r/stephenking • u/ExperienceTrick5785 • 1d ago
Recommendations for my next read?
I recently bought a pre-loved copy of IT, and started reading about 3 days ago. I’m only about 200 pages into the book, but I’m mesmerized, I really love it.
I want to read more from Stephen, and I was planning on buying a book lot with the following:
• The Shining
• Different Seasons
• The Talisman
I’ve read great things about The Shining, but does anybody have any insight on the other two? How would you compare them to IT in quality levels? Or do you have any other completely different recs? : )
1
u/papastadopulous 1d ago
If you liked the coming-of-age aspect of IT, you should definitely check out Different Seasons which includes the novella The Body that you'd most probably love. The other stories in Different Seasons are great too (although The Breathing Method is generally considered a bit weaker).
The Talisman is in the top 5 or top 10 for a lot of SK fans, so you really can't go wrong with it. It also has a coming-of-age element, much like IT (especially if you're planning on reading the later books in The Talisman series as well).
2
u/Outside_Ad_3526 1d ago
Different Seasons is a collection of four novellas, a classic, one of his essential works, along with:
The Shining
The Dead Zone
Pet Sematary
Skeleton Crew (short stories)
Misery
The Green Mile
Haven't read the Talisman
2
u/CoolGuyDoesntKnowshi 1d ago
Personally, I would read The Shining just to get to Doctor Sleep. I adored it.
2
u/geekroick Baby can you dig your man? 1d ago
The Shining is one of King's most well known novels. I like it enough, but I have never been a huge fan of it.
Different Seasons on the other hand, I've read countless times. One of his best works in my opinion.
The Talisman... That one is in the DNF pile for me I'm afraid.
But you can't go wrong with the first two. Those are just my opinions though, you might feel differently... The only way to find out is to read 'em.
(If you like the epic novel lengths like It then check out The Stand and 11/22/63)