You're welcome, acf27. I did it because the books are kinda scarce and I wanted to index them for currrent and future fans.

Gregg

Who is Arabella?

Funny, the Arabella story sounds a lot like the Karen story from Penny & Aggie. Knowing both T & Gisele (aka our own "Gigi") are major Archie fans, I wonder... Though really, that's not an entirely new story anyways, and they're all probably inspired by similar sources.

Quote from: Captain Hero on July 11, 2010, 10:39:31 AM

Quote from: honeybee on July 11, 2010, 07:15:48 AM

Who is Arabella?

Probably some character they created specifically for the novel series, like Bernadette.

Remind me again... Bernadette is Jughead's girlfriend, right?

No, Bernadette was Reggie's girlfriend in "Class Clown", which was adpatend into the New Look story "A Funny Kind Of Love".

Actually, the name of Jughead's girlfriend escapes me at the moment...

Funny, the Arabella story sounds a lot like the Karen story from Penny & Aggie. Knowing both T & Gisele (aka our own "Gigi") are major Archie fans, I wonder... Though really, that's not an entirely new story anyways, and they're all probably inspired by similar sources.

T wasn't aware of these novels at the time. The Karen story "The Mockingbird" was inspired by all those extreme makeover TV shows, like the Swan that ran back in the day. But again, not an entirely new concept or anything. Annnnd now back to Archie.

I can update my thoughts a bit:

1. The Trouble With Candy - Nice story about a klutzy girl.

2. Bad News Boyfriend - Nice story also. I can feel Betty's pain of watching her friend date someone that's not good for her, and she risks her friendship with Veronica to expose Nick's true self.

3. One Last Date With Archie - I'm currently reading it (already read the comic adaptation). It seems nice so far. I can definitely relate to Betty's depression over losing a love interest. However, the novel takes the odd approach of Archie not knowing (at all) how Betty feels about him, and she's trying to work up the nerve to tell him before he leaves.

4. It's First Love, Jughead Jones - So far, I'm not into it. Maybe because, even though it's written from Betty's POV, it's all about Jughead (my least-favorite character), and the girls are so bugsh*t insistent that he needs a girlfriend. Why do they care? I haven't picked this up in months. I never even finished reading the comic adaptation.

5. The Big Breakup - It's a bit better than #4. However, again, the girls are so insistent that Midge and Moose need to get back together. Leave them alone and mind your own business, girls.

6. Rich Girls Don't Have to Worry - will get to it

7. Class Clown - will get to it

8. My Father the Enemy - will get to it

9. Is That Arabella? - I stopped reading it. Betty and Veronica are trying to turn overweight tomboy Arabella into a gorgeous fashion plate (exercise, diet soda, counting calories, make-up, etc.). It's so superficial in a "looks are what matter" way. I was disgusted by it.

10. Goodbye Millions - This is an okay story, but it's written from Veronica's POV. She doesn't have a good narrative voice, because she's very spoiled and, because we're reading her thoughts, we know that she's that way for real (not just for show), and she finds absolutely nothing wrong with it. There's not much drama regarding the potential loss of money except Veronica being told to "economize" (which basically amount to her making and brown-bagging her own lunch).

"Tour Troubles" - Good. It's written from Archie's POV, but they got rid of his clumsiness and womanizing, so he's a lot more relatable and likable.

"Betty Cooper, Baseball Star" - Nice. Even though I don't care for sports, I like how Betty goes for what she believes in, even if it means losing her friends and Archie.

Interesting. I always felt that the dialogue in that whole Morganville scene was a bit weird, though the "Riverdale Gang Clones" scene was cute. But that old lady going all "Well I hope you don't decide to buy the house, because you people are rude!" was just too bizarre for words.