Stine's stock has increased significantly in the 21st century, since all of his kid and teen fans grew up and continued singing his praises. In recent years, he's been able to publish novels and short stories for adult readers and has been awarded lifetime achievement prizes in horror and mystery writing.
I really like how you’re willing to listen to other readers, notice consensus and broadcast such. It gets me right over to Libby to place a hold or at least wishlist ‘em.
You are younger than me so I never read these books, but I did dabble in the Babysitter’s Club and Sweet Valley High. I really can’t remember what else I was obsessed with but I also loved choose your own adventure books. Stephen King was during my teen years, though I never quite got obsessed.
The Billy! EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE. We have four, in three different sizes.
I think because they often ended in death? Sometimes they were gross? As the eldest daughter, she tried to keep me very sheltered. She still prefers a Hallmark version of entertainment. This may also be a way some people cope with having survived dark or traumatic experiences— using culture as an escape rather than normalizing the shadows.
In the greater scheme of things they’re not particularly dark so trust your memory. But they’re not good girl trainers like Sweet Valley High or Nancy Drew either!
Of course I am also a Chani fan… and my readings keep saying this eclipse season has something to do with my public/work life which sounds about right. I loved how you described that feeling of organizing shelves and cracking open a paperback as a child. I still can’t really handle much in the way of horror but I could probably handle some dead cheerleaders. Maybe I’ll buy some Stine, you know, for my 10-year-old…
I cant handle as much horror now (also not always the best written) because adult horror is too serious. The kid stuff was like Twilight Zone kind of low stakes. Definitely check it out, you know for your kiddo...
What a sweet insight into little Natalie! I definitely did not read horror when I was child (I would have been terrified lmao). When I think of books defining my childhood I think of Jacquline Wilson (cult follower as a child), Cassandra Clare’s series ‘city of bones’, I also really viscerally remember reading the Noughts and Crosses quad by Malorie Blackman and swallows & Amazons by Arthur Ransome & The Famous Five by Enid Blyton & The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Wow okay I remember more than I thought I did!!! Its so funny I can barely remember the specifics of those books now but I can totally remember the ✨vibes✨
So many you list are unknown to me! But I DIED for The Secret Garden. I may have to do another childhood edition just to talk about the impact of that book.
I loved this piece so much. It brought me right back to my own RLS memories: flipping through the books in the library week after week, too scared to check one out but drawn back for the jolt of fear I'd get just skimming them!
Oh mah gawdt. Reading this brought back so many memories. Thank you for this ultimate nostalgia hit!!!!
I started reading Goosebumps at around 8-9 years old. A classmate named Jacob had most of the Goosebumps series at the time and wanted to share it with the class. He was a baby horror angel. He brought all the books to our classroom and we were able to check them one at a time. Then when I got a little older, I moved onto Fear Street on my own. The Cheerleaders trilogy was my favorite! R.L. Stine was indeed a breath of fresh air, especially when you’ve experienced some darker times as a child. Seeing those covers brought back so many feelings.
The kitties ate as adorable as ever. I remember reading about Rabbit Heart last year and wanting to read it. So excited it’s available and thank you for reminding me!
Stine's stock has increased significantly in the 21st century, since all of his kid and teen fans grew up and continued singing his praises. In recent years, he's been able to publish novels and short stories for adult readers and has been awarded lifetime achievement prizes in horror and mystery writing.
I had no idea he had adult stuff! I am very much looking forward to discovering that. The nostalgia factor for my generation is sky high
I really like how you’re willing to listen to other readers, notice consensus and broadcast such. It gets me right over to Libby to place a hold or at least wishlist ‘em.
well thank you :) I really value this book community and their opinions!!
You are younger than me so I never read these books, but I did dabble in the Babysitter’s Club and Sweet Valley High. I really can’t remember what else I was obsessed with but I also loved choose your own adventure books. Stephen King was during my teen years, though I never quite got obsessed.
The Billy! EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE. We have four, in three different sizes.
Everyone had or has a billy its the law!! Loved BSC and SVH too. They just knew how to hook us back then!!
Me too. The closest I got to dark in the 80s were those Choose Your Own Adventure books. My mom hated them but I couldn’t get enough!
They were so fun - why did she hate them?
I think because they often ended in death? Sometimes they were gross? As the eldest daughter, she tried to keep me very sheltered. She still prefers a Hallmark version of entertainment. This may also be a way some people cope with having survived dark or traumatic experiences— using culture as an escape rather than normalizing the shadows.
ahh, good point. I don’t remember them being dark, but my memory for that age of my life is kind of fuzzy anyway.
In the greater scheme of things they’re not particularly dark so trust your memory. But they’re not good girl trainers like Sweet Valley High or Nancy Drew either!
Of course I am also a Chani fan… and my readings keep saying this eclipse season has something to do with my public/work life which sounds about right. I loved how you described that feeling of organizing shelves and cracking open a paperback as a child. I still can’t really handle much in the way of horror but I could probably handle some dead cheerleaders. Maybe I’ll buy some Stine, you know, for my 10-year-old…
I cant handle as much horror now (also not always the best written) because adult horror is too serious. The kid stuff was like Twilight Zone kind of low stakes. Definitely check it out, you know for your kiddo...
Uncle Stine raised us millennials
he really did!
What a sweet insight into little Natalie! I definitely did not read horror when I was child (I would have been terrified lmao). When I think of books defining my childhood I think of Jacquline Wilson (cult follower as a child), Cassandra Clare’s series ‘city of bones’, I also really viscerally remember reading the Noughts and Crosses quad by Malorie Blackman and swallows & Amazons by Arthur Ransome & The Famous Five by Enid Blyton & The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Wow okay I remember more than I thought I did!!! Its so funny I can barely remember the specifics of those books now but I can totally remember the ✨vibes✨
So many you list are unknown to me! But I DIED for The Secret Garden. I may have to do another childhood edition just to talk about the impact of that book.
I would love that!!
I loved this piece so much. It brought me right back to my own RLS memories: flipping through the books in the library week after week, too scared to check one out but drawn back for the jolt of fear I'd get just skimming them!
Ah I love that :) Was hoping to capture the millennial reading experience for at least one person.
Oh mah gawdt. Reading this brought back so many memories. Thank you for this ultimate nostalgia hit!!!!
I started reading Goosebumps at around 8-9 years old. A classmate named Jacob had most of the Goosebumps series at the time and wanted to share it with the class. He was a baby horror angel. He brought all the books to our classroom and we were able to check them one at a time. Then when I got a little older, I moved onto Fear Street on my own. The Cheerleaders trilogy was my favorite! R.L. Stine was indeed a breath of fresh air, especially when you’ve experienced some darker times as a child. Seeing those covers brought back so many feelings.
The kitties ate as adorable as ever. I remember reading about Rabbit Heart last year and wanting to read it. So excited it’s available and thank you for reminding me!
Nostalgia is my favorite drug!! Jacbo sounds like a G willing to share those precious commodities. Cheerleaders was by far the best. :)