If you are a hardcore fan of Stranger Things like me, you would binge watch everything from Season 2 and then got stuck of having nothing to do after… But, luckily for us, there are books ! 😀 So here are some books that can delay your withdrawal symptom of Stranger Things feels for a bit or for those of you who haven’t watched it yet, reading these books would be a nice way to prepare for it 😉
To start off, what is Stranger Things ?
Netflix Tv Show. Setting : 1983. Event: A boy goes missing. A monster. Weird events happening. Dark things going on. Romance here and there. A waffle lover and X-Men mutant.
In order to choose which books will be included in this selection, here’s a list of themes that appeared on Stranger Things :
- Supernatural aspects ranging from monsters to creepy interdimensional stuff
- Nostalgia (so anything from 60s to 90s)
- A horror/suspense event
- A bunch of kids in bikes
From that, I choose the books that have the same themes. So here we go!
Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon
The funny thing is I stumbled on this book in a random book sale beside my neighbourhood library. It was the most beautiful story I’ve ever read and It’s a book you will remember. If you like that 60’s vibe and a touch of magical realism, some suspense and horror elements, this is for you.
Zephyr, Alabama, is an idyllic hometown for eleven-year-old Cory Mackenson—a place where monsters swim the river deep and friends are forever.
Paper Girls Vol.1 By Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang
This graphic novel screams Stranger Thing but all girls version!! I picked this up after my friend Brianna, who worked at Indigo, recommended this graphic novel to me and I loved it. It has the right kind of humor, beautiful artwork and that 90’s vibe.
In the early hours after Halloween of 1988, four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls uncover the most important story of all time. Suburban drama and otherworldly mysteries collide in this smash-hit series about nostalgia, first jobs, and the last days of childhood.
The Best Weird Tales of Lovecraft
UHM HOLAA! I just HAVE TO INCLUDE LOVECRAFT when talking about Stranger Things and their interdimensional monsters right? That screams lovecraftian everywhere.
Originally written for the pulp magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, H. P. Lovecraft’s astonishing tales blend elements of horror, science fiction, and cosmology that are as powerful today as they were when first published.
House of Leaves by Mark Z.Danielewski
One of the best suspense and thrillers I’ve read in my entire life!! Sometimes books are a reading experience, sometimes they are meant to leave something in you and this novel never leaves me to be honest. It’s kind of creepy how its story stays with me after all these years. It fits with the suspense and dark supernatural elements of Stranger Things .
The story remains unchanged, focusing on a young family that moves into a small home on Ash Tree Lane where they discover something is terribly wrong: their house is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.
IT by Stephen King
The only book in the list that I haven’t read and I’m recommending it because I’ve watched the movie and I felt that Stranger Things vibe already! So of course, I had to put this on the list.
It was the children who saw – and felt – what made Derry so horribly different. In the storm drains, in the sewers, IT lurked, taking on the shape of every nightmare, each one’s deepest dread. Sometimes IT reached up, seizing, tearing, killing . . .
That’s it y’all 😀 Let me know which books would you add to the list 😉
I agree with these books, House of Leaves was amazing and I love Stranger Things. I think they have this cryptic dark atmosphere.
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Glad you agree ! HoL is one of my faves ❤️
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I was relentlessly trying to find ways to cope with stranger things addiction 😂 Then I FOUND YOUR POST. I WAS SO HAPPY. Thank you for giving us these alternatives 📚 Ordered Paper Girls and Lovecraft 🎉
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Wow nothing makes me happier to hear that my post actually convinced you to read MOREE ❤️🤘 !
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I had this wicked migraine all bloody day Trang and didn’t finally get it under control until early this evening so my planned binge watch went out the window. I’ve been so excited about this I even did a post Thursday about signs that you may be obsessed with the series. Oh well. I did get to watch the first episode and thought it was awesome. Hopefully I can watch the rest tomorrow.
I think your list is absolutely spot on! And It definitely has that Stranger Things vibe going for it because of the group of misfit kid going up against the big evil monster. Well done!🤗
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Omgad… I HAD A BIG MIGRAINE TOO 😭😭 I dont know why but I woke up and couldnt even walk without feeling like my head was tearing apart.. If you know what I mean 😞 Completely understand that you have to postpone this ! I hope you can watch the rest this week ❤️ Rest well too 🤗 Thank you for checking out the list ! I am even more grateful that you are commenting while on migraine 😭 SO MUCH LOVE ❤️
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I’m sorry to hear you suffer from migraines too Trang. And they always come at the most inconvenient times! I was able to watch all nine chapters Sunday and had a blast!🤗
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Love this post! I haven’t read any Lovecraft but now I really want to. I’m also SO EXCITED about the new Stranger Things season…. three episodes down! 🙂
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Wuut !! 3 Episodes down!! Let me know when you finish it because if has some Lovecraft-ian vibe going on 😉
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This is an awesome list! I want to read everything on it now, especially House of Leaves and It. But I haven’t seen Stranger Things. I know I’ll be sucked in so I’ve been avoiding it 😳
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LOOL GURLL thats such a smart move tbh 👏👏😂 Because I was so addicted to this show and everything about it. House of Leaves is def my favourite novel on this list 🤘
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Love this list! I had never heard about Boy’s Life but that sounds super fun and has been added to me ports for plunder list. The first mate and I binged half of season 2 last night and are watching the other half tonight. So very good. Arrrrr!
