Which Stephen King novel should I read first?

You might want to begin with 'It'. It's a long but engrossing read that showcases King's ability to build a complex and terrifying story. The characters are very relatable, and the horror elements are top-notch.

I'd recommend 'The Shining'. It's a classic horror that really showcases King's talent for building tension and creating creepy atmospheres.

I'd recommend starting with 'Carrie'. It was his first published novel and it gives a great introduction to his style of mixing the ordinary with the supernatural. It's about a high - school girl with telekinetic powers who gets bullied and then takes revenge in a terrifying way.

I would recommend 'The Mist'. It has a great sense of atmosphere and tension. The idea of being trapped in a supermarket with a strange mist outside filled with unknown and terrifying creatures is really gripping.

I'd say 'Carrie' is a great one to start with. It's got a compelling story and shows King's ability to create memorable characters and tense situations.

You could start with 'It'. It has a great blend of horror, friendship, and coming - of - age elements. The story of the Losers' Club and their battle against Pennywise is both terrifying and engaging. Plus, it gives you a sense of King's ability to build a large and complex story over a long period of time.

I'd say start with 'The Shining'. It's a classic that really showcases Stephen King's ability to create a sense of dread and horror within a familiar setting like a hotel. Plus, the movie adaptation is also very well - known, so it gives you a good reference point.

I would recommend 'Carrie'. It's one of his earlier works and relatively short compared to some of his later, more complex novels. It gives a great taste of King's ability to create a vivid and somewhat terrifying world with his words. The story of a high - school girl with telekinetic powers who is bullied and then takes revenge is both engaging and a classic in the horror genre.

One must - read Stephen King novel is 'The Shining'. It's a classic horror story about a family staying in an isolated hotel during the winter. The psychological horror and the slow build - up of tension are really engaging. Another great one is 'It'. It features a terrifying clown named Pennywise who preys on children. The story jumps between different timelines, which makes it even more interesting.

I'd recommend starting with 'The Tommyknockers'. It has a great blend of mystery, sci - fi elements, and King's typical small - town horror feel. It's not as complex as some of his other works, so it's a good entry point into his sci - fi world.