From Woman's World · Ed Gross · · 3m
Stephen King’s Top 5 Goodreads Novels
Goodreads readers rank Stephen King’s 1975-1987 novels as most popular despite his decades-long career.
In brief
Goodreads readers rank Stephen King’s 1975-1987 novels as most popular despite his decades-long career. Goodreads readers voted Stephen King’s top five novels all published between 1975 and 1987, including The Stand, It, The Shining, Misery, and Salem’s Lot. Originally reported by Woman's World.
Goodreads Readers’ Top 5 Stephen King Novels
Goodreads readers voted Stephen King’s top five novels all published between 1975 and 1987, including The Stand, It, The Shining, Misery, and Salem’s Lot.
The Stand (1978)
The Stand, published in 1978, features a deadly virus wiping out most of America’s population and leaving survivors to rebuild their lives.
It (1986)
It, published in 1986, follows seven childhood friends in Derry, Maine who confront a shape-shifting evil known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
The Shining (1977)
The Shining, published in 1977, depicts Jack Torrance’s struggle as a recovering alcoholic caretaker of the Overlook Hotel while his son Danny senses supernatural threats.
Misery (1987)
Misery, published in 1987, follows Paul Sheldon, a bestselling novelist imprisoned by his devoted fan Annie Wilkes after a car crash.
Salem’s Lot (1975)
Salem’s Lot, published in 1975, centers on writer Ben Mears discovering vampires spreading in his small Maine town.
Goodreads Readers’ Praise
Readers praise King’s characters, friendships, sense of place, and ability to make the supernatural feel frighteningly real.
Stephen King’s Insights
Stephen King explained how his experiences inspired The Stand, It, The Shining, Misery, and Salem’s Lot.
The Stand Inspiration
Stephen King was inspired by a 60 Minutes segment on CBW (chemical-biological warfare) after moving to Boulder, Colorado.
It Inspiration
Stephen King was inspired by a walk along a narrow road in Boulder, Colorado, where he saw a wooden bridge and imagined a troll.
The Shining Inspiration
Stephen King was inspired by a night at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, where he dreamed of his son being chased by a fire-hose.
Misery Inspiration
Stephen King was inspired by a short story by Evelyn Waugh called 'The Man Who Loved Dickens' during a Concorde flight.
Salem’s Lot Inspiration
Stephen King was inspired by Dracula after a high school class discussion about the novel, imagining Dracula returning to America.
Readers’ Reactions
Readers highlight King’s character development, sense of place, and the lasting impact of his stories across generations.
Why These Novels Stay Popular
These novels remain popular due to King’s strong character development, realistic settings, and ability to blend the supernatural with everyday life.
Stephen King’s Legacy
Stephen King’s novels have become cultural fixtures, with readers consistently ranking his works from the 1970s to 1980s as most influential.
The key point
Goodreads readers voted Stephen King’s top five novels all published between 1975 and 1987, including The Stand, It, The Shining, Misery, and Salem’s Lot.
