Book Description
he uptown girls are headed downtown as Serena and Jenny take on their new fabulous roles as rock-star model girlfriends of New York's hottest band, The Raves. Meanwhile, Dan is too busy drowning his sorrows in empty bottles to notice a mysterious French beauty who has a penchant for dirty, Jim Morrison-wannabe lead singers. Blair takes residence at the Plaza to think about her future. Will she become a gun-toting international spy or Manhattan's snobbiest society hostess? Decisions are so difficult! Sounds like everyone needs a day off at the spa. And Senior Spa Day promises to serve up further doses of scandal for New York's busiest private-school vixens.
Customer Reviews:
Another Great Gossip Girl.......2007-08-22
Cecily Von Ziegesar really keeps things interesting in her seventh Gossip Girl book. In this book, Senior Spa Weekend is coming. Things with Blair and Nate aren't good, when Nate steals his parents yacht to bring with stoner friends on vacation. Blair gets mad because Nate was supposed to meet her at the Plaza Hotel. Dan leaves the Raves band after he pukes all over at a concert, and Jenny joins as the lead singer, that is until things fall apart with her life. Next year she won't be back at Constance Billard, unless she repeats ninth grade. Blair moves in with Vanessa and gives her apartment a makeover and hooks Vanessa up with Aaron. At the Senior Spa Weekend, Blair finds out that she has made it into Yale, and also that Nate is cheating on her with Lexique and she finds Serena making out with him. Interesting gossipy book. I really liked this one!
BEST of the series.......2007-04-25
This book is my favorite of the entire series. Blair finally doesn't let Nate walk all over her and he realizes how much he took her for granted.
It is entertaining throughout.
Rich Stob just like me.......2007-03-10
I am a rich snob I am spolied and a brat and have no problem with it. These books are great and i am 13. Lori T that said parents beware my mom let me get and on the back of the cover it says "Sex in the city for teens" Well on one of them it said. If you excatly stop worrying about what your child might do maybe just let her be. Maybe because you not as wealthy as some of them or me maybe this pisses you off too. This is coming from a child and I love these books.
Gossip girls.........2006-11-02
Gossip girls is a good book. Its comparable to "Sex in the City" in teen characterisation. Its mostly about sex, drugs, and drama. Pretty much teen life now. The girls in this book are the prettiest and go to the finest schools.
They're basically the "IT" girls. They're really rude and act like snobs but what do you expect from rich teens.
By the title you can already tell what it is about which is gossip. Honestly there was some parts where I turned the page from boredom. Also other parts where I couldn't stop reading. There are four main characters. Blaire, Serena, Vennasa and Nate, Blair's boyfriend. The characters have just graduated from high school. In this book Blair and Nate are back together, couldn't be happier. Until Nate ends up screwing things up and tries to fix things. Blair and Serenna are best friends still, until Blair catches Serenna and Nate kissing. Blair ends up moving in with Vennassa. She also gets accecpted into Yale so she has accomplished a goal. It's a very good book. I recommend it to older teens, but not so much younger because of the crude humor.
I recommend it to anybody who would like to read real life books. However I would think you would want to read the other books first because this was the first one I read and I was a little lost. I would have to say Cecily von Ziegesar is a good author, she has a good grip on what's happening in real life and shoving it into a series of books and making it fun to read.
Overall I liked it.
loved!.......2006-08-20
I loved this book, just like the others (from 1 to 6). You simply can't stop reading! I already bought numbers 8 and 9 and I can't wait to start reading... I MUST know what will happen in Blair and Serena's future!
Customer Reviews:
Cool sixth book!.......2007-07-25
Cecily Von Ziegesar really keeps her readers interested in the sixth book in her bestselling series Gossip Girl. In this book, college acceptance letters and being sent out, and things turn out the opposite of what everyone expected. Blair was waitlisted at Yale, and only accepted at Georgetown. Serena and Nate both make it into all of their choices, including Harvard and Yale. Blair gets mad at them for this because she has better grades, etc. Blair's mother has her baby girl, named Yale. Dan practically gets into all of his college choices to, but in the end he probably will choose NYU, because Vanessa is going there, and they both moved in. Serena helps Jenny get a modeling job, with turns out to spread lots of gossip. And Vanessa throws a birthday party, which turns into a diaster. Cecily did a great job, I only wished that Blair got into Yale.
Shipping.......2007-07-05
Shipped on time, book was in new condition with the sticker price still on it, exactly as described.
it's good book.......2007-03-09
i think it' s a great book, i recomend for other people!!!
