New to SK and bought a haul of books

[Renzo]

Hey guys.

Yeah, this is gonna be another one of those recommendation threads. I have been feeling a little bored with novels lately (mostly reading stuff by Jim Butcher and various fantasy novels) and remembered that I love some of King's work. So, I went on ebay and gobbled up a large lot of some of his older books, which have recently arrived. Problem is, I have about 30 books here and don't know where to start. And I know some of King's stuff ties back to the DT series.

Here are the books I bought:
The Stand
DT I,II,III,IV
Firestarter
Dead Zone
Four Past Midnight
Dark Half
Skelly Crew
Gerald's Game
Rose Madder
The Shining*
Cujo
Salem's Lot
Eyes of the Dragon
Desperation/Regulators
Misery*
Long Walk
Different Seasons
Night Shift
Pet Semetary*
Tommyknockers
Green Mile I-VI
Bachman Books
Danse Macabre
Christine
Thinner
Dolores Claiborne
Nightmares and Dreamscapes
It*
Insomnia
Needful Things
Bag of Bones
Carrie*

The asterisk means I am familiar with the story and have seen the movie. So...where to begin? I am eyeing The Stand. Any particular reading order?

[bopropadop]

Well, first of all congratulations! You have some great reading ahead of you. You could read them order of publication, of course. But just make sure you read the Dark Tower books in order. Read The Talisman before Black House (didn't see that on your list, but in case you pick them up later). And you're correct, a number of books tie into DT. You might want to read Salem's Lot before DT5, Wolves of the Calla and The Stand before DT4, Wizard and Glass. And if you're really up to it, Insomnia before DT7, The Dark Tower.

All of that said, The Stand is my personal favorite and is a good start in the SK universe.

Welcome!

[dw1345]

The best way to do it is to read chronologically. Start with Carrie, then 'Salem's Lot, then The Shining, The Stand, etc. I'm sure you can find a list on this website or someone else online. Either way, you have a lot of good reads ahead of you!

[Haunted]

What a haul!!!! Congratulations you have corralled some of the best reading material to be had anywhere. I would start off with The Stand and then read Salem's Lot. I envy you.

[Ubasti]

Hi and welcome

Your best bet probably is to just start at the beginning. Keep in mind that some of the books are different from the movies too, so reading the books after already seeing the movies will still give you some new material.

Starting with the collections would'nt be a bad way to go. Really you can start with any of them, they're all good books.

[Renzo]

Thanks for the replies, all! I read some threads after I posted this one last night and a lot of people tend to like publication order, so I think I will start with Carrie. I am really excited to read The Shining because it was such a great movie and I know books are almost always better.

I feel kinda lucky having all this great SK material ahead of me. Thanks again!

[Mr. Jingles]

I remember the first time I read The Lot....i have read it four times since.You never forget your first time! lol...enjoy, love the collection.

[Autumnlyn]

Hi and welcome to the Board! I am so jealous! I WISH I had a treasure trove of unread SK novels awaiting me!!!!!!!

If your eyeing The Stand, jump right in. As for the DT tie ins - I really enjoyed the fact that I had already read most of Uncle Stevie's books before the latter DT's and could identify them myself. Felt like I was Sherlock Holmes or something. Most important, enjoy the journey whatever you read first!!!!!

PS I like to keep a book of short stories in the car so if I ever am stuck waiting (i.e. kids, doctors office, DMV whatever) I have some quickies to enjoy.

[EMARX]

I see a prolific member in the making.

[sidthekid27]

I agree with the idea that you should read chronologically, but I'm saying that from the depths of a reread of The Stand (which I adore). One recommendation I do feel is really necessary is to start with the (God I HATE this word!) VINTAGE stuff. I have a bias toward all the stuff that kept me up at night when I was younger and more ascared of bumps in the night. LOL

And thanks to Autumnlyn- I have a huge number of books cluttering up my car usually, but I've never done it intentionally. Gotta make sure at least one of those books is a short story collection now...

Clutter with purpose.