The Book of Barb ─ A Celebration of Stranger Things' Iconic Wing Woman

For the Barb in all of us—a guidebook for the kind and tragically uncool. While few people were surprised that the Netflix series Stranger Things was a smash hit, no one expected that one of the show’s minor characters, the nerdy, faithful underdog Barb, would break the internet. But Barb resonated with us—the chill, bespectacled BFF and her unjust abandonment hit a collective nerve. It turns out, in a world of Nancys, we are all Barb.
Here we celebrate TV’s most relatable, and tragic, bestie. Get Barb’s hot tips on makeup and eyewear, as well as her do’s and don’ts of party attendance. Have you ever wondered what Barb keeps in her bag (hint: Trapper Keepers and Bazooka gum) and what she would put on her dream mixtape? And find out whether or not you really are a Barb (maybe you’re actually a Nancy, a Steve, or a Jonathan) with our “Which Hawkins High student are you?” quiz. With full-color illustrations throughout, The Book of Barb brings you inspiration from the ultimate wingwoman and trendsetting style icon—Barb has style tips, quotes, and life advice straight from the Upside Down.

Nadia Bailey is a freelance writer and editor from Sydney, Australia. Nadia has written for Oyster magazine, Shop Til You Drop, Pagesdigital, NW, Madison magazine, Vogue Australia, Hello May, and the ASOS Magazine. Ever since Stranger Things landed, Nadia has been obsessed by its true star: Barb.