Most of the time, I write a post because I would like to think I have something kinda, sorta interesting to say or share.
However, I am writing this post because I want to be able to say I told you so.
For the most hardcore of the hardcore young people’s book/culture peeps, this probably won’t be breaking news. But I want to officially throw my hat into the “The 1920s are going to be the next big thang with young people” ring.
The Evidence
I’ll preface this by saying that I’m probably missing a lot of stuff here – if you know of something else, throw your hat in the ring too! That’s what the Comments Section is for! You’ll be happy you did it when this trend really takes hold. Embrace smugness with me.
Lauren Conrad has a thing for the 1920s
In an interview with Seventeen earlier this summer, Lauren included The Great Gatsby on the list of her favourite books (in addition to her own books, of course – super classy) and said she dresses up like a flapper almost every Halloween. While Lauren isn’t the peon of fashion or culture for anyone over 17, she’s a mover and shaker with lil’ pups born after 1994.
Anna Godbersen’s Bright Young Things
Surprisingly, I read The Luxe (and the plot summaries of the next three books in the series on Wikipedia) and I didn’t consider it a total waste of my life.
Godbersen’s next foray into bubblegum YA lit will be Bright Young Things, to be released in October 2010.
The book’s set in…you guessed it…1929. The synopsis includes a whole lotta exciting nouns like “flappers” and “showgirls” and “socialites.” I guess there isn’t much sexy about “The Great Crash,” but, y’know, that wasn’t too big of a deal.
Libba Bray’s The Diviners
This promises to be the thinking person’s Bright Young Things. As Publishers Weekly reported, Bray got a seriously ballin’ advance for a four-book “supernatural fantasy series set in Manhattan during the 1920s.” Bray is universally regarded as awesome by both teens and librarians, so this is going to be a big deal come 2012.
The Great Gatsby Video Game
Most people heard of this and thought, “What a cute lil’ thing to tweet and put on my Facebook.” Meanwhile, I let out a maniacal laugh as I added it to my mounting list of evidence.
Teen Vogue and the Twenties
Teen Vogue has been all over the twenties lately. Most recently, their “best dressed reader of the day” (caps are so outta style) proclaimed that she loves the twenties because “It was such a classy era, but at the same time, the clothing choices always hinted toward mischief and revolution.” “Hinted toward mischief and revolution?!?” I wish I had been that articulate at sixteen.
And, finally…
Even Snooki gave the twenties a (historically inaccurate) shout-out!
Yes, I watch The Jersey Shore. On the first episode of Season Two (i.e. – two Thursdays ago) Snooki was washing clothes in the sink (after an accident involving white booty shorts and a red alcoholic beverage) and lamented, “I feel like a pilgrim from the friggin’ 20s washing s—.” Lovely.
So, there you have it. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the 1920s really is the next big thang, and not just kind-sorta-the-next-big-thang like fallen angels proved to be.
Shannon Ozirny 