In the 1980s, a publisher stepped forward to try and cash in on soap fan’s long memories by producing paperbacks that told the previous storylines on their soaps. Guiding Light was one of these. The writers were overseen by Mary Ann Cooper. According to the books: “Cooper is America’s foremost soap opera expert. She writes the nationally syndicated column Speaking of Soaps, is a major contributor to leading soap opera magazines, and is a radio and television personality.”
According to the back cover of each of the series, “The Guiding Light is the golden thread of love that binds the lives of Springfield’s families – the Bauers, the Reardons, the Chamberlains – capturing the hearts of millions of viewers. Read about the men and women of Springfield, discover their innermost thoughts, join them in their most intimate and heartwarming moments.”
I don’t yet have the complete set. Below is a list of those I do. If anybody else can fill in the titles of the missing books I’d appreciate it if you’d drop me an e-mail. I’m really sorry they didn’t continue with the series.
1. Aimes, Angelica. So Tender, So True. Rocky Hill, CT: Pioneer Communications, 1986. ISBN0916217019
The story features Mama and Papa Bauer, Bill and Bertha (Bert) Bauer, Meta Bauer, and Ray Brandon.
5. Aimes, Angelica. Rush to Love. Rocky Hill, CT: Pioneer Communications, 1986. ISBN 0916271051
The story features Kathy Roberts, Meta Bauer, Dick Grant, and Bert Bauer.
9. Creed, Marlene. Playing With Fire. Rocky Hill, CT: Pioneer Communications, 1987. ISBN 0916217094
The story features Bill Bauer, Maggie Scott, and Anne Fletcher.
10. Creed, Marlene. Swept Away. Rocky Hill, CT: Pioneer Communications, 1987. ISBN 0916217108
The story features Robin Lang, Paul Fletcher, and Peggy Scott.
11. McDonnell, Virginia. Hidden Fears. Rocky Hill, CT: Pioneer Communications, 1987. ISBN 0916217116
The story features Peggy Fletcher, Lee Gantry, and Dr. Sara McIntyre.
Last Updated Aug 20 2016: I’m going to have to do an update on this since I have identified most of these now, but I haven’t shared it in this format again. So look for another post soon.
Robansuefarm is the handle of one of Manny and Guiding Light‘s biggest fans following in her family’s footsteps of Guiding Light fandom since 1939. This blog is an effort to make it easy to find Guiding Light and especially Manny online. Check back here for her blog, find fanfic previews and fake WSPR newscasts on her YouTube, find podcasts that look back to old shows and audios of her fanfics on Blog Talk Radio, and finally follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Glmanny's Blog 