Sweet Valley Diaries

Book #53: SECOND CHANCE w/guest reader Katie LaDue

Never let 'em see you sweat...or, see you at all!

The Parade of Randos marches on, but this time around, the plot is not so predictable. Will a soon-to-be tennis pro throw it all away over Bruce Patman? The answer may surprise you! Or, if not the answer, at least the question. Katie LaDue is back and we're talking about Kristin Thompson's SECOND CHANCE.

SVD on Instagram

Marissa's Weekly Newsletter

Eric Andre's BAD TRIP

If only I had known: Pacey's "little brother" was named BUZZ!

Extra Drama #52: I Guess It's Okay to Go Home with John for Now?

Just chattin' about John qua John

Marissa and guest reader Dr. Daniel Okobi tackle, but don't really answer, a big-but-vague question: Is John Pfeifer a good guy in this book? Also: Jessica's Philosophy on Men, and what's up with this new tennis girl?

* * *

There's a new Sweet Valley Diaries podpage!

Book #52: WHITE LIES w/Guest Reader Daniel Okobi [Podcast]

It's never the number of Fs you expect

If you're expecting a book titled WHITE LIES to be a cold, hard look at the exclusionary racial culture of Sweet Valley, California...well, keep waiting. The white lies in question here are all about a sweet sophomore, her ill-advised love affair with bad-boy Rick Andover, her sick father, and the sports writer who indirectly causes a rift between them all. Also, Elizabeth is involved. Dr. Daniel Okobi joins Marissa to investigate this twisting tale, Ricks Who've Wronged Us,  HIPAA violations, and, of course, the recorder.

Metropolitan (1990)

Coronary Intervention

This is all I think of when I think of the Fender Stratocaster 

Super Thriller #1: DOUBLE JEOPARDY with guest reader Don Flaxbart [Podcast]

Hey, the Twins solve murders now!

Hiatus, schmiatus -- back by popular demand, it's Don Flaxbart. (Also featuring Marissa.) Listen as father and daughter discuss the heavy implications of Jessica's scheming -- even heavier than usual this time! -- as she helps nearly ruin one young man's life and another's journalism career. But don't worry, it's all okay in the end. Oh, except for the murdered girl. But anyway, back to junior year!

 

See also:

Libel vs. Slander

Original recap

Music in this episode from Purple Planet and Filmstro

Extra Drama #50: Paging Dr. Wu [Podcast Bonus Episode]

*Dr. Wu is not a medical doctor

Allison Chin returns to investigate: what's the deal with Jade Wu's dad? And we consider the "traditional Chinese" art of...dicing? And who or what exactly is out of reach in Out of Reach?

Book #46: DECISIONS w/guest reader Mary Kate Battles [Podcast]

"Families are weird."

Marissa's BFF Mary Kate Battles is back for more Robin Wilson drama! A lot has changed since POWER PLAY -- now Robin's a star diver with a big decision on her hands. But never mind all that; let's talk about the haunting melodic potential of the humble recorder! Mars & MK discuss the very relatable and universal pressures of life in Sweet Valley, California, where everything and nothing is deferred.

"I am a podcaster, I have this podcast, and you're listening to it."
- Marissa Flaxbart, @sweetvalley, not high

Book #45: FAMILY SECRETS

THEY'RE MULTIPLYING

See No Evil...never before has one phrase simultaneously served as the rear cover headline, the main character's flaw, and the costume that she wears to the Big Dance. Guest reader (and former Sweet Valley High reader!) Shey Lyn Zanotti joins Marissa to dissect all the ways that long-lost (and heretofore forgotten) Wakefield cousin Kelly Bates turns a blind eye to the evils around her. And for once we're not talking about Jessica.

I Was a Teenage Wereskunk

Extra Drama #43: Just Plain Crotchetiness [Podcast Bonus Episode]

Nanas Being Nanas

Adaora Nwandu Earl returns to discuss pre-reading predictions for  Book 43: HARD CHOICES, the challenges of asserting yourself with family, and strong female relationships in Sweet Valley...all in just over 10 minutes.

Book #43: HARD CHOICES w/guest reader Adaora Nwandu Earl [Podcast]

“Yep, I think that is proper Munchausen”

"Enid's grandma moves in" might sound like the least interesting chapter of our soap opera, like, ever. But think again: Nana's a citizen of Sweet Valley now and she brought the drama along with her from Chicago. Guest reader Adaora Nwandu Earl returns!

Extra Drama #42: Manuel Overdrive [Podcast Bonus Episode]

Manuel Lopez, Paragon of Virtue...

Manuel Lopez is the first Latinx character in Sweet Valley who gets any kind of spotlight. And he's the greatest guy in history! Aisha Bhoori is back for a quick look at Manuel's perfection and how it illustrates the "model minority" myth. 

Sweet Valley Diaries: overanalyzing '80s tween pulp since 2006!