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February 2, 2006
R.L. Stine Gives Me Goosebumps
The first "Goosebumps" I ever read I didn't actually read; my Mom read it to me. I was in the first grade, and it was called, "The Ghost Next Door". I don't remember being scared, but I remember just liking the imagery, the characters and, of course, the book cover. The raised "Goosebumps" on the cover is probably one of the wisest things a book company ever did for a series. It immediatley set them apart and it just grabs your attention. I don't think I ever got, or will ever get into again, a book series so deeply. The first step after getting a goosebump was just looking at the cover. The bright colors (mostly neons) and "spooky" picture told you, "this books is going to be good!" I would sit in my room and lose myself in the books, something I haven't done since then. The following is a list of the goosebump books that had the most profound impact or lasting impression on me:
The Haunted Mask: This was the second goosebumps book I read (all by myself too!). Compared to other books it isn't the best. But, It was a scary idea to me; a mask that attaches itself to your face and takes over your body! Good book, you should read it. It was also the first one they made into a movie (which I owned).
Say Cheese and Die: Such a good one. Kids find a camera in the basement where a creepy guy name spidey (i spent a day trying to remember his name) lives. The camera has magical powers and can predict the future...sort of. It tells you how you're going to die! Whoa!
Monster Blood II: They made three of these, all of which I read, but the sequel was the best. In this book a class hamster is exposed to the slime, known as monster blood, and becomes gigantic and terrorizes the town. Not scary, but good read.
Attack Of The Mutant: This is a really strange one. I remember the kid goes into a comic book like world and must defeat a "Mutant"?...I don't really remember. But, the descriptions of the buildings got me very excited.
The Horror Of Camp Jellyjam: aka the lost, unfinished book. I was really getting into this book in the 3rd grade, then suddenly it disappeared. I'm almost postive somone in my class stole it. It was in my desk. I still want to finish it.
Escape From Horrorland: I seriously have had over 25 dreams about weird, scary amusement parks. Maybe this book is why?
How I Got My Head Shrunken: One of my favorites for sure. I don't remember the story at all though! But, I remember wanting a shrunken head after I read it.
I could go on, but I'll stop. I'd like to thank Mr. R.L. Stine for writing these incredible books. Us third graders thought you were a genius. I would however like to tell you that you should have never started the "Give Yourself Goosebumps" series. It had already been done with Choose Your Own Adventure, it wasn't needed. But, Thank You!
What are some of your favorite books or memories?! Leave me some comments!
Posted by cory at February 2, 2006 12:41 PM
Comments
for some reason i always thought stine was a woman.
Posted by: george at February 2, 2006 1:19 PM
Nope, weird guy. From Ohio too!
Posted by: Cory at February 2, 2006 1:20 PM
what year was it when you were in 1st grade?
Posted by: docbeezy at February 2, 2006 1:37 PM
I only read a few goosebumps books.
i was into the babysitter's club (little sister series).
i also liked those books... my teacher is from transylvania, my janitor is santa claus... i can't remember the series name...
Posted by: Karen at February 2, 2006 1:47 PM
i would have called it "my X is X."
Posted by: george at February 2, 2006 1:59 PM
It was 1992, I think.
Posted by: Cory Weaver at February 2, 2006 3:00 PM
My favorite was the mask one. I read that like 5 times. It was so good!
Posted by: Seth at February 2, 2006 3:27 PM
i remember really like Judy Blum books; Superfudge and Tales of the 4th Grade Nothing.
I also memorized... "I cannot go to school today said litte peggy ann mckay. I have the measles and the mumps, a rash, a gash and purple bumps ..." by Shel Silverstein
Posted by: ben at February 2, 2006 3:28 PM
I never read any of these. I didn't read a whole lot when I was little. I played with toys a bunch up until middle school. I also tried to write my own book that was inspired by the king james bible. "Then begats a beast with wierd eyes. 'Hark, beast! I shalleth slayeth you swell.' ARghhh, noooo!"
It was only two pages long and I realized it was lame. I started reading in high school. So, i kind of skipped these books. I was into stuff with pictures. A lot of comics.
Posted by: peter j brant at February 2, 2006 4:11 PM
i read every book by brian jacques when i was in fifth grade. i started with martin the warrior and then read every other book in the redwall series. the one i stopped on was called salamandastron. it'll be fun to go back and read them someday. and goosebumps always freaked me out. i was a scared little kid, no horror anything, even cheesy horror.
Posted by: patrick at February 2, 2006 6:33 PM
I still re-read all of my childhood books, except for the R.L. Stine ones. the redwall series, babysitters club, judy blume, etc. I remember reading the mask goosebumps book and one about a werewolf.
Posted by: veronica at February 2, 2006 9:52 PM
sally and i were both jacques nerds. when i got older it was dune.
Posted by: george at February 3, 2006 12:50 AM
I thought she was a lady too.
I loved goosebumps but my teacher wouldn't let us read them for our required reading. wack.
I read a couple of the Redwall books (Redwall and Mossflower, I think) but then I really really lost the patience for those little bricks.
Posted by: anthony at February 3, 2006 10:47 AM
i loved where's waldo best...
Posted by: kevin at February 3, 2006 11:46 AM