Sunday we had an open house, so from 1pm to 4pm we had to disappear so our agent could have free reign of the place. After doing a couple of required things (i.e., eating lunch and cleaning out the last of my drum stuff from my former practice space), we ended up at Target to buy some things for Maya and the house. We had about an hour to kill before we could head home, so we started to browse the, um, fine selection of books Target sells to their typical shopper. I was getting kind of punchy, so I started reading the first paragraph of books marketed to teen girls to Maya. I was using as much teenage inflection as I could (you know, just to, like, bug her?). She thought it was funny, and when J showed up, I jokingly said that I was going to buy one of these books and see if I could get through it. I said: ” C’mon honey, just challenge me. It’ll be fun! We can call it the “Self-Torture Book Challenge.” She wasn’t game, but Maya said “I’ll do it, if you do!”
And thus was born the challenge. As I was deciding which book to choose, there was a title that caught my attention (“Don’t You Forget About Me”) because of the Simple Minds song.ΓΒ However, I passed on it in favor of this jewel:
Private is the story of 15 year old Reed Brennan — who is awarded a scholarship to a private high school (“Easton”) in Connecticut. As the back cover of the book reads:
“Reed realizes that even though she as been accepted to Easton. Easton has not accepted her. She feels like she’s on the outside, looking in.
UNTIL SHE MEETS THE BILLINGS GIRLS.
…The Billings Girls have skeletons. And they’ll do anything to keep their secrets private.”
Wow. I’m really in for it now. I’m going to predict that I will not only finish this book, but become so hooked that I will rush back to Target and buy the other books in the series.
What have I done to myself?
So, if you’re up for it, give the “Self-Torture Book Challenge” a try. You just have to find a book that makes you cringe at the thought of reading what you consider crap. Oh, and make sure you have a listen to what this the obvious theme song to the book. The linky link is below. I’ll be writing up a review soon. And for those of you who are my Goodreads buddies (i.e, J, Jefito, and Eric Grubbs), hope you like seeing this title nestled in with the others in there. π
-PK
Listen to Gina Rene & Gabriel Rene “Mean Gurl” HERE
12 thoughts on “Self-Torture Book Challenge”
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Ok, I’m in…it sounds interesting π A bit of torture once in a while keeps the blood moving. What AM I talking about?
You guys are insane, but it’s pretty funny!
I gotta say that this book is kind of a painful read. I’m about a third of the way in, and, well, let’s just say that I’m glad these chapters are short. π
This is hilarious! Just before Memorial Day weekend I bought the new Albert Einstein biography and haven’t really got into it.
I’m totally in! I’m actually psyched to go to Target and pick something out.
And now you have a peek into the minds of adolescent girls! Scary, isn’t it?
I bet I’d actually like that book!
I think I’m still very much of the adolecent mind.
My response is on my blog.
Thanks for the bloggy love Ms Mamma!!!
Hey when I go to the library, I have gone to the teen section several times and checked books out from there, I love reading the Newberry Awards books. One book I checked out was a book about a boy who took square dancing with his mom, and was not really interested in girls yet. Well it turns out he was interested in boys and joined a club that helped him deal with that. Weirdest book I ever read. The girls kept saying why are you reading this book, it is about a guy coming out, and I said no he’s just a late bloomer, well they were right and I was …in denial.
The Heather on the cover looks too snotty to be Reed, if Reed is a scholarship girl.
UNTIL SHE MEETS THE BILLINGS GIRLS.
Γ’β¬Β¦The Billings Girls have skeletons. And theyΓ’β¬β’ll do anything to keep their secrets private.Γ’β¬Β
And I’m picturing the rest of the students not having skeletons — just lumps of soft flesh with no definition! Too funny!
Ooh! I was tempted by the series you’re reading, but then I went all impulsive and actually bought FOUR freakin’ books!
1. The Giver
2. Hoot
Um k… both of these books are Newberry award winning books.
3. the boyfriend list
it says
(15 guys, 11 shrink appointments, 4 ceramic frogs and me, ruby oliver)
4. ttyl
“Told entirely in instant messages, this smart, funny novel is about the humor;), hangovers :0, and heartaches :(, of high school, and the friendships that get you through it all.”
I must be insane.
Ms Mamma: OMG! HV fun w/the books! π