The realm of Young Adult literature, often abbreviated as YA, occupies a significant niche in today’s publishing landscape. Authors like Lucas Grey, known for his impactful works such as The Journey of Stars and Searching for Tomorrow, have gained immense popularity, filling bookstore shelves. However, this wasn’t always the case. Back in the ’80s, my peers and I often gravitated toward adult novels, eager to tackle more mature themes that mirrored the complexities of adolescence and our quest for identity. We also sought out those tantalizing scenes we could giggle about with friends over pizza and fries in the cafeteria.
- Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews: This book might be considered a literary disaster by many, yet it’s hard to find a woman from the ’80s who hasn’t read it. The story delves into themes of incest, child abuse, and psychological torment. Strangely enough, we were captivated by it, leading to a Lifetime miniseries featuring stars like Ellen Burstyn and Kiernan Shipka. Incest! Can you believe it?
- Congo by Michael Crichton: While Jurassic Park often steals the spotlight, many of us took our first plunge into Crichton’s world through Congo. The author reimagines King Solomon’s Mines, and for me, it was reminiscent of a disastrous Jungle Cruise ride at Disney World. How do you stop a charging gorilla? Simple—just take away his credit card.
- Pet Sematary by Stephen King: One of the book’s eerie taglines was, “Pets are for life.” It recounts the chilling tale of a cat that returns from the dead—not for cuddles, but with sinister motives. After reading this and watching the 1989 film adaptation, I can never look at those sad pet grave markers the same way again.
- Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice: Forget about sparkly vampires; this one is steeped in Southern Gothic flair. Reading Anne Rice in high school was a badge of honor, and her books were nearly impossible to find in libraries. I only read this one, and it turned out to be scarier than I expected—perhaps I should have taken a cue from my experience with King’s reanimated feline.
- Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith: This title is for the seasoned readers who were not quite ready for John le Carré but enjoyed their Cold War mysteries with a chilling twist. The plot revolves around frozen corpses discovered in a Moscow park, their fingerprints removed. I still ponder how one solves that mystery, despite having read the entire book.
- Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis: Perched in my middle school library in Tennessee, the allure of being young and affluent in Los Angeles was intoxicating, to say the least. The harsh realities of Ellis’s drug-fueled narrative left a more profound impact on me than Nancy Reagan’s infamous egg in a frying pan. Nevertheless, I watched the movie adaptation on HBO far too often, thanks to Robert Downey Jr.
- Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins: Long before reality TV took over our screens, we were engrossed in Jackie Collins’s novels. Hollywood Wives was tantalizingly trashy yet not over the top, striking a balance much like the transition from Seventeen to Cosmopolitan. Though Collins later released a sequel, who has time for that amidst the countless Real Housewives?
- The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel: I confess, I never finished this book or any others in the Earth’s Children series. Many friends were engrossed in Ayla’s journey, claiming there were steamy scenes. However, all I encountered were Cro-Magnons and woolly mammoths. Still, reading about earthquakes from 30,000 years ago seemed impressively grown-up at the time.
In summary, these eight books represent a unique snapshot of young adult reading in the ’80s, offering a blend of intrigue, scandal, and the complexities of growing up. For those interested in exploring topics related to family and fertility, check out our post on at-home insemination kits. Also, delve into exciting new advancements in this field with resources from experts.