BookPath
Scary Stories
Stephen King

Scary Stories

Quick Answer

"Scary Stories" is an optional companion work. It can be read at any time, though it is usually best enjoyed after reading the first few core novels of the Collections.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

There are multiple ways to approach this series. Our recommended order is optimized for first-time readers.

❓ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.

Verdict Insight: This is a comprehensive collection and bundle of the Stephen King's works. It typically offers significantly better value than buying the titles individually.

Is this helpful?
1981325 ppOptional Side Story
Kittens / Dean Koontz -- The Magic Shop / H.G. Wells -- Miriam / Truman Capote -- [Tell-tale Heart](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL41059W) / Edgar Allan Poe -- [Genesis and catastrophe](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL20504273W) (a true story) / Roald Dahl -- The squaw / Bram Stoker -- Here there be tygers / Stephen King -- Man overboard! / Winston Churchill -- The lottery / Shirley Jackson -- The bus-conductor / E.F. Benson -- Thanksgiving / Joyce Carol Oates -- Excerpt from The legend of Sleepy Hollow / Washington Irving -- The terrible old man / H.P. Lovecraft -- John Charrington's wedding / E. Nesbit -- The furnished room / O. Henry -- The man upstairs / Ray Bradbury -- The music on the hill / Saki -- The boarded window / Ambrose Bierce -- Fingers on the back of the neck / Margaret Mahy -- The cremation of Sam McGee / Robert W. Service.
Next Recommended Book

The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift

Book # of 241 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

medium Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Collections conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Scary Stories?

This is a side story that can be safely bypassed without losing any context for the main series.

Can I read Scary Stories before other books in the series?

Yes. Scary Stories is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is Scary Stories required reading for the Collections?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after Scary Stories in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Scary Stories is The Stephen King Collection. Stories From Night Shift (Book #null).