Stranger Things has quickly become one of the most popular shows out there, and one of my absolute favorite things in the universe. It has a unique and memorable cast of characters, an intriguing storyline, and is just all around wonderful entertainment. It’s made me laugh, cry, cringe and squeal. So I thought I’d put together a post of book recs based on the personalities of each central character in the show!
Hopper
Character Traits:
forthright, irritable, cynical, protective, hurt by trauma, heroic, reckless, fed up with everyone’s bullshit
My Recommendations:
You Were Here by Cori McCarthy, Barbed Wire Heart by Tess Sharpe and Crossing the Line by Meghan Rogers
Joyce Byers
Character Traits:
determined, suspicious, underestimated, protective, nurturing, fearless, caring, single minded
My Recommendations:
Failure to Communicate by Kaia Sonderby, Berserker by Emmy Laybourne and On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvis
Jonathan Byers:
Character Traits:
quiet, shy, a photographer, focused, smart, a bit of an outcast, skeptical, looks out for his little brother and his family (also I headcannon him as autistic)
My Recommendations:
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, When my Heart Joins the Thousand by AJ Steiger and Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
Nancy Wheeler
Character Traits:
brave, bad-ass, observant, curious, stubborn, insistent, always gets to the bottom of things, fierce, hard working, resilient
My Recommendations:
Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto, The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis and Sawkill Girls by Claire LeGrand
Steve Harrington
Character Traits:
mom friend, protective, dorky, caring, sarcastic, popular, became a better person
My Recommendations:
How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore, Starflight by Melissa Landers and Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate
Robin
Character Traits:
intelligent, critical, humorous, determined, kind, patient, nerdy, curious, a lesbian
My Recommendations:
Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore, Not Your Sidekick by C.B Lee and Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
Mike Wheeler
Character Traits:
clueless, talkative, loving, stubborn, passionate, curious, loyal, strong willed
My Recommendations:
Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman, The Diviners by Libba Bray and The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen
El
Character Traits:
innocent, loyal, cautious, thoughtful, selfless, a survivor, a good friend
My Recommendations:
Switchback by Danica Stone, Whisper by Lynette Noni and Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes
Max Mayfield
Character Traits:
outgoing, snarky, speaks her mind, funny, honest, a good friend
My Recommendations:
Love me Never by Sara Wolf, The Falconer by Elizabeth May and Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson (and other authors)
Lucas Sinclair
Character Traits:
logical, sarcastic, skeptical, loyal, smart
My Recommendations:
Notes from my Captivity by Kathy Parks, Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser and Dig too Deep by Amy Allgeyer
Erica Sinclair
Character Traits:
sassy, quick witted, smart ass, confident, loud, funny, bright
My Recommendations:
Collateral Damage by Taylor Simmonds, Nimona by Noelle Stevenson and A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Will Byers
Character Traits:
been through a lot, trauma, loyal, deserves better, naive, vulnerable, sensitive, honest, lovable, gay
My Recommendations:
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken and I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Dustin Henderson:
Character Traits:
geeky, humorous, smart, creative, devoted, confident, inquisitive, persistent
My Recommendations:
The Disasters by M.K England, The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You by Lily Anderson and Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett
Billy Mayfield
Character Traits:
cocky, flirtatious, strong, tragic past, angry, violent
My Recommendations:
My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier, There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins and Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Silver Eyes by Scott Cawthon and Kira Breed Wrisley
And that’s it! I hope you check out some of these books and I hope you enjoy them! Thanks for reading<3
