October is upon us and so begins the spooky celebrations. Skeletons and inflatables are popping up in yards and the pumpkin flavor has taken reign again. And all you readers out there are stocking your TBRs with whatever spooky reads fit your fancy.
But there is only one name who is credited with reviving the horror genre. The sovereign of horror, the masterful crafter of the perfect thrill: Stephen King.
Whether it’s rabid dogs, biological warfare or psychotic killers, his blend of fantasy and science fiction into the horror genre has entrapped fans from across the world. By the early 1900s, his books had sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and he is the only author to have more than 30 books become number one bestsellers.
King was born in 1947 in Maine where his mother would tell him his favorite supernatural stories before bed. He attended the University of Maine where he worked on his stories and wrote for the school newspaper. King graduated with, you guessed it, a bachelor’s degree in English, along with a teacher certificate in 1970. He began to publish his short stories in men’s magazines and mystery fiction magazines.
King’s debut novel, “Carrie” (1974), was an immediate success. The story about the abused girl with supernatural powers was adapted into a film in 1976. From there King’s prowess continued to rise with “The Shining” and “It” until his works were basically guaranteed an adaptation in the 1980s. “It” became the highest grossing film in the horror genre.
Along with his longer novels, King indulges in the art of short fiction such as “Night Shift” and “Nightmares and Dreamscapes.” And to keep it going, he’s also published some nonfiction books including “On Writing,” a book about the craft of writing.
If you have never experienced a King novel, here are two recommendations from King’s work for first time readers.
“Carrie” – Stephen King
Facing bullies and an abusive mother, Carrie starts noticing strange occurrences that seem… supernatural.
If you are like me and like to rummage around authors’ backlists, then you should crack open “Carrie.” As King’s first published novel, you can explore his first introduction to the literary world. If you pair it with a newer novel of his, you can compare how his craft has evolved over the decades he’s been writing. This is the original Stephen King experience for those of you who can’t get enough.
“You Like It Darker” – Stephen King
A collection of twelve short stories, King explores the deeper and darker aspects of horror from a sequel to “Cujo” to an unanticipated inheritance.
If I’m recommending his first published work, then it’s only fair for me to recommend his latest release. “You Like It Darker” is a collection of short stories that focuses on how dark it can really get. I know short stories aren’t for everyone, but they are short, sharp, and bite-sized — perfect for a quick horror fix.
