I read nearly every single one of The Babysitter's Club books, and I proudly collected each one of the "Super Specials" that came out. My favorite series as an older kid/adolescent was the A Wrinkle in Time quartet. I reread those so many times. I also read all the Chronicles of Narnia books multiple times and went through a Cynthia Voigt phase. I read Beverly Cleary as a kid, and had a young adult/teen horror period in middle school. Another influential series for me, starting in 8th grade, was The Ghatti's Tale series, by Gayle Greeno. It's a fantasy series with large, telepathic cat-like creatures in it, so it met a bunch of my interests!
Oh, VC Andrews -- so dark and twisty (and delicious)! Loved reading about the roller coaster of your (impressive) writing career! Glad you decide to start & stick with the Gen-X Journals. Best generation ever, obviously ;)
Loved this post!! I am trying to find my writing voice and read everything I get my hands on that involves drama, thrillers, horror and spooky! I grew up on V.C. Andrews, Judy Blume and Stephen King. That kinda warped me a bit growing up but I feel as though I am aging like fine wine. The nostalgia you speak of has me thinking of the simpler times and how I truly want to be that girl again on my bed just reading books all day on a Saturday!! Love this!!!
I pretty much had every one of these books and yes my little mind is sufficiently warped because of thinking Flowers in the Attic was part love story. While Sweet Valley High had me brainwashed on candy-coated love, which explains my delusions going into marriage and looking for a prince/jock/sorcerer/bad boy/father figure all in one guy. Spoiler alert: I found narcissists instead. LOVED this post, Alexa!
Yes! Wow, I haven't thought about that book in forever but that cover brought it all back. I'll never forget my tween self thinking how spelling her name "Ellyne" was really cool. And to your point, I'm swimming in ideas now that I'm in my 50s!
@Liza -- totally thought I had already replied to this. You're the only other person I've met who read/remembers that book! And I swear I think I modeled my entire concept of high school success on Ellynne's: lose weight, become a cheerleader, steal someone's boyfriend ... BOOM! DONE! (I really only achieved the cheerleader part...š¤£)
My grade four teacher, so I was nine, read The Dark is Rising to us. I remember being slightly terrified. I bought the series when I was in high school. When I was a primary school teacher I read Over Sea, Under Stone to my year 5ās and they loved it. My friend borrowed the series twenty years ago from me and I havenāt seen it since! I always think I need to repurchase the books.
Hi Angela! Perhaps I should send you these little paperbacks, since I still have the original hardcover ones from my childhood? (Message me if you like...)
I was a member of the Judy Blume fan club and have two signed photos of her along with a letter of thanks for being a reader. I also loved the VC Andrews books and truly enjoyed the nostalgia in your piece. Funny what memories come up when I read this. Thank you so much!
Awe! Thank you! Happy to be a subscriber, I saw Margaret with my daughter but need to see if I can find Forever. Judy Blume definitely shaped me as a teenager and itās nice to know she is a nice person!
Forever is a very loose adaptation on Netflix, updated with a bigger focus on issues of race, class, identity, and parental and social pressures. Totally stands on its own and Judy gave it her blessing--I believe her primary request was that it maintained a healthy, sex-positive message.
Thatās amazing, Sarah! Judy mentored another YA author friend of mine and I know her to be an absolutely wonderful person. Did you see the Margaret movie or TV adaptation of Forever? I loved them both so much! Thanks for subscribing ā I think you were my 100th. Feels like I should give you a prize :)
You are so sweet, Alexa! Thank you for this! Iām so happy that we were able to connect and find that we had so much in common. I love that about this platform! Hereās to cheering each other on, revisiting old manuscripts and never giving up! ā¤ļøš
Add in Enid Blyton, Judith Kerr (Iām British), Joan Lingard, Jeffrey Archer, Shirley Conran - plus endless pulp Mills & Boon. š
My mum -- also British -- had every Jeffrey Archer book ever written! I'll have to check out some of the others :)
I read Kane and Abel - which is super trashy; but very readable. Especially being a teen without internet in the 80s!
I read nearly every single one of The Babysitter's Club books, and I proudly collected each one of the "Super Specials" that came out. My favorite series as an older kid/adolescent was the A Wrinkle in Time quartet. I reread those so many times. I also read all the Chronicles of Narnia books multiple times and went through a Cynthia Voigt phase. I read Beverly Cleary as a kid, and had a young adult/teen horror period in middle school. Another influential series for me, starting in 8th grade, was The Ghatti's Tale series, by Gayle Greeno. It's a fantasy series with large, telepathic cat-like creatures in it, so it met a bunch of my interests!