Blah!!!.......2006-09-29
You're the one that I want, by Cecily von Ziegesar, is about preppy, rich kids who get to do whatever they want. They are very high class and are always talking about someone else. In this book, they are waiting for their college acceptance letters to come back and see which colleges they were accepted to. They are always complaining about something. They buy whatever they want and are always worried about what others will think of them. They try and find comfort in objects and or boys to calm their nerves while waiting for the letters. They won't be happy until they get their letters and get into all of the colleges that they applied to. Although this book is about a lot of wealthy and some what snobby teenagers, I really enjoy reading it. It's very interesting and funny to read. I think that some of the situations that they go through can relate to what I go through. They're teens in this book and regardless of how rich or poor you are, all teens go through some of the same situations. It's just funny to see how they would handle the different situations thrown at them. I think ultimately it's a good book because you can escape from reality while you're reading it. I can imagine the stress that they're going through while waiting for their letters so it's just interesting to read about it. It's funny because you don't think these types of things can actually take place so I enjoyed reading it. I've actually read a lot of the novels from the Gossip Girl series and they're all interesting, dramatic, and fun to read as well as hard to put down.
Blah!.......2006-09-29
You're the one that I want, by Cecily von Ziegesar, is about preppy, rich kids who get to do whatever they want. They are very high class and are always talking about someone else. In this book, they are waiting for their college acceptance letters to come back and see which colleges they were accepted to. They are always complaining about something. They buy whatever they want and are always worried about what others will think of them. They try and find comfort in objects and or boys to calm their nerves while waiting for the letters. They won't be happy until they get their letters and get into all of the colleges that they applied to. Although this book is about a lot of wealthy and some what snobby teenagers, I really enjoy reading it. It's very interesting and funny to read. I think that some of the situations that they go through can relate to what I go through. They're teens in this book and regardless of how rich or poor you are, all teens go through some of the same situations. It's just funny to see how they would handle the different situations thrown at them. I think ultimately it's a good book because you can escape from reality while you're reading it. I can imagine the stress that they're going through while waiting for their letters so it's just interesting to read about it. It's funny because you don't think these types of things can actually take place so I enjoyed reading it. I've actually read a lot of the novels from the Gossip Girl series and they're all interesting, dramatic, and fun to read as well as hard to put down.
Book Description
WELCOME TO COLLEGE, GIRLS!
You've been waiting for this. Four years of freedom, parties, guys, and new experiences. You're bound to have a blast no matter what, but surviving college won't be easy. Are you ready for it?
Don't fret, ladies, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting through the best four years of your life. It's got the basics that your mom would want you to know, like how to do your laundry, how to manage your money, and how to survive your classes. But it'll also spill the juice on the things you care about, like how to make your shoebox of a dorm room into your own little castle, how to keep fit and stay healthy, how to throw a great party, and how to deal with guys and sex (two things that for some reason are difficult to handle separately).
It's a guide just for you girls, written by a girl who's been there.
Customer Reviews:
Great college freshman book for girls! .......2007-09-10
My 18 year old niece just began her freshman year at Loyola Marymount in L.A. I sent this book in her 1st care package of the semester and she loved it! She said it was hilarious, informative and well written with her gender and age group in mind. She said she plans to read it again and again throughout the school year. I recommend this for any teenage girl about to enter or newly entered into college.
every bit of advice is either awful or obvious.......2007-08-14
She completely contradicts herself many times, and write either blatantly obvious cliches like "don't be afraid to try new things!" or just plain stupid advice like "wait until you get there to clothes shopping, so you can see what other people are wearing." The style is written such that one would think her target audience is ten year olds rather than 17-18 year olds. Over all, a painfully awful read. Please don't waste your time and money.
don't take this book too seriously.......2007-07-27
I received this book as a high school graduation present a few years back and was slightly disappointed. I liked that this book focuses on girls, since we have different apprehensions before college and different needs once we get there. But there was some advice in the book that a girl should not listen to (i.e. the book says to dump your high school boyfriend before going to college), which should be based on personal feelings and beliefs.
It's not worth reading!!!.......2007-07-16
I don't recommend reading this book. I don't agree with the tips. The tips are a bit immature. I'm not a party girl and this book makes it seem like college is all about partying, guys, etc. College should be about education!!!.....not the social life.
i adore this book.......2007-07-09
im going to college this fall and this book has great little pointers, every girl should read this
Book Description
The author of Pink Think takes on a twentieth-century icon: the college girl.
A geek who wears glasses? Or a sex kitten in a teddy? This is the dual vision of the college girl, the unique American archetype born when the age-old conflict over educating women was finally laid to rest. College was a place where women found self-esteem, and yet images in popular culture reflected a lingering distrust of the educated woman. Thus such lofty cultural expressions as Sex Kittens Go to College (1960) and a raft of naughty pictorials in men's magazines.
As in Pink Think, Lynn Peril combines women's history and popular culture—peppered with delightful examples of femoribilia from the turn of the twentieth century through the 1970s—in an intelligent and witty study of the college girl, the first woman to take that socially controversial step toward educational equity. 75 illustrations, 8 pages of color.
Customer Reviews:
Never Be Sorry for Getting Educated.......2007-09-07
In this interesting read, author Lynn Peril chronicles the birth and development of the college girl. Ever since she appeared on the scene in the 19th century, the college girl has been the hot topic of conversation, incurring the curiosity--and wrath--of everyone from writers and philosophers to doctors and parents to social commentators. Whether it was doctors wondering whether "too much" education "endangered" her reproductive organs (Dr. Edward Clarke, who considered himself an expert in this area, claimed that too much education would leave a female college graduate with "undeveloped" ovaries) or books and magazines ("Seventeen" and "Better Homes and Gardens", just to mention a few) advising college-educated girls and women not to be "too smart" to avoid scaring away potential suitors or schools wondering whether women should learn "male" subjects such as math, history, ancient languages, and philosophy or "female" subjects such as learning how to fix and operate an iron, the college girl has been constantly scutinized, ridiculed, and regulated over the years (and unfortunately, even today), all just for wanting to get an education.
Not only does this book contain a history of the college girl, it also contains some interesting info on the history of the women's colleges, such as Vassar, Mount Holyoke, Wellesley, and Bryn Mawr, among many others. But most importantly, I came away with an important message that's not in the book, but that I will pass on to you and that is: Never be sorry for wanting to get an education. No piece of advice, no warning, no admonishment, no outrageous medical or scientific claim should ever stop you or me.
Smart and Funny!.......2007-06-01
If you love Lynn Peril's column in BUST Magazine, "Museum of Femorbilia," you'll love COLLEGE GIRLS. A smart, funny, irreverent narrative of The College Girl deftly constructed from pop culture, women's history, advertising, and strange ancient texts that aren't really ancient at all, but that only Lynn Peril could find and synthesize in such an engaging manner.
College girls `.......2007-03-28
I always wondered what they were doing over there in the Girls Dorms. Now Lynn Peril has written a work which traces the development of women in the college world. While she starts with a first graduate in 1631 her focus is on developments from mid-nineteenth century to the nineteen - seventies. In this the theme of women's achieving equality in freedom over their own private lives is central. The world of over- supervision, and restriction yielded in time to the not necessarily happy one of women 'hooked up' in relationships in which sexual pleasure became 'ego trip' and intimacy and love, left on the sidelines. In between however there is the realm where greater woman's freedom and autonomy were at the heart of a general liberalization of campus life.
Peril uses a wide variety of sources to trace the developments in fashion, in style, in sleeping arrangements, in attitudes towards the marital and career prospects of college women. She makes use of students handbooks and yearbooks, advice manuals, popular novels. She provides a full picture of what their lives were like, and how they were transformed through the decades.
One central question again relates to intimacy and the dignity of women, with a strong suggestion that rampant promiscuity is not a sign of liberation but rather of a new kind of enslavement. Apparently the fuddy- duddies had it a bit right when they suggest that for most women sexual pleasure must come in the context of loving and committed relationships if they are to satisfy their deepest human needs.
BUY THIS BOOK.......2007-01-25
College Girls is the best book I've read in a long time. If you have any interest what so ever in women's history, college history, pop culture, etc. BUY THIS BOOK.
Rah! Rah! Rah!.......2006-10-02
As a longtime fan of Peril's -- from her absolutely excellent 'zine "Mystery Date" to her monthly "Museum of Femorabilia" column in BUST Magazine to her first book "Pink Think" -- I could not wait to get my hands on her latest book, "College Girls." In fact, I pre-ordered it on Amazon when I had first heard about it. And it did not disappoint. Full of facts, history, and yes -- a "we've come a long way, baby" feeling, but written in an engaging, accessible way that kept me going from the first page to the last, never feeling I was mired down in sermonizing. Peril's wit and superior knowledge (and what a reference library from which she culls!) takes us through history, with lots of fantastic anecdotes along the way. She tackles the serious (ie the first female scholars, racism, in loco parentis) and the fun (fashion, spreads, and time honored traditions). The well-chosen pictures that accompany the text are marvelous, too. It made me realize how lucky I was to be a college girl because of all the women who paved the way for me, and grateful because Peril wrote it all down. Every "sweet girl graduate" I know -- whether they are graduating from middle or high school, college, or did so long ago -