x The Captain
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HEY CAPTAIN ❤️ Woot Boy’s Life is amazing! Def an underrated book and BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN 😍 If you ever get the chance, pick it up I’m sure it will leave you breathless!! 🤘😊 Did you finish it finally? 😱 What did you think?
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We finished the rest of the season the next day and I loved it. I thought it was as well done as season one. I liked all the acting performances. Liked the addition of Bob and the new doctor. I have no idea what season three will show. I am not a big tv watcher but this show is wonderful. Have ye watch the show 3%? That’s another favorite.
x The Captain
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BOB 🤗😭 So sweet ! And no I havent heard of 3% 😱 What is it about? Does it remind you of Stranger Things vibe?
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3% is a netflix series that is a Brazilian dystopian show like the hunger games but better. Excellent acting and story. There is one season so far and I am pretty sure that they are filming a second.
x The Captain
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I FINISHED THE FIRST SEASON OMG As soon as you mentioned it I searched . I watched and thats it Im totallly sold 😂
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That makes me super happy. One down and the rest of the world to convert!
x The Captaiin
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I got 3/4 of the way through ‘House of Leaves’. I quit reading it because it was too creepy!
I love ‘Stranger Things’ and cannot wait to see Season Two.
{Have you been watching ‘The Exorcist’? Season One was fantastic, and Season Two is even better!
Happy Halloween!
~Icky. 🙂
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OMGAD 3/4 of House of Leaves!! YOU GOT SO FARRR NOO DONT quit 😂 The ending is.. quite something 🤔 Let me know if you get the chance to start the season 2 ! And noope I haven’t heard of The Exorcist 😱 What is it about exactly? (u know other than exorcism.. LOL )
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You know what? Maybe I will go back and finish ‘House of Leaves’. Thanks, maybe I just needed a little encouragement.
‘The Exorcist’ is a continuation of the old movie from 1973. It is based on a novel by William Peter Blatty. I recommend it, and his book ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Killer Kane’. Also, the movie adaptation is fantastic. I think they changed the title to something like ‘The Ninth Configuration’? Any-who, ‘The Exorcist’ Season One is about an exorcist priest that gets excommunicated, but he keeps pursuing his calling, which is exorcising demons. An idealistic young priest joins him. Season One features Gina Davis! There is also a fantastic arc. The arc carries over into Season Two. I love a good arc, and I think this show is clearly the best thing on television at this time. That is a bold statement, and I stand behind it.
Happy Halloween!
~Icky. 🙂
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So sorry! I took some time to answer your comment BUT for a good cause ! 😂 So After you told me about I went and about searching everything Exorcist from the books to the movies. I bought the book and Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane are now on my shelves. I started watching the Season 1, I LOVE IT ❤️ Haven’t finished it yet hehe and YES if you need a sign to finish House Of Leaves, it is NOW 🔥 I’m very curious of what you think of the ending 🤔
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Wonderful! I hope you enjoy your books, shows, and movies!
Oh, Goodness, I am getting nervous about ‘House of Leaves’….
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I actually picked up Volume 1 of Paper Girls yesterday! I’ve just barely read it but so far so good!
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Did you finish it ? 😀 Vol.2 just came out this fall I think !!
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Ahhh these all definitely seem to have that Stranger Things vibe!! I still haven’t gotten around to bingeing the show but I want to SO BAD ahhh I can’t wait!!
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AHH GURLL ❤️ Start it … when youre done with school or something because this show is so fcknnn addictive LOL
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Brilliant list! I really want to read House of Leaves. Everything I have read about it appeals to me on multiple fronts. I should explore more Lovecraft, but put him down after my last encounter. Some of the racial commentary irked me (I know, I need to keep the time period in mind). I am sure I will revisit him at some point. Again, great post and perfect timing!
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Woooh ❤️! House of Leaves is such an interesting book 😱 You should read it like… during daytime you know 😂 Yeu Lovecraft has defined the horror genre in his own way, I don’t always love his stories but he’s done and contributed a lot to the horror we know now 🤗
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I will def make a point of picking of House of Leaves. Lovecraft will probably wait until I can put myself in the right mindset 😉 I know there is a lot to be appreciated, I just struggled with some of the “views” in the dated reads haha.
