To All the YA I've Loved Before

Hi! Kaycee and Ashley here with a new podcast all about the Movies, TV, books, music, and pop culture that influenced our childhood in the 90s and 2000s — and the stuff that came out before our time that still had a hold on us. We’ll discuss and analyze the artifacts of pop culture past all while sipping a themed cocktail or drink. Search for Nostalgic Nightcaps on this platform and subscribe now!

In this mini-episode, Kaycee sits down with author Micky O’Brady to discuss Playing With #Fire, and her latest release, CRISPR—CRIS PARR, a gripping YA Sci-Fi Thriller. Micky shares her unique journey from pediatrician to writer, and how her medical background shapes the compelling narratives in her YA novels. We explore the powerful themes in Playing With #Fire, including online bullying, identity, and resilience, as well as the pressures that come with curating a perfect online life through the lens of Everly, the novel’s fierce protagonist. Tune in for a conversation that includes pro-wrestling, girls kicking butt, and Micky’s own experience with martial arts. Content Warning: This episode discusses themes of self-harm, bullying, eating disorders, and suicide as depicted in the novel. Find Micky O’Brady, Playing With #Fire, and all her other books here: https://www.mickyobrady.com/  https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Fire-Micky-OBrady/dp/1952667143/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.loREhJJ1zvjF_YG5sUrnyQ.MA-QpxnwGDlaGf48pFkxvGj-CaU2paybGxA1gAnRi0w&qid=1724938336&sr=8-1 

In this episode, we sit down for an interview with Maureen Johnson, the mastermind behind the best-selling Truly Devious series. We explore her latest YA mystery, Death at Morning House, set in the picturesque Thousand Islands of upstate New York. Maureen's signature wit and complex storytelling shine through in this novel, especially with Marlowe Wexler, the protagonist who has quickly won our hearts. We dive into Marlowe’s endearing awkwardness, her romantic mishaps, and the intriguing blend of history and mystery that ties together the chilling secrets of Morning House. Plus, we discuss Maureen’s passionate advocacy against book banning and why it’s more important than ever.  Death at Morning House is out now wherever books are sold. Where to find Maureen Johnson https://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/maureenjohnsonbooks https://www.tiktok.com/@maureenjohnsonbooks  https://x.com/maureenjohnson Follow To All the YA on Instagram www.instagram.com/toalltheya Theme Music “Brat Pack” https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL

We adore retellings of classic stories, and Darling by K. Ancrum, published in 2021, instantly captivated our hearts. This dark, modern reimagining of Peter Pan unfolds in the vibrant cityscape of Chicago, seen through the eyes of 17-year-old Wendy Darling. On her very first night in her new home, Wendy encounters a mysterious boy named Peter who whisks her away on an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. But as the night unravels, it becomes clear that Peter is far more dangerous than he appears. In this episode, we dive into the complexities of motherly roles, the representation of asexuality in YA literature, and the unsettling, darker themes woven into this novel. We also open up about our own experiences with relationships, drawing connections to track 28 of Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, aptly titled “Peter.” As a special tribute, we celebrate Francine Pascal, the brilliant mind behind Sweet Valley High, reflecting on her lasting influence on the YA genre and our own lives. Content Warning: Darling explores heavy themes including grooming, predatory behavior, and murder, which we discuss in depth during the episode. Season 8 of The Tortured YA Lit Department is powered by angst, deep dives into Taylor Swift lyrics, and, of course, thought-provoking discussions. If you’re here just for the book talk, Taylor Talk begins at 58:42. Follow us on Instagram ⁠www.instagram.com/toalltheya⁠ You can find citations, notes, and further reading on this episode on our website ⁠kayceeracer.com/toalltheya⁠ Theme Music “Brat Pack” ⁠https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL

The year was 2010, and emo boys were wreaking havoc on the girls in Josie Bloss’s Albatross (and perhaps in our own lives too). Tess is new in town and finds herself irresistibly drawn to Micah Richter, the brooding, “brilliant”, and emotionally erratic emo kid that everyone warns her about. As Tess navigates her first real connection at her new school, she quickly finds herself entangled in a web of jealousy, co-dependence, and emotional manipulation. Can Tess break free and rediscover herself amidst the chaos? In this episode, we talk about how much we related to Tess as young adults and explore "The Cool Girl Trap," as well as the ongoing challenge of unpacking the internalized misogyny it left with us. We also reminisce about AOL Instant Messenger and passive-aggressive away messages. Plus, we update our Crush Scale and share some complex thoughts on where to rank Micah — spoiler alert, he ends up near the bottom. Content Warning: The Albatross includes emotionally abusive and manipulative relationships, along with references to suicidal ideation and physical abuse. These topics are discussed in this episode. Season 8, The Tortured YA Lit Department, continues to draw parallels between YA novels and Taylor Swift’s discography. While the connection between Albatross and Taylor’s song of the same name is tenuous, we find other tracks from The Tortured Poets Department that resonate deeply with the themes of this book. Discussion Starts at 53:40. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/toalltheya You can find citations, notes, and further reading on this episode on our website kayceeracer.com/toalltheya Theme Music “Brat Pack” https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL

