Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Genre freebie
I’m going with Stephen King Books that are Not Horror. I’m currently doing a Stephen King Reading Challenge, and although I’ve read several of his books, his catalog is so extensive that I’m not even halfway done yet. I don’t think I’m even a quarter-way done! He also has a lot of books that aren’t explicitly horror, even though he’s most recognized as a horror writer. Below is a list of books he’s written that I wouldn’t categorize as horror.
I haven’t read all of these, but have watched some of the film adaptations so I’m vaguely familiar with the stories, and I’m quite confident they’re mostly non-horror. If you’ve read them and don’t agree, please let me know! If you’re familiar with his works and can name more that aren’t horror, please do!
Top Ten Stephen King Books That Are Not Horror
- 11/22/63 – One of his best works; I have read this book twice, watched the tv series, loved both and I could probably reread it over and over again! I would categorize this as time-travel historical fiction.
- The Green Mile – I’ve read the book and watched the movie, and it’s just heartbreaking drama. If there’s any horror, it’s the horror of human monsters. I cried so much for both the book and movie.
- Billy Summers – I’ve only read this once a while ago so I don’t remember a lot, but I remember loving it. It reads more like a crime thriller.
- Under the Dome – I read this and watched the tv series a long time ago and don’t remember much either. I mean, the dome phenomena is probably supernatural, but the monsters are only of the human kind.
- On Writing – The most obvious non-horror, since it’s his non-fiction memoir. I’ve read this a couple of times and it’s always amazing listening to him talk about writing. It’s so inspiring and it makes me want to be his bff!
- Fairy Tale – One of my favorite SK books; it’s like the title says, it’s more like a fairy tale than any horror story. I am enchanted by the book from the first page.
- Dolores Claiborne – I watched the movie but haven’t read the book. It’s another one I would categorize as a drama. Kathy Bates acts as the titular character, and she’s amazing as usual. I’m excited to read it eventually.
- Joyland – More like a coming-of-age story. SK is really good at those, and I enjoyed this one.
- The Body – Also a coming-of-age story, perhaps better known by its movie’s name, Stand By Me. I think most people are familiar with the movie and know that there’s not much horror to it. I haven’t read the book. Hopefully soon.
- The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon – A survival story, not horror unless it’s adventure horror? It stays pretty true to real life and there isn’t very many paranormal elements to it except for hallucinations that can be explained in extreme survival conditions. At least, as far as I remember.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
I don’t think I’ve read any of King’s novels but am sure I always associate his name with the “creepy” genre. Glad to know there are options by him that are less so! 🙂
He’s an amazing writer and I don’t consider him a horror writer but rather he just writes good stories and a lot of them has horror elements. I know I’m biased when it comes to him though!
What a good idea for this week’s theme. I thought 11/22/63 was brilliant.
Here’s mine for this week: https://portobellobookblog.com/2025/08/05/top-ten-tuesday-5th-august-genre-freebie-memoirs-toptentuesday-amreading-bookrecommendations-tuesdaybookblog-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
I think so too! It’s not even one of my favorite ones, but objectively I have to say it’s one of his best.
I read a scary Stephen King book when I was young. Even though many have recommended 11/22/63 to me, I haven’t been courageous enough to read it yet. Thanks for this list!
I really think you’ll enjoy 11/22/63! I’d love to know your thoughts whenever you decide to read it!
I haven’t read any King, because I’ve always associated his name with horror. But isn’t it fascinating that humans are the worst monsters of all?
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/football-reads-ten-books-to-prepare-for-football-season/
It’s fascinating and also saddening, but one of the reasons I love King’s works so much is because he’s so good with character study. His characters are so richly developed, whether they are “good” or “evil”, it’s so interesting to see!
Yes, I don’t think people realize how much non-horror he’s written!
There are many more I haven’t read I’m sure!
I love this list! Great idea, and it’s amazing how many non horror books he’s written. I’ve read all of these except Billy Summers and Fairy Tale:-)
I love that! There are still too many SK books I haven’t read yet either.
I have only read one Stephen King book. I didn’t realise that he did not horror. I have seen Fairytale around, but assumed that it was horror 🤣
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/08/05/top-ten-tuesday-historical-fiction-recommendations/
Well, I hope you’ll try some of these if you feel inclined to!
I’m not a horror fan, so Stephen King isn’t an author I would normally pick up. It is interesting to know he writes in other genres. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
He does! I chose this topic in hopes more readers will pick up his books. Fingers crossed!
I have read the first bit of On Writing, but I want to go back and read the whole thing. I’ve read 11/22/63 in full, and while I would agree that it’s more of a time travel book, I would argue that there are still some horrific elements to it. (Though not explicitly horror.) However, I do have to say that I didn’t like 11/22/63 as much as a lot of people do. I thought it was needlessly long and strayed too far from the central conceit too often. Ah well… goes to show that no book will please everyone!
Awww… I get it. 11/22/63 is really good and I like it very much, but it’s not one of my favorites by King. Taste is so subjective, as well as preference! I’m also a Holly Gibney fan and I know a lot of King fans don’t like her.
I forget that King writes books that aren’t horror – great list! My TTT
Yeah, he’s prolific, that’s for sure!
I didn’t realize he had so many that were not horror. I did read his horror books back in the day.
I’m sure he’s got lots more that I didn’t list. I’m not familiar enough with his catalog yet.
I’m really enjoying Stephen King at the moment, and have just finished reading 11/22/63. I agree that it’s brilliant!
https://clairehennighan.wordpress.com/2025/08/06/my-top-ten-historical-fiction-novels/
Yayy, I’m so happy to hear you liked it!
11/22/63 is one of my favorites. I also love his fantasy novel The Eyes of the Dragon! 🙂
I can’t wait to get to that one too!
I didn’t read any King until I was at uni (Mum kinda looked down on his books) and I was surprised he had much more breadth than I’d been led to believe!
I personally love his recent books a lot more than the earlier ones, and I think that you’d have to have become a better writer over the years when you write as much as King does!
My Stephen King journey began with Under the Dome. I remember loving it when I read it but its been maybe 13 years since and I hardly remember a thing about it now, lol. I’ve got The Green Mile and the 11/22/63 on my TBR and I’m looking forward to reading them. Great list!