Yesterday I sat down to watch a Stephen King talk from back in January of this year. It took place somewhere in Florida and it was for a library down there. In the question and answer session that followed the talk, King was asked what his favorite Stephen King book was.

I watched with interest, but I was fairly certain of his answer. In many places in recent years, King has often said that his own personal favorite is Lisey’s Story. So I was surprised, and delighted, when King answered that his own favorites were “probably It and 11/22/63.” As it happens, my favorite King novel (and favorite novel period right now) is 11/22/63 followed pretty closely by It.

Tastes change over time. I know this from experience. My favorite book from 10 years ago is different than what it is today. But I was particularly pleased that King recognized those two books as his own favorites. I’ve enjoyed most of what he has written, but those two books are a cut above the rest as far as I am concerned.