5 Judy Blume Books That Capture the Magic and Messiness of Midlife
If you loved Judy Blume growing up, you’ll adore her must-read books about midlife!
Few writers have shaped the inner lives of young readers as profoundly as Judy Blume. Since the early 1970s, the beloved author of classic books like Forever and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret has displayed a unique understanding of what young people are going through. From puberty to first crushes and friendship drama, Blume’s books made a lasting impact on millions of adolescent readers. But some of her most insightful books aren’t for teens. Blume has written several captivating novels for adults that explore the meaningful—and oftentimes messy—moments of adulthood and midlife.
If you grew up reading and loving Blume’s books, her adult fiction feels like catching up with an old friend. In Summer Sisters, Wifey and more, every line sparkles with her signature warmth, relatability and charm. The more adult themes range from marriage to friendships, divorce, infidelity and rediscovery, yet her emotional intelligence rings just as true in each of these books.
She’s truly the voice of a generation. In fact, fellow author—and self-proclaimed Blume superfan—Mark Oppenheimer proves this in his new biography, Judy Blume: A Life, out today. Here, we gathered up what to know about this buzzy new biography and 5 must-read Judy Blume books for adults that speak beautifully to the midlife experience—and will have you turning pages late into the night!
What’s the new Judy Blume biography about?
Judy Blume’s books have touched the hearts of tens of millions of readers. And in historian Mark Oppenheimer’s new biography, he’s telling the inspiring life story behind her stories. Through interviews with Blume herself, access to her correspondence and heartfelt thoughts on her beloved novels, Oppenheimer brings her journey to sparkling life. The book chronicles Blume’s complex childhood, marriages, prolific career and beyond. An exquisite treat for Judy Blume superfans!
Bonus nostalgia news: Molly Ringwald narrates the audiobook!
‘Wifey’: A bold story of self-discovery and second chances
Blume is no stranger to controversy. Her 1975 novel, Forever, was deemed a groundbreaking yet controversial story about first relationships, first love and…the first time. But her debut adult novel, Wifey, released in 1978 under her own name—even though many people advised her to publish the book under a pseudonym—also caused a stir among readers and critics for its risque themes and scenes.
In Wifey, Blume swapped teenage angst for suburban discontent. The novel follows Sandy Pressman, a New Jersey housewife whose tidy life—and uptight husband, Norman—leave her craving something wilder. What follows is a candid, often funny exploration of sexual awakening, secret fantasies and a sizzling reunion with a high school boyfriend.
What readers are saying: “Judy Blume is one of my absolute idols and I adored reading this, mostly because it made me blush a million shades of red. It’s about a 1970s suburban housewife’s sexual awakening while her kids are away at summer camp—and I couldn’t put it down!”
‘Summer Sisters’: A friendship that spans a lifetime
Out of all Blume’s adult fiction books, Summer Sisters is by far a fan-favorite! And even though the book was published in 1998, it was recently named a Read With Jenna book club pick. “This is my all-time favorite summer read. It’s so juicy and fun—it’s candy!” Jenna told us exclusively during an interview for a cover story with First for Women last year. “But it’s also about female friendship and class and what it means to be a woman. Once you start reading this, you can’t put it down.”
The nostalgic story covers the trials and tribulations of a life-changing friendship over the years. Vix Leonard’s world changes when she meets Caitlin Somers, who introduces Vix to her family’s world of privilege, including trips to Martha’s Vineyard. Over the years, their friendship fades—until Caitlin asks Vix to be her maid of honor for her upcoming nuptials, leading Vix on a hunt to find what happened during their falling out.
What readers are saying: “No one does summer quite like Judy Blume. Summer Sisters remains a favorite of mine many years after I read it. I love the tale of Victoria and Kaitlyn and their friendship as well as their growing into adulthood. It’s by far one of the best books Blume has ever written—and one of the few adult books she has written. But it’s such a beautiful read. It’s one of those books that I never get tired of taking out every few years to read and it always feels fresh.”
‘In The Unlikely Event’: A powerful story inspired by real tragedy
Fans of Blume’s writing and historical fiction will enjoy In The Unlikely Event! The novel is based on a real-life tragedy when a series of airplanes fell out of the sky near Blume’s home in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The story takes readers back to the 1950s and follows three generations of family, friends and strangers whose lives are impacted by these events over the course of one winter. At the center of the unforgettable cast of characters are 15-year-old Miri Ammerman and her single mother, Rusty.
What readers are saying: “At 77 years old, Judy Blume wrote a fantastic novel about events that happened near her house growing up. The story is true to the era and completely captured me from the beginning! She describes how that time in her life has always haunted her, to the point where she finally chose to do more research and it became the plot for this book. The story is told by multiple characters, and they all become interconnected. My favorite part of these books is how interesting and true Judy was to the ‘50s. I felt like I was transported back to her time with all of the little details she included. I enjoyed all the characters and their developments.”
‘Smart Women’: Finding strength and friendship after divorce
If you’re looking for a book that navigates post-divorce complexities in a fun, savvy way, Smart Women delivers. Told from the perspectives of two mothers and their teenage children, the story also tackles themes of resilience and self-discovery. In Boulder, Colorado, 30-something divorcees Margo and B.B. are figuring out what life looks like after marriage. Between building careers, dating again and raising skeptical teenage daughters, their worlds are complex, to say the least. But their friendship hits a major twist when Margo strikes up a relationship…with B.B.’s ex-husband. A fascinating look at divorce in the 1980s!
What readers are saying: “This is maybe the 15th time I’ve read this book since I was a teenager and certainly the first time since I’ve been older than the “smart women” of the title, both of whom turn 40 in the year of the events of the book. Though it represents a very specific moment in the “first generation” of divorced women—raised in the 50s, married in the 60s, divorced in the 70s—there is still so much that transcends its era and remains funny and poignant. As in so many of JB’s books, there are themes of love and loss, the dangers of being too self-controlled or not self-controlled enough and the exhilaration of letting yourself fall in love after a lifetime of being told you’re impulsive or reckless.”
Fans are hoping Blume will write about menopause next—and here’s what she says
Over the years, the legendary author expertly captured the beauty and pain of adolescence and the highs and lows of midlife, but many fans are still waiting for her to write a book about life after 50. In short, they really want an Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret for menopause. Blume understands why fans are asking, even though she has a different vision for her beloved character. “There are women who grew up with my books who want me to age Margaret. They ask for Margaret in Menopause. I hate to disappoint them, but Margaret is always going to be 12,” she shared in a 2023 interview with Oprah Daily.
However, the 88-year-old author does dream of a world in which more people talk about aging openly. “We don’t talk about aging enough, period (no pun intended),” she continued. “We’re not supposed to age. Not supposed to admit to the problems that accompany aging. And it’s a subject that can make people, younger or older, uncomfortable. Lately, I’ve read some good articles about menopause. That’s a start. But, hey, menopausal women are young from where I’m standing.”
Ready for more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
