Nancy Drew books

[miriam_e]

I've been taking a bit of a rest from reading science fiction lately, instead reading the old Nancy Drew mysteries, and the more recent Nancy Drew Files series of books. At first I was not all that keen on the older books as they're simplistic and naïve, but they're starting to grow on me. They have a certain 1930s charm.

The newer Nancy Drew Files books are more engrossing. I feel like I'm getting more Veronica Mars episodes (I loved that TV series). The books don't have the smart dialogue of that show, but they often have satisfyingly complex plots. Rob Thomas, the creator of Veronica Mars always said he took inspiration from the Nancy Drew books. I can see it.

Comments

[greylock]

I am sure Nancy was not '30s (I assume she was Girl Hardy Boy, could be wrong), but I get what you mean. When I get tired of it all, I grab stuff like Enid Blyton mysteries, the Danny Dunn books, or me Dr Who books.

They're short and simple, and occasionally surprising.

[miriam_e]

You're right in thinking the Hardy Boys preceded Nancy Drew. The first Hardy Boys story was in 1927. The first Nancy Drew was 3 years later in 1930. Both series were created and published by Edward Stratemeyer, and ghostwritten as the non-existent Franklin W. Dixon by other people -- in the case of the Hardy Boys, mostly by Canadian journalist Leslie McFarlane. Nancy Drew was published under the pretend authorship of Carolyn Keene, mostly written by Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson (they don't name babies like that anymore).

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who periodically gets tired of reading heavier works and resorts to lighter stuff. :) I don't think I've ever read any of the Enid Blyton mysteries. Wow! Looking up info about it, she wrote a lot of them! I have read her Malory Towers books set in a school. It's been too many years now to remember much about them.

I'd never heard of the Danny Dunn books before. Looking them up online, they look like good, light fun... like a modern version of the Tom Swift stories (which I'd always intended to read but never got around to -- the Tom Swift books are all on Project Gutenberg). I had a bit of difficulty tracking down Danny Dunn books. I'll give them a shot next time I want some fun, light reading. They look a bit similar to the "My Teacher is an Alien" kids' stories, which I enjoyed.

I haven't read any Dr Who books. Maybe I should.

Thanks for all the recommendations. These will be great for when I want some undemanding amusement.

[greylock]

I don't think I've ever read any of the Enid Blyton mysteries. Wow! Looking up info about it, she wrote a lot of them!

Enid was prolific. I have a biography about her. It probably doesn't matter what you read, as they are not that complex, but my preference for the lesser known ones (Adventure/Mystery/Secret) compared to the Secret Seven/Famous Five is purely based on what I read first.

I had a bit of difficulty tracking down Danny Dunn books.

For the longest time I was concerned I imagined them. IIRC, they are largely science-based... Largely. It's hard to find hard copies, so I haven't read many in decades, but the time travel one is the most out there.

I haven't read any Dr Who books. Maybe I should.

Assuming we're talking Target, anything in the pre-'80s is better, and the tail end of the range.

Anything mid-80s by Terrance Dicks is... lazy. I don't hate them, but they're lazy script to screen.

[miriam_e]

Danny Dunn... I haven't read many in decades

I can send you the set as ebooks if you wish.