Bittersweet Valley: Recent Episodes
Emily Squires and Elizabeth Lake
In this biweekly episodic podcast, 30-somethings Emily and Elizabeth discuss Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley High series. In addition to revisiting the books they loved as childhood best friends growing up in MA in the 90’s, they also discuss how issues of gender, sexuality, class, and race are addressed in these books, through a lens of YA today.
It's the moment we've been waiting for! Todd is back in Sweet Valley, but what does that mean for Elizabeth? Grab a drink and a snack, this one is good! Join us for books 58 and 59.
Hello everyone! We/I (Emily) apologize for the delay with this episode. Life was happening the last week or so. It's here now, so join us as we discuss books 54 and 55!
It's that time of year! Elizabeth and Emily share three of their favorite reads from 2021.
We're back with season 2!!!! We're starting off with book 40 On the Edge and book 41 Outcast.
It's another bonus episode! We share our favorite SVH books this season and what we are reading and want to read this summer.
We did it! I finished season one! We end with book #39 Secret Admirer and a special edition, Perfect Summer.
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Kristen joins us again as we discuss books #37 Rumors and #38 Leaving Home.
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This is a long one, but very worth it! Beth and I are joined by Kristen again to discuss #35 Out of Control and #36 Last Chance.
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Hello Sweet Valley fans! I (Emily) am so sorry for the delay in uploading this week's episode but it's worth it! Our very long time friend, Kristen, joins us to share her ideas and thoughts on this crazy world with Liz, Jess and their friends.
Books discussed:
31 Taking Sides
32 The New Jessica
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In books 29 and 30, we talk about Liz's friend triangle and Steven's plans to take off on an 'ocean liner.'
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Today we discuss books 25: Nowhere to Run and 26: Hostage. Mom guilt was real back in the 80s (apparently).
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In episode 11, we find out Todd is moving and Steven still needs to be free to live his life as Tricia would have wanted. Jessica's match making attempt is actually successful! Find out how in this week's episode.
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In this episode, Jessica feels under appreciated and we learn that DeeDee is a stage 5 clinger (see episode 4).
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Welcome to episode 9! In this episode we laugh over Jessica and Lila's confusion over how their latest crush is handsome and yet 'only' a construction worker (their words, not ours) in book 19. Then in book 20 we hear about Enid's plane crash and Liz's audacious plan to help her move on from her accident.
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In this episode we chuckle over cat-fishing in the 80s and are surprised to learn that there's a softer side to Bruce. Listen along as we recount books #17 (Love Letters) and #18 (Head Over Heels).
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In Episode 7 we discuss books 15 and 16: Promises and Rags to Riches. We mourn the Sweet Valley's loss of Tricia (Steven's girlfriend) and her sister Betsy needs Elizabeth to help her turn her life around. Then, Roger finds out he is a member of the wealthy Patman family and has to learn to navigate more luxurious lifestyle.
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In this episode, we talk about what we remember about reading what was probably our introduction to the thriller genre. Join us as we remember books 13 and 14.
Intro/Outro music: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Z8epllSjbb
Join us in episode 5 as we talk about books 11 and 12: Too Good to be True and When Love Dies.
Intro/Outro Music from Epidemic Sound
In this special bonus episode, we each pick three of our favorite reads from this year to share with each other (and you!).
Books mentioned:
Sweet Valley: The Magic Christmas (Sweet Valley Twins) and A Christmas Without Elizabeth (Sweet Valley Twins)
Bent Heavens by Daniel Kraus
Teenage Dick by Mike Lew
Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Our Time is Now by Stacey Abrams
Intro/Outro Music: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/dDe9fAmjj8/
Merry Christmas Day (instrumenta) by the Stonekeepers
**We are alerting our listeners to a discussion of suicide in the second part of this episode. If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help. Please reach out. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is open 24 hours and can be reached at: 800-273-8255.
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
In this episode, we talk about books 8, 9 and 10.
Intro/Outro music: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Z8epllSjbb
Emily and Elizabeth talk about books 5, 6, 7. Join us as we discuss Jessica finding herself in a not so safe situation (again) and Elizabeth's inexplicable coma recovery.
Intro/Outro music from Epidemic Sound:
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Z8epllSjbb
In episode 2 we discuss books 2 (Secrets), 3 (Power Play), 4 (Playing with Fire). Join us as we remember Enid receiving actual letters in the mail from a childhood friend, Jessica's desperate attempt to be homecoming queen and Robin's obsession with joining the sorority at Sweet Valley.
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/lq3QZEMpw4
In our first episode, we introduce ourselves (Emily and Elizabeth), reminisce reading the Sweet Valley High books, and begin with Book 1, Double Love.
Intro/Outro Music from Epidemic Sound:
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/lq3QZEMpw4