Big Boned - Meg Cabot (2007)

3 stars

I read the first two books in this series years ago and although I really enjoyed them, I could never find this book in any shops I looked in. I finally ended up ordering it online about a week ago, and as an avid Meg Cabot reader, I obviously read it in two days.

Because I read the first two in this series so long ago I can't really say whether I liked it better or worse than those two, however I do know that anything written by Cabot has excellent humour that constantly has me laughing out loud (sometimes in public places) and this book was no exception. I actually really love this series, the concept is really funny and I always like it when a girl in a book is "big boned" as the title puts it. My favourite character was Tom. Even though he was only in it for a few chapters, I thought he was hilarious and a good way to brighten up the more boring and complicated chapters with all the different staff members. I would recommend this series to any fans of Meg Cabot, or anyone who likes light mystery novels.

Heather's new boyfriend is a vegetarian maths professor who tells her that he has something to ask her when the time is right, of course, she immediately thinks it's a proposal and starts freaking out. When she gets to work that day she finds her boss, Owen Veatch, dead with a bullet through his head. Her assisstant Sarah's boyfriend is framed and has the murder weapon placed on him so Heather takes it upon herself to clear his name. After a confession from a student who had a meeting with Owen that morning she thinks it's the new reverend who has been sexually abusing students, however after she confronts him she works out it was really his ex-wife, Pam. When she goes to confront Pam, thinking she wouldn't have another weapon, Heather is almost shot before the police can get there and arrest Pam. She then breaks up with Tad when she learns that he wanted to ask her to go hiking with him and when she gets home, Cooper confesses his love for her and in between kissing asks her if October sounds good for a wedding.

Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell (2012)

4.5 stars

I ordered this book because someone recommended the author to me and this got a higher rating than her other book and sounded more appealing to me. I'm happy I got it, even though I didn't like the ending very much.

The book is written from alternating perspectives of Eleanor and Park, and gives a really nice and believable look into young love. I feel like a reason I like this story so much it that the characters aren't the usual stereotypical teenagers that have a love story and even the bullies have some depth and development over the novel. Although the plot wasn't predictable, I knew something had to happen at the end and I found myself dreading it when I was reading the second half of the novel, knowing that there were fewer and fewer pages left in which a significant event could occur. My favourite character in this novel was probably Park, I have a soft spot for adorable boys, especially ones that listen to rock music and read comic books, and I loved how after a little while he got more complex and his true character emerged because of Eleanor's influence.

Eleanor is new to the neighbourhood, and on her first day on the bus, she ends up next to Park. At first they say nothing to each other but after a while Park realizes she's reading his comic books over her shoulder so one day he lends one to her to read. After that their relationship developments through music, comic books and mutual admiration. Park learns of Eleanor's abusive stepfather who kicked her out for a year, her four siblings and her mother. Eleanor learns of Park's cultural background, his strained relationship with his father and his inability to drive a stick shift. After about six months (I'm not really sure on the time frame for this book) Eleanor and Park learn that her stepfather was the one who had been writing disgusting sexual innuendo all over Eleanor's belongings and Park has to drive her to her Uncle's house in Minneapolis and say goodbye. He writes her letters and sends her parcels for months without a reply, then just after he's given up she realizes how much she needs him and can't just ignore him so she replies.

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched - Meg Cabot (2008)

2.5 stars

I read this book because I didn't really feel like reading anything too heavy and Meg Cabot's books are always well written and entertaining.

I can't remember the second book in this series very well, but I definitely liked the first book better than this one as this was too predictable for me, I like a bit of a twist in novels. It was well written and was very entertaining to read so I don't mind how predictable it was. My favourite characters were Gran and Chaz, both were hilarious and had excellent advice to give when Lizzie needed it. I would recommend this book to anyone who just wants an easy read for some laughs.

The book starts new years day, after Lizzie's accepted Luke's proposal and spent the night with Chaz. She tells Chaz to leave but he tells her he's in love with her and Luke is only marrying her so he won't have to find someone else. Monsieur Henri has a heart attack and has six months off so Lizzie must run the shop by herself while trying to decide whether she loves Luke or not. On the fourth of July, Lizzie is at a party with Chaz when she gets a phone call from her mother telling her that her Gran has died. After a few days back at home Chaz comes to look after Lizzie and she sleeps with him. When she returns to work, the Henri's tell her that they're selling the building, so Lizzie works out a business plan with Ava Geck, her rich heiress client. She then breaks up with Luke and the novel ends six months later with Lizzie and Chaz going to have a sneaky wedding without telling anyone.