Where to Start with Catherine Clark
If you're looking for lighthearted, relatable teen contemporary fiction full of humor, romance, and self-discovery, Catherine Clark is a fantastic author to pick up. For first-time readers, there are two excellent entry points depending on whether you want to dive into a series or prefer a self-contained story.
- For Series Readers: Start with Banana Splitsville (originally published as Truth or Dairy). This introduces you to Courtney Von Dragen Smith, Clark's most famous and beloved series protagonist, as she navigates veganism, heartbreak, and high school graduation.
- For Standalone Readers: Start with The Alison Rules or Picture Perfect. The Alison Rules offers a slightly more emotional, grounded look at grief and healing, while Picture Perfect delivers a classic, sun-soaked summer romance set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
The Courtney Von Dragen Smith Series
This is Catherine Clark’s signature series. Written in a fun, conversational diary format, it tracks Courtney through high school, long-distance romance, and her transition to college. One common point of confusion for readers is that the first two books were published under multiple titles depending on the edition. Here is the correct chronological reading order with title clarifications:
- Book 1: Truth or Dairy (also published as Banana Splitsville) (2000) – Courtney's boyfriend dumps her right before senior year starts. In response, she decides to swear off boys and become a vegan—a challenge made all the more difficult when she gets a job at a cafe called "Truth or Dairy."
- Book 2: Wurst Case Scenario (also published as Rocky Road Trip) (2001) – Courtney leaves Colorado for college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has to manage a long-distance relationship, new dorm room dynamics, and college culture shock.
- Book 3: Sundae My Prince Will Come (2011) – A decade after the second book, this follow-up sees Courtney facing new romance and career-defining college internships. Note that this book was also bundled with Book 2 in a bind-up edition titled Love and Other Things I'm Bad At.
The Unforgettable Summer Companion Novels
This series features two companion books that explore summer jobs, romantic entanglements, and family dysfunction. While they focus on different protagonists, they share a similar coming-of-age theme, realistic characters, and sunny summer vibes. They should be read in publication order:
- Frozen Rodeo (also published as Better Latte Than Never) (2003) – Peggy Fleming Farrell's summer is supposed to be relaxing, but instead she is forced to work at a Gas 'n' Git to pay off damages from a car accident, all while failing French summer school.
- So Inn Love (2007) – Follows Liza as she works at a picturesque inn, balancing the challenges of her job with a summer romance.
TV Tie-Ins and Novelizations
Before publishing her original contemporary fiction, Catherine Clark worked extensively as a writer for established TV franchises. These books are perfect for fans of the respective shows and are solid expansions of the television universes.
Angela Chase (My So-Called Life) Books
Clark wrote two books focusing on Angela Chase and the characters from the cult classic TV show My So-Called Life. They expand on the storylines from the series:
- My So-Called Life (1995) – A novelization of the television show's episodes.
- My So-Called Life Goes On (1997) – An original sequel novel continuing the story of Angela, Jordan Catalano, and their friends after the show was canceled.
Other TV Adaptations
- Lost in Space (1998) – A junior novelization based on the 1998 sci-fi feature film.
- Middle Sister (2000) – A tie-in book focusing on the Camden family from the hit family drama series 7th Heaven.
- Gilmore Girls Books (2002) – Clark wrote two books in the Gilmore Girls series: Like Mother, Like Daughter and I Do, Don't I?. They capture Lorelai and Rory's quick-witted banter and small-town charm.
What to Know Before You Start
Catherine Clark's novels are celebrated for their witty dialogue, realistic teenage struggles, and vivid settings. Here are some quick tips before you dive into her catalog:
- Flexible Standalones: Outside of the Courtney Von Dragen Smith trilogy, the Angela Chase books, and the Gilmore Girls books, all of Clark's contemporary novels are standalones. You can read them in any order you choose.
- Aesthetic Settings: Clark loves using seasonal and geographical backgrounds to set the tone. If you want a summer beach read, go for Picture Perfect or Maine Squeeze. If you want a cozy winter vibe, choose Icing on the Lake.
- Author Inspirations: Clark's novels frequently borrow elements from her own life. For example, her novel Wish You Were Here was inspired by her teenage bus rides growing up in western Massachusetts.
Complete Chronological Publication List
For readers who prefer to tackle Catherine Clark's works in the order they were released, here is a complete publication list. Note that this list contains both her original fiction and her commercial TV tie-in books:
- What's So Funny about Ninth Grade? (1991)
- Girl of the Year (1993)
- Wiseguys in Love (1993)
- My So-Called Life (1995)
- The Day I Met Him (1995)
- Bank Robbers (1996)
- My So-Called Life Goes On (1997)
- Lost in Space (1998)
- Truth or Dairy / Banana Splitsville (2000)
- Middle Sister (7th Heaven) (2000)
- Wurst Case Scenario / Rocky Road Trip (2001)
- Star-Crossed (2001)
- Like Mother, Like Daughter (Gilmore Girls) (2002)
- I Do, Don't I? (Gilmore Girls) (2002)
- Frozen Rodeo / Better Latte Than Never (2003)
- Better Latte Than Never (2003)
- Maine Squeeze (2004)
- The Alison Rules (2004)
- Icing on the Lake (2005)
- So Inn Love (2007)
- Wish You Were Here (2008)
- Picture Perfect (2008)
- Meanicures (2010)
- Sundae My Prince Will Come (2011)
- How Not to Run for President (2012)
- How to Meet Boys (2014)
- Eleven Things I Promised (2016)
- The Summer of Everything (2016)