Stranger Things is all the rage these days, with the fifth season being such a banger. I binge-watched all the episodes in one day, and I couldn’t wait for the remaining episodes. Hence, I decided to hunt for some books like Stranger Things to keep my mind occupied till the next chapter of the Hawkins crew arrives.
If you are anything like me and crave the same blend of thriller, science fiction horror elements, nostalgic vibes, brilliant music, supernatural vibes, and loveable misfit characters, you have arrived at the right place. We have gathered nine books similar to Stranger Things that will give you goosebumps and chills. Take a look at them:
1. IT by Stephen King
You can always expect spinechilling horror with Stephen King novels and IT is no exception. Set in the seemingly quiet town of Derry, Maine, the plot revolves around a group of kids known as the Losers’ Club. They confront a shapeshifting entity that makes an appearance every 27 years to feed on fear.
Much like the Netflix series Stranger Things, even this science fiction horror book blends supernatural terror with the powerful bond of children and their friendship. The characters face not only a monstrous clown but also real-world dangers that make their courage shine even brighter. If you love emotional depth mixed with nightmarish suspense, IT is a must-read.
2. Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan
Monster thrillers and fearless girls? A big yes. Set in the 1980s, Paper Girls is about four tough 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls who fight some bizarre time-traveling forces. It all starts one morning where they are on their way to deliver newspapers but the day takes a drastic turn and spirals into a wild sci-fi adventure full of cosmic horror, alternate timelines, and mysterious enemies.
If you are looking to read supernatural thriller books like Stranger Things, check out Paper Girls. It has the same retro vibes, tight-knit friendships, and kids in danger. Also, it’s in the form of a graphic novel which makes the books even more interesting.
3. The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor
The Chalk Man is one of my favorite psychological thrillers that follows a group of teenagers. It dives deep into childhood secrets and the terrifying shadows they cast into adulthood. The story follows a group of friends who once used chalk figures to communicate with each other.
However, their playful game led them to a shocking discovery in the woods. Years later, the past comes back knocking on the door, and buried horrors come to light. It’s a great small-town suspense book with shocking twists and turns.
4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Of all the books mentioned in this list, I think it’s safe to say that Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children has the most unforgettable characters. Along with an eerie mix of supernatural mysteries and monster thrillers, this YA horror book follows Jacob who finds himself on a remote island where a peculiar orphanage is hidden.
What’s the mystery element, you ask? The orphanage is full of kids with strange powers. The more Jacob uncovers about the orphanage, the more he gets pulled into the fantastical and dangerous world. This is one among the supernatural thriller books that also has heartfelt moments.
5. Gallant by V.E. Schwab
Looking for more similar Stranger Things book recommendations? Gallant is a great option. It has an atmospheric tale that follows Olivia Prior. She is summoned to Gallant, a mysterious estate with many secrets.
There, she discovers a shadow version of the house and an eerie world lurking just beyond the veil. Here, ghosts, ghouls, and sinister figures roam around. A darkly magical tale that explores parallel realms and creepy monsters. A must-read for fans of supernatural mysteries.
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6. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
The Outsiders is a coming-of-age mystery that portrays male to male friendship beautifully. The story follows Ponyboy, who lives with his brothers after the death of their parents. It’s a gripping book that depicts identity and loyalty while navigating losses and conflicts.
Even though this book doesn’t contain supernatural elements, it has the same emotional vibe to it. Friendship tested by outside danger and teens growing up. It’s a timeless classic book that will change your life.
7. All These Bodies by Kendare Blake
All These Bodies by Kendare Blake is a hair-raising blend of true crime mystery and supernatural suspense. Set in 1950s America, it follows Michael, a small-town boy with dreams of becoming a journalist. He gets pulled into a horrifying murder case when a teenage girl named Marie is found at the scene. She is covered in blood but it looks like she is completely unharmed.
As the investigation unfolds, the truth becomes harder to grasp, blurring the line between the real and the impossible. Much like Stranger Things, the story explores dark secrets, eerie happenings, and the unsettling sense that something beyond human understanding is lurking just out of sight.
8. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
This one is a little different from the rest of the books on this list. It’s a blend of dystopian science fiction, fantasy, and thriller genres where a mysterious disease has killed most children. In The Darkest Minds, the children who survive the plague are left with dangerous powers.
The central character, Ruby, is one of the strongest children. She is locked away in a brutal government camp but soon she escapes and joins a group of teens fighting for their freedom. Her abilities resemble Eleven’s struggle to control her powers and it’s a great escape fiction book that can help you forget your problems for a while.
9. Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
Meddling Kids is a comedy horror book that takes the classic “teen detective squad” and gives it a unique supernatural twist. If I had to define this book in one word, I’d use the word “wild”. So back in 1977, the Blyton Summer Detective Club thought they solved their biggest mystery.
Unfortunately, the case has followed them into adulthood by haunting them. Now, years later, they return to the town of their final adventure to uncover what truly happened. If your search for books like Stranger Things hasn’t ended yet, then this is the perfect book for you. It has nostalgia, bizarre supernatural elements, and dark humor.
10. The Restless Dark by Erica Waters
They say don’t judge a book by its cover but I judged this book by its beautiful cover and I wasn’t disappointed. The story of The Restless Dark takes place in a fictional town called Cloudkiss Canyon. The place is rumoured to be controlled by unsettling, dark creatures.
When a sociopathic serial killer dies there, three girls decide to uncover the truth. It’s a haunting atmospheric thriller where the girls have to face their fears in order to find the truth. With suspenseful supernatural undertones, this is one among the dark fantasy novels you must read.
11. American Elsewhere by Robert Jackson Bennett
In the list of books similar to Stranger Things, we have another town that looks picture/perfect but when you look closely, it’s nowhere close to being perfect. The place has deeper, darker mysteries. In American Elsewhere, Mona Bright inherits a house in Wink, New Mexico.
It’s a community that doesn’t appear on any map. It has impossible secrets tied to another realm entirely. In this town, streetlights flicker, the moon seems too close, and something that’s definitely not human watches people from the shadows.
Conclusion
Books like Stranger Things make you feel like stepping into a beautifully crafted nightmare you won’t want to leave. From eerie small-town secrets to supernatural abilities and strong friendships battling forces beyond comprehension, these sci-fi mystery books offer the perfect escape while you wait for more Stranger Things. So grab your favorite snack, turn down the lights, and dive into a new world that’s just as thrilling as a trip to the Upside Down. Happy reading!
