Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Source: http://www.une-vie-saine.com/2011/06/my-favorite-books.html

HELLO HELLO,
I know that we have discussed this series before, but I just reread the first one, Sloppy Firsts, again and DAYUUUM that is one fine piece of teen lit (although it is labeled as an adult novel.. weird). Sloppy Firsts and all the characters that live within it's pages are so memorable and real to me that for some reason I keep having the urge to reread the entire series. Jessica Darling, in particular, in her teen-angsty way, makes me love the books. Not only because she is funny, observant, and all-around cynical, (all characteristics I love) but also because she is going through a similarly hellish high school experience as us. As I am sure you remember, at the start of the first novel she is coping with her friend Hope leaving town (like you will be leaving me soon!), pressure from her dad to be the best at track (seriously Charlotte, this girl and I have so much in common..), mind-numbing insomnia, and no one she can really connect with. Much of this changes when she starts talking to a "Dreg" named Marcus Flutie who she can't quite figure out entirely. While Jessica does a lot of moping, especially in the first book, it is counteracted by witty insight and spontaneous, often hilarious, rants. It's easy to become absorbed into her world. I just read that it is in the works to become a movie as well, HURRAH! Now I gotta go reread book 2!
LOVE YOU,
Sarah

Books of My Past and Present

Dear Char,

First of all, I never noticed that you have the same nickname as Prince Charmont in Ella Enchanted until this very moment as I write "Dear Char." That book was my absolute favorite book for about a million years and I would reread it and reread it until I knew certain phrases by heart ("And so, with laughter and love, we lived happily ever after." It's a classic). Right now I'm more into The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
(notice my smooooth segue?) which, in actual fact, you suggested we both read! While I am not yet done reading it (I'm on page 284 of 590) I can say with conviction that I LOVE IT. It started out pretty slow and there are some EXTREMELY disturbing scenes which make getting out of bed to turn off my light at night seem very scary. However despite both these negatives, it's so gripping that I can't stop reading it. Every small plot twist makes me question the final outcome of the novel and each character has depth and intrigue. So in short, you can borrow my copy when I'm done and then we can go see the movie together! (more on that later..)

L.O.L (in this case lots of love..),

--Sarah

Review, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

(photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirellacardoso/)

I first read this book last year, which-like the main character of this book, Charlie-was my freshman year in high school. My experience was very different than Charlie's, unlike him I spent most of my freshman year with Charlotte watching odd shows we came across on her netflix ("Samantha, Who?" anyone?) Charlie's freshman year, on the other hand, happened in the early '90s and was chronicled in the form of letters written to an unknown person (presumably to whoever is reading the book). Charlie's experience was one filled with experimentation, mostly with drugs and alcohol. His freshman year was a learning period about music, books, and girls. His honest and often painful descriptions are undoubtedly unique and beautiful. Despite the differences of our freshman years, I could completely relate with the tumultuous range of emotions that are exposed in this novel. His confusion at others' actions, longing to belong, and endless searching for all things beautiful are a signature of the age and stage that come with freshman year. I would definitely recommend this book to any one seeking a novel about what it means to grow up, and the strength it takes to get there.
--Sarah