This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Following our recent posts about Judy Blume's Forever and Young Adult novels, we at Team Novelicious got chatting about our favourite books as teenagers recently (it doesn't take much to start a book discussion over here). We spent a few happy hours reminiscing about the likes of St Clare's, Malory Towers and Point Horror, which were all firm favourites, as were these lovely titles…
1. The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney – This was an important book for Novelicious writer, Jennifer, as it was the first book that had her hooked. Originally published in 1990, this is the story of Janie, who glances at the ordinary girl on the back of the milk carton and, spookily, realises it is a picture of herself as a three year old.
2. The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger – A favourite from Kirsty's teenage years, this was Paula's debut, published in 1974. It is about a girl who is incredibly low on self-confidence, until a new teacher comes along.
3. Remember Me to Harold Square by Paula Danziger – Another Paula Danziger (she was incredibly popular, but sadly died ten years ago). This book is a favourite of Susan's and is a romantic comedy about New Yorker, Kendra, and Wisconsin farm boy, Frank.
4. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume – Margaret is not having an easy time. Her family is half Christian and half Jewish and she doesn't know which religion to choose for herself. On top of that, she's moving from her childhood home and is a late developer. She talks to God, because it's far too embarrassing talking to anyone else about these things. This was another favourite of Kirsty's, who has read it, like, a gazillion times, and my own. I don't think I've read it quite as much, mind you…
5. Diving In by Kate Cann – Another favourite of Kirsty's, this is about a first sexual relationship. Coll meets an older, confident and pushy boy at the swimming pool and he asks her out. Just how far should she go?
6. Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder – Sophie's World was originally published in Norway in 1991, before being printed in English in 1995. It follows teenager Sophie and Alberto Knox, a middle aged philosopher, who introduces Sophie to philosophy. It is one of Zarina's and Kay's favourites. Zarina loved it because not only was it about philosophy in an engaging way, but was also an exciting mystery story to boot.
7. The Alex Rider Books by Anthony Horowitz – Zarina's other favourite is the Alex Rider series of books. Alex is a teenager, but he is also a spy. Stormbreaker is the first in the series.
8. Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal – Oh the joys of Sweet Valley. So many of us wanted to be Jessica or Elizabeth Wakefield. The first novel was published in 1983 with 151 more to follow and was a favourite of many of us at Novelicious.
9. The Trebizon Series by Anne Digby – Now this was one of my favourites and made me want to play tennis and hockey (sadly I don't play either) as well as go to a boarding school in Cornwall. In First Term at Trebizon, Rebecca is new to the boarding school and is lonely. She writes for the school magazine and unwittingly starts a major row.
10. The Nancy Drew Files by Carolyn Keene – Nancy Drew was first published in 1930 and, over the course of many years, her character and the stories have altered. The books I read were the ones from the 1980s, which involved her solving cases and having a bit of a romance with a boy called Ned Nickerson.
What were your favourite books as a teenager?