6. Joyland
Kings newest one. Only about one month old, still an infant and some of you might cry that its too soon to have this on the list. Read it and then come back and tell me that. Joyland was written for Hard Case Crime as part of a paperback series the company is known for. Some might overlook this for that reason, not realizing the gem hidden within the discount paperback cover. It tells the story of Devin, a college student recently dumped by his first girlfriend as he spends his summer working for a seaside carnival. Simple story. This might be one of Kings simplest hes ever written but like the saying goes, good things come in small packages. This also happens to be a bit of a departure for King. Its not too horrific, not too supernatural -- its more sweet and heartbreaking than anything else. A novel about love, young love and the trials of the heart. Itll make you smile and cry, sometimes within pages. An extraordinary novel from an extraordinary writer. An ode to life itself and what we all should hold most dear. This one snuck up on me so Im giving you fair warning. Grab it, read it, love it -- say thankya later.