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Sweet Valley Diaries

After years of wide-eyed blogging about the surreal 1980s perfection of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High book series (and the surprising psychodrama that lurks below the town's perfectly-tanned surface), host Marissa Flaxbart is now forcing people to read the series with her.

But beyond its obsession with the ubiquitous-yet-obscure book series, SWEET VALLEY DIARIES is a podcast about nostalgia and the ways this nostalgia can (spectacularly, hilariously) fail us.

It's about friendship, honesty, and learning to speak your truth in the face of a boyfriend-stealing cheerleader or an evil triplet. It's all the life lessons you could ever hope to learn from two size-6, blonde-haired, aqua-eyed, identical 16-year-old twins. Strap in.

Recent Episodes

March 16, 2023

Book #70: MS. QUARTERBACK

Today's esteemed guest, is Jordan Crucchiola is the host or co-host of several podcasts -- AUGHTSTERION , DISASTER GIRLS , and of course, the one that Marissa produces, FEELING SEEN ! And she's the perfect person to discuss t...

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March 9, 2023

Extra Drama #69: Ms. Jacobi's Experiment in Prejudice

This is how it feels...to be discriminated against.

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Sept. 1, 2022

Book #69: FRIEND AGAINST FRIEND

What could be better than a kind of hamfisted '90s attempt at tackling racism? Almost anything? Well, good (if shocking) news: that's not what this is. Neil Freemount and Andy Jenkins star in a very special episode of Sweet V...

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Aug. 12, 2022

Extra Drama #68: Hold Me Till I Hate You

Are you a suede man or a Baja boy?

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Aug. 4, 2022

Book #68: THE LOVE BET

High school juniors Dana Larson and Aaron Dallas have sworn off of love forever. To address this crisis, Elizabeth and Todd concoct a scheme as disappointingly chaste as it is poorly conceptualized, then take sides on a bet o...

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July 15, 2022

Extra Drama #67: The Parent Ruse

Now that The Parent Plot is behind us, Marissa, Rebecca, and Sommer talk about their relationship to a film that, despite its similar title, was clearly NOT the source material for Sweet Valley High #67. Apologies to the Loha...

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July 7, 2022

Book #67: THE PARENT PLOT

Rebecca Russell and Sommer Austin are back for one last ride as we bring the Wakefield Trial Separation Saga to an end...and say a fond farewell Ned Wakefield's mayoral bid, too! Will Jessica and Elizabeth join forces to tric...

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June 24, 2022

Extra Drama #66: A Trio of Elizabeths Fails to Run Away

The cover of WHO'S TO BLAME? suggested that it was going to be a big running away book. It wasn't (only a little running away was involved), so Marissa, Rebecca Russell, and Sommer Austin are sharing their own failed runaway …

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June 16, 2022

Book #66: WHO'S TO BLAME?

It's a Chicago Ladies in Comedy Reunion, with Rebecca Russell returning and now comedian Sommer Austin joining the Wakefield Separation Arc zoo crew. Jessica's finally going to meet the guy she met on the Teen Party Line, Eli...

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May 12, 2022

Extra Drama #65: Comedy in the 2000s & Divorce in the '90s

Ned and Alice Wakefield don't get a lot of love here at Sweet Valley Diaries, but they're both hurting now, so...eh, we still have some criticisms. Everyone's a great fictional parent in hindsight! PLUS learn the exciting com...

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