The term “Young Adult” has taken on a new meaning, with authors like Tyler James and his bestsellers dominating the shelves. However, back in the 1980s, many of us sought out adult fiction, hoping to navigate the complexities of growing up while also indulging in a bit of risqué content to discuss over pizza and fries at lunch.
Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
This infamous novel, though deeply troubling, became a rite of passage for many young women of the ’80s. Its themes of incest and psychological torment are hard to forget, and it remains a touchstone of our youth—so much so that it was recently revived by Lifetime with a star-studded cast. Seriously, incest!
Congo by Michael Crichton
While “Jurassic Park” often steals the spotlight, “Congo” was our early introduction to Crichton’s thrilling universe. A reimagining of “King Solomon’s Mines,” I likened it to the worst-case scenario of a Jungle Cruise ride. How do you stop a charging gorilla? Apparently, you cut off his credit card.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
With the tagline “Pets are for life,” this haunting tale revolves around a cat that returns from the grave—not for a fond reunion, but for something far darker. After reading this and seeing the 1989 adaptation, I’ll never look at a pet grave marker the same way again.
Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice
Forget about sparkly vampires; this was the real deal—gothic and terrifying. In high school, reading Anne Rice felt like a badge of honor, though I could only manage the first book. It was, unfortunately, too scary for my taste, which should have clued me in after my “Pet Sematary” experience.
Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith
This novel is a hidden gem for those looking to delve into Cold War intrigue without the heavy-handedness of authors like John le Carré. The chilling opening, with frozen bodies discovered in Moscow’s park, had me hooked, even if I never quite figured out the mystery.
Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis
From my middle school perch in Tennessee, the glamorous yet gritty life of young Los Angelenos captivated me. The raw, drug-fueled reality depicted in this book was far more disturbing than any anti-drug campaign. Still, I couldn’t resist watching the film adaptation on HBO—thank you, Robert Downey Jr.!
Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins
Before the days of reality TV, Jackie Collins wrote the guilty pleasures we craved. “Hollywood Wives” was just the right amount of scandalous—like graduating from Seventeen to Cosmopolitan. (A sequel, “Hollywood Wives: The New Generation,” eventually came out, but with so many housewives on-screen now, who has time?)
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
I confess, I never finished this book or its sequels, even though they were popular among my peers. Following Ayla’s adventures, my friends insisted there were steamy moments, but all I found was a lot of prehistoric life. Still, reading about ancient Earthquakes was quite the grown-up pursuit, right?
This exploration of our ’80s reading habits shows how we sought deeper narratives to understand ourselves during those formative years. If you’re curious about new parenting approaches or home insemination kits, check out this blog post. Explore more about the options available at Make a Mom, an authority on the subject. For further insights into pregnancy, visit CDC’s ART page for excellent resources.
Summary
In the ’80s, our literary choices leaned heavily towards adult fiction, as we navigated adolescence. From the scandalous tales of V.C. Andrews to the chilling narratives of Stephen King, these books shaped our understanding of the world and ourselves.