Welcome to a special mini-episode of To All the YA I've Loved Before! This week, Jamie Krakover, an aerospace engineer by day and a sci-fi and fantasy writer by night, joins Kaycee to discuss her upcoming book Authority. Jamie shares her unique journey as an engineer and the author of the Tracker Sequence duology. We dive into the YA she’s loved before, including the pivotal books that ignited her love for reading and writing, such as Ender's Game and The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. Topics of discussion include the fascinating intersection of Jamie’s engineering career and her writing process, and how she balances her dual roles and incorporates her STEM background into her narratives. Plus we explore how her Jewish heritage influences her storytelling, particularly in her debut novel Tracker 220, and how she navigates the complexities of technology and tradition. Some places to find Jamie Krakover: Blog/Website: https://jamiekrakover.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/Rockets2Writing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiekrakover/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rockets2writing.bsky.social You can find episode show notes on our website: ⁠kayceeracer.com/toalltheya⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠www.instagram.com/toalltheya⁠ Theme Music “Brat Pack”  ⁠https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL⁠

That’s right, this week we’re finally heading into the Dessen-verse. Sarah Dessen is one of Young Adult Literature’s best, and in this episode, we are talking about her 1998 novel Someone Like You. This is a coming-of-age classic, with just about every single high school experience packed into something really heartfelt and special. We’re about to take you back through the nostalgia of being a teenager with falling in love, heartbreak, and arguing with your mom at a Pizza Hut buffet.  This week’s episode has it all: best friend talk, the (somehow common) experience of dating boys who refuse to wear socks, and lots of advice on what NOT to do when it comes to dating in your teens and twenties. Plus, we introduce the Crush Scale into To All the YA lore to keep track of the best (and worst) love interests the genre has to offer. We found a highly relatable pairing with Sarah Dessen and Taylor Swift, which we explore in a comparative study on Someone Like You and “I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)” from The Tortured Poets Department.  Season 8, The Tortured YA Lit Department, is fueled by angst and some good Taylor Swift song dissection. If you’re only here for a discussion of this week’s book, Taylor Talk begins 1:08:00 minutes into the episode.  Follow us on Instagram @toalltheya www.instagram.com/toalltheya You can find citations, notes, and further reading on this episode at our website  kayceeracer.com/toalltheya Theme Music “Brat Pack”  https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL

Homecoming dances, overwhelming crushes, and…aliens?! In this episode about The Outsider, we're talking cosmic love. Melinda Metz packs in a whole lot of intergalactic goodness and meaningful themes in the first book of the Roswell High series, published in 1998. In this episode, Kaycee tells Ashley how she’s been a Roswell girly since she saw the WB/UPN teen drama years ago. She shares her favorite characters (Michael and Maria, natch), while Ashley has a bone to pick with the irresponsible handling of a medical situation, and we want to read about Isabel organizing her makeup for an entire book. And of course…we have to talk about the Twilight elephant in the room. We found a marvelous pairing with Roswell High and Taylor Swift, which we explore in a comparative study on The Outsider and “Down Bad” from The Tortured Poets Department.  Season 8, The Tortured YA Lit Department, is fueled by angst and some good Taylor Swift song dissection.  If you’re only here for a discussion of this week’s book, Swifty Circle begins 44:00 minutes into the episode.  Follow us on Instagram @toalltheya www.instagram.com/toalltheya You can find citations, notes, and further reading on this episode at our website  kayceeracer.com/toalltheya Theme Music “Brat Pack”  https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL

In this month’s Featured Author Episode, Kaycee is joined by Bethanie Finger to talk about her nautical Young Adult Fantasy novel More Than Life. Discussions of topic include: incorporating grief into storytelling, worldbuilding candle pairings, and The Baby-Sitter’s Club spin-off fanfiction. Plus, we talk all about how The Princess Diaries and Meg Cabot shaped us as readers and writers with its realism and honesty. Grab a pint at Anchorage Inn and embark on a journey into Bethanie Finger’s More Than Life, perfect for YA Fantasy enthusiasts. Find Bethanie at the links below: https://linktr.ee/bethaniefinger https://www.bethaniefingerauthor.com/  https://wisewolfbooks.com/authors/bethanie-finger You can find episode show notes on our website: kayceeracer.com/toalltheya Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/toalltheya Theme Music “Brat Pack”  https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL

Note: We’d like to blame Simon and Schuster for using the wrong name for one of the characters in the book blurb, which Kaycee reads at the beginning of the episode. There is no Lauren in this book, so we stand corrected. Justice for Lynne! Hey, Shadysiders! Despite all warnings to avoid the cursed Fear Street, we’re back for a visit with The Boy Next Door, published in 1996. This is one of R.L. Stine’s finest, another dangerous tale of what happens when you have a crush on a teenage boy with some raging misogyny problems.  R.L. Stine does not shy away from big social and political commentary in his Young Adult novels, and this entry into the Fear Street franchise was no exception. In this episode, we discuss the topics of victim blaming and the harm of a return to traditional values that the baddie of the week, Scott, represents. We also find a great pairing in R.L. Stine and Taylor Swift when we do a comparative study on The Boy Next Door and “My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys” from The Tortured Poets Department.  Season 8, The Tortured YA Lit Department, is fueled by angst and some good Taylor Swift song dissection.  If you’re only here for a discussion of this week’s book, Taylor Talk starts at 49:00 minutes into the episode.  Content warning: This book contains mentions of animal cruelty, which we do not go into in detail, but briefly talk about. We also discuss the self-harm and suicide present in the novel.  Follow us on Instagram @toalltheya www.instagram.com/toalltheya You can find citations, notes, and further reading on this episode at our website  kayceeracer.com/toalltheya Theme Music “Brat Pack”  https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL