One bust was an audio book. No need to mention it here as if you pick it up, you’ll know right away yourself. The second was a MG fantasy that came recommended. It was okay for a while, but honestly, it seemed like “and now I’m going to make up some random fantastical challenge for my character”. There wasn’t anything to link it together. I don’t really know how to explain why one fantastical journey makes sense, but another just seems totally random. I’ll have to ponder that for a while.

The hits were big hits though!

celebutante-3.jpgCelebutants – To The Penthouse by Antonio Pagliarulo This is the third book in The Celebutantes series and I just love these books. They’re Paris Hilton meets Nancy Drew times three (the heroines are triplet celebutantes) and they crack me up and keep me turning pages. I think I liked this one the best. My favourite part of this one was when a high society lady is told that “the first lady” is on the phone for her and she says, “Oh, yes. I’d forgotten she was going to call. Lovely woman, but I don’t know what she ever saw in that husband of hers.” Hehe! There’s another hilarious bit that I won’t spoil for you too. The only downside to these books is they make me hyper-aware of my skin and how dry it is…these girls would be aghast that I don’t take better care of my pores!

allie-two.jpgAllie Finkle – The New Girl by Meg Cabot – This is also part of a series, book two. I have always thought Meg Cabot is not just a fun writer, but a really good writer. I think this series really shows her diversity. For years she wrote for adults and teens, and now this series is for young MG (the characters are in fourth grade). I am so impressed by how she can make this switch. To be honest, I don’t read a lot of MG, especially the very young side of it, because it just doesn’t hold my attention. Only Jerry Spinelli and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor have been able to capture my attention regularly with books in this age group. Meg Cabot has done it though with these Allie Finkle books and I’m very pleased to have gotten to read it finally. I had signed up a bit too late to be one of the reviewers when the publisher gave out ARCs, but maybe they’ll send me the next one!