Review: Size 12 Is Not Fat

Title: Size 12 Is Not Fat
Author: Meg Cabot
Pages: 345
Rating: 4/5

HEATHER WELLS ROCKS!

Or, at least, she did. That was before she left the pop-idol life behind after she gained a dress size or two—and lost a boyfriend, a recording contract, and her life savings (when Mom took the money and ran off to Argentina). Now that the glamour and glory days of endless mall appearances are in the past, Heather's perfectly happy with her new size 12 shape (the average for the American woman!) and her new job as an assistant dorm director at one of New York's top colleges. That is, until the dead body of a female student from Heather's residence hall is discovered at the bottom of an elevator shaft.

The cops and the college president are ready to chalk the death off as an accident, the result of reckless youthful mischief. But Heather knows teenage girls . . . and girls do not elevator surf. Yet no one wants to listen—not the police, her colleagues, or the P.I. who owns the brownstone where she lives—even when more students start turning up dead in equally ordinary and subtly sinister ways. So Heather makes the decision to take on yet another new career: as spunky girl detective!

But her new job comes with few benefits, no cheering crowds, and lots of liabilities, some of them potentially fatal. And nothing ticks off a killer more than a portly ex-pop star who's sticking her nose where it doesn't belong . . . (megcabot.com)

I finished this one a few weeks ago and am just now getting around to writing the review.  This was actually my last read of 2010.  This is the second Meg Cabot book that I've read and I really really enjoyed it.  She is a wonderful author with a fun way with words.

Size 12 is Not Fat introduces readers to Heather Wells, a quirky ex pop star turned assistant dorm director.  Heather is full of energy, funny, and just plain suspicious of everyone around her.  Especially when several of the dorm residents are found dead in the elevator shafts.  I loved reading about Heather, and how she went about solving the mystery.  Plus, her relationship with her boss and landlord Cooper is a nice (looking) extra edition to the story.  I love how Heather swoons over him and he seems almost clueless.  It will be exciting to see where Cabot takes this relationship in the coming books. 

There are two more books written so far in this series: Size 14 is Not Fat Either and Big Boned.  I have both of these and dabbled with Size 14 but ended up getting distracted by other things and haven't gotten back to it.

All in all, I recommend these to readers who are looking for a light, fun read with a bit of mystery tossed in!

Review: Mating Rituals of the North American WASP

Title: Mating Rituals of the North American Wasp
Author: Lauren Lipton
Pages: 353
Rating: 4.5/5

After arguing with her live-in boyfriend about his inability to commit, Peggy Adams flies to a friend's bachelorette party in Las Vegas, and wakes up next to a man she can't remember. Hung-over and miserable, she sneaks out of the sleeping man's hotel room and returns home to New York, where her boyfriend apologizes for the fight and gives her a Tiffany box containing a pre-engagement ring. Not what she expected, but close enough! The next day she receives a phone call from the Las Vegas one-night stand, Luke, claiming she's already married to him¬-and he faxes her the license for proof! Both are ready for an annulment, until Peggy arrives in quaint New Nineveh, CT, where Luke cares for his Great Aunt, and the old woman makes Peggy an offer she can't refuse (Barnes and Noble).

This was the first book I read after being back from vacation. I actually read about this on quite a few blogs and ran out to Borders to grab it as soon as it came out. I used to be a huge fan of chick lit when it first became popular, and I still really do enjoy it every so often. This book was no exception.

First off, I absolutely adored Luke Sedgwick, our dashing hero. Something about his total WASPishness had me just head over heels in love with him. I was really irritated with Peggy throughout the whole book because she just didn't seem to see what was directly in front of her. Her fiance, Brock, was a total and complete idiot and half the time, I don't even think Peggy liked him.

Secondly, the best character in the whole dang book was Luke's great aunt Abigail. She really added a lot to the story, and made the old Sedgewick mansion come alive. Her stories and her attitude about different things were priceless. She really did love Luke, and truly hoped for the best for him. Also, she was a woman who loved her family, and the traditions that family stood for. She was the true matriarch of the family.

This is a great summer read, especially for the nice warm day when you'd love to just sit outside and read a good book. I often found myself taking this outside, to sit on the patio and sneak in a few pages here or there.

Review: The Boy Next Door

Title: The Boy Next Door

Author: Meg Cabot

Pages: 374

Rating: 4/5

To: You (you)

From: Human Resources (human.resources@thenyjournal.com)

Subject: This Book

Dear Reader,

This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City's leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to our records you have not yet read this book. What exactly are you waiting for? This book has it all:

• Humor
• Romance
• Cooking tips
• Great Danes
• Heroine in peril
• Dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures

If you wish to read about any of the above, please do not hesitate to head to the checkout counter, where you will be paired with a sales associate who will work to help you buy this book.

We here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and lose as one as well. Don't you want to be on the winning team?

Sincerely,

Human Resources Division New York Journal

Please note that failure to read this book may result in suspension or dismissal from this store.

*********This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.*********

I am sorry to say that I have never read a Meg Cabot novel before. Sure I've heard great things about them. I've even bought a few here or there. I've seen (and rather enjoyed) both Princess Diary movies, but still didn't pick any of Cabot's books up. However, this weekend, in my medicine induced coma, I found myself grabbing one off the shelf. And I could kick myself for waiting so long to find such a great author.

The Boy Next Door tells the story of Mel, a single girl, living in Manhattan, and working for The New York Journal. After finding her neighbor unconscious, Mel begins looking after the neighbors Great Dane and two cats. She also begins looking for her neighbor's only living relative, Max Frielander. Max, an obnoxious playboy and photographer calls in a favor from an old college friend to pretend to be him and go and take care of the animals. Hilarity, heartbreak, and hi jinks ensue.

Told through emails, this book is a fast, fun read that even being sick I still finished in two days. I have Cabot's other two books: Every Boys Got One and Boy Meets Girl, which are told in the same type of format that I'm definitely looking forward to reading.

I have to say, limiting myself to books that I already own has caused me to find some really great reads already this year. I'm looking forward to seeing what else my shelves have waiting for me in the months to come.

My own little Great Dane, Gidget :)