How many books has John Waters written?

John Waters has published 3 novels, 4 non-fiction books, 2 plays and 7 other books that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read John Waters's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Carsick.

What is John Waters's most famous book?

Carsick (2014) is John Waters's most widely read book.

John Waters books in order

American filmmaker, actor, comedian and writer

Born: 1946
Country: United States
Books: 16

Biography

John Waters has published 3 novels, 4 non-fiction books, 2 plays and 7 other books, beginning with Role Models (2010). The best-known is Carsick (2014). The latest is Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance (2022).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with John Waters

Start here
Carsick
John Waters's most-read book.
Newest
Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance
Published 2022.

Standalone novels in order

Crackpot, the Obsessions of John Waters (1986)
152 pages
Buy
Carsick (2014)
322 pages
Buy
Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance (2022)
256 pages
Buy

Non-fiction in order

Shock Value (1989)
243 pages
Buy
Role Models (2010)
312 pages
Buy
Make Trouble (2017)
70 pages
Buy
Mr. Know-It-All (2019)
384 pages
Buy

Plays in order

Trash Trio (1988)
258 pages
Buy
Pink Flamingos, and Other Filth (2005)
273 pages
Buy

Other books in order

Art, a Sex Book (2003)
207 pages
Buy
John Waters (2006)
96 pages
Buy
Desperate Living (2025)
96 pages
Buy
Female Trouble (2025)
128 pages
Buy
Flamingos Forever (2025)
96 pages
Buy
Hairspray (2025)
128 pages
Buy
Multiple Maniacs (2025)
96 pages
Buy

About John Waters

John Samuel Waters Jr. is an American filmmaker, actor, writer, and artist. He rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films, including Multiple Maniacs (1970), Pink Flamingos (1972), and Female Trouble (1974). Waters wrote and directed the comedy film Hairspray (1988), which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and a 2007 musical film. His other films include Desperate Living (1977), Polyester (1981), Cry-Baby (1990), Serial Mom (1994), Pecker (1998), and Cecil B. Demented (2000), each containing elements of post-modern comedy and surrealism.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

John Waters FAQ

How many books has John Waters written?: John Waters has published 3 novels, 4 non-fiction books, 2 plays and 7 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read John Waters's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Carsick.
What is John Waters's latest book?: Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance (2022).
What is John Waters's most famous book?: Carsick (2014) is John Waters's most widely read book.