The Last Analog Teenagers

by Abigail E. Myers

Genres: Short Stories

170 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2025

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate these interconnected short stories about high-schoolers being not-cliché, as in smart “embarrassing” girls have boyfriends, as in the boy of another relationship is the partner who isn’t ready for sexual activity of any kind. Even though I know American teenagers of just about any time period have similarities, it was interesting to note that the only real differences between these “last analog teenagers” and my teenaged years in the 70s were the musical touchstones—and that they had AOL messaging, used to great effect in one of the stories, “Blood Roses.” It’s the story of an awkward girl dealing with a smarmy, predatory, slightly older boy and probably the one I’ll remember the most.

Another story is comprised of only nameless application essays and it was fun trying to pair each to a character I’d already read about, or in one instance a character I read about afterward. The longest stories were my favorites though, the ones that develop the characters of the kids who seem to be on the periphery and delve deeper into the overall themes.

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I received this book as part of my 2025 Stanchion book-club membership.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Myers has captured the panics, the dreads, and the joys of a late 90s/early aughts adolescence in sometimes painful detail here. From the cringey IM conversations to the late night hikes to treacherous locations with boys you are pretty sure you’re in love with, I felt seen (and impressed with her recall of the details that made up a phone free adolescence). The depth of cruelty teenagers can manage was matched only by the kindness they conjure for one another when it’s needed most. An added bonus: the titles are a killer 90’s playlist that I enjoyed rediscovering. Go read it!

[Angela Joynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE LAST ANALOG TEENAGERS by Abigail Myers is a collection of short stories so authentically written that I found myself physically cringing as I remembered my own awkward teenage years! You know what I mean… the unrequited crushes, the proms successful and otherwise, thinking about or maybe engaging in sex or at least foreplay…are you cringing yet?

This book is absolutely brilliant, utterly anchored in reality as it traverses the lives of several teens in the 90s. The writing is spectacular, especially the dialogue, crisp, sarcastic, completely capturing teenagers! Well done, Abigail Myers! This collections simply reeks of adolescence verging on adulthood!

[Nina Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail E. Myers weaves nine tales of the teens of Carvel, Pennsylvania as their lives intersect in the 1990's. We travel back to a time that many of us have shared. Free-range and filled with promise, these teens navigate what the future holds in that precious space between childhood and adulthood, analog and digital. I love the way each tale can be read on their own, but together feels like a time capsule treasure. An entirely enjoyable read.

[Anne Baldo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smart, funny, acutely observed connected short stories tinted with nostalgia. My favourites were "Strong Enough" and "Blood Roses" (we all know a Matt).

[Hildie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this interwoven shirt story collection bring the life of a community of suburban teenage at the end of the 90s into sharp focus.