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What an awesome post!!!! I keep getting recommended Stranger Things and can’t wait to check it out!
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YASS CHECK IT OUT 😍😂 If you need a message of destiny telling you to do something … its now CHECK IT HAHA
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Great list! I’m adding paper girls to my tbr! 🙂
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OMG YAY ❤️❤️❤️!! I love it when I get people to read more graphic novels 👏😌
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This list is great!! Your post got shared on Facebook and I was so thankful because god I needed these books in my life .
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Thank you so much !! 😀
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One of the most beautiful list in this blogosphere. Happy that this post got in my news feed . House of leaves is probably the best book out there
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HoL is the best book in this list in my opinion 😂😂
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Ehhh !*0*~ Stranger Things is such a hit now I haven’t started the second season but I already added 3 of these on my Amazon cart ~ Not guilty hehe:] ~ Love your post ! I didn’t know about book blogging before ~ ^•^
withh love •~<3 Sent here from stranger things japan fanbase facebook
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I’m so thrilled to hear that you like my list !! 😀 And even more to make you discover the wonderful world of Book Blogging ❤️
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私はこのポストが大好き!私ができるなら村上を追加しますが、それはバイブと一緒には行きません。
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Bakaaa ~ she doesnt speak Japanese xD
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Indeed I dont speak japanese LOL But thank you for passing by 🙂
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OK confession: I’ve not watched this yet, but judging from your description it sounds amazing! But I love this list! I want to read It and Lovecraft at some point! And Boy’s Life really caught my eye!
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LOOL omg you have to get on the hype train for this show ! Its so good 😀 Boy’s life is the most unexpected book in this list
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hehehe I really do!! 😀
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It’s funny you bring Lovecraft up, because come to think of it Stranger Things does have a Lovecraft vibe.
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Yess! It’s even more obvious in the second season hahah did you have time to watch it? 😀
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Oh yes! It was phenomenal.
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THE SHADOW MONSTER UH HUH Its a lot like the monster in Lovecraft 😉 Nyarlathotep
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Paper Girls and Lovecraft. YAssssss! This list is amazing.
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YAYY <3! Did you read both of them 😀 ?
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It’s an amazing blog. Check mine thekidreader.wordpress.com
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I miss Stranger Things already!! I have had House of Leaves on my TBR for a long time, it’s just such a long book, I was a little afraid of picking it up.
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It is long indeed… 🤣 But it is still the most WTF-ed book I have ever read LOL I miss it too 😭 Who’s your fave character in this season? 😱
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I always like Dustin, I think he’s hilarious and dorky. What about you?
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Just saw this! Can’t wait to pick up some of these books! 🤗
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YAYY ! 😀 Let me know which books you planned to! 😉
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I actually picked up Paper Girls the other day, and thought the exact same thing! Although I haven’t read it yet, I flicked through the pages and completely got ST vibes! 😍
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Omg omg !! Did you finally have time to read it ? 😀 What did you think?
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(Super late reply here!) yes I LOVED IT!!
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This is a great list!
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Thank you! 🙂
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I love stranger things this was sooo helpful
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So happy you find this helpful! 😀 Which book are you gonna put on your TBR ? 🙂
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Thank you for making this list! When Stranger Things first came out and the hype was crazy, I avoided it like the plague. Not sure why, though. So, when the second season came out, I jumped on the bandwagon and OBSESSED over it. It’s so amazing and I could kick myself for not watching it sooner. Needless to say, after I’d finished binge watching the show, I found myself thinking, “Okay, so what now?”
It by Stephen King has been on my list forever, but (like Stranger Things) I’ve been steering away from it. Maybe it’s a sign that I should just take the plunge. I’ve also heard great things about House of Leaves, so I’ll give that a try too!
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Thanx for that!!!
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Omg!!! I love stranger things sooooo much !!!!!! Amazing article!!! Pls check out my blog as well.. it would mean a lot 🙂
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OMG I loved stranger things so much! I got addicted and watched the second season all in one day 😂😂 I’m probably going to read these books, they sound really good! X
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I’m a reader and a big fan of stranger things so thanks for the book idea❤
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My pleasure !! 🙂 Which one would you be most likely to read ?
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Well a boy’s life surely aroused my interest
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This is a great list. When “Stranger Things” came out two years ago someone told me to read The Boys of Summer by Richard Cox. I bought it, but got busy! I am going to read it very soon. Have you or anyone else read it, and if so, does it have the same vibes as all these other great books mentioned? And thank you, I really should get around to reading The Necronomicon.
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