Tag Archives: Flashback Summer

by | August 27, 2018 · 12:01 pm

Episode 105 – Sunset Island

Sunset Island by Cherie Bennett

As the sun goes down on this year’s Flashback Summer, we pay a visit to Sunset Island by Cherie Bennet. We’re joined by Denise (@DezDono), editor of the Gailsone series and one of the few people who remembers this 90s Sweet Valley High knockoff series. Listen now to hear about the lifestyles of a secretly rich babysitter and her horny middle-class friends!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: TeenReads bio of Cherie Bennett

Candy Pairing: Denise says Pop Rocks, Kait says OUCH Bubble Gum, Renata says a melting milkshake.

Coming up next: Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | August 13, 2018 · 12:01 pm

Episode 104 – House of Danger

House of Danger by R.A. Montgomery

If you’d like to continue with Flashback Summer, turn to page 2 for Kait, Renata, and Becca’s discussion of House of Danger by R.A. Montgomery. If you’re curious about the Choose Your Own Adventure franchise’s crossover into board game territory, roll a die. If you’re curious about how a single dangerous house can contain aliens, ghosts, carnivorous plants, and counterfeiting chimpanzees, listen to this episode now.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: North & Henderson Choose Their Own Adventure for Special “Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” Issue

The Seven Most F***ed up Real ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ Books

House of Danger on BoardGameGeek.com

Candy Pairing: Becca says banana Runts, Kait says a boardwalk candy store, Renata says a mall candy store.

Coming up next: Sunset Island by Cherie Bennett.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | July 30, 2018 · 12:01 pm

Episode 103 – Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz & Stephen Gammell

Flashback Summer gathered around the campfire to read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz & Stephen Gammell with our editor Becca. Put your hand in a bowl of peeled grapes and listen to hear how deeply upsetting Renata finds the formative stories of Kait’s childhood. Remember: the best way to make sure your friends know that you’re telling them a scary story is to end it with a scream!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: The 18 Most Egregious Art Replacements in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

I’m Glad They Changed The Art in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Candy Pairing: Becca says a big toe, Kait says peeled grapes,  Renata says peanut butter taffy.

Coming up next: The House of Danger by R.A. Montgomery.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | July 16, 2018 · 12:01 pm

Episode 102 – Ramona and Her Mother

Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary

Flashback Summer continues as we revisit everyone’s favorite little sister. Becca and Katelyn joined us to discuss Beverly Cleary’s classic Ramona and Her Mother. Relive the thrill of squeezing out an entire tube of toothpaste and the tragedy of a bad haircut! Listen to this while making a tasty gelatine salad for your next dinner party.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Ramona TV series on YouTube

The Ageless Appeal of Beverly Cleary by Pamela Paul

10 Facts About Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Books

Candy Pairing: Becca says gummy bears, Kait says generic hard candy,  Katelyn says dinner mints, Renata says Jello salad.

Coming up next: Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | July 2, 2018 · 12:01 pm

Episode 101 – The Ghost in The Third Row

The Ghost in the Third Row by Bruce Coville

We’re launching our third Flashback Summer with one of Kait’s most formative childhood books. Author Becky Allen (@allreb) joined us to discuss The Ghost in the Third Row by Bruce Coville, a middle-grade mystery that’s aged surprisingly well, much like a slightly haunted historic theater. Join us for a tween theatrical drama with a higher body count and more satisfying emotional resolution than the Phantom of the Opera!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Ten Books that Terrified Us As Kids (But We Read Them Anyway)

Candy Pairing: Becky says Choward’s violet mints, Kait says yogurt covered raisins,  Renata says Dots.

Coming up next: Ramona and her Mother by Beverly Cleary.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | July 31, 2017 · 12:01 pm

Episode 78 – The Face on the Milk Carton

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney

 

It’s Flashback Summer. Do you know where your daughter is? Have you looked on your beverage container? Jenny (definitely not Janie), Co-Founder of Grinnell College’s Caroline B. Cooney Book Club, joined us to discuss The Face on the Milk Carton. Join us for this wild dive into the world of cults, dairy products, and microfilm!

Readers advisory: Here.

Patreon shout-out: Thanks to Ai for supporting our Patreon! Check out their podcast Decoding Keanu.

