Wed, June 8, 2011
Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski Review + Giveaway
If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn’t jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe “opportunity” isn’t the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: “Lied to Our Parents”). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up “Skipping School” (#3), “Throwing a Crazy Party” (#8), “Buying a Hot Tub” (#4), and, um, “Harboring a Fugitive” (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.
Sometimes a real-life conversation (via text message) speaks best:
Jen from Makeshift Bookmark: Nine pages into Ten Things We Did and OMG love this author already.
Me: I KNOW!!! It’s so real — like how we talk.
Jen: I KNOW. for example: “they were throwing massive information bombs at me. Cleveland! New job! Place mat!” I loled
Me: Yes everything is written like a girl would really think!!!
Jen: I think I need to buy everything she’s ever written
Me: Hahahahahahahaaaaa my reaction exactly! This is why I need you in my life
Jen: I love that April is so entertainingly dramatic about everything. She’s so us.
Me: Everything is all or nothing!
Jen: And everything is the end of the world, pretty much.
Me: Basically YES
Jen: Seriously. I’m done gushing now.
[Sends text picture of a passage]
Jen: BAHAHAHHA. OMG why have I not already entered an all-consuming love affair with this book? I feel like I’ve wasted the last week of my life by waiting to read this.
Me: I waited a month!!! I’m like WTF is wrong w me
So, to get serious: Jen and I both clearly loved this book.
It deals with a lot of serious teen issues, which I know could come off as preachy to some. But it was “ballsy,” as Jen put it, for the author take some of this stuff on and to do so a fun, lighthearted way. She was, miraculously, able to present some pretty hard and shocking stuff in a laugh-out-loud manner using a very true-to-life teen voice.
I couldn’t put it down. No, really it went everywhere with me this week:
Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn’t Have) joins my list of HIGHLY recommended reading — books that I feel really GET the high school experience:
- Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
- Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
- Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales
- One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt
Jen and I both want to read more from Sarah Mlynowski, and now is your chance to do the same with this giveaway of two of her books: How to Be Bad (co-written with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart) and Frogs & French Kisses. I hope you enjoy her writing as much as I did!
CONTEST RULES
- To enter, please fill out the form here
- One entry per person
- Must be 13 years old or older
- Deadline is 12 p.m. CST on Wednesday, June 15
- Please see my contest policy here
Many thanks to HarperTeen for my review copy of this book.
13 Comments
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About Me
I read. A lot. Mostly whatever YA novels the library has on hold for me that week. Sometimes grown-up books if my book club makes me.
Currently Reading
Lies BeneathBy Anne Greenwood Brown
Murderous mermen? Sure, why not? Starting this one over the weekend...
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Chachic said:
I love that your review for this book is a series of text messages with a blogger friend!
You made me really curious about this and I hope I find a copy in local bookstores.
[Reply]
Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Ginger @ GReads! said:
So excited to read this one!! Thank you for sending it my way
What was the pic that you sent Jen??
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Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Jen (Makeshift Bookmark) said:
Well, it's pretty obvious how I feel about this review. BEST IDEA EVER. We need to seriously read the same books ALL THE TIME, because I laugh a lot when we do
[Reply]
Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Rachel @ Bookshelf Lust said:
I am so glad I clicked on the link you just tweeted about this book! It sounds hilarious. I missed the "Ten Things…" release party last weekend, but Sarah & a few other authors will be at Books of Wonder in NYC again on the 16th. Now I know what book I will be buying at that event!
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Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
AliyaPM said:
It sounds amazing! It's going on my wishlist now.
You made it sound so appealing. Can't wait to get it.
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Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Kate said:
I just bought this one the other day and I can't wait to read it after I finish The Eternal Ones. What a wonderful creative review and you and Jen are hilarious.
[Reply]
Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
I Eat Words said:
You and Jen are adorable! This is one book I don't have but desperately want to read! I'm a fan of cuteness
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Farrah
[Reply]
Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Lindsi said:
I love this post! You girls are amazing, and I'm glad we're friends! I have this book, but I haven't read it yet. I'm thinking I should…and soon. Especially if you BOTH loved it so much!
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Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Jacinda (The Reading Housewives) said:
I love the unique and unusual reviews! I can't wait to meet Sarah on Monday! And to read this book!
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Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Jenn said:
It seems like everyone is loving this book. I really want to read it now that you say it's written in a way girls really think.
[Reply]
Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Stephanie McNemar said:
I absolutely loved this one!!! The story was fast paced and hilarious (yet sometimes sad), and I loved April's voice. I can't wait to read more books from this author – looking them up on Amazon right now!
[Reply]
Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
Michelle said:
I so enjoyed the sense of humor that was in this book and still it managed to tackle a pretty serious subject. I'd definitely read more of her work.
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Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011
neabarabea said:
Anna you were right as always
This book was really cool! 
I liked it!
[Reply]
Posted on: Wed, June 8, 2011