Tag Archives: Flashback Summer

Flashback Summer Featuring…You?

Hi Best Listeners!

We’re coming up on another Flashback Summer, where we revisit the books of our childhood with a (generally) fondly nostalgic eye. We’re also coming up on our 150th episode, which we’d like to mark by inviting all of our lovely listeners to join us for a Flashback Summer party. Here’s how:

  • Record yourself telling us your name, where you’re from, a little something about your favorite book from childhood, whether it’s something ubiquitous like the Babysitters Club or something more obscure. You can give a plot summary or just tell us about a favorite character or moment that stuck with you. Try to keep it short, 1-2 minutes. You can use the voice memo app on your phone, recording software on your computer–whatever you’re comfortable with!
  • For bonus points, please tell us a candy pairing for your book, whether it’s your childhood favorite or something that somehow encapsulates the spirit of your book.
  • Email this audio file to worstbestsellers at gmail dot com with the subject line “Flashback Summer.” If it’s too big to be attached to an email, you can upload it to Dropbox or GoogleDrive and send us that link (just make sure you give us permission to download it!).
  • Try to make your recording as clear as possible–if it’s too hard to hear, we might not be able to include it in the episode. We’d like to include as many as we can!
  • Send these in by Monday, May 4th, 2020.

 

To make this a little more interesting, your Flashback Summer voice memo will also serve as an entry into a prize raffle. We’ll send out some books and candy to a few randomly selected Flashbackers!

If you have any questions also feel free to email us or reach out on social media. 

Thanks for joining us for 145 episodes (so far)!

 

Love,

Kait, Renata, and Duarte

Filed under Extras

Episode 130 – Dealing With Dragons

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede

As Flashback Summer draws to a close for another year, our friend Kelsey joined us to return to a feminist favorite: Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede. The three of us all loved this book as tweens and were thrilled to report that it holds up. Listen to this episode while cleaning your dragon’s cave.

Readers advisoryHere.

Footnotes: The Problem of the Improper Princess by Catherine Nichols

Candy Pairing:  Kait says mini Twix bars, Kelsey says cherries jubilee, Renata says lemon drops.

Coming up next: Dora and the Lost City of Gold junior novel by Steve Behling.

 

Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Filed under Podcasts

Episode 129 – Rotten Romans (Horrible Histories series)

The Rotten Romans by Terry Deary and Martin Brown

For this installment of Flashback Summer, we flashed way back to ancient Rome. We read The Rotten Romans from the Horrible Histories series by Terry Deary & Martin Brown with returning guest, librarian Laura. It’s a whimsically British look at history with some cartoons that remain inscrutable, even to the eyes of adult Americans with history degrees. This podcast is only available in English, because Latin is a dead language (RIP).

Readers advisoryHere.

Footnotes: Ancient Roman Readers Advisory sent by listener Lydia

Ecce Romani memes

Our Fake History podcast

Sawbones podcast

Candy Pairing:  Kait says Fig Newtons, Laura says chocolate, Renata says no thank you.

Coming up next: Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede.

 

Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Audio Player

Filed under Podcasts

Episode 128 – Pickle Puss (Polk Street School)

Pickle Puss by Patricia Reilly Giff

Flashback Summer continues with a trip to the Polk Street School, where the kids aren’t alright. Becca joined us to read Pickle Puss by Patricia Reilly Giff, an early chapter book about how not to run a summer reading program or care for a pet. Listen to this episode on your way to deceive your local librarian!

Readers advisoryHere.

Footnotes: Endangered Series: The Kids of Polk Street School.

Candy Pairing:  Becca says melted Hershey’s kisses, Kait says sugar free hard candy, Renata says Scandinavian Swimmers.

Coming up next: Rotten Romans (Horrible Histories series) by Terry Deary & Martin Brown.

