Tag Archives: Anonymous

by | October 25, 2021 · 12:01 pm

Episode 183 – Jay’s Journal

Jay's Journal by Anonymous

After reading Go Ask Alice last year, we were still left with some lingering questions about issues facing teens. Like, drugs are bad, but what about doing occult rituals? Are they okay if you’re only using them to win high school debate tournaments? To find out, we read another book from Beatrice Sparks’ Anonymous Diaries series, Jay’s Journal. Join us for another spine-tingling episode with our beloved former editor Becca!

Content warning: This book and our discussion of it contains non-graphic discussions of death by suicide, animal abuse, drug use, sexual assault, and a lot of confusing cultural appropriation.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Episode 163 – Go Ask Alice

“Teen Death Diary” by Ben Dieterle

Alden’s Brother’s Amazon Review of Jay’s Journal

Grady Hendrix on Jay’s Journal

Coming up next: Yours Cruelly, Elvira by Cassandra Peterson.

 

* 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 | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 183 – Jay’s Journal

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Jay’s Journal by Anonymous. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

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by | December 7, 2020 · 12:01 pm

Episode 163 – Go Ask Alice

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

 

Per the request of our wonderful Patreon patrons, our editor Becca joined us to discuss the anti-drug cautionary tale Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (aka Beatrice Sparks). Reading it in 2020, we’re not sure what’s harder to believe: that this ever deterred anyone from using drugs, or that anyone ever believed it was actually the diary of a human teenager. We’re grateful to our patrons for supporting us, and just as grateful that we’ve never been invited to any parties where someone slipped LSD into our soda.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Paul F. Tompkins – “Go Ask Alice”

“Lines From Go Ask Alice That, In Hindsight, Should Have Tipped Me Off That This Was Not A True Story” by Daniel Lavery

“The Book That Defined My Teen Anxiety Turned Out to Be a Lie” by Sloane Tanen

“A Queer Reading of Go Ask Alice” by Frankie Thomas

Amazon review of Go Ask Alice by the author of Drugs Make You Un-Smarter

Candy pairing: Becca says any candy that isn’t secretly acid, Kait says pot gummies, Renata says orange yeast rolls.

Coming up next: Bests of 2020.

 

* 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 | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 163 – Go Ask Alice

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Go Ask Alice by Anonymous. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

Continue reading →

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by | November 20, 2017 · 12:01 pm

Episode 86 – The Amorous Intrigues and Adventures of Aaron Burr

The Amorous Intrigues and Adventures of Aaron Burr by Anonymous

 

Since Alex & Eliza left us unsatisfied, we decided to read some anonymously-written 19th century erotica. And who better to accompany us for The Amorous Intrigues and Adventures of Aaron Burr than Mackenzi Lee, author of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and Bygone Badass Broads? This is not the most erotic book we’ve ever read for the podcast, but it is definitely the oldest and possibly the most fat-positive. Join us as we learn about exactly how reliable with the ladies Aaron Burr was.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: Barnes & Noble edition (NSFW cover art)

 Smart Bitches Trashy Books – Amorous Intrigues and Adventures of Aaron Burr

Key & Peele – Substitute Teacher

Neko Atsume Hamilcats

Episode 38 – Hamilton

Episode 33 – The President Did Me From Behind And I Liked It

Episode 69 – Tinglers

Fanfiction 101

Candy pairing: Kait says Smarties, Mackenzi says Sour Patch Kids, Renata says poison licorice.

Coming up next: The Christmas Caramel Murder by Joanne Fluke.

 

* 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 | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 86 – The Amorous Intrigues and Adventures of Aaron Burr

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading The Amorous Intrigues and Adventures of Aaron Burr. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

Continue reading →

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by | May 22, 2017 · 12:01 pm

Episode 73 – Diary of an Oxygen Thief

Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous

 

Kait, Renata, and their guest KL (@momebie, @LaraEckener) read Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous. They’re glad the author hasn’t revealed his identity, because otherwise it might be too hard for us to resist the urge to go egg his house. This is a rambling tale of a man who hates and hurts women and doesn’t get nearly as much comeuppance as we would have preferred. Listen now to find out how much we wish The Rock and/or Wolverine could have saved us from this book!

Content warning: Almost everything imaginable. This book contains child abuse, child sexual abuse, rape, emotional abuse, self-harm, and pretty much every other intense topic you can imagine.

Apologetic note: Apologies for the annoying audio issues in the first half of this episode! Renata had the wrong microphone settings and she is very, very sorry and promises never to do it again.

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

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: How ‘Diary of an Oxygen Thief’ Went from Self-Published Obscurity to Bestsellerdom

Candy pairing:  Kait says an expired, moldy Yorkie bar, KL says salt licorice, Renata says chewed up gum stuck to the floor of a bar.

Coming up next: Sweet Valley High #1: Double Love by Francine Pascal.

 

* 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.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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by | · 12:00 pm

Readers Advisory: Episode 73 – Diary of an Oxygen Thief

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

Continue reading →

Filed under Readers Advisory

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,