Goldengirl

Micol Ostow
Published 2009
224 Pages
Rating: B-

This book helped me make a decision of whether or not I like books having to do with spoiled rich girls dealing with their dramatic lives. What the decision has come to is yes, I do like these kinds of books. If you very much hate the prissy preppy rich girl books, then obviously this book is not for you. I always thought that I hated these kinds of books too (considering I hate those types of girls) but the thing is, I never really gave them a fair shot.

I actually received this book from Simon and Schuster's Pulse IT group. So since I didn't have to buy it, not much to lose right?

One of the things I liked most about this book was how it was written in blog format. The blog format definitely helped it from dragging on. I also think it keeps the readers interested because almost every teenager in America has a phone to text with, or a Blackberry or Sidekick (if you're lucky enough). Kudos to Ostow for using that incredible idea (whether he came up with it or not).

So this book starts off with a fresh new year of high school. New pens, new students, and old feelings. There's Spencer Kelly (main character) who is somewhat of a combination of Serena Van Der Woodsen (Gossip Girl) and Naomi Clark (90210). She has the likable, relatable character coming from Serena. She also has the indie/emo type of ex boyfriend that she still has feelings for when she can have any guy she wants. But don't underestimate her. Although she still has a conscience like most people do, she still can bring the Naomi Clark (cattiness) out of her pretty easily.

Then comes Madison, the fashionista of this group. You can definitely compare her to Jenny Humphrey (Gossip Girl) when it comes to fashsion. I might like Madison the most so far just because she's such a neutral person when it comes to dramatics. But maybe she's the most boring of the characters ... at least in this book she is.

Then comes Paige, the Blair (Gossip Girl) of the group. She's just as cruel, if not even more cruel than Blair Waldorf. You'll definitely find yourself going back and forth on liking Paige Andrews. One minute, she's sweet! The next, she's the total opposite. You won't be able to decide whether or not to like her until the end of the book. Most likely your decision will be made up right then and there.

Here comes Regan! The girl from California starting all of the drama and gossip. Regan is a post-rehab celebutante and just like Paige, you won't be sure whether or not to like her.

All in all: this book was great and I definitely plan on buying the next book in the series. Also, check out the great websites that go along with the book. You're able to view the characters pictures, blogs, etc. They also have Twitters! And this isn't just fan made stuff, it actually has to do with the book itself. The main website is below and below that is the author's website. You'll be able to find their Twitters and (maybe) myspaces. Hope you enjoy!

http://www.bradfordprep.com/Welcome.html

http://www.bradfordnovels.com/websites.html

-B

Twilight

Stephenie Meyer
Published 2005
434 Pages
Rating: A+

This is probably my favorite book of all time so I thought it deserved to have the special spot as "The First Review". Unless you've been living under a rock, you've most likely heard of Twilight. It has the synopsis describing a normal girl falling in love with a vampire. I honestly hate the synopsis and wish there was a better way to describe the book because it truly doesn't do the book/movie any justice at all.

First, before you read Twilight take all of the knowledge you have of traditional vampires and throw it out the window because (1.) These vampires do not have fangs. (2.) These vampires have the style of the world's top fashion icons. (3.) The Cullen family of vampires live off the blood of animals. Twilight starts out with a 17 year old girl named Bella Swan that is moving to a small, rainy town that goes by the name of Forks, Washington. Bella Swan is a quiet, self-sufficient girl that never really stood out in her old school in Phoenix, Arizona; When she moves to Forks, everyone knows her name, mostly because of the small town, but also because she is the chief's daughter. She's never had a boyfriend so it's pretty new to her that all of the guys in Forks High School are chasing after her. The one thing in school that catches Bella's eye is this group of five people sitting all the way across the cafeteria. These five people are insanely beautiful and they're the only people that aren't gawking at Bella Swan.

This is where the famous Edward Cullen comes into the story. There is only one seat left in Biology and luckily, it's right next to Edward. They automatically become lab partners and Edward absolutely hates her the first day they meet ... basically gives her the death stare. There is definitely an attraction between Bella and Edward and as much as he tries to stay away from her, mostly for safety reasons, he just can't help it anymore.

Twilight is an amazing love story and tells the trials and tribulations of an insanely gorgeous, polite, chivalrous vampire falling in love with a normal human girl. Stephenie Meyer is truly a great storyteller and while many people critcize her work, she still has plenty of fans. I forget where I found this little (brilliant) quote and I wish I could give the person credit: "Millions of readers can't be wrong". Stephenie Meyer never planned to become a writer. This story developed from a dream Stephenie had one night and she didn't want to forget it so she wrote it down. Thank goodness she did! Hope you enjoy!

-B