As promised, here is an entry about one of my all-time favorite authors. There are only two authors that I am attempting to read every single published piece they have out there. Christopher Pike is one. I'll write about the other one tomorrow.
I'm not sure when it was exactly that I first discovered Christopher Pike's work. I don't have a specific memory, but I could definitely guess. Around sixth grade I decided I didn't want to read Sweet Valley Twins anymore. I now wanted to read Sweet Valley High. It was a more "grown-up" version of the stories about the twins. It took place in high school. There was a sorority, cool cars and dating. It was way cooler than the Sweet Valley Twins books. I was probably in my favorite bookstore at a shopping plaza not far from my house. This shopping plaza was not very close, but it was close enough that when I was older I could ride my bike there. It also happened to be where my parents bought the majority of our groceries and I could usually ask to go to the bookstore while they were getting groceries and it would be okay.
I LOVED this bookstore. In fact, a crazy, "someday when I'm a millionaire and don't care about money" dream of mine is to own a bookstore. I would love to run a bookstore with used and new books. There is something very relaxing about being surrounded by books. (yes, I love libraries! support your local library!)
So I probably went to the bookstore to get a new Sweet Valley High book (they were a series) and they probably didn't have a new one released yet. I was probably bored and decided to check out the other books in the Teen Section. (wasn't young adult back then) Since this was a small bookstore, the section I had to look at was also very small. The Sweet Valley High books were written by Francine Pascal. (who is actually a team of ghost writers). Right next to Pascal, was Pike. Christopher Pike's book, Slumber Party was there. I believe this was one of his first novels.
Normally I don't like scary stuff. I don't watch scary movies, I prefer Disney happy endings. But this book got me curious. I probably opened it to the first page and started reading, and got hooked. I probably purchased the book and brought it home.
Christopher Pike's books were VERY popular when I was a teenager, I had many friends (and cousins) who also read his books. I soon started a collection and would purchase his new books as soon as they came out.
I still do that to this day. I have almost every single book he has written. There are just a few left that I don't own. His books usually have themes of horror, mystery, science fiction, and spirituality. It is common to see themes from Eastern Hemisphere religions in his stories.
I really do enjoy all of his books, but if I had to pick my favorite, so far it would be "Season of Passage".
Here is a link to his fan site:
http://christopherpikefanclub.com/
Here is his official website (not ready yet, coming soon I guess):
http://christopherpikebooks.com/
He is a reclusive person, there is not a lot of information out there about him. But that's okay, I would rather read his stories and leave him alone. I only hope that someday I can write stories as great as his. That might mean dipping into some darker, deeper parts of the human soul than I prefer to go.
I do still love my Disney. :)
And to end today's post, I have officially "popped". There is no hiding that I am pregnant now. :)
1 comment:
I've not read any Pike books.
I imagine, though, that you might like William Sleator and John Christopher.
Both excellent "young adult" books. I would like to own everything by those two because everything by them I have read has been fantastic.
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