With spooky season right around the corner, we at Umbra Ex Libris have decided to break out some horror novels. Who doesn’t love a good horror book to keep you up at night. Stephen King is probably the most well known horror author in today’s world. He first introduced me to the horror genre and since then I have been a fan. Therefore, this spooky season I decided to revisit some of my favorite horror books written by him. Here are, in my opinion, 5 of Stephen King’s best horror novels everyone should read.
Carrie
The first Stephen Book I read was Carrie. This book is a great place to start if you’ve never read a horror novel or a Stephen King book for a few reasons. This is a shorter novel and also Stephen King’s first published novel. I find shorter books great introductions into genres because they are quick reads. You don’t have to commit to a long book you’re unsure you will like.
Carrie White grew up in an abusive religious household. While showering after physical education Carrie starts her period for the first time and freaks out because her mother never taught her about her body believing it to be a sin. The other children make fun of her and the school sends Carrie home where her mother locks her away. Carrie discusses how she has telekinetic powers. Feeling guilty for teasing her, another student invites her to prom with a boy and Carrie agrees. After a horrible prank at the prom, Carrie uses her power to destroy the town.
This novel includes themes of sin, revenge, and the supernatural. Stephen King uses blood as a symbol throughout the novel starting at the very beginning with Carrie’s period . This novel is unforgettable and a great introduction to some common horror themes.
The Shining
The Shining is a wonderfully eerie tale set in a cursed hotel. Most people attribute The Shining to the twin girls asking Danny to come play with them. Oddly enough, this never happens in the novel, just the movie. This novel will leave you sleepless at night for sure.
Jack Torrence, an ex-alcoholic, finds a job as a caregiver for a historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado mountains. During the winter off season, Jack is to look after the hotel. He and his family must stay in the hotel all winter due to the snowfall. His young son, Danny, possesses a psychic-like ability known as the shining. The shining allows him to communicate with his mind along with letting Danny see the past and horrific history of the hotel. When the snowfall arrives, the hotel uses its evil nature to corrupt Jack, leaving his family in harm’s way.
This is another must read King novel. Watching Jack’s sanity slowly disappear will have you on the edge of your seat. Looking through Danny’s eyes is a unique feeling while he experiences the past horrors of the hotel.
IT
A common fear people hold is a fear of clowns, also known as coulrophobia. I attribute many people’s fears to this novel. Pennywise the clown is a great monster to read about for the Halloween season. You might even see people dress up as him.
The book follows seven children who are terrorized by Pennywise. Pennywise can disguise itself as the different fears people hold, most often appearing in the form of a clown to attract its favorite food, young children. The book takes place in two parts. The first part takes place in the 1950’s while the second part takes place in the 1980’s where the children are all grown up. The now adult children, vowed to try and take care of Pennywise anytime he were to show up.
It is probably Stephen King’s most well known novel and villain. After you read the novel, it’s not hard to see why it sticks with so many people. Dealing with themes on childhood trauma and the importance of memory also make the book stand out to both younger audiences and older audiences.
Salem’s Lot
If you don’t like clowns, how about vampires? ‘Salem’s Lot is Stephen King’s take on the classic horror theme of vampires. Many argue he does vampire’s a lot better than other authors (sorry Stephanie Myers).
Ben Mears, an author, returns to a town he grew up in with the intentions of writing a book on his early life. Obviously, things do not go as smoothly for him as he wants. People he’s close to in town start disappearing. The vampire slowly turns the town into his thralls. This leads to a wonderful confrontation at the end and a thrilling conclusion.
Stephen King fans and vampire fans alike both love this novel set in the small town of Jerusalem. If you love either vampires or Stephen King this is a must read for this spooky season. I know I will have to go and pick it up.
Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary kept me up at night. The book kept me turning page after page to read about the Creed family. After finishing, I could not fall asleep due to the eerie horror this book provoked.
The Creed family moves into a new house near the small town Ludlow. One day the family take a walk into the woods behind their house and find a pet cemetery where people of the past buried their deceased pets. One night, Louis Creed dreams about a dead student telling him not to go further past the cemetery, as it is an ancient burial ground.
One day the family cat dies and they bury it past the cemetery where it comes back to life, just less living than before. The book leads up to one of the family members dying and buried in the burial ground. The family member comes back to life but they realize he isn’t alive; he’s more likely possessed by an evil spirit.
Pet Sematary is another must read Stephen King book. He writes a chilling tale, one without high profile monsters, bloody gore, or the classic murders. Perhaps a tale many might find even scarier. This book includes all the classic Stephen King style such as deep characterization and fantastic dialogue. This book should be on any horror fans to be read list.
Conclusion
Maybe you think you don’t have the time to read, which is almost never the case, but that’s okay. All of these books have been adapted to the big screen. While we all know the books are better, the movies can still scratch the itch on Stephen King horror. My personal favorite is the 2013 Carrie movie. Have you read any of these books? Do you even like Stephen King? Let us know down in the comments. We love to hear from you!
And as always, happy reading!