Happy 2010 everyone!

As everyone (myself included) is making resolutions for better health, I thought I’d mention another resolution that I look forward to holding myself to. You see, in 2009, I didn’t read all that much. I did read more than I give myself credit for (countless blogs that I discovered do, after all, count as reading), but I really ought to read more books. And so this year, I’m challenging myself to read 36 books.

These 36 cannot be re-reads, & in order for them to be counted, I’ve got to read the whole thing. That’s not to say that I have to finish every book I start (life is far too short & there are far too many books to read!), but if I want them to make the list, I have to finish them. I’ll try to let you know what I’ve read at the end of each month!

Before I can begin, however, I’ve got to finish the two books I’ve not been reading of late – The Historian as well as Ink Exchange. Then, because I’ve been putting it off despite enjoying the first chapter, I’m finally going to tackle Jonathon Strange & Mr Norrell, a book I purchased at list price when it was first published & can now be found at dollar stores.

I’m going to try to include the caveat that these 36 books ought to also be books sitting on my shelf, because there’s really no reason why I own so many books I’ve not read, but somehow I doubt that’ll happen. There are always so many new books that want my attention!

My friend Steve over at Bibliomaniac is doing a crazy book-reading challenge: he’s going to read the entire Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series. This is, of course, in addition to all the other crazy reading he’ll be doing. I envy is fast-reading abilities!

Are there any books you’re going to try & tackle in the new year? Have you made a reading-based resolution as well?

I look forward to seeing everyone’s reactions to the twists & turns you’re put through in September when this is finally released. I’m eagerly awaiting the final installment – although I don’t expect to see it before it’s released. Methinks Hunger Games 3 will not be turned into an ARC, no matter how much we may wish it.

Wicked Lovelyby Melissa Marr: I’ve had this book on my shelf since shortly after its arrival in hardcover, & even though I adore faeries, I kept passing it up in favor of other reads – which, I can now say, was a mistake. To me, this book is what the love triangle in Twilight should have been – complex & confusing. Whereas in that story you’re generally persuaded to choose a side, I could honestly say throughout this story that I truly didn’t know who I wanted Aislinn, the heroine, to choose.

I was particularly struck by the descriptions of sense throughout the story – the taste of sunshine, the smell of iron. Also, the faerie lore in this book is well-researched & presented matter-of-fact: there’s no time for long explanations of faeries & their existence. Things happen fast, & every decision has a major consequence. Although I could see the twist before it happened, I was quite happy that I didn’t see it until just before. I didn’t want this book to end!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indianby Sherman Alexie: most of the time, winners of the National Book Award are fabulous literary works, but are entirely too dull for my tastes. I’m happy to report that this book is just as amazing as you’ve heard – I chose this as the May selection for our adult book discussion, & nearly all the regulars enjoyed this. It’s funny, sad, amazing, inspiring, bewildering. I wouldn’t believe some of what happened if it weren’t semi-autobiographical, & I personally adore that it dealt with many teen issues in a frank, realistic way. Real issues like anorexia, masturbation, alcoholism, & let’s face it, being a freaking teenager, are handled better than even the most veteran of teen authors. Absolutely enchanting.

Half-Assedby Jennette Fulda, aka PastaQueen: I’ve been reading her blog for awhile now, & so I decided I ought to give her book a try. Although the writing at her blog is top notch, it’s still a blog, but I was honestly quite impressed at the quality of writing found here. She recently left her job to freelance full-time, & I think she’ll do well. But the book itself, a weight-loss memoir, is full of so much amazing Midwestern philosophy that I feel that I actually know her. Her bit about the fat acceptance movement, & the bizarre contradictions they make, was absolutely dead on. I highly recommend this!

& now, what I plan to read: Fast Food Nation (about 1/4 way through), Ink Exchange (almost done), Uglies (I’m possibly the last person to read it), & Paper Towns. Mayhaps I’ll get to them all before summer ends?

One of the nice things about teen lit is that selling the book relies on the story & design alone – unless it’s a name like Stephenie Meyer or JK Rowling, teens usually don’t know & frankly don’t care. Some will recognize a name like Meg Cabot or Darren Shan, simply because their books take up so much of the shelf, but teens in general are rather more interested in whether the story is interesting, rather than which best-selling author’s name is plastered across the cover.

This means that some of the absolute best cover designs, in my opinion, are hidden over your bookstore’s & library’s teen section. Here’s a sampling of some of my favorites…

You can view the entire “Well Designed Books Make Better Lovers” set on my Flickr!

