unfinished: Sweet Valley Confidential

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Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later (Sweet Valley High)
I wasn't always a dedicated literary fiction reader who enjoyed exploring diversity and prize lists. As a child and teenager, I was a single-minded, contemporary teen fiction series reading fiend. I devoured all of the Sweet Valley Twins, Baby-Sitters Club, Sleepover Friends, Fabulous Five, and Sweet Valley High books. I knew what day the shipment should come into the bookstore, and I often pulled the new ones straight from the shelving cart. I even spent hours playing the Sweet Valley High board game. By myself. I spent hours pondering if I was more like Jessica or Elizabeth (and then which one I really aspired to be.) I spent many years enthralled by the Wakefield twins (yes, I watched the tv show too.)

When I heard Francine Pascal was writing a book about Jessica and Elizabeth as twenty-somethings, I think I actually squealed. Reason soon took hold of me, and I reminded myself my reading tastes are a bit different than they used to be. I decided to patiently wait for a copy from the library instead of spending money on a book I may not like. Still, I was excited when I picked it up at the library and secretly hoped it would be a guilty pleasure that was delightful enough to spend an afternoon with.

I started Sweet Valley Confidential over coffee last week. I made it to page ten. Yes, page ten. It's just not in me. Some books are better left to nostalgia. I'll take my guilty pleasures in tv and film instead.

Have you read Sweet Valley Confidential? Should I give it another chance?

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Comments

  1. ZibileeApril 26, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    I saw this book at the store the other day, and my first thought was that I guess Pascal is trying to cash in again. I used to read a lot of her books when I was younger, but I can't imagine that I would enjoy this book at this stage in my life. Sorry to hear you had a hard time with it.

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  2. VasillyApril 26, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    I was the same way when I was growing up over Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. Page 10?! Ugh!

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  3. Nicole (Linus's Blanket)April 26, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    I have yet to read a good review of this one, even from those who made it past page 10. Thank goodness for the library.

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  4. AnonymousApril 26, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    I am definitely not picking this one up. I have yet to read a good review of it.

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  5. JennyApril 26, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    I think you might be my reading soul mate, LOL!! Your childhood reading sounds just like mine... well, probably like every girly reader at that age. From what I've read of the reviews, you're probably good stopping at page 10 and just reminiscing about the Wakefields. =)

    BTW, I laughed at your comment about playing that game. By yourself. ;)

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  6. Reeder ReadsApril 26, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    OMG I forgot about 'The Sleepover Friends'! LOL - we definately have the same childhood reading tastes. I have this book on hold at the library, so I guess I'll attempt to re-read my childhood favorite and hopefully get past page 10 - LOL

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  7. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    I loved the Sweet Valley series as a teenager and I think I worked my way through all of them. Despite this love I was never interested in reading this new one - sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy it. I guess I was half hoping someone would persuade me to relive my youth.

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  8. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    I've made it past page 10, though I should admit it's been about a week since I've read this. I'm holding onto SVC as a guilty read because I am enjoying it for that. Terribly written, for sure, and I don't like the flashbacks, but I do like the chance to revisit the Wakefields (even if Pascal is just trying to cash in).

    -- Ellen

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