I'm a big reader, always have been. So imagine my delight when after emptying my storage unit I came across all sixty or so Sweet Valley High novels I greedily absorbed as a fifth and sixth grader. Also, all forty-some Babysitter Club Books.
In an effort to reconnect with my youth, and because I am that big a dork, I have decided to embark on a literary journey and reread all my SVH books. I am now on #13 (they take about an hour to read), and I cannot tell you how surprised I am by what I have discovered. They hold up. The schlooky, melodramatic, soap-operatastic lives of the Wakefield twins actually hold up to close scrutiny 15 years later! The only complaint I really have is how so many things can happen in the space of a year in one town (the Wakefields are permanently juniors in high school). Believe it or not though, the books have excellent continuity with each other, the characters are all fully fleshed out and developed (even the bit players often get their own major storyline down the road), and the writing is pretty darn good.
The one thing I have noticed that has drastically changed is who I root for. As an 11 year old girl, I loved Jessica. The dramatic, flighty, popular, bit of a ho twin. She really doesn't care about anyone but herself, and went with what felt good. I found Elizabeth, the studious nice twin, to be boring. But now! Things have changed! While reading the books now, I pretty much find Jessica to be a meglomaniacal bitch and want Elizabeth to just punch her in the face. Not that it's going to happen, but it would be nice. I can't wait to get to my SVH Thrillers. Where the Wakefield twins solve murders! Angela Lansbury, eat your heart out.
Currently Reading: SVH #13, "Kidnapped!" and "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman. I can't be losing my reading street cred.
Currently Watching: Heroes. Best new show of the season y'all.
1 comment:
Dude. What is up with that 'stache?
Post a Comment