The maestro of terror, Stephen King, is renowned for crafting iconic horror classics such as It, The Shining, and Carrie. Beyond his own writing, King is a voracious reader, devouring approximately 80 books each year. He often laments, "So many books, so little time," highlighting his passion for literature. In a revealing feature for The Top Ten: Writers Pick Their Favourite Books, King unveiled his personal top 10 list, accompanied by a heartfelt anecdote about his number one choice.
A Treasured Memory from Lisbon Falls
King recounted a cherished memory from his hometown of Lisbon Falls, Maine. As a young man with limited funds, he visited a discount shop and spent more than half his budget—$2.25—on a book he later described as "the best $2.25 I ever spent." This purchase not only enriched his collection but also profoundly influenced his writing career.
Stephen King's Top 10 Favourite Books
Here is the complete list of Stephen King's favourite books, each with a brief description and Goodreads rating:
- Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy – A brutal Western set on the American frontier, following a teenager's journey with the scalp-hunting Glanton Gang. Goodreads rating: 4.2/5.
- Light in August by William Faulkner – A Southern Gothic novel exploring evil and identity through a cursed man's solitary wanderings. Goodreads rating: 3.94/5.
- The Raj Quartet by Paul Scott – A quartet of novels set in the final days of British India, later adapted into the ITV miniseries The Jewel in the Crown. Goodreads rating: 4.49/5.
- 1984 by George Orwell – A dystopian classic depicting a world under constant surveillance by Big Brother. Goodreads rating: 4.2/5.
- Bleak House by Charles Dickens – A critique of corrupt society centered on an endless inheritance dispute. Goodreads rating: 4.02/5.
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding – A tale of British schoolboys stranded on an island, descending into savagery without adult supervision. Goodreads rating: 3.7/5.
- McTeague by Frank Norris – A tragic story of a simple-minded dentist and his greedy wife, based on a real crime in 19th-century San Francisco. Goodreads rating: 3.68/5.
- The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie – A controversial novel inspired by the Prophet Muhammad, which led to violent attacks and assassination attempts on Rushdie. Goodreads rating: Not specified.
- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain – An American classic following Huck and Jim's journey along the Mississippi River. Goodreads rating: 3.83/5.
- The Golden Argosy – A 1947 anthology featuring works by literary giants like Faulkner, Hemingway, and Poe. King praised it as "an amazing resource for readers and writers," crediting it with teaching him more about good writing than any class. Goodreads rating: 4.16/5.
King's Literary Insights
Stephen King's selection spans genres from Westerns to dystopian fiction, reflecting his diverse tastes. He emphasized the educational value of The Golden Argosy, stating it remains a treasured resource. While most books on his list are available on Amazon, The Golden Argosy is notably out of print, adding to its rarity and significance in King's personal library.
This revelation offers fans a glimpse into the literary influences that have shaped one of the world's most successful authors, underscoring his deep appreciation for storytelling beyond the horror genre.
