Stephen King Books in Order (Updated March 2026)

This page is a complete, chronological list of Stephen King books in order, including novels, novellas, short story collections, nonfiction, and major collaborations updated up to March 2026.

I keep this list updated myself every time a new book drops. Whether you’re starting from the beginning with Carrie or just tracking the latest release, you’ve found the ultimate Stephen King reading order.

Stephen King Books in Order: Quick Answers

• First Stephen King book: Carrie (1974)
• Most recent Stephen King book: Other Worlds than These (2026)
• Special release: Hansel and Gretel (2025, illustrated picture book)
• Total books published: 70+ novels and hundreds of short stories
• Best book to start with: Carrie, Misery, or Different Seasons (depending on taste)

Who Is Stephen King?

Stephen King is one of the most prolific and influential authors of our time, with over 70 novels, 200 short stories, and several works under his Richard Bachman pen name. His books span horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and even crime and fantasy. Many have been adapted into films and TV series, making him a cornerstone of modern pop culture.

What’s Included in This Stephen King Books in Order List

This list includes:

1. All published novels
2. All novellas (including those inside collections)
3. Short story collections
4. Nonfiction books
5. Major series and collaborations
6. Books written as Richard Bachman

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 1974 – 1980

This is Stephen King’s explosive debut era, where he established himself as a major voice in horror. These early books introduce his core themes: fear, power, isolation, and small-town darkness-and include some of his most iconic titles.

• Carrie (Novel: 1974)
• ‘Salem’s Lot (Novel: 1975)
• Rage (Bachman Novel: 1976)
• The Shining (Novel: 1977)
• Night Shift (Story Collection: 1977)
• The Stand (Novel: 1978)
• The Long Walk (Bachman Novel: 1978)
• The Dead Zone (Novel: 1979)
• Firestarter (Novel: 1979)
• The Mist (Novella: 1980)
• Danse Macabre (Nonfiction: 1980)
• Roadwork (Bachman Novel: 1980)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 1981 – 1990

The 1980s mark Stephen King’s most prolific and experimental period, including several novels written under the Richard Bachman name. This decade blends peak horror, psychological intensity, and the expansion of The Dark Tower universe.

• Cujo (Novel: 1981)
• The Dark Tower (Novel: 1981)
• The Running Man (Bachman Novel: 1981)
• Apt Pupil (Novella: 1982)
• The Body (Novella: 1982)
• The Breathing Method (Novella: 1982)
• Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption (Novella: 1982)
• Different Seasons (Story Collection: 1982)
• The Plant [Installment One] (Epistolary Novel: 1982)
• Christine (Novel: 1982)
• Cycle of the Werewolf (Novel: 1982)
• The Plant [Installment Two] (Epistolary Novel: 1982)
• Pet Sematary (Novel: 1983)
• The Talisman (Novel: 1983)
• The Eyes of the Dragon (Novel: 1984 – Philtrum Press edition)
• Thinner (Bachman Novel: 1984)
• The Plant [Installment Three] (Epistolary Novel: 1984)
• Skeleton Crew (Story Collection: 1984)
• Cycle of the Werewolf (Novel: 1985)
• IT (Novel; September 1986)
• The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three (Novel: 1986)
• The Eyes of the Dragon (Novel: 1987 – Viking edition)
• Misery (Novel: 1987)
• The Tommyknockers (Novel: 1987)
• My Pretty Pony (Novel: 1987)
• Nightmares in the Sky (Nonfiction: 1987)
• Letters from Hell (Novel: 1988)
• Dolan’s Cadillac (Novel: 1988)
• The Dark Half (Novel: 1989)
• The Stand: The Complete and Uncut Edition (Novel: 1989)
• The Langoliers (Novella: 1990)
• The Library Policeman (Novella: 1990)
• Secret Window, Secret Garden (Novella: 1990)
• The Sun Dog (Novella: 1990)
• Four Past Midnight (Story Collection: 1990)
• The Dark Tower: The Waste Lands (Novel: 1990)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 1991 – 2000

During the 1990s, King’s work becomes more reflective and character-driven, often grappling with trauma, morality, and redemption. This era also includes deeply emotional stories and some of his most beloved adaptations.

• Needful Things (Novel; October 1991)
• Gerald’s Game (Novel; May 1992)
• Nightmares & Dreamscapes (Story Collection: 1993)
• Dolores Claiborne (Novel: 1993)
• Mid-Life Confidential: The Rock Bottom Remainders Tour America With Three Chords and an Attitude (Nonfiction: 1993)
• Insomnia (Novel: 1994)
• Blind Willie (Novella: 1994)
• Rose Madder (Novel: 1994)
• Desperation (Novel: 1995)
• The Regulators (Bachman Novel: 1995)
• The Green Mile: The Two Dead Girls (Novel: 1996)
• The Green Mile: The Mouse on the Mile (Novel: 1996)
• The Green Mile: Coffey’s Hands (Novel: 1996)
• The Green Mile: The Bad Death of Eduard Delacroix (Novel: 1996)
• The Green Mile: Night Journey (Novel: 1996)
• The Green Mile: Coffey on the Mile (Novel: 1996)
• The Dark Tower: Wizard and Glass (Novel: 1996)
• Six Stories (Novel: 1996)
• Bag of Bones (Novel: 1998)
• The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (Novel: 1999)
• The New Lieutenant’s Rap (Novel: 1999)
• Hearts in Atlantis (Novella: 1999)
• Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling (Novella: 1999)
• Low Men in Yellow Coats (Novella: 1999)
• Why We’re in Vietnam (Novella: 1999)
• Hearts in Atlantis (Story Collection: 1999)
• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (Nonfiction: 1999)
• Secret Windows: Essays and Fiction on the Craft of Writing (Nonfiction: 1999)
• The Green Mile: The Complete Serial Novel (Novel: 2000)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 2001 – 2010

During the 1990s, King’s work becomes more reflective and character-driven, often grappling with trauma, morality, and redemption. This era also includes deeply emotional stories and some of his most beloved adaptations.

• Dreamcatcher (Novel: 2001)
• Black House (Novel: 2001)
• From a Buick 8 (Novel: 2001)
• Everything’s Eventual (Story Collection: 2002)
• The Dark Tower: Wolves of the Calla (Novel: 2002)
• The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (Revised Novel: 2003)
• The Dark Tower: Song of Susannah (Novel: 2003)
• The Dark Tower (Novel: 2004)
• Faithful (Nonfiction: 2005)
• The Colorado Kid (Novel: 2005)
• The Secretary of Dreams, Vol. 1 (Novel: 2005)
• Cell (Novel: 2006)
• Lisey’s Story (Novel: 2006)
• Blaze (Bachman Novel: 2006)
• The Colorado Kid (Chadbourne) (Novel: 2006)
• The Colorado Kid (Miller) (Novel: 2006)
• The Colorado Kid (Potter) (Novel: 2006)
• Duma Key (Novel: 2008)
• A Very Tight Place (Novella: 2008)
• N (Novella: 2008)
• Just After Sunset (Story Collection: 2008)
• The Little Sisters of Eluria (Novel: 2009)
• Stephen King Goes to the Movies (Story Collection: 2009)
• UR (Novella: 2009)
• Under the Dome (Novel: 2009)
• Blockade Billy (Novella: 2009)
• The Secretary of Dreams, Vol. 2 (Novel: 2010)
• Full Dark, No Stars (Story Collection: 2010)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 2011 – 2020

The 2010s highlight King’s late-career evolution, with a strong focus on crime fiction, aging, and legacy. Many of these books feel more grounded and humane, blending suspense with emotional depth.

• 11/22/63 (Novel: 2011)
• The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole (Novel: 2012)
• GUNS (Nonfiction: 2013)
• Joyland (Novel: 2013)
• The Dark Man (Novel: 2013)
• Doctor Sleep (Novel: 2013)
• Mr. Mercedes (Novel: 2014)
• Revival (Novel: 2014)
• Finders Keepers (Novel: 2015)
• The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (Story Collection: 2015)
• End of Watch (Novel: 2016)
• Gwendy’s Button Box (Novella: 2017)
• Sleeping Beauties (Novel: 2017)
• The Outsider (Novel: 2018)
• Elevation (Novella: 2018)
• The Institute (Novel: 2019)
• If It Bleeds (Novella: 2020)
• The Life of Chuck (Novella: 2020)
• Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (Novella: 2020)
• Rat (Novella: 2020)

STEPHEN KING BOOKS IN ORDER FROM 2021 – 2026

Five decades into his career, Stephen King continues to innovate. His recent bibliography showcases a seasoned author still eager to experiment with genre and character, seamlessly marrying classic themes with contemporary ideas.

• Later (Novella: 2021)
• Billy Summers (Novel: 2021)
• Gwendy’s Final Task (Novel: 2022)
• Fairy Tale (Novel: 2022)
• Holly (Novel: 2023)
• You Like It Darker (Story Collection: 2024)
• Never Flinch — (2025, Novel)
• Hansel and Gretel — (2025, Picture Book)
• Other Worlds than These (Novel: 2026)

By Series Order

The Dark Tower

• The Gunslinger
• The Drawing of the Three
• The Waste Lands
• Wizard and Glass
• The Wind Through the Keyhole
• Wolves of the Calla
• Song of Susannah
• The Dark Tower

Bill Hodges Trilogy

• Mr. Mercedes
• Finders Keepers
• End of Watch

Holly Gibney Books

• The Outsider
• “If It Bleeds” (novella in If It Bleeds)
• Holly
• Never Flinch

Highly recommend you read The Bill Hodges Trilogy before the Holly Gibney books.

Gwendy (with Richard Chizmar)

• Gwendy’s Button Box
• Gwendy’s Magic Feather (Chizmar solo)
• Gwendy’s Final Task

The Talisman Cycle (with Peter Straub)

• The Talisman
• Black House
• Other Worlds than These

Where to Start With Stephen King (Based on What You Like)

If you’re new to Stephen King, don’t start with the longest book on the shelf. Start with what matches your reading taste:

• Classic horror: ’Salem’s Lot
• Psychological suspense: Misery
• Short but powerful: Different Seasons
• Emotional & humane: The Green Mile
• Modern crime thrillers: Mr. Mercedes

These are the books I recommend most often because they’re representative of his style, emotionally gripping, and less intimidating than It or The Stand.

Collections & Nonfiction

Short Story Collections:

• Night Shift (1978)
• Different Seasons (1982)
• Skeleton Crew (1985)
• Four Past Midnight (1990)
• Nightmares & Dreamscapes (1993)
• Everything’s Eventual (2002)
• Just After Sunset (2008)
• Full Dark, No Stars (2010)
• The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015)
• If It Bleeds (2020)
• You Like It Darker (2024)

Nonfiction:

• Danse Macabre (1981)
• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (2000)
• Faithful (2004, with Stewart O’Nan)

Do You Need to Read Stephen King Books in Order?

No, most Stephen King books are standalones. However, you should read in order for:

• The Dark Tower
• Bill Hodges Trilogy
• Holly Gibney books
• Gwendy trilogy
• The Talisman Cycle

If you read those out of order, you’re bound to hit spoilers and miss out on some cool character crossovers.

Source: Wikipedia