Stephen King Sets Infamous Book Record, Slams ‘Book Banners’

Stephen King has spoken out after learning that dozens of his books have been removed from school libraries across the United States.

The bestselling author took to X to call himself the “most banned author in the United States,” revealing that 87 of his books have faced restrictions in schools.

King criticized the people responsible for the decisions, telling them that instead of complaining about his work, they should “pick up a book and read it.” While his novels are not officially banned nationwide, many have been pulled from school libraries due to content deemed sexually explicit.

Florida has been one of the states where the largest number of King books have been removed.

Last year, King reacted strongly when a Florida school district banned 23 of his novels, writing on X, “Florida has banned 23 [of] my books. What the f****?” according to Newsweek.

The list of banned titles includes some of King’s most famous works, such as The Gunslinger, The Running Man—which was adapted into a film—Carrie, Four Past Midnight, Bag of Bones, It, and The Long Walk.

King’s response comes amid growing debates over book bans in schools. Advocates argue that restricting access to books limits creative expression and discourages students from reading challenging material.

Critics, on the other hand, say certain content may not be appropriate for younger readers. Despite the controversy, King’s comments highlight the frustration many authors feel when their work is censored in educational settings.

Removing books like King’s from school libraries does more harm than good. His stories often tackle complex themes and can spark important conversations among young readers. Banning them outright takes away the opportunity to engage with literature critically. What do you think about these bans and King’s reaction? Share your thoughts in the comments.