For my fellow teen librarians: it’s great for boys, reluctant readers, & Uglies fans. Put this on your summer reading lists & give it to your graphic novel readers. They’ll be hooked!

For those of you who have read it, a most important question awaits:

I honestly haven’t decided yet. I love them both! One completely gets her, but the other is so sweet, & their lives are forever intertwined. Defend your answer!

Although I do love all of these books, they aren’t necessarily my all-time favorites. That’s a list for another day! These are just books that I can point to as having great influence to me, one way or another.

Mariel of Redwall – Brian Jacques
An odd choice, I know. But before I found this book, I was a sixth grade voracious reader who would read anything – but had never really found any books to really love & obsess over. I picked this up last minute, intrigued by the image of a mouse in a dress on the cover, & was nearly instantly hooked. This book was my introduction to fantasy, & more importantly, to series fantasy. I love this story, about a girl who wakes up on a beach knowing nothing, & with the help of newly-found friends, finds her strength & becomes a heroine to all those around her. With the added bonus of pirates searats & ships & amazing feasts! The Redwall books became the first true obsession for me in junior high; I easily read this book ten times.

Notes from an Incomplete Revolution: Real Life Since Feminism – Meredith Maran
This book taught me so much about the real struggles of feminists, & how much further we have to go. It’s a collection of essays that wander throughout her life, but I learned so much & really got what the movement is all about. For me, several generations after the initial revolution, it was an intimate look at how things were, where they are now, & how much further we have to go. You hear about life prior to “the movement,” & I’ll never forget the passage about working on an auto factory line two weeks after she gave birth to her first son (because they wouldn’t allow her any extra time away from the job), breast milk staining her work shirt. It’s a wake up call, & I’m so, so glad I read it.

The Tao of Pooh- Benjamin Hoff
I’ve been into the many eastern philosophies for a long time, but I read this during a particularly tumultous time of life. I had just completed grad school, had my first real job, & had just moved in with my fiance. To say that things were going well is the overstatement of the decade. I was quite depressed, & all the sudden changes were taking its toll – &, for the first time in my life, most of what was “me” was now “we” – but perhaps I’ll talk more about that another time. My point is, I picked this book up, & I learned tons about just letting things go, & letting things happen as they happen. It’s such a fun little idea, teaching the principles of Taoism through one of our most beloved characters, & it really does work. This, to me, is an absolute must-have in anyone’s library – unless you’re the sort of person who prefers to be anxious & stressed out about everything. You know, if you’re actually a Rabbit.

The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown
Okay, now, before the collective groan, let me explain: I’ve always been intrigued by Mary Magdalene, & since fleeing the Camden Baptist crazy (see below), I’ve been more & more interested in the truth behind all those bible stories that were shoved down my throat. All the information about the Divine Feminine is so awesome, & I can’t help but tear up at the image of Robert Langdon kneeling at the Louvre when he finally figures out her resting place.

I realize that much of this book is fiction, but so much of it is not. I remember babysitting at a professor’s house, & after realizing that she taught women’s studies, turning around to find written on a marker board in huge letters: “WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO WOMEN?” & personally, I think that anything that can create a dialouge about anything so important deserves attention. Some people only paid attention to the flack thrown at the Vatican due to this story, but personally, I was less interested in that & more into the woman behind the story. After reading this book in my undergrad, I took an even deeper interest in feminism & strong women throughout history.

The Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkien
Oh, the early days of the Lord of the Rings movies! I was bit hard by the ‘Ringer fandom, & was all kinds of obsessed for a good long time afterwards (my email address, theforgottenfairy, actually refers to the fact the Tolkien mentions fairies in The Hobbit, but then never again. Yes, I am that sort of fangirl). I read most of The Two Towers in one night, lying on bed racing throughout Middle Earth. LotR was also my first online fandom, & was when I really got into fanfiction, icons, & communities. I was also a huge snob, believing LotR to be better than pretty much anything else – which led to a huge hatred of Harry Potter…

The Harry Potter series – JK Rowling
until I finally read the books. Harry Potter would eventually dwarf my obsession of Lord of the Rings, & I was hooked on the story even as I finished the very first chapter of Sorcerer’s Stone. I convinced many people to read them, & was even one of the first to have a huge essay all about how Snape couldn’t be evil after Half-Blood Prince. But lots of people have read this silly series; how could I possibly claim it shaped my life? Because these were the books that turned me into voracious reader once more. I, like so many teens, was so busy during high school that reading was something rarely done. Sure, I was still reading, & obviously I read Lord of the Rings, but I wasn’t reading everything in sight until I finished Harry Potter (up through book five when I discovered them). These are the books that turned me on to teen literature, & I can easily say that they’re at least partially responsible for becoming a librarian. So thanks, JKR! Just explain once more why you won’t write about the Marauders years…

