Stephen King turns 79 today. Maybe I should wait until next year to write this post for his milestone birthday. But I can’t guarantee I will read any of the legendary author’s works over the next 365 days (although I want to) so I am writing it today.

Stephen King celebrates his 79th birthday today. I have read a few of his non-horror books over the past couple years.

An icon. How else can I describe Stephen King? Well, some people might put a modifier before the word “icon” with the word “horror” but that would be selling him immensely short. Although King is the king of the horror (pun intended), he is also an overall master of literature.

Stephen King established himself in the horror genre but over the past couple decades he has written novel after novel about plots and topics that aren’t scary. Although I really enjoy a good spooky book, I am a big fan of King’s recent work as well. His contemporary stuff is detailed, engaging, and super funny.

Over the past couple years, I have read three Stephen King books that were all terrific. In case you need a good reading recommendation, here are the ones I picked up off the library shelf…

Billy Summers – The story of a former Marine sniper who continues his work as an assassin in the civilian world. Only taking jobs that target the most evil humans and that pay lucratively, Billy accepts an offer he can’t refuse…only to wish that he refused it. This was a serious page-turner and I was impressed with the character development of Billy—definitely someone you don’t want to mess with.

Before I returned “Billy Summers” to the library, I had to snap a quick photo in my car.

Mr. Mercedes – A retired cop who is deeply depressed is brought back into the game when he starts receiving letters from a serial killer. This detective novel includes a love story as well but what really stood out to me was how sadistic Stephen King can get with his villains.

Me clutching my library copy of “Mr. Mercedes.”

Later – Cue the “Sixth Sense” references but this book is about a boy who can see dead people. Only in this story, the dead people can not just talk but they can only tell the truth. When the boy becomes the favorite resource of a corrupt cop, things get very interesting. Although this seemingly has elements of King’s signature horror storytelling, it is more a crime novel…and it is also a relatively quick read by King standards.

Sorry, I didn’t snap a photo of my hand holding the actual book. But “Later” was a mix of crime and creepy.

Happy birthday, Stephen King! Anyone out there read a King novel recently? Or is there a certain work that I must read? Please let me know. Don’t Blink.