This semester I read "Sloppy Firsts" by Megan McCafferty. This book is about a girl named Jessica Darling who's best friend moves away and she has to deal with many obstacles to try to survive her high school career. My biggest complaint about this book is that it seems like there's so much stuff going on at once, it's hard to really feel what Jessie Darling is going through. There are also so many characters that just overlap each other and make you wonder if they are even necessary in proving the point of the story. Jessica's life seems like one bad ting happening after the next. Nothing in her life seems to give her pleasure anymore except for talking to her best friend Hope:"Sorry you have to go through my mom or dad to get to me. I'm phone phobic since you have left. I never pick it up anymore. The reason I don't pick it up is because the very idea of having a conversation sucks the life right out of me. It really does, besides you, I resent everyone who barges in on the few precious hours of downtime I have track practice and tossing and turning all night."One thing I did find intriguing in this book is the relationship Jessica had with her family. She was a star runner and that's how she and her dad connected, the only way in fact. Jessica's older sister Bethany is a newly-wed that doesn't have time for family anymore. Jessica's mom is over protective of Jessica because of the loss of Jessica's older brother Matt. When Jessica is out for her 2am run, she trips over a branch and hurts her ankle. She is out for the rest of her cross country season and her dad doesn't speak to her for months. This book is basically living the life of a depressed teenage girl in high school. This book was interesting to read because I saw another girl's view on high school life. I found this book odd, beginning with the title, which, I'm sorry, makes me think of the porn term "sloppy seconds" and seems an odd choice for a YA novel. The main character is full of gripes for the entire book and also seems to hate all her friends but not have the ability to make new ones. I did think the dialogue was pretty teenaged authentic, as was the level of angst. Plus, I kind of liked that Jessica Darling was not really that darling. Despite all these gripes, I was hooked by the end and have already ordered the next in the series.An aside: "Darling" as a last name is trending for me right now. I think this is the third book in as many months using that last name.
What do You think about Erste Male (2010)?
I love Jessica! I hope she gets made into a movie some day.
—Glendys
very funny and super cute story. can't wait to read more!
—Alex