Footnotes: ‘Resentments I Have Formed Against Characters From “The Face On The Milk Carton” By Caroline B. Cooney’ by Mallory Ortberg

‘The Face on the Milk Carton’ Grows Up

Frequently Challenged Young Adult Books

The Face on the Milk Carton movie

When Bad News Was Printed on Milk Cartons

99% Invisible – Milk Carton Kids

The Devil’s Elbow: ‘The Stranger’ Recap

Who Killed Lois Duncan’s Daughter?

I Am Feel Uncomfortable When We Are Not About Me?

Candy pairing:  Jenny says something you’re allergic to or chocolate that is not Rainforest Alliance certified, Kait says Oreos, Renata says fruit juice popsicles.

Coming up next: The Dark Archer by John & Carole Barrowman.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | July 17, 2017 · 12:01 pm

Episode 77 – Boxcar Children

Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler WarnerThe Mystery of the Purple Pool by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Flashback Summer goes all the way back to 1942 to read The Boxcar Children and The Mystery of the Purple Pool (Boxcar Children Mystery #38) by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Kait has returned from her Comet pilgrimage, and we were also joined by Katie Schenkel (@JustPlainTweets), writer of Moonlighters, to unpack the biggest mysteries of all: why the Boxcar Children made homelessness seem to appealing, and why their boxcar past equipped these extremely well-behaved children with detective skills. Pour yourself a glass of milk in your favorite pink cup and listen now!

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “The Boxcar Children” and the Spirit of Capitalism by Jia Tolentino

What the hell happened to the Boxcar Children’s parents?

Candy pairing:   Kait says Werther’s Originals, Katie says satellite wafers or candy cigarettes, Renata says bread.

Coming up next: The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | June 5, 2017 · 12:01 pm

Episode 74 – Sweet Valley High

 

Double Love by Francine Pascal

Flashback Summer is back! With Kait camped outside of the Imperial Theater waiting to see Dave Malloy in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Becca stepped in to join Renata and their guest Kristi to discuss Double Love by Francine Pascal, the first of a great many Sweet Valley High books. Renata and Kristi were shocked to see that the series they remembered fondly from their childhoods begins with a kidnapping and assault. Becca, meanwhile, was shocked that anyone actually read these. Pull your gold lavalier necklace out of storage and return to Sweet Valley!

Promotional note: Come see us live at the Freepoint Hotel in Cambridge, MA on June 20th at 7pm!

Thank you note: Thanks to Doug for sponsoring our Patreon! Check out his blog, What Did the Woggle-Bug Say?

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: “I Once Was Miss America” by Roxane Gay

Forever Young Adult’s Sweet Valley High Drinking Game

Lavalier

High school sororities and fraternities

Candy pairing:  Becca says Warheads Extreme Sour, Kristi says cotton candy or Sugar Daddies, Renata says Mountain Dew.

Coming up next: Horse Shy (Saddle Club #2) by Bonnie Bryant.

 

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | August 15, 2016 · 12:01 pm

Episode 55 – Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys

Nancy Drew and the Ghost of Craven Cove The Hardy Boys and the Secret of Sigma Seven 
 

Kait, Becca, and their guests Anna of Bellwether Friends and Holly of TopatoCo continue Flashback Summer by trying to solve the mystery of the missing entertainment after slogging through Nancy Drew and the Ghost of Craven Cove and The Hardy Boys and the Secret of Sigma Seven. Will they discover why they read so many of these books as kids? Will they uncover the secret to why these series are so long-lasting? Will they deduce the three basic personality types of all teenagers in series mystery books? (Spoiler alert: no, no, yes.)

Readers advisory: Here.

Special note: Please take a short survey about our potential Patreon account!

Footnotes: Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys YouTube Playlist

Nancy Drew TV Show Not Happening Because It’s ‘Too Female’

Hardy Boys Online

A Nancy Drew Ghostwriter on the Art of Being “Carolyn Keene” and the Evolution of Nancy Drew in a More Feminist Age

15 Mysterious Facts About the Hardy Boys

Nancy Drew in Starlight

The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and the Secret Ghostwriters of Children’s Fiction

Nancy Drew by Kate Beaton: 1 2 3 4 5

The Original Ghostwriter Behind Nancy Drew Was One of The Most Interesting YA Writers of All Time

 Candy pairing:  Kait says old-timey penny candy, Becca says Three Musketeers, Anna says Twix and Bit O’ Honey, Holly says candy buttons.

Coming up next: Angels to Watch Over Me by Lurlene McDaniel.

* Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

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by | July 4, 2016 · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 52 – Animorphs #1

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Animorphs #1: The Invasion by K. A. Applegate. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

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