Pop Culture Nostalgia Reads
Some things never get old—like rewatching your favorite ’90s teen drama or reminiscing about the days of VHS tapes and black-and-white television. This week, we’re in full nostalgia mode as we immerse ourselves in books that take us back.
If You Loved One Tree Hill or Dawson’s Creek:
Prime Time Romance: A Novel by Kate Robb
A young divorcée finds herself in the ideal world of her favorite 2000s teen soap in this nostalgic romance from the author of This Spells Love.
“With Prime Time Romance, Kate Robb whips up a magical story that feels both gleefully nostalgic and completely fresh. Anyone who’s ever spent hours watching their favorite TV couple’s best moments on a loop (spoiler alert: it’s all of us) will be all-in on Brynn and Josh’s love story—it’s fun and witty and full of such swoony moments, I had no choice but to devour it in one sitting.”—Jessica Joyce, bestselling author of You, With a View
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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If You Loved High Fidelity:
Lo Fi: A Novel by Liz Riggs
In the sweaty music clubs and late-night house parties of Nashville, an aspiring songwriter tries to make friends, find love, and write songs—without losing herself.
“This book simmers with one-line zingers that boil into a can’t-put-down stunner of a storyline that’ll have you speed reading to the last page.”—Marie Claire
“Riggs’ novel is vital, electric. Al is magnetic, and readers will root for her, eagerly following her triumphs and her heartaches . . . A dynamic rock song of a novel from an exciting debut author.”—Kirkus Reviews
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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If You Loved Solving Mysteries with the Scooby Gang:
Displeasure Island: A Novel by Alice Bell
In the hilarious follow-up to Grave Expectations, Claire and the gang are back, getting their timbers shivered by a mystery involving feuding ghost pirates, buried treasure, and murder . . .
Claire Hendricks can see ghosts, but she can’t see herself having a fun vacation. Yet when her new friends/found family, Basher and Alex, insist, Claire and her dead BFF, Sophie, pack themselves off to a remote Irish island. In death, as in life, they’re vying over a legendary stash of loot, supposedly hidden somewhere on the island or in the surrounding rough seas . . .
. . . which, inevitably, are whipped up into a terrific storm, stranding everyone—living and dead—on the island. Claire is already fighting off anxious And Then There Were None vibes before one of the other guests turns up murdered. It’s up to Claire to solve the mystery of three-hundred-year-old buried treasure and figure out who’s picking off party guests—before the whole gang meets a grim, Agatha Christie-like fate.
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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If You Loved Friday Night Lights:
Done and Dusted: A Rebel Blue Ranch Novel by Lyla Sage
She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules in this sizzling, small-town brother’s best friend romance.
“Done & Dusted is a sweet slow burn that feels like sunshine in written form.”—Lana Ferguson, USA Today bestselling author
“This steamy read delves into the world of forbidden love set in a small hometown. With plenty of tension and heat, this book will definitely keep you up at night.”—Wide Open Country
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Check Out More Books in the Rebel Blue Ranch Series
If You Loved The X-Files:
Love and Other Conspiracies: A Novel by Mallory Marlowe
The hardest thing for a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer to believe in is finding love in this swoony debut romantic comedy.
“What a delight! Perfect for any lovers of romance and the unknown this book marries humor and genuine pathos and gives us two sympathetic and likable leads whose journeys we can’t help but be deeply invested in. For anyone who grew up wanting Mulder and Scully to just kiss already, this is such a gift!”—Kimberly Lemming, USA Today bestselling author of That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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If You Loved You’ve Got Mail:
Summer Fridays: A Novel by Suzanne Rindell
You’ve Got Mail for a new generation, set in the days of AOL and instant messenger banter, about a freshly engaged editorial assistant who winds up spending her “summer Fridays” with the person she least expects.
