Stephen King is known around the world as the King of Horror, but calling him only a horror writer honestly feels limiting. Yes, he gave us terrifying classics like It, The Shining, and Pet Sematary, but King is also one of the greatest storytellers of all time. His books are packed with memorable characters, emotional moments, and themes that stick with readers long after the final page.
Even people who rarely read books know who Stephen King is. His stories have become part of pop culture. From Carrieto Misery to The Shawshank Redemption, King has had countless works adapted into movies and television shows. There is a good chance that even if you haven’t read his novels, you have seen at least one adaptation based on his work.
But one question many readers still ask is simple: what books does Stephen King love?
It is always fascinating to see which novels inspired famous writers. Looking at an author’s favorite books can tell you a lot about their influences, storytelling style, and creative mindset. In King’s case, his reading tastes are incredibly diverse. His list includes fantasy epics, literary masterpieces, dystopian fiction, dark psychological stories, and books that blur genre lines entirely.
What makes this list even better is that it is not just filled with predictable choices. Of course there are classics that almost every reader has heard of, but there are also lesser-known novels that deserve far more attention.
If you are looking for books recommended by one of the greatest modern authors ever, this is the perfect place to start.
Stephen King’s 10 Favorite Books
- American Pastoral by Philip Roth (1997)
- 1984 by George Orwell (1949)
- Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (1985)
- The Hair of Harold Roux by Thomas Williams (1974)
- Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (1952)
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding 1954)
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (1954)
- The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson (2012)
- Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter (1962)
- Watership Down by Richard Adams (1972)
1984 by George Orwell
It should surprise absolutely no one that Stephen King loves 1984. George Orwell’s legendary dystopian novel has remained relevant for decades and somehow becomes more relevant every year.
The novel follows Winston Smith, a man living under the constant surveillance of a totalitarian government led by Big Brother. Orwell created a terrifying world where freedom barely exists and even independent thought is considered a crime.
There is a reason people constantly reference this novel whenever conversations about privacy, censorship, surveillance, or authoritarianism come up. Orwell created ideas that permanently entered popular culture.
What makes 1984 so powerful is that it never feels outdated. Even readers picking it up for the first time today will immediately understand why it became one of the most influential books ever written.
You can also see how this novel may have influenced King’s own work. King has always been interested in fear, power, corruption, and what happens when ordinary people are trapped in horrifying situations. Orwell’s atmosphere of paranoia and dread feels like something King would naturally admire.
If somehow you still haven’t read 1984, it absolutely deserves a place on your reading list.
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian is one of the darkest novels ever written, which honestly makes it a perfect fit for Stephen King’s list.
This brutal western follows a teenage runaway known simply as “the Kid” as he becomes involved with a violent gang roaming the American frontier. The novel is filled with disturbing imagery, philosophical discussions about violence, and one of the most terrifying literary villains ever created in Judge Holden.
McCarthy’s writing style is dense, poetic, and unforgettable. This is not an easy read, but it is one that stays with you.
Many readers consider Blood Meridian to be a masterpiece of American literature. Others find it almost unbearably violent. Both opinions are understandable.
King has always explored humanity at its worst, and Blood Meridian is a novel completely consumed by brutality and chaos. It examines violence in a way that feels almost mythological.
It is easy to see why King admires it so much.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Stephen King being a fan of Lord of the Flies makes complete sense.
William Golding’s classic novel follows a group of boys stranded on an island after a plane crash. At first they attempt to create order and civilization, but things quickly spiral into fear, violence, and savagery.
The novel remains deeply unsettling because it suggests that darkness exists within everyone.
King has spent his entire career exploring fear and human nature, so it is easy to see how Golding’s work may have influenced him. Many of King’s stories involve children facing terrifying situations or groups of people descending into chaos.
You can absolutely feel echoes of Lord of the Flies in novels like It and The Stand.
Even decades later, Golding’s novel still feels haunting and powerful. It is one of those books that stays with readers long after they finish it.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Any list that includes The Lord of the Rings is already off to a fantastic start in my opinion.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary fantasy trilogy changed literature forever. Modern fantasy as we know it simply would not exist without Tolkien.
The story follows Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship as they attempt to destroy the One Ring before Sauron can conquer Middle-earth. Along the way readers are introduced to one of the richest fictional worlds ever created.
What makes Tolkien’s work so timeless is the incredible sense of adventure, friendship, sacrifice, and hope.
King has openly discussed his admiration for Tolkien over the years, and you can see traces of Tolkien’s influence in some of King’s larger-scale storytelling. The Stand especially feels like King’s version of an epic battle between good and evil.
Even readers who do not normally enjoy fantasy often end up loving The Lord of the Rings because the story itself is so compelling.
There is a reason Tolkien’s work continues to inspire readers, writers, movies, television shows, and entire fantasy franchises decades later.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Seeing Watership Down on Stephen King’s list honestly made me incredibly happy.
Richard Adams’ novel often gets overlooked when people discuss classic fantasy books, but it absolutely deserves more attention.
The story follows a group of rabbits searching for a new home after their warren is destroyed. While that premise may sound simple, the novel becomes an emotional, dangerous, and surprisingly epic journey.