Oh, VC Andrews -- so dark and twisty (and delicious)! Loved reading about the roller coaster of your (impressive) writing career! Glad you decide to start & stick with the Gen-X Journals. Best generation ever, obviously ;)
Yay! I'm so glad to be connected and look forward to reading more from you, as well! xx
Loved this post!! I am trying to find my writing voice and read everything I get my hands on that involves drama, thrillers, horror and spooky! I grew up on V.C. Andrews, Judy Blume and Stephen King. That kinda warped me a bit growing up but I feel as though I am aging like fine wine. The nostalgia you speak of has me thinking of the simpler times and how I truly want to be that girl again on my bed just reading books all day on a Saturday!! Love this!!!
Love it! So glad to have you here, Rebecca! xx
I pretty much had every one of these books and yes my little mind is sufficiently warped because of thinking Flowers in the Attic was part love story. While Sweet Valley High had me brainwashed on candy-coated love, which explains my delusions going into marriage and looking for a prince/jock/sorcerer/bad boy/father figure all in one guy. Spoiler alert: I found narcissists instead. LOVED this post, Alexa!
ššš Suzanna! I am so behind on my reading and responding, but thrilled to be connected. I LOVE YOUR SUBSTACK SO MUCH!
DITTO! Ah I love Substack for this very reason (to be connected with writers like you) šš¤š¤
Yes! Wow, I haven't thought about that book in forever but that cover brought it all back. I'll never forget my tween self thinking how spelling her name "Ellyne" was really cool. And to your point, I'm swimming in ideas now that I'm in my 50s!
Love it! I was obsessed with anything weightloss so this book, along with the Fat Glenda series, hit the spot.
@Liza -- totally thought I had already replied to this. You're the only other person I've met who read/remembers that book! And I swear I think I modeled my entire concept of high school success on Ellynne's: lose weight, become a cheerleader, steal someone's boyfriend ... BOOM! DONE! (I really only achieved the cheerleader part...š¤£)
Yes to all of this! I was obsessed with Judy Blume and the Sweet Valley High Series. āŗļø
Yessss, Sweet Valley High!! As a baby goth I had nothing in common with those perky Wakefield twins but their adventures were like catnip to me!
baby goth šš¤£š¤
Oh anyone else belong to the Science Fiction Book Club?
I was ā and still am ā very SciFi adjacent š
My grade four teacher, so I was nine, read The Dark is Rising to us. I remember being slightly terrified. I bought the series when I was in high school. When I was a primary school teacher I read Over Sea, Under Stone to my year 5ās and they loved it. My friend borrowed the series twenty years ago from me and I havenāt seen it since! I always think I need to repurchase the books.
Hi Angela! Perhaps I should send you these little paperbacks, since I still have the original hardcover ones from my childhood? (Message me if you like...)
That is so kind. I live in Melbourne, so I am sure the postage would be way too much!
Oof, yeah, probs best to find them locally. They must be available!
I was a member of the Judy Blume fan club and have two signed photos of her along with a letter of thanks for being a reader. I also loved the VC Andrews books and truly enjoyed the nostalgia in your piece. Funny what memories come up when I read this. Thank you so much!
Awe! Thank you! Happy to be a subscriber, I saw Margaret with my daughter but need to see if I can find Forever. Judy Blume definitely shaped me as a teenager and itās nice to know she is a nice person!
Forever is a very loose adaptation on Netflix, updated with a bigger focus on issues of race, class, identity, and parental and social pressures. Totally stands on its own and Judy gave it her blessing--I believe her primary request was that it maintained a healthy, sex-positive message.
Thatās amazing, Sarah! Judy mentored another YA author friend of mine and I know her to be an absolutely wonderful person. Did you see the Margaret movie or TV adaptation of Forever? I loved them both so much! Thanks for subscribing ā I think you were my 100th. Feels like I should give you a prize :)
You are so sweet, Alexa! Thank you for this! Iām so happy that we were able to connect and find that we had so much in common. I love that about this platform! Hereās to cheering each other on, revisiting old manuscripts and never giving up! ā¤ļøš
YES! Let's do it all (but enjoy it this time!)...
Cheers to that!! š„