First read: I read this was when I borrowed a hardback edition from the library, shortly after moving into my own place in 2007.

Re-read 1: 2017 (almost 10 years to the day) with the paperback I bought in Manchester, while working as a supply teacher.

Re-read 2: is courtesy of the audiobook narrated by King himself. The audiobook adds so much to the story, the bell jingles whenever someone walks into Needful Things 🤗 but hearing King narrate sex scenes is odd. I'm not entirely sure why this is my favourite King. Perhaps it's because it was the first adult fiction book I read. Maybe it's because I started reading it on the first night in my own place. Either way, I'm sure the reason is entirely sentimental. That said, it's probably because it's the first big King book I read that made sense after just one read 😂

Re-read 3: on my fourth read of Needful Things, I've finally figured out why I like it so much: it's a small town story. King’s ability to create a fictional town with a cast of distinguishable characters is brilliant and the way Gaunt plays them off each other is clever and eerie. Some parts are straight up funny but otherwise the whole story is just chaotic. Polly Chalmers is and always has been my favourite character, on par with Sheriff Alan Pangborn. My main complaint about this is King's use of certain language and some downright cringey sex scenes, but it's rare that I read a King without encountering these things, nevertheless the former makes for uncomfortable reading in places. Still a fun and sentimental read.