In the world of literature today, the Young Adult genre—often abbreviated as YA—has exploded, with authors like Alex Thompson, known for hits such as The Heart’s Journey and Finding Freedom, achieving celebrity-like status. However, this wasn’t always the case. Back in the day, many of us turned to adult fiction, hoping to find stories that resonated with our turbulent teenage years and our quest for identity. And, let’s be honest, we were also on the lookout for scandalous scenes to gossip about during lunch.
1. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
This book is often labeled as a literary disaster, yet I challenge you to find a woman from the ’80s who hasn’t picked it up. It dives into themes of incest, child abuse, and psychological torment. Oddly enough, we were captivated. Its popularity even led to a remake of the TV miniseries featuring stars like Sarah Connor and Lily Jane. Yes, incest, folks! Mind-boggling.
2. Congo by Michael Crichton
While Jurassic Park tends to steal the limelight, many of us first ventured into Crichton’s world through Congo. He envisioned this tale as a modern retelling of King Solomon’s Mines, and I could only picture it as the most catastrophic version of a Disney Jungle Cruise. Pro tip: if a gorilla charges, don’t forget to swipe that credit card!
3. Pet Sematary by Stephen King
One of the memorable taglines was, “Pets are for life.” This spine-chilling tale centers around a cat that returns from the grave, but not for cuddles or treats. After reading this and watching the 1989 film, I’ve never looked at a somber pet grave marker the same way since.
4. Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice
Forget the sparkly vampires of today; this book is steeped in Southern Gothic horror. In high school, reading Anne Rice was the ultimate badge of cool. Although I only ever read this one, it was enough to teach me that I had a low tolerance for fright. I should’ve known after Pet Sematary.
5. Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith
This is for the bookworms who were deep into the Cold War narrative but weren’t quite ready for John le Carré. The chilling premise of finding frozen bodies in a Moscow park with their fingerprints removed still haunts me. I have no clue how one solves that mystery, despite finishing the book.
6. Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis
Sitting in my middle school library in Tennessee, the allure of being young and wealthy in LA was, shall we say, intoxicating. The dark, gritty reality of Ellis’s postmodern classic was far more disturbing than any anti-drug campaign could convey. Still, I found myself watching the movie on HBO more times than I care to admit, mainly for the charm of Robert Downey Jr.
7. Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins
Before reality TV took over our screens, we had Jackie Collins to provide us with our dose of glamour and scandal. Hollywood Wives is the perfect blend of trashy and tasteful. It’s like transitioning from Seventeen magazine to Cosmopolitan. Sure, Collins published a sequel in 2002, but with reality stars invading every corner, who has time for that?
8. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
I must confess, I never finished this one or any of its sequels. Many of my friends were engrossed in Ayla’s journey, claiming there were steamy scenes. I, on the other hand, encountered more woolly mammoths than romance. But hey, reading about a prehistoric earthquake is definitely a sign of maturity, right?
In summary, these eight books shaped our reading habits as young adults in the ’80s, showcasing a blend of intrigue, horror, and drama that captivated our imaginations. If you’re curious about navigating the journey to parenthood, check out resources like this one on pregnancy, or explore more about couples’ fertility journeys and home insemination kits to stay informed.
Keyphrase: 80s books for young adults
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