Apprentice to the Flower Poet Z – Debra Weinstein
This is an odd little book that I picked up in the $1 clearance section of Half-Price Books. Its bright green cover & paint-like letters intrigued me, but I never imagined it would hit me the way it did. I read as I was finishing student teaching, during a weekend visit back home. I couldn’t put it down – which I thought strange, because I couldn’t quite place why. I thought that maybe I was a bit crazy, until I gave it to my best friend – who also devoured it, reading the whole thing in four or so hours. The story is of an undergraduate in a poetry program, assigned as a work-study assistant to her favorite poet & hero – The Flower Poet Z. Annabelle, when first entering the program, does so with the excited eyes of all freshmen, but learns throughout her time there that people rarely deserve the pedestals we place them on, & that poetry (much like the music program my best friend & I were in) is often less about how good you are, & more about who you know.

It sounds like a horribly pessimistic story, but it truly isn’t. Annabelle learns so much about herself & ends up a much stronger person than she ever was – which is exactly what college is supposed to do. I mean, I was absolutely CERTAIN that I wanted to be a high school band director when I first got to school, & although there are times I miss the comraderie of marching band, there’s no way I’d want to do that now. I never imagined that I’d get into graphic design & blogging & end up a teen librarian! My best friend had the same ideas I did, but now she’s working on a Ph D in linguistics. Life rarely turns out how you expect it.

Sadly, this book is no longer in print, but I’ve found it several times at book re-sale shops. Keep an eye out for the bright green cover!

Girlosophy – Anthea Paul
I pick up this amazing book every time I feel the least bit down. Each & every page is a scrapbook of inspiration – wonderful messages, quotes, inspiring images, & just an all-around GO BE AMAZING aura of fantastic about it. Here’s a sample:

“The path to self-determination is steep & deep. Don’t eat junk food. Don’t think junk thoughts. To name your fears is to destroy them. Transcend your life – live it to the max.”

I love this book & highly recommend it for every girl over the age of ten.

Song of the Lioness Quartet – Tamora Pierce
I absolutely would not be who I am today if I hadn’t discovered these books early on in my teen years. I found them waaaay back in seventh grade, back when I was practically drowning in the fundamentalist dogma of the church we were attending. I was afraid of sex, being groomed to become a perfect pastor’s wife, & eagerly swallowing every word I heard about being pure, submissive, & all-around perfect. These books were the first crack through that facade, & soon after, I was running from that life & into the one I lead now as a strong woman. Since then, I’ve been blessed with an abundance of amazing women in my life who are equally strong, but I truly do thank the universe for introducing me to Alanna of Trebond, a little red-headed girl who didn’t let having the wrong genitalia get in the way of achieving her dreams. These are truly wondrous books to place into the hands of any teen girl.

One of the best parts, I think, of this story is that Tammy doesn’t shy away from the issue of sex. Her characters have it – & it’s seen as a natural, positive thing in life. So many teen books that deal with sex are all about the negative – rape, abuse, date rape, pressure from the guys – in Tammy’s book, sex is the next step in relationships, & it’s shown as the beautiful thing it is. It’s not explicit in any way, but it’s shown as something to embrace & not fear, & something to enjoy when you’re ready. & I just adore that message.

So what about you? What books are among those who have shaped you, made you think, or turned you on to a subject you otherwise wouldn’t have cared about? I want to hear your stories!

At the Montgomery County Book Festival, someone said something odd to me:
“I think Numair [the Numair books I'm scheduled to write] will be the next Edward Cullen.”

To which I, & nearly everyone who reads her LJ replied, “Duh-huh! Numair is all kinds of hawt!”

Because, well. He is! Call us biased because we’ve known him longer than Mr Sparkles & we’re all Tammy fans, but there’s really no comparison. While Edward protects Bella from all sorts of trouble, Numair uses all kinds of crazy magic just to find his love. Numair is one of only seven black-robed masters in the world – the highest ranking of mages – but he’s way too cool to actually wear said black robe. He’s barely 30 (which is crazy young for a master), & he’s just… hot. Not to mention that he’s Daine’s teacher, which is always a fun relationship.