 

Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Filed under Podcasts

Episode 127 – Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

 

The next stop on our Flashback Summer vacation is the 30th floor of an elementary school. Literary agent Amy joined us to read Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. Everyone should listen to this episode, unless you’re secretly a dead rat in a raincoat. Dead rats are not allowed. Everyone else, join us on Apple podcasts before Mrs. Gorf turns you into an apple!

Readers advisoryHere.

Footnotes: “The Absurd Joy of ‘Sideways Stories From Wayside School'” by Adrienne LaFrance

Louis Sachar’s FAQs

Ghost Quartet

Candy Pairing:  Amy says candy apples, Kait says Sky Bars, Renata says dinosaur egg oatmeal.

Coming up next: Pickle Puss (Polk Street School Kids series) by Patricia Reilly Giff.

 

Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Filed under Podcasts

Episode 126 – Bunnicula

Bunnicula by James & Deborah Howe

It’s the return of Flashback Summer and the 40th anniversary of beloved children’s classic Bunnicula by James & Deborah Howe. We were joined by Laura to discuss the story of some irresponsible pet owners. Listen now to hear one weird trick to make your vegetables more Instagrammable!

Readers advisoryHere.

Footnotes: “The Enduring Legacy of Bunnicula, a 40-Year-Old In-Joke That’s Still Hilarious” by Sarah Gailey

Overdue #138 – Bunnicula

Candy Pairing:  Kait says Ecto Cooler, Laura says white chocolate, Renata says white Skittles.

Coming up next: Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar.

 

Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Filed under Podcasts

Readers Advisory: Episode 126 – Bunnicula

Here’s what we suggest instead of/in addition to reading Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe. Listen to the podcast to hear us talk about some of these titles in more depth!

Continue reading

Filed under Readers Advisory

Episode 105 – Sunset Island

Sunset Island by Cherie Bennett

As the sun goes down on this year’s Flashback Summer, we pay a visit to Sunset Island by Cherie Bennet. We’re joined by Denise (@DezDono), editor of the Gailsone series and one of the few people who remembers this 90s Sweet Valley High knockoff series. Listen now to hear about the lifestyles of a secretly rich babysitter and her horny middle-class friends!

Readers advisoryHere.

Footnotes: TeenReads bio of Cherie Bennett

Candy Pairing: Denise says Pop Rocks, Kait says OUCH Bubble Gum, Renata says a melting milkshake.

Coming up next: Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer.

 

Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Filed under Podcasts

Episode 104 – House of Danger

House of Danger by R.A. Montgomery

If you’d like to continue with Flashback Summer, turn to page 2 for Kait, Renata, and Becca’s discussion of House of Danger by R.A. Montgomery. If you’re curious about the Choose Your Own Adventure franchise’s crossover into board game territory, roll a die. If you’re curious about how a single dangerous house can contain aliens, ghosts, carnivorous plants, and counterfeiting chimpanzees, listen to this episode now.

Readers advisory: Here.

Footnotes: North & Henderson Choose Their Own Adventure for Special “Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” Issue

The Seven Most F***ed up Real ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ Books

House of Danger on BoardGameGeek.com

Candy Pairing: Becca says banana Runts, Kait says a boardwalk candy store, Renata says a mall candy store.

Coming up next: Sunset Island by Cherie Bennett.

 

Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Filed under Podcasts

Episode 103 – Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz & Stephen Gammell

Flashback Summer gathered around the campfire to read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz & Stephen Gammell with our editor Becca. Put your hand in a bowl of peeled grapes and listen to hear how deeply upsetting Renata finds the formative stories of Kait’s childhood. Remember: the best way to make sure your friends know that you’re telling them a scary story is to end it with a scream!

Readers advisoryHere.

Footnotes: The 18 Most Egregious Art Replacements in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

I’m Glad They Changed The Art in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Candy Pairing: Becca says a big toe, Kait says peeled grapes,  Renata says peanut butter taffy.

Coming up next: The House of Danger by R.A. Montgomery.

 

Worst Bestsellers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

(But no pressure, we’re also happy if you get these items from your local library or independent bookstore.)

Filed under Podcasts