My mom read them when they came out on a recommendation. I think she’s still traumatized from the experience. There’s no way she would have let me read them as a teen. I wasn’t even allowed to read Harlequins.

On the other hand, I’m a big wimpy chicken, and as an adult I’ve had no desire to read those books. Moreover, I was such a bookworm, Mom’s biggest concern with my reading was getting me to put my book down.

I started reading John Saul’s books when I was in 5th grade. Scared the bejeezus out of myself and loved it. Parents paid too little attention to have any idea what I was reading.

Why do we need a spin off? everyone said in the other thread that they read VC Andrews. My parents did not censor my reading or music and we don't censor my kids' (10 and 12) reading or music.

I don't think my parents ever cared what I read. There was once when my whole family teased me remorselessly when I read a romance novel ("Savage Surrender") but otherwise I could have read Mein Kampf for all they cared.

Anonymous wrote:I read them all. My Mother had no idea what I was reading. I was also reading Stephen King and James Herbert in my early teens. I’m not a psychopath.

+1

My parents didn't "let" me read anything. I don't think they had any clue what I was reading at any given time. Everything I read, I got from the library or passed along from a friend.

My parents were in the "if you can read it you may read it" camp. I"m the same with my teen.

Yes, I was in middle school. I don’t think my parents really knew what the content was.

I read all of them in middle school! My parents didn’t monitor what I read at all and I think it was the right approach. I read so many books and these were just some of them.

That said, these are some messed up stories! I watched Lifetime’s movie versions and they are so creepy! The books were definitely strange but the movies are worse.

This. And read “Helter Skelter” (true crime—Manson murders—got me barred from one friend’s home at 14)

Yes. I think I was in high school? They had no clue what was in the books. I don’t really even remember being shocked by it. Maybe some of it went over my head? Was the language explicit?

I read them all. My Mother had no idea what I was reading. I was also reading Stephen King and James Herbert in my early teens. I’m not a psychopath.

I did. I LOVED those books. I was a voracious reader back then. Nothing was off limits. I have always let my 15 yo DD read whatever she wants.

5th grade teacher called home to discuss my inappropriate reading material with my parents. I’d gotten the book from my mom’s bookshelf/ I read everything in the house, from that to my brothers Star Trek books. I can’t remember what happened after the call, but I don’t think my parents cared.

I read every single one! I can't imagine censoring my kid's reading or music, even when I disagree. But ugh - the rap music of my teen son is really the thing that makes me reconsider the position.

Incest, rape romance and smut. That’s how my summers were spent 86-90 as a young teen. Anyone else read VC Andrews? My mom bought me the books. What the hell was she thinking? I guess it did get me to read 😂