For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, these are characters from Tamora Pierce’s fantastic series The Immortals. Daine is the main character, but I daresay Tammy’s strongest suit is her ability to write the greatest secondary characters you’ll ever meet. & Numair is definitely the hottest. She’s due to write a series just about him in the near(ish) future, & we’ve all been waiting in eager anticipation.

She thinks that person actually meant that the books will be hotter than Twilight, but obviously we have our priorities elsewhere. So, what do you think?

Defend your answer in the comments!!

Teen literature is really more of a genre than a category. Usually the protagonist is a teen, the book can be related to by those going through the same sort of issues, & usually those issues are easy to identify: divorce, sexuality, growing up, drugs, sex, getting the guy, etc. Even teen fantasy, sci-fi, & historical fiction deal with some sort of issue. The “teen fiction” label doesn’t necessarily speak to the reading level, & it certainly doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for teens at every age. Most importantly, “teen literature,” in my opinion, means that it appeals, first & foremost, to teens.

Many authors write teen fiction without realizing it. It’s a huge, hot market right now, & all the publishers are scrambling to take hold of it. Every once in a while, a book gets slapped with this label, even when it really isn’t necessarily teen literature. & unfortunately, when books get shoved into this category, it often means they won’t be read by anyone other than teens.

Christina Meldrum’s Madapple, is one of these books.

It’s a haunting coming of age story, filled with rich descriptions of herblore & religious studies & butterfly imagery. Aslaug, our main character, has leads an incredibly isolated life until her mother dies. Seeking refuge with family she believes exists, she finds herself once again in isolation. Every other chapter, beginning with the second, is testimony from a trial in which Aslaug is charged with double murder – something which takes place several years into the future. This device keeps you reading & wondering; who is she charged with killing? How could she possibly be in this situation?

The story itself is beautiful; Aslaug’s grandfather was a botanist who taught her mother everything she knows. Her mother has passed this knowledge onto her, & so everything Aslaug takes in reminds her of a weed, a wildflower, an herb. The imagery this invokes causes you to ponder the last nature walk you took – how many useful plants do you pass by, ignorant in their use? I want someone to write a guide to this world, so I can track down each plant & try them myself – all, that is, except that poisonous, hallucinogenic Madapple, also known as jimsonweed.

“It seems we humans so want to divvy the world up into clean little packages that fit neatly together. But in reality, each package seeps into the next, affects the next. And the pile forever shifts. And, as far as I can tell, no one understands where the contents in the packages came from to begin with… It seems to me the point of living is less to understand, more to not become dulled to the miracles that are everywhere… It’s time to open the curtains, let in the sun, let these mad apples grow.”

Aslaug is a teen, yes. She comes of age in this book, which is usually a dead giveaway to that teen label. She faces many demons – but these are not the sort found in a typical teenage problem novel. How many teens can speak several language, fire off hundreds of botanical entries, & can say they’ve never seen their reflection?

I adore this book, with its innocent, intelligent narrator, & I wouldn’t hesitate from putting it into anyone’s hands. Those teens who are up for a challenging read might enjoy it, but my guess is that most will give up early. Those that do not will find a character to take with them wherever they may go.

To those who have read it, what do you think? Did you like it? What about it being called teen literature?

See also:
Christina Meldrum’s fantastic website, which includes snapshots of many of the herbs mentioned throughout her story.

“Smell is the most powerful trigger to the memory there is. A certain flower, or a whiff of smoke can bring up experiences long forgotten. Books smell musty and rich. The knowledge gained from a computer has no texture, no context. It’s there & then it’s gone. If it’s to last, then the getting of knowledge should be tangible – it should be smelly.”
Rupert Giles, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The NY Times published a fascinating article (h/t to Steve!) a few days ago wherein the author ponders that infamous question: is an eBook really a book?

“It’s not a book,” he explains, emphatically, to the laptop. “It’s more like a movie or a video.”

I’m not going to argue with a three year old who obviously loves his books, & probably gains plenty from his experiences with technology (& no matter what the author may fear, it seems to me that he’s doing just fine educating his child & he’s apt to perform incredibly well on whatever exams he may take in the near future). In fact, I completely agree with him! Of course, were I to be snobbish over the fact that only physical books with paper & dust & broken bindings are worth reading, I’d be guilty of my own mantra. Most of my own reading each day is online – blogs, news sites, email, my livejournal, facebook – all of this is online, & I wouldn’t have it any other way. I adore social networks, & I’ve read my share of epic novel-length fanfiction into the wee hours of the morning. Obviously, this is still reading, & I’m not ashamed that I do it.

