R.L. Stine has been a major part of our lives since childhood. His Goosebumps series is perhaps one of the most iconic book series for children ever written, with more than 400 million copies of these books sold worldwide. But for me, it is his Fear Street series that I really connected with as a teenager.
The series, which he started writing in 1989, features 51 books in the primary series, as well as a few different spin-offs about Fear Street, including Fear Street Nights, Return to Fear Street, New Fear Street and 99 Fear Street: The House of Evil, to name a few. And it is even the basis for a trilogy of movies on Netflix!
Considering how prolific R.L. Stine really is, it wouldn't come as a surprise if you were a fan who had missed out on some of the Fear Street books over the years. And as we continue to enjoy spooky season, we wanted to figure out which books in the series were must-reads as longtime fans of the author.
So after much reading and rereading, here are five of the best books in the original Fear Street series that you don't want to miss.
5 Fear Street books to read if you are a fan of R.L. Stine and horror
The New Girl (Book 1)
As it is the first book in the Fear Street series, it feels like a must read. The fact that it also features a mysterious new girl in school that no one else seems to know anything about except for a teen named Cory, definitely caught our interest. The fact that the story is pretty well written as a teen horror from 1989 is just an added bonus.
The Stepsister (Book 9)
Having a new sister can be a challenge, but what happens when you learn something potentially terrifying about the new addition to your family? This book is a reminder that you never really know who is joining your family. And it is definitely perfect for some spooky season reading.
The Knife (Book 14)
The setting for this Fear Street book is actually the Shadyside Hospital, and hospitals can already bring the spooky vibes. The fact that this hospital is full of secrets is just the icing on top of this horror sundae. This one definitely drew me in from the start, and it is definitely one of my favorites.
Bad Dreams (Book 22)
Much like the title reveals, this is a book that centers around Maggie and the bad dreams that she seems to be experiencing every night. Every night, she witnesses the same murder. But what happens when your dreams start to come true? And what if those dreams include a cry for help? Bad Dreams is a perfectly spooky read ahead of Halloween.
Secret Admirer (Book 36)
As an actress for Shadyside High, Selena feels like she is on top of the world. She has been named the lead for the high school play and it seems like the entire school loves her. But it seems that she has also earned herself a secret admirer. Too bad she doesn't take the admirer seriously, as accidents start happening and people begin to get hurt around her. Is Selena safe? Or will she be the next person hurt by the person admiring her from afar?
With so many books in this series, we want to know what your favorite Fear Street book is. And have you read our five must read books? Which books do you think are must reads?