Night Shift

Stephen King’s first collection of stories is an early showcase of the depths that King’s wicked imagination could plumb. In these 20 tales, we see mutated rats gone bad (“Graveyard Shift”); a cataclysmic virus that threatens humanity (“Night Surf,” the basis for The Stand); a smoker who will try anything to stop (“Quitters, Inc.”); a reclusive alcoholic who begins a gruesome transformation (“Gray Matter”); and many more.

Other notable stories included: Jerusalem’s Lot; Trucks; Sometimes they come back; The lawnmower man; Children of the corn.