I literally squealed with delight as I finished reading this. 


The title is so similar to How to Be Popular, I wondered if this was written as a response to that book.  And yet, it bears many more similarities to Stargirl.  On a different note, it's wonderful to see an original cover instead of some stock photo.

( Lunch at a new school is like the SAT of social tests. It determines your immediate standing. Whomever you choose to sit with tells people who you are, or who you see yourself as. )

This book is basically a non-musical version of Hannah Montana (and yes, it is sad that I know even one lyric from the opening song by heart). 


Jen Calonita has written for Teen People and Entertainment Weekly, one of which is my favorite zine and other something I never read when I was actually a teen.  Predictably, this is the first in a series.

( Work, work, work, Kaitie-kins. It will pay off. )

This post's title is a slightly altered quote from one of my all-time favorites, Mansfield Park.  It's funny (well, not funny ha-ha) how well it describes the extreme non-events in this book.  However, I find myself confused as to how I feel about it.



Disclaimer: They didn't wear dresses like that in 1899.  But, oh my God, the marketing people they have are geniuses.

( In life, Elizabeth Holland was known not only for her loveliness but also for her moral character, so it was fair to say that in the afterlife she would occupy a lofty seat with an especially good view. )

I still can't believe I made myself do it, but I can't deny it now: Over the weekend, I watched The Clique, the movie based on Lisi Harrison.  What was I thinking?  Well, in the spirit of total honesty, there is something about teen movies that I find intriguing.  Hell, I watched Where The Boys Are, a 60s-era spring break movie, just a few days ago.  Even sub-par movies made on the cheap will spark my interest (for the first few minutes or so, and then I usually switch back to USA for a Monk marathon).  I know to expect the convoluted story, the bad acting, and the trying-too-hard "jokes," but that never stops me.  There's something fascinating(ly wrong) about the way Hollywood likes to portray high school life.  Of course, it's occasionally worth it if it's well-done and feels natural.



Feast your eyes, people.  Hatwear, multiple layers, leather gloves, knee-highs, and wavy locks.  These are the most stylish and sickeningly rich 12-year-olds at Octavian Country Day School.  That's their leader, Massie, in the foreground.  How can you tell she's their boss?  Her dog is a pit bull.  Or the leash represents her tight hold on her friends, constantly controlling where they go and what they do. 

Ha, no.  Symbolism in The Clique?  Not likely.

( Teleplay by Liz Tigelaar; directed by Micheal Lembeck; and, duh, based on the book series )

How fitting that my first review of October should be for a book like this.  If I time it right, I could have Twilight read and reviewed by Halloween. (Not that I'm making any promises.)


There's been a lot of horror/fantasy stuff coming out lately - not just books, but TV shows and movies - but nevertheless I was surprised to see that this book came out earlier this year.  Is it weird that I kinda want those shoes?

( Whatever was going down, it wasn't Settler stuff. It was black-arts stuff, the kind of thing that led to nothing but seriously bad news for average humans and Settlers alike. )

Things like this just goes to show that you should always keep trying.  This is the third Kate Brian book I've read - bought on a whim from Half Price Bookstore - and I'm very glad I did.


This is one instance where I don't like the cover at all.  It's typically pink and bland, and hardly reflects what the actual plot is about. 

( She could have done anything she wanted. If, of course, she were still alive. The ghost could kiss it. )

I've been having a very nice freebie of a day, so I thought I should continue the fabulous S.P. series.  Today, we're moving on to #3.


The glaring redhead on the cover?  Envy Adams, one-third of the popular "art rock" band Clash At Demonhead.  Scott's band, Sex Bob-Omb, has just opened for her at a concert.

( Most people just can't take it. It's a fact of science. The main thing to know is that I'm better than most people. )

I just finished reading it today.


Originally, I wanted to go with a cover that had Clark Gable in all his opened-shirt glory, but then I saw this and thought it better reflected what I thought of the book.  Yes, there's a great whirlwind romance between two of the largest personalities to ever grace the pages of any novel, but the Civil War, its aftermath, and the political and cultural atmosphere it created are just as prominent. 

( Read more... all 1,038 pages if you dare. )

I nearly peed my pants in excitement when I saw this, the second offering from David Levithan, perched on the shelf of my library's (rather old) YA section.  I knew without even cracking it open that I had to read it.



In other, somewhat related news, I just learned that he and Rachel Cohn are writing a third book together!  You can bet I'll have it shipped to my door as soon as it comes out.

( You think you know your possibilities./Then other people come into your life/and suddenly there are so many more. )

Soon to come: Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn

This is going to be weird to review, because although I know it's a classic and everything, but it didn't end up being one of my favorites.


