Ah, the ’80s—a time when young adults were more inclined to snatch up grown-up novels rather than the burgeoning Young Adult genre. Back then, authors like John Green were still a twinkle in their parents’ eyes, and we were on the hunt for books that could help us navigate the wild waters of adolescence. Sure, we craved the thrill of a little romance and some juicy plot twists to share during lunch—pizza and fries in hand.
Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
It’s hard to find a woman who came of age in the ’80s who hasn’t flipped through this infamous tome. Describing themes of incest and child abuse, it’s a shocker, but we were utterly captivated. The book was so popular that it got a miniseries remake featuring stars like Ellen Burstyn and Kiernan Shipka. Seriously, what were we thinking?
Congo by Michael Crichton
While everyone raves about Jurassic Park, many of us took our first plunge into Crichton’s world with Congo. Reminiscent of King Solomon’s Mines, I imagined it as the worst-case scenario of the Jungle Cruise ride at Disney World—complete with a charging gorilla demanding his credit card back.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
With a tagline like “Pets are for life,” how could we resist? This tale of a resurrected cat took on a whole new meaning after reading it, leaving me side-eyeing every sad pet gravestone I encountered.
Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice
Forget the sparkly vampires; this one was steeped in Southern Gothic charm and dread. High schoolers who read Anne Rice felt like rebels, and even if it scared me off, it was still a must-read. I should’ve known better after that undead cat escapade with King.
Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith
For those who were itching for something a little deeper, this Cold War crime drama was a go-to. The chilling opening, where frozen bodies are discovered in a Moscow park, had me hooked, even if I still don’t understand how they solved the mystery!
Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis
The allure of young wealth in Los Angeles was intoxicating from my middle school library perch in Tennessee. Ellis’s gritty take on drug-fueled lives was way more impactful than any anti-drug campaign. And yes, I might have watched the movie on HBO a few too many times—hello, Robert Downey Jr.!
Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins
Before the days of reality TV housewives, Jackie Collins was our guilty pleasure. Hollywood Wives was just the right amount of scandalous—like stepping up from Seventeen to Cosmopolitan. Who has time for the sequel, Hollywood Wives: The New Generation, with so many shows trying to outdo each other?
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
I’ll admit it—I never finished this one, or any of the Earth’s Children series, for that matter. My friends swore it was filled with steamy scenes, but I found myself lost in the prehistoric landscape of Cro-Magnons and mammoths. Reading about earthquakes from 30,000 years ago definitely felt mature, right?
This trip down memory lane showcases how our reading choices shaped our youthful identities and provided an escape from the chaos of growing up. For those looking to dive into deeper conversations about parenting and conception, check out some insights on home insemination at this link. Also, for authoritative information regarding at-home insemination kits, visit this source. And for those exploring the world of pregnancy treatments, this resource is a must!
In summary, these books were our guideposts in a world that felt both thrilling and terrifying, all while we were just trying to figure out who we were.