I’ve loved to read since I was a small child, and I learned five life lessons from reading Nancy Drew books. Nancy Drew was one of my all-time favorite heroines, including Trixie Belden, Laura Ingalls, Cherry Ames, and Sue Barton!

Recently, I read my first Nancy Drew book in 40 years. It took me a while to reread one since I don’t normally read fiction books twice. I have way too many good books waiting for me, and I’ll never be able to read everything on my to-read list or to-read pile.

Worried that I’d hate the books as an adult, I put off reading it, but I was surprised that it wasn’t terrible. They are not excellent literature by any means, but I enjoyed a little blast from my childhood, and I remembered a few life lessons as I read.

  • Lessons Learned
  1. Be curious–like Nancy, it’s important to keep your eyes and ears open for important clues. If you don’t, you won’t solve the mystery or have fun adventures.
  2. Drive a cool car–everything is more fun if your car is cool. To be clear, I haven’t achieved this level of coolness, but I know my life would be way more exciting if I had a sporty car to drive. Wasn’t Nancy’s car blue? I’d have to choose a red car but still…..
  3. Don’t age–be like Nancy. Stay 18, even though you were born in 1914. If she were 18 years old when the first came out, that would be correct? All I can say is that I pray I can galavanting around the world solving mysteries with my keen mind when I’m over 100. You go, girl!
  4. Treasure your lady friends–all-girl books seem to share this theme, but I imagine that’s because it’s an important one. Take care of your friends. You need them.
  5. Touch base with your family even when you’re independent–family is important–don’t forget then when you’re rich and famous and solving mysteries. You never know when you’ll need an infusion of cash from dear old dad! (haha, I jest!).

The book in the photo is one I picked up at the thrift store–poor cover. My mother never allowed me to read it because it had the word “witch” in the title. I decided that since I’m an adult, I can read this one if I choose. But since I’ve reread one Nancy Drew book already, I haven’t been in a rush to read this one. Like I said, too many books, not enough time.

Did you learn any life lessons from reading Nancy Drew books? Share in comments.

Here’s a fun article to check out Nancy Drew facts.

Isn’t this a sweet letter? I found it in a 1940’s newspaper from Andalusia, Alabama.

If you need to stock up on Nancy Drew books for yourself or for your favorite young reader check out this Nancy Drew books boxed set.

This is part three in a series of lessons I learned from my favorite childhood books.

Part one—8 Life Lessons I Learned From Reading Anne Of Green Gables

Part two—5 Life Lessons I Learned From Reading Cherry Ames & Sue Barton Books

Part three– 5 Life Lessons I Learned From Reading Nancy Drew

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7 replies on “5 Life Lessons I Learned From Reading Nancy Drew”

  2. I had just about every Nancy Drew book that came out at the time I was reading them. I passed them on to a friend’s girls who were of age for them when I was working on cleaning out things I had no room for. They read them too but the older one said they were too cookie cutter after the first three!

    However, I can’t remember a specific thing I learned from those books. I read so many I probably mashed things together. I did try writing my own mystery at age 13 and that I do still have in two journal books, 40 years later.

  4. I was just reminiscing about Nancy Drew yesterday. I bought a set at a garage sale years ago. I thought my daughter would read them but she didn’t. I’m holding onto them in case I have a granddaughter one day. You have inspired me to pull one off the shelf to read! As far as a lesson, spooky or strange happenings usually have a very logical reason.

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