However, I am glad I did have to read it for my Brit Survey class (shout-out to Anne Longmuir!)

( Edgar, I was defending you and yours; and I wish Heathcliff may flog you sick, for daring to think such an evil of me! )

So, I finally bit the bullet and decided to try one of the Clique novels, one of the more (financially) successful Gossip Girl knock-offs.  I want to smack Lisi Harrison's smug photo on the back of this book for writing what is essentially a massive advertisement for hot brand names with a bit of plot thrown in.


I asked my mom if the three girls on the cover looked like eighth-graders to her.  She said they looked 11, 13, and 15, going from left to right.  Can I add that I still can't believe this is meant for middle schoolers?

( Why was everyone so obsessed with boys these days? Wasn't Massie enough anymore? )

I'm so glad I only checked this out from the library.  I would sincerely be hating myself if I'd spent the $14.95 that is this book's price.


I believe the blurb at the bottom is all the explanation you need as to why this book kind of really sucks.

( It's not like I'm conceited. It's not my fault everyone says I'm the most beautiful girl in the school. So I guess I am. )

Again with the Meg Cabot.  But next time, I'll definitely stick to checking out her books from the library.


Clearly, this is a subject Meg knows a lot about, since she's still whipping out books that readers love ... to snark.

( I really have to get a new library card. )

Since I have no YA lit to review (currently reading: The Breakup Bible, Bergdorf Blondes, and Prep), I thought I'd dip into my supply of classics.  These include, naturally, all 6 of Jane Austen's novels, but there are one or two others that aren't as well known.  This one, however, deserves as much praise.


Think of it as the Pride and Prejudice of its time.  It was published in 1778, a somewhat different time than the 1810s, in which most of Austen's books were published.  But it deals with many of the same themes.

( Oh sir, shall I ever again involve myself in so foolish an embarrassment? I am sure that if I do, I shall deserve yet greater mortification. )

I've been waiting to read this book for literally months.  I put off reading it mostly because it looked longed and the plot summary on the back sounded a lot like a story I'm still currently writing.  Well, I read this book on Saturday afternoon ... and finished Sunday morning.


Based loosely on the frog prince fairytale.  As you can see in the small type below, Robin Palmer has also writtien something called Cindy Ella.  I'll definitely keep a lookout for it the next time I go to Borders.

( Okay, so, there's three levels of popularity ... )

I read this because this was the only Rachel Cohn book at my university's library, other than Nick and Norah.


I have no interest in the music business, and even less after reading this (assuming this is an accurate portrayal, which it seems to very well be).  But I loved the story nonetheless, mostly because the main character is much smarter and funnier than Britney and her ilk.

( Lick it, chew it, blow it, pop it ... )

Blah.  I bought this book with the vague intent of snarking it for 1bruce1, but it's still too soon.


Quick background: Random House decided to reissue the first dozen of the Sweet Valley High series for ... well, I'm sure they had a good reason.  I'm guessing they thought it'd be the perfect thing to bring back to compete with Gossip Girl, A-listers, and other bitchy books.  Only because of my loyalty to 1bruce1 did I spend $5.99 (plus tax) of my money on this slight contribution to the world of YA literature, Playing with Fire.

( The girl would not be able to pull off Jessica's outfit after a month on Weight Watchers, but it wasn't as if she could say that to her face. )

So way back before Christmas 08, I was checking around for the latest popular YA books, I discovered this gem.  I took one look at it and immediately put it on my Christmas list. 


This was also part of my ongoing campaign to read more YA books with male main characters (see Flight, Stargirl).  Larry Doyle used to write for The Simpsons, as I mentioned, which was all the more encouraging.  I read this book in less than a week.

Confession: I am not tech-savvy at all.  It took me months to learn how to put something in a link.  I don't own a cell phone, and am very clumsy at dialing numbers when I use someone else's.  It's a miracle I even have a livejournal account.  But this caught my eye, and it was so cute and cheap that I thought, "Why not?"


Since I've been on this YA kick, I decided I needed to venture out into the realm of the tech-savvy.  It's not my thing at all, but that's no reason to be so closed-minded.

( *gets ready to write a book review* )

This is pretty much gold, right here.


Like many, many of the books I'm now reading, this one was recommended by the excellent blog Pop Culture Junkie.  I believe it's a first novel for Robin Benway, and I am curious to read her next one.  This book pretty much blew me away.

( I broke up with Evan, and eight hours later, he had a song in his head and guitar in his hand and it snowballed from there. )