.com works page allow you to sort by date. Print one out. There is a weird satisfaction in crossing off a 1,000-page book.
- Don’t sleep on the short stories. Books like Night Shift and Skeleton Crew contain some of his most terrifying ideas (looking at you, The Raft). They’re great for "palate cleansers" between the massive novels.
- Track the 2026 adaptations. With the Welcome to Derry series and the new The Long Walk movie coming out, reading the source material now will make the viewing experience way better.
The stephen king list of books in order is more of a map than a straight line. You can wander into the weeds of his "Castle Rock" stories or get lost in the "Derry" lore. Just remember that the goal is to enjoy the prose, not just finish a task. King’s voice is like a friend telling you a story by a campfire. You don't rush that.