So King definitely has his "things" that show up multiple times in his works. The Stand is the best of his "viral apocalypse" books I've read so far, but if you thought It got wordy, you will find the same of The Stand. I remember feeling it was really long at points. Also, if you've either read his The Fog or watched it, you might feel it's repetitive.

As for The Dark Half, I would say - more to the point than The Stand. I'm interested to know why you are considering it, honestly. It's either The Dark Half or The Dead Zone where King describes an incident of violence that I still think about in passing to this day. I wouldn't say it's traumatizing so much as...really makes you wonder what that would feel like. And glad that you don't know, cuz you are pretty sure it would hurt a fuck.

I reread Christine early this year. I think it's a great, great horror story but also a classic Americana story, what with our obsession with car culture, and I really liked it for that.

I also remember liking Firestarter quite a bit and there's a quote in it I still remember from time to time: "Life is short, and pain is long, and we were all put here on this earth to help one another." I would honestly really recommend Firestarter.

If you like fantasy, and especially if you do read The Stand, but even if you don't, consider The Eyes of the Dragon.

I also happen to be a fan of Rose Madder but - I would say that with the caveat that I don't know if it is really a strong book so much as I like the ultra feminist women's lib sort of storyline.

I am a bit SK fan, but some of his books are bad and it's undeniable. Thankfully, none of the ones we've named here fall into that list, I think.