Adams created an immersive world complete with its own mythology, culture, and unforgettable characters.
What surprises many readers is how intense Watership Down actually is. The novel deals with survival, violence, leadership, fear, and hope.
It may not look like a traditional fantasy novel on the surface, but it absolutely captures the feeling of an epic adventure.
Once you start reading it, it becomes incredibly difficult to put down.
I also love that King included this book because it shines a spotlight on a novel that deserves far more recognition. Too many readers dismiss it because it is about rabbits, which is honestly a huge mistake.
This is one of those books that completely earns its classic status.
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man is widely considered one of the greatest American novels ever written.
The story follows an unnamed Black narrator navigating racism, identity, and social expectations in America. The title refers to how society refuses to truly see him as an individual.
Ellison’s writing is powerful, intelligent, and emotionally devastating.
This novel tackles themes that remain incredibly relevant today, which is part of why it continues to resonate with readers decades after publication.
King has always been drawn to stories about outsiders and people struggling against systems larger than themselves. Invisible Man fits perfectly into those themes.
It is one of those books that every serious reader should experience at least once.
American Pastoral by Philip Roth
Philip Roth’s American Pastoral is another literary heavyweight on King’s list.
The novel tells the story of Seymour “Swede” Levov, a successful man whose seemingly perfect life begins to collapse during the political and social upheaval of the 1960s.
Roth explores the illusion of the American Dream and how quickly stability can unravel.
The novel is emotional, layered, and deeply human.
King has always excelled at showing how ordinary lives can suddenly descend into chaos, which may explain why he admires Roth’s work so much.
This is not a fast-paced thriller, but it is the kind of novel that rewards patient readers.
The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson
This is probably one of the lesser-known titles on the list, but it is also one of the most fascinating.
Adam Johnson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is set in North Korea and follows a man attempting to survive within a brutal authoritarian regime.
The book blends political fiction, psychological drama, and emotional storytelling into something truly unique.
Like 1984, the novel examines power, propaganda, and identity.
King’s inclusion of this novel shows how much he appreciates stories that explore fear beyond traditional horror.
Sometimes the scariest stories are the ones grounded in reality.
Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter
Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter is a literary classic that explores human behavior aboard a ship traveling from Mexico to Germany in the 1930s.
The novel focuses heavily on social tension, prejudice, morality, and the flaws of humanity.
What makes the book stand out is Porter’s sharp understanding of people and relationships.
Stephen King has always written character-driven stories, and Ship of Fools is filled with complex personalities and emotional conflict.
It is another reminder that King’s reading tastes go far beyond horror.
The Hair of Harold Roux by Thomas Williams
This may be the most obscure novel on the list, but sometimes those hidden gems are the most interesting discoveries.
Thomas Williams’ The Hair of Harold Roux follows a writer blending fiction with reality as he works on his novel.
The book explores storytelling itself, memory, creativity, and identity.
Writers often love novels about writers, so it is not hard to understand why King connected with this one.
For readers who enjoy literary fiction and introspective storytelling, this might be the perfect hidden classic to check out.
Why Stephen King’s Favorite Books Matter
What makes this list so fascinating is how diverse it is.
You have fantasy epics sitting next to literary classics. Brutal westerns alongside dystopian masterpieces. Political fiction mixed with psychological storytelling.
It reminds readers that great storytelling can exist in every genre.
One of the biggest mistakes readers make is limiting themselves to only one category of books. Stephen King clearly reads everything, and that openness probably helped shape him into such a versatile writer.
This list also proves that horror writers are often deeply influenced by books outside the horror genre.
Many of the novels here focus on fear, survival, morality, and human nature. Those themes appear constantly throughout King’s own work.
If you are trying to become a better reader or writer, exploring the favorite books of authors you admire is always a great idea.
Conclusion
I honestly think this is an incredible list.
As someone who loves fantasy, classic literature, and darker stories, I really enjoyed seeing the books King selected. Any list with The Lord of the Rings and Watership Down already has my attention immediately.
What I appreciate most is that the list includes both universally celebrated classics and books many readers may never have heard of before.
That is the best kind of recommendation list.
It encourages readers to revisit legendary novels while also discovering hidden gems.
Stephen King’s favorite books reveal a lot about him as a writer and storyteller. They show his love for rich characters, psychological tension, epic storytelling, and emotionally powerful narratives.
If you are searching for your next great read, you honestly cannot go wrong with any of the books on this list.
What do you think about Stephen King’s favorite books? How many of these novels have you read? And which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!
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Never cared for The Lord of the Flies no matter what lessons it taught. We were shown the film at a birthday party when we were 11 and it was indeed traumatic. Parents picked up crying children. In retrospect, it is amusing to ponder what the heck were those parents thinking showing the film to 11 year old girls.
If you’ve seen the header on my blog, you know I agree with Tolkien.
I also don’t believe that if left to our own devices we’ll resort to violence and chaos. Otherwise we would’ve died out as a species long ago. There’s a reason why altruism was encoded into our DNA. It helped us survive. Yes some of us are prone to destruction and they’re just as necessary to society as the peaceful, kind members. Lord of the flies only showed the violent succeeding and I didn’t find it believable. Chaos is needed, yes, but it’s always eventually reigned in.