If This is Love, I'll Take Spaghetti

by Ellen Conford

Nine short stories explore the trials and tribulations of teenage life.

Genres: Young Adult, Short Stories, Fiction, Childrens, Teen, Humor

165 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Ellen Conford was an author for children and young adults. Among her writings are the Annabel the Actress and Jenny Archer series. Her books have won the Best Book of the Year Citation, Best Book of the International Interest Citation, Best Book of the Year for Children, Parents' Choice Award, and more.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of cute stories about teenage girls dealing with crushes, first love, best friends, and self perception. I was 50/50 on whether I read this when I was younger and after reading it, I’d say probably. Some stories seemed vaguely familiar, but others I had absolutely no recollection of.

[m. neral · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book from Goodwill because it's obviously a work of art as far as the cover image and title go- and I figured I'd read it because why keep a book if I didn't know what was inside? I was fully expecting to be let down by lack of diversity in character, plot, and writing style- and I was. From my interpretation these stories were written for cis, white, middle-class or higher young women who are just starting to explore love and boundaries and dating. The stories are predictable but comforting because of the fact- a trip down nostalgia lane- and for whatever reason the more I read the more I wanted to read and I found myself pretty invested in the snippets of these girls lives. I was especially intrigued when I thought one of the stories was going to be about a girl having a crush on her friend's mom but unfortunately that was not the case! So, yeah, I'm not sure why you would read it unless you were 10-16 or nostalgic, so I probably wouldn't recommend per say, but I didn't hate it.

[Scrw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a 41 year old woman who found this book in my house from an estate buy-out I did. I loved the title so much I read the whole damn thing and I'm not ashamed to tell you it resonated with my soul like a message from the Cosmos.

If you don' think you were your best self at age 13 you're lost in a chasm of deception.

[Kayna Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hilarious. This is a complilation of nine short stories all dealing with true teenage occurances. The story topics are so typical for teenage girls; crash diets for a boy, true love with a singer, Dear Dr. Lamour, comparing moms, monolouge about a terrible boyfriend who cheated, first impressions, and just teen drama in general. Some of the endings were kind of cheesy but I think it is because they are more realistic than most stories. As a reader we expect something out of the ordinary. Conford tells it how it is and how it really happens. I completely found myself relating to the ridiculous behavior a couple of times and wondered if I really sounded that silly when I was a teen. Well I probably did! This was a pretty quick read infused with wonderful humor and honesty from the author. I really enjoyed it!

[Stasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

*SQUEALING* So. Cute. Totally nostalgia trip material, back to the days when public school and having crushes all sounded like foreign language and fascination. I would've worn this book out had I owned it as a tween!!! Lucky me, I scored it for a quarter at a thrift store!!

[Madi · Rating 1 out of 5]

While it may have been good in it's time, the short stories are ridiculously cheesy, and have some concerning messages in some of them.

[helina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading this, it’s a comfort book for me. I’ve just read it for a second time and each individual short story is gold. Also I feel like the short stories are something most girls go through at some point yk? Like at least one of them will or has been something the reader has experienced whether it’s exactly the same or somewhat similar.

[Brooklyn Erlick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had an hour to fill between classes and picked this book up off the shelf, not expecting much. I actually enjoyed it! It was a mix of empathy, romance, and comedy. Definitely had me chuckling a few times. Would definitely recommend as a book to read to pass time or for a quick read.

[Reading with Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[wittierninja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I only remembered this book because my mom gave me a boatload of stuff from my old bedroom, and this was in there. I remembered everything about what I loved about Ellen Conford the minute I looked at the cover. It's cheesy and it's young and it's all about the things we found tragic as a tween but now find silly. I still plan on re-reading it (which is why it's the to-read list), and her other books, though! Tattered as the cover is and yellowed as the pages are, I'm sure I'll roll my eyes but fall in love with Ellen Conford all over again.

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not usually a fan of short stories but each of these is a gem, and Conford has a gift for making her readers laugh.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!

[Elizabeth]

Short stories -- I must have reread this book dozens of times.

[Catarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! This books is precious! I recommend it to everyone that: a) as been or is a teen, b) knows what love is.

[intan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book! :)

[Mell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another tween read that I borrowed or picked up at a RIF event in school. As a kid, nothing makes you feel better about being "normal" than reading stories about other teen mishaps.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious

[Akilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread, of course. Loved this growing up, still love it now.

[Rachel B · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been decades, but I remember how I loved Ellen Conford's writing, and this was no exception. It has been long enough that I can't conjure up a lot of details about the stories, but there continues to be this lasting impression that Ellen had (has?) a gift for understanding the confusing and sometimes treacherous rite of passage that adolescence is. Her stories are so real emotionally, and I would love to find that connection with an adult author!