“In this pacey, emotional novel, Suzanne Rindell perfectly captures the essence of summer in New York City at the turn of the 21st century. With the wit and depth of all the best Nora Ephron movies, this love story is not to be missed.”—Jill Santopolo, New York Timesbestselling author of The Light We Lost
Available in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Beat the Holds—Coming in 2025:
If You Loved Bright Lights, Big City:
A Gorgeous Excitement: A Novel by Cynthia Weiner
A dazzling debut novel set in 1980s New York, when cocaine is as easy to get as ice cream, about one young woman’s summer of infinite possibility—and looming danger.
“I haven’t felt this kind of excitement reading a story set in the ‘80s since I first discovered Jay McInerney, Tama Janowitz, and Bret Easton Ellis. From the breathtaking prose to the thrilling glimpse of NYC circa 1986, Cynthia Weiner’s outstanding debut invites us into the introspective yet colorful and reckless world of 18-year-old Nina Jacobs as she navigates insecurity, obsession, and perilous social dynamics. A vivid snapshot of a bygone era and evocative coming-of-age story, A Gorgeous Excitement lives up to its title.”—Margarita Montimore, national bestselling author of Oona Out of Order
Available January 21, 2025 in Hardcover, eBook, Audio, and Large Print Editions.
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If You Loved Sweet Home Alabama:
Flirting with Disaster: A Novel by Naina Kumar
She needs a divorce from her husband—but a hurricane threatens to dredge up their stormy, passionate past in this sizzling reimagining of Sweet Home Alabama from the bestselling author of Say You’ll Be Mine.
“Naina Kumar is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. Her books are brilliant, witty, sexy, and so damn good. Flirting with Disaster was the most amazing roller-coaster ride of big feels, humor, and heart.”—Hannah Bonam-Young, bestselling author of Out on A Limb
Available January 14, 2025 in Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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If You Loved All Things Barbie:
Let’s Call Her Barbie: A Novel by Renée Rosen
She was only eleven-and-a-half inches tall, but she would change the world. Barbie is born in this bold new novel by USA Today bestselling author Renée Rosen.
“Think you know Barbie? Think again, in this delightful, fast-paced, compassionate, and well-researched story, Renee Rosen skillfully takes everything you think you know and turns it on its head, telling us the real story of the feisty, strong, original woman who created America’s most loved and most hated doll.”—Elizabeth Letts, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Ride of Her Life
Available January 21, 2025 in Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, and Audio Editions.
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Nostalgic Listens:
If You Loved I Love Lucy:
Old-Time Radio’s Greatest Shows: Volume 64 Edited by Carl Amari; Rad by a Full Cast
A collection of the best and most popular programs from the Golden Age of Radio, digitally remastered, and including performances from some of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, like Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Lucille Ball, and many more.
Available on Audio.
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Check Out More Audiobooks in the Old-Time Radio Series
If You Miss VHS Tapes, Listen to:
Sunderworld, Vol. 1: The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Barry by Ransom Riggs; Read by Kirby Heyborne
Weaving the familiar with the peculiar, this stunning tale of loss, triumph, friendship and magic, will remind readers everywhere that true heroes are made, not born—and when you’re never the chosen one, sometimes you have to choose yourself.
“Riggs’ writing is tight and well paced. Some incredible action scenes leap off the pages, and Sunder is a blur of dangerous situations, well-drawn characters, and magical devices. The ending will make readers wish they could immediately reach for the second volume . . . A fully imagined fantastical world with compelling characters and a nail-biting cliffhanger.”—Kirkus Reviews
Available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio Editions.
Listen to a Clip from the Audiobook
For Game Night:
If You <3 the 90s:
90s Playing Cards: Featuring the Decade’s Most Iconic People, Objects, and Moments Illustrated by Niki Fisher
Step back in time with the 90s Playing Cards, a throwback deck featuring some of the most iconic people, objects, and moments from the 1990s.
Illustrated by Niki Fisher, these cards capture the essence of this memorable decade and are a must-have for anyone who grew up in the 90s or is a fan of the era. From the Spice Girls to Nokia brick phones, Clueless to Michael Jordan donning his Chicago Bulls jersey, these cards are a journey through the cultural touchstones of the decade.