& those who swear by their Kindles, by all means, enjoy. I’d much rather have you read your fancy digital paper than nothing at all – & eventually, who knows! I may pick one up for myself.

But I hope, & I pray, that eBooks never replace bound paper. Yes, I know that electronic books are probably better for the environment, & that on the whole, they tend to be cheaper. But the digital divide aside, I just plain prefer a solid book in my head, seeing how far I’ve come & how much longer there is to go; feeling the paper between my fingers & holding a shiny new book in my hands.

In the living room in the house where I grew up, the longest wall was covered, floor to ceiling, in bookcases shelved with every kind of book imaginable. For holidays & birthdays, I recieved books. The bookfair at school was a sacred occassion for me. My fiance & I just bought yet another bookshelf because books were beginning to stack up around the apartment.

Perhaps I was always destined to be a librarian, as I’ve always had books around me, with me, surrounding me. But I just can’t imagine a world where books are considered outdated. & how on earth does one pass ebooks to their friends? At any point, there are probably 10 or so books of mine, “borrowed” by friends & family, as I’m constantly shoving books into their hands, whether they were looking for suggestions or not. Who doesn’t love an afternoon spent at Barnes & Noble or the library, browsing the shelves & seeing all the possible topics one can spend a lifetime learning? Books make the perfect gift, create fantastic conversations, & add character to a room.

Why would anyone want to relegate their entire existence to the digital world, where everything is simply a code? One mistaken character, and it becomes technological mush. But then, I’m one of the few people left in my generation who still purchases CDs. Perhaps I’ve had too much bad luck with computers mysteriously wiping themselves of their content (& obviously am a procrastinator at backing up files), but it worries me to have everything in one spot. I love my iPod, but I still prefer to see my entire investment, not just rely on a device to keep the files handy when I want one.

Books have taught me, changed my perspective, been my friend. I guess that when it comes down to it, I think the written word deserves more than a file in a hard drive. They deserve a place in the physical plane of existence, next to flowers & antique tea cups & other beautiful things the world ought to remember. Centuries from now, I want to world to stumble upon a used bookstore & marvel at the dusty wonders within.

See also:
- The Once & Future eBook
- Electronic books with musty smell released. Ha!!
- Rupert Giles and Search Tools for Wisdom in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Why Read A Book?

“There are two motives for reading a book: one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it.” Bertrand Russell

I’ve never understood elitist snobs. No, I’m not talking about intelligent people who know how to use their vocabulary & have the audacity to want an education & clean water for all of the world’s children. I’m referring to those people who insist on telling you that your taste in music, movies, book, food – whatever their passion – is classless & downright wrong. You know the conversations…

“How dare you eat a Hershey’s bar! This bar of 62% organic dark chocolate is not only better for you, it tastes better too. Here, you’ll see…”

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End? You mean you actually paid money to see it? Ha! You couldn’t make me watch that trash – Johnny Depp completely sold his soul to Disney. The only movie of his worth watching is Chocolat – & don’t even get me started on that terrible monstrosity that was Corpse Bride…”

“What’s this on your iPod? Josh Groban!! Oh, do tell me it’s only on there as a joke. Haven’t you heard – his diction is terrible! How could you like this? Don’t tell me you actually bought his album…”

“How do people watch reality television? I swear, this is what’s wrong with the world today. It’s not the AIDS epidemic or the terrorist threat from Islamic extremists; clearly it’s reality television. Honestly.”

As though personal preferences could be wrong – or right. I worked at a movie theatre one summer in college – you’d think it’d be a fun job, right? I love movies, of all kinds. & with this job, I was given free movies whenever I wanted. But you would not believe the movie snobs who worked there – when I mentioned that I enjoyed the (free!) 120 minutes I spent in a theatre watching Reign of Fire, you would think I had sprouted an eyeball right in the middle of my forehead. Do I think that that movie deserved an award? Absolutely not! But it was fantastic escapist fun – I especially admired the bit where Star Wars was being told. Can you imagine a world where you could only listen to the story, but you couldn’t watch it? Where you wouldn’t be able to hear the Imperial March? Personally, I felt the movie ended too abruptly & at an odd comment. But I do not regret the time I spent there. I can appreciate the movie for what it was, & don’t hold it up to the same standards I’d hold a movie like The Constant Gardener. More movies are destroyed because of the guilt “snobs” inflict on others.

It gets even worse with books! Some people will think you utter trash if you dare to touch a mass market paperback romance or prefer the whimsy of an epic fantasy. Then there are those who shun the bestselling authors of fiction, calling you classless if you aren’t reading the latest translation of an obscure Scandinavian bestseller or a new edition of Bleak House – not to mention those who will look on you in scorn if you read any fiction at all.

Why does it matter what you read? I’m just excited when people tell me they read at all. In 2007, a huge report was released that proclaimed that 75% of adults read no books in the past year. Talk about heartbreaking! Personally, I think it’s there’s a flaw in the statistics – so what if 75% didn’t read a book. That certainly doesn’t mean they don’t read! That statistic doesn’t include the blogs, magazines, newspapers, & other assorted nonsense that filters past our eyes each day.

As far as I’m concerned, who cares what you read, as long as it makes you happy. As a teen librarian & member of YALSA, I promote the mantra “Read for the Fun of It!” simply because so few people do. Somewhere between the amazing books your second grade teacher foists upon you & the books you muddle through studying for exams, people lose the joy of reading. In school, you’re forced to read the classics (which personally bore me to tears, but if you like them, yay for you!!), or otherwise noncontroversial books that rarely contain excitement – & then they make you write reports or take tests on them!

Many people believed that the Harry Potter phenomenon & the new Twilight craze would create a new generation of readers, but that isn’t really the case – & yet, there are still book snobs out there who hate on the people who would sit back & enjoy racing to the end of either saga!

I don’t get it. I doubt I ever will. Why should anybody care what anybody reads? Let everyone be. & don’t worry yourself over it! Read what you like because you like it.

& the converse is also true: if you don’t like a book, no matter who told you it was amazing, be it Oprah or your best friend or me or Buddha himself, don’t finish it. Just put it down, & move on to something else. Because if they take it personally, they’ve got bigger issues than their own book snobbery. & who knows? Maybe discovering that not everyone loves everything they love will make them pause before they rush to judge another person.

Say this out loud right now: I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, I’M GOING TO READ WHAT I WANT. LIFE IS TOO SHORT, & THERE ARE TOO MANY BOOKS TO READ SOMETHING I DON’T LIKE!!

Remember this the next time someone sneers at you for what you’re reading. Take a nice deep breath, & just smile at them. Never apologize for your taste in anything!!

So re-read Twilight. Race through the Alex Cross books by James Patterson. Read your weekly Newsweek from cover to cover. Pick up the latest NY Times Non-Fiction Bestseller. Devour that stack of harlequins, & don’t feel embarressed if you’re 52 & in love with teen fiction!! Just promise me one thing: never, ever apologize for it!!

Go ahead, you can laugh all you want/I got my philosophy
- Ben Folds Five, Philosophy

Where to find fantastic books:
- Simply Fantastic Reads
- Good Reads
- Library Thing
- What Should I Read Next?
- Which Book?
- WorldCat
- Find your local library & ask the amazing librarians (who are simply dying to do anything other than answer tax questions they aren’t supposed to answer anyway) for a great book to read!

This is a fun little novel by a first-time author; although it’s classic teen lit, I think it’ll stick around awhile. Julie’s best friend, Ashleigh, is an enthusiast, otherwise known as a fangirl. She jumps from obsession to obsession, and although Julie is more than happy to come along for the ride, Ashleigh’s latest may just push her over the edge. You see, over the summer, Julie gave her friend a copy of her favorite book: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Former tom-boy Ashleigh grabs ahold of the language, the dress, and the manners of her 19th Century counterparts, and eventually seeks what every Regency heroine does: True Love. She plans a scheme to crash a local all-boys boarding school dance to find said love, Julie is truly afraid of what she’s awoken. But Julie finds her own Mr Darcy by the end, and a series of quite hilarious and fun events makes for quite an enjoyable novel.

Although a reading of Pride and Prejudice will make for the most enjoyment of the story, this is a fun teen romance without a lot of the heavy “problem novel” stuff. But it’s not all fluff, either – Julie’s parents are divorced, her mom struggling to make ends meet while her father tries to create a new family with his new wife. Julie is a bit like Bella of Twilight fame in that what she really wants is to see everyone around her happy, often at the expense of her own happiness.

I personally adored this story – a little something for the Jane Austen fangirl in all of us. ^^