This is a 2009 teen book that feels like a 1993 teen book, when every instance of teen sex was horrible, coerced, or had disastrous consequences. I thought we were past all this. Guess what girls? It is ok to want to have sex. It is ok to choose to have sex. It is ok to enjoy sex. It is important for authors to show teens having responsible sex. This book fails on all accounts. Unfortunately, a lot of teens will still like this book, because the characters are interesting and the book is plenty sad. Sigh.

the author is nearing the end of art school when her mom took her to paris for five weeks. when she’s not gorging herself on art museums and foie gras she’s missing her friends/boyfriend at home, or panicking about how to face life as an adult now that’s she’s old, at age 23.

shut up you whiny, ungrateful bore.

project ideas: so-so
instruction: decent
project execution: terrible

blurry and badly lit photos, clothes are very unflattering on the models, none of the garments have been ironed, strings not clipped, hems unfinished. looks like the sample clothes were made by a 12 year old. not inspiring.

encroyable.

I am tempted to rate this “not worth consuming” based on the repulsive design of the packaging, but the music is actually not that bad.

i thought this was original 60s francophone songs from quebec. instead it’s modern singers ruining good french oldies. booo.

This 177-page teen novel in verse is possibly the most complicated book I’ve ever read. But not in a good way.

there is a LOT wrong with this book. the little girl seems 7 years old (not 11), important details are glossed over, everybody’s ridiculously forthright, emotions are one dimensional, and it’s all tidied up too sweetly. part of the growing genre of books published for young adults where teens will not actually appreciate any of the cultural references. (old SNL characters? spuds mackenzie? charlotte rampling?????)

BUT the book works like a trashy celebrity bio, keeping a pace so quick you don’t waste too much annoyance over the problems. completely saved by attaining guilty pleasure status.

i’m pretty sure if you check the author’s old ID she’s all dressed up like the cure.

this sucks! there is no music included. better to listen to it on the radio where you can actually hear the songs he talks about.

this killed everything i love about the original hairspray film.