The talented master shares his approach to writing and life in On Writing (the summary on which you can find here). In this book, his infectious love of reading is also seen through the list of recommended books he provides. We have collected 15 of Stephen King's favorite books that will enrich your library and ignite your love for reading.
1. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This novel tells a fascinating yet frightening story. A group of children find themselves on a desert island and gradually turn from innocent and kind young boys into ruthless and cruel ones. The Lord of the Flies book explores the darker side of human nature and how it is influenced by social mechanisms of power.
2. Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison
The Invisible Man book tells the story of a black man who feels “invisible” in society because of racial and social prejudice. In addition to the problem of tolerance and human bias, this novel skillfully raises the issues of identity, social inequality, and the struggle for personal recognition.
3. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
This is a classic story of friendship, religion, and class differences that depicts the life of a young artist, Charles Ryder, and his connection to the wealthy Flyte family. The Brideshead Revisited book vividly and uniquely depicts the life and values of the English aristocracy of the past. But the novel also raises important topics, including the relationship between people belonging to different classes of society.
4. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird is a story of the struggle for justice in a society that has many prejudices. The plot centers on Atticus Finch, a lawyer who defends an unjustly accused black man, as well as his daughter, who is just beginning to learn about this world. The author vividly reveals the theme of racial inequality and justice in her novel.
5. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Everyone has heard of The Lord of the Rings books because this fantasy trilogy has won millions of hearts around the world. The main characters of this fantasy fight against the dark forces to destroy the powerful ring that creates evil in the world. The novel reveals the themes of friendship, self-sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil in the fantasy world of Middle-earth.
6. Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter
The novel takes place in the 1930s on an international passenger ship that sets sail with a very diverse group of people on board. The passengers of this ship are people of different nationalities, social classes, and values, but despite this great difference, they all have their problems and hope that they will be solved at the end of the journey. However, the Ship of Fools book shows that at the end of the trip, we do not always get what we want at the beginning.
7. The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
This classic thriller tells a story of passion, deception, and murder. The main character, whose love and desire to get rich pushed him to commit a crime, tries to escape punishment. The Postman Always Rings Twice book reveals the topic of morality and punishment for crimes committed by people, which is acute in our society.
8. Watership Down by Richard Adams
The Watership Down book is interesting because its plot may be close to us, but at the same time, the main characters of this novel are not humans. The author tells about the journey of a group of rabbits who are looking for a new home after their colony was destroyed. This story of survival and freedom becomes an allegory of human society.
9. Ghost Story by Peter Straub
Ghost Story is a book that combines horror and psychological thriller that will evoke a range of different emotions. In this novel, several friends try to unravel the secrets of the past that haunt them in the form of ghosts. Will they be able to overcome their fears and do it?
10. In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien
This story is about a Vietnam War veteran whose wife mysteriously disappears. In addition to the mystery that keeps readers in suspense throughout the novel, the author also reveals deep themes. In the Lake of the Woods book explores the impact of war on the human psyche and the issues of truth and memory.
11. 1984 by George Orwell
This dystopian novel can be ranked first in various lists of books that everyone should read. Because 1984 describes a totalitarian world where citizens are controlled through propaganda and technology. The story raises questions about freedom and state control over the individual.
12. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
You should read Something Wicked This Way Comes book if you like a good combination of an interesting plot and scary secrets. This novel depicts a mysterious carnival that comes to a small town and brings dark forces with it. The author also deeply explores the themes of childhood, fear, and loss of innocence.
13. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
For some people, the word war is associated with horrific cruelty, and for others, it is a brave struggle for freedom that requires sacrifice. However, the Catch-22 book offers readers a different perspective. The satirical novel depicts the absurdity of war and military bureaucracy through the eyes of Captain Yossarian. The theme of absurdity and the logical catch-22 trap are central to the book.
14. The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson
The Orphan Master's Son book tells the story of a man who grew up in North Korea and his life under a totalitarian regime. How do people feel when they live under constant restrictions and have no freedom of speech? This novel raises questions of identity and survival in a country where any manifestation of individuality is seen as disobedience to the regime.
15. The Hair of Harold Roux by Thomas Williams
In the novel, the author explores the issue of creativity through the story of a writer who creates his novel within the novel itself. It sounds unusual, but when you read The Hair of Harold Roux book, you will be captivated by this story from the first pages. The novel also reveals the themes of art and human relationships.
These book recommendations by Stephen King will not only fascinate you with their depth but also inspire you to read more diversely. Each of these novels is special in its own way, and they offer a variety of genres and themes, from classic dystopias to psychological thrillers. If you're looking for new literary discoveries, these books will give you an unforgettable experience and stimulate your reading interest to a new level.
