What are the best King books?

[JakeEpping]

I just finished 11/22/63 and I thought it was one of the great books I've read.

From King, so far I've read Shawshank Redemption, The Stand, The Body,
It, Misery, Apt Pupil, and a few others.

I prefer the more grounded, semi-realistic, and highly personable King
books to the pure horror ones (such as Cujo, Carrie, etc..)

With that in mind, what King book would you recommend for me?

Thanks in advance.

[Walter Oobleck]

All of them. Cue the soundtrack:

[GNTLGNT]

...any that you haven't read...period...

[Haunted]

Under the Dome comes to my mind since you have indicated you are not afraid of big stories. It is a great one showing people at their best and their worst under extreme circumstances. 'Tis also going to be televised on CBS starting next month.

[dsurrett]

My favorites are The Stand, It, and Salem's Lot.
If you don't want to go with a 1,000 pager, I'd recommend Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Green Mile, Pet Semetary.

[Spideyman]

Try the Dark Tower series.

[Out of Order]

Pet Semetary.

Especially if you are looking for guidelines on how to bury the family cat.

[carrie's younger brother]

Since you stated "I prefer the more grounded, semi-realistic, and highly personable King books to the pure horror ones (such as Cujo, Carrie, etc..)" I would highly recommend Full Dark, No Stars.

[JakeEpping]

That was a great Willie Nelson tune

But I do think there are 2 categories of King books, the ones that are just designed to
scare you and freak you out, and then there are the more quiet and thoughtful ones
usually set in Maine, with a lot of introspection and pathos.

Shawshank Redemption, for instance, is a heartfelt human story, whereas something like
The Shining is just purely terrifying.

I've always found the former category very moving, and hope for books in that genre.

11/22/63 was perfect in that regard.

Thanks for all the recommendations though... (will probably try Full Dark, No Stars...)

[Jojo87]

My favorite is still Under the Dome, so try that one if you haven't yet. But beware so you don't drop it on you feet.