Read Like a Hunter
It’s no secret that I have a slight hyper-fixation on Supernatural. I’ve watched all 15 seasons at least once, I’ve watched an excessive amount of SPNcon footage online along with interviews and videos made by the cast. I’ve familiarized myself with Radio Company along with some of the other cast member’s music and I’ve watched some of their other work. But do you know what I haven’t done yet? I haven’t curated a list of Supernatural adjacent reads! What is wrong with me?
So,here it goes! These 10 reads have been picked for one of a few reasons. Maybe they have SPN (Supernatural) vibes or maybe the book/story has been referenced at some point in the show. These books span a variety of formats, genres and ages (believe it or not). However, this list does not include any of Chuck’s novels, Bobby or John’s journals (or anyone else’s), or any other specifically Supernatural book. These are books outside of the universe of Supernatural. I will also include links to adopt teach book so just click on the book title or format to get your copy (links may go through Bookshop.org).
Let’s get started!
Genre: Fantasy/Children
Age: 10-12
Synopsis: After being fatally shot by a cop, Jerome finds himself stuck watching his friends and family grieve his loss while he struggles to accept what happened to him.
While exploring how racism played a role in his sudden death, Jerome also faces how history is riddled of racist acts and what it means to be one of the ghost boys.
Supernaturally related: Jerome rightfully is angry with the events that ended his life yet he’s still forced to question the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. He has to learn what it means to be a ghost.
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Age: Adult
Synopsis: Christine changes the life of teens Arnie and Dennis as the used car dubbed Christine by previous owners, takes over their lives. Soon they realize that they need to uncover the truth behind the car, terrifying history or not.
Supernaturally related: While Baby’s history is a little less murderous (well, Baby isn’t usually the murderer), of course there is the ever present, all important car part. However, Christine is also referenced in Episode 10.13. And, I mean, Stephen King’s just a classic in horror, right?
Genre: Graphic Non-Fiction
Age: YA/14-17
Synopsis: An exploration of some Urban Legends
Supernaturally related: One of the things I love about Supernatural is that it was rooted in actual Urban Legends and beliefs across multiple beliefs, cultures and religions. So, naturally, one might want to become more well versed in all things Urban Legend, right?
Genre: Horror
Age: 10+
Synopsis: The classic story of an undead vampire is brought to the twenty-first century in this retelling. When a young lawyer unwittingly helps to unleash
blood-thirsty monster into the world, he finds himself in a chase to protect the innocent and take down the monster before too many people lose their lives.
Supernaturally related: In episode 1.6, Sam and Dean come up against a fun skin-walker who has a passion for the classic movie. But, even beyond that, there’s monster hunting, vampires. Plus, isn’t Supernatural part love letter to the horror genre, classic and modern alike?
Genre: Horror
Synopsis: Based on the true events of a child’s demonic possession, yielding in violent and utterly disturbing behavior drives her mother to seek help from the church.
Supernaturally related: I honestly don’t know how we could not include this edition! First of all, with the amount of exorcisms our boys preform over the course of their 15 seasons is grounds enough! However, Linda Blair herself was in episode 2.7, which closes with one of the lines that made me laugh the loudest and hardest upon seeing it for the first time! I’m also fairly sure that there are comments about pea soup in other episodes as well.
Title: Ghostbusters The original Novelizations of Ghostbusters 1 and 2
Author: Richard Mueller and Ed Naha
Format: Novel & Ebook/ Audiobook
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A group of men band together to take on the ghosts and demons, and other supernatural entities that have taken up residence in NY. Coupled with their gadgets, they pose as a viable threat to all that goes bump in the night.
Supernaturally related: With a mixture of supernatural, comedy and a need to improvise, these four may not be as pretty as our boys and there may not be an angel in their group, but Team Free Will and the legendary Ghostbusters seek out the supernatural to protect the living and rid the Earth of evil in their own way.
Genre: Non-Fiction/Memoir/Biography
Synopsis: Christina Crawford shares her childhood story as the adopted daughter of the famous Joan Crawford, revealing the underbelly of being raised in Hollywood as Christina struggles for her own independence through
abuse and secrets.
Supernaturally related: Ok, well obviously, there’s the childhood of secrets and abuse.I mean, John did the best he could, but let’s face it, Child Protective Services wouldn’t have approved of the way he raised the boys. However, the real reason it’s included on this list is because Mommie Dearest was referenced a few times on the show, in episodes 1.19, 10.17 and 10.18.
Synopsis: A member of the F.B.I academy is called to interview an ingenious psychologist that also happens to have a taste for blood, Hannibal Lector. Hannibal’s being closely monitored at a hospital for the critically insane, but
he may be their only chance they have to understand, find and capture a new serial murderer who’s stalking very particular women for unknown reasons named Buffalo Bill.
Supernaturally related: While the Winchesters have been accused of being serial killers and their reasons for committing such acts are rarely understood by those making such accusations, this book is included because of it’s being referenced quite a bit (episodes 2.03, 5.11, 9.06, 12.16, 13.04, 13.17 and 14.12). Plus, I mean, monsters are one thing. People are the real scarry beings, right?
Genre: Mystery/thriller
Synopsis: When the curator of the Louvre ends up murdered with symbols all over his body, Robert Langdon ends up on the case as a symbologist. Following the symbols, they find themselves looking at the work of Da Vinci and
secret organizations with some really big named alumni. It’s now up to Robert and his team to uncover the mystery before faceless enemies succeed in killing them.
Supernaturally related: This is two fold. There’s the fact that the Da Vinci Code is referenced in Supernatural (episodes 1.19 and 8.13) but I also love the connection to history and religion as Supernatural is nothing if not an exploration of legend, myths and religion as it is generally interpreted vs. alternate solutions and how they intertwine.
the “wonderful wizard of Oz” in hopes of getting that which they need the most including a way home for Dorothy.
Supernaturally related: This one’s fairly simple. In season 9, we meet Dorothy, the very Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz! However, she’s not as much like the girl in the book her father wrote as you might think.
Supernaturally related: It’s written by Misha Collins. Need I say more?
And that’s 10 books that any self respecting Supernatural fan should consider reading at the very least. I know I’m adding the titles I haven’t read yet from this list to my TBR.
And be on the look out! More parts to this list will be added!
Is there a title you were surprised not to see on this list? A title that you think should be included? Let us know in the comments!
