8 Books Recommended by Stephen King

is one of the most prolific writers in the contemporary literature world. Known for his grueling horror and suspenseful mystery stories and novels, his work has inspired countless film and TV adaptations. The ubiquity of King’s presence in the media cannot be understated and insight can be gained into his creative process by examining the media he consumes and resonates with.

Many great writers derive motivation and inspiration for their work from engaging with the art of others, something that King is adamant about in his own craft. King has said, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” Keeping a commitment to reading might seem like an intimidating task, especially with the inherent business of modern-day life. Luckily, Stephen King has plenty of recommendations to help with starting a reading routine.

The Help Is a Moving Story of the Intersectionality of Race and Privilege

Written by Kathryn Stockett

is a highly regarded work of modern historical fiction. King wrote about the book in his former column in Entertainment Weekly, acknowledging the book’s popularity by beginning the entry with, “You’ve Probably read it.”

in the film, a young writer in 1960s Mississippi who writes about the true stories told by Black maids who work for white families. King calls the book “warm, decent, and often funny” but describes that its strength lies in its elucidating of domestic details.

An Unfinished Love Story Details an Author’s Personal Stakes

Written by Doris Kearns Goodwin

, King praised Goodwin’s historical memoir detailing the governmental figures she and her husband worked for. Goodwin relates the love she and her husband share to the love and allegiance they have to their country, having served closely with presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

The book is a trip down memory lane for Goodwin and treats audiences to personal accounts of integral moments in American history. The 1960s seem to be a major period of interest for King, as many other books he’s enjoyed take place around this time. Many of his recommendations involving this period center around the major racial strife and changing political movements that inundated cultural consciousness as the decade unfolded.

Fever House Is a Terrifying Trip

Written by Keith Rosson

combines horror, crime, and the threatening presence of the occult, culminating in a heart-racing story that King claims won’t want to be put down.

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Ghost Story Envisions Horrifying Tales Coming to Life

Written by Peter Straub

, readers will want to pay attention to this recommendation.

follows a writer who ventures to upstate New York after the death of his uncle, where he encounters a group of men who begin telling vicious stories that come back to haunt them.

In Dubious Battle Is a Relevant Political Fiction Novel

Written by John Steinbeck

In the “What Ya’ Readin?” segment, King said that this striking novel was his favorite book he read in high school. Steinbeck’s work is commonly seen in American classrooms as his novels depict issues within American culture that are still prevalent in society today. The novel revolves around an activist fighting for adequate wages and working conditions for migrant workers.

First published in 1936, the novel’s critiques of capitalism, economic and societal imbalances, and finding one’s identity have proven to be extremely thought-provoking and concerningly pertinent to issues rising today. King has experimented with political fiction within his wide array of writings, most notably his 2011 novel 11/22/63, which centers around a time traveler trying to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

The Reformatory Showcases The Brutal Injustice of the Jim Crow Era

Written by Tananarive Due

tells the gripping story of Robert Stephens Jr., a black boy sent to a segregated reform school in Jim Crow Florida. The novel blends elements of race and class discussions with supernatural horror, making it an unforgettable read.

Horror and race have often intertwined, and there’s been a recent surge in horror media that serves as social commentary for the prominence of racism, specifically in America. Due has won an American Book Award and an NAACP Image Award for her work and is considered one of the most significant current voices in black speculative fiction.

To Kill a Mockingbird Is a Classic Story of the Loss of Innocence

Written by Harper Lee

. Published in 1960, the book is a quintessential staple of American storytelling. Written from the perspective of 6-year-old Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, the story pinpoints a distinct memory in her life when her father, lawyer Atticus Finch, defended a Black man accused of a heinous crime.

sticks out because of its truly timeless nature. King credits each book on this list for influencing his writing and encourages other readers and writers to seek something from them as well.

Gone Girl Is a Riveting, Introspective Thriller

Written by Gillian Flynn

In his Entertainment Weekly Column, where he lists his top books of 2012, he writes, “What elevates it is the clarity of Flynn’s observation and the Franzen-like richness of her prose.”

would have this much of an impact on King as it took the fiction world by storm in the early 2000s, captivating readers with its portrayal of femininity, marriage and domestic life.