I just read the fourth book in less than two months about a girl reluctantly becoming a model. I guess this is the new hot topic. Maybe it’s America’s Next Top Model inspired (or whatever that show is called). Who knows? What we do know is that probably all of these books were purchased 1-2 years ago, so if you’re writing about a reluctant model who hits it big, you’ve probably missed your chance. Models are the new vampires!
The first three all had a twist. If you’ve read AIRHEAD, then you know what that twist is and if you haven’t, I won’t spoil it. In MODELS DON’T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES the twist is unique and I love the way the author handles body image and weight. In PLUS, the twist is it’s about being a plus-size model (which is still probably skinnier than most people we know).
There isn’t really a twist in this last book, BRALESS IN WONDERLAND. I read about it somewhere, so I got it. I liked it. It’s a nice solid sort of read. I don’t think there are many surprises, but it’s satisfying. It’s the sort of book that if you asked me if you should read it, I would say, “Sure. It’s a good read.” but I’m not going on record here in my usual fashion of “OMG! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!” Still…I liked it. Also, it’s set up perfectly for a sequel and if I come across one someday, I’ll read it. The author comes from this world and you get the feeling that it’s very authentic (not always true with the others – they’re a bit more glamourized). I see the author has another book out, which I will check into. Maybe it’s the sequel…nope.
UPDATE – It has now been a couple of days since I finished this and I want to say that I like it more and more. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, which tells you something right there. I subscribe to Seventeen magazine (I know…I know…) and it’s really interesting to check out the models after all I learned about them in this book! Maybe I am changing my mind to “Put this on your list!” after all.
I also just read STOP IN THE NAME OF PANTS by Louise Rennison, which I really loved, as usual. When I read it though, I have to wonder how I even have a clue what she’s saying. I guess it’s because I’ve been with Georgia Nicholson from the beginning. I’m not sure anyone could pick up this book (#9) and have any idea what she and her friends are saying in their slangy faux-English-French-German. Very funny stuff.
I also read another book and its sequel (I got the ARC for the sequel, so I checked out the first one from the library). I have mixed feelings about these books, so I won’t name them here, but if you are dying to know, email me. I really liked parts of them, and the second one is better than the first, but they are chock full of cliches and I have some plausibility issues as well. It’s odd because as I read them, I really enjoyed them, but afterward I felt a little like, “Really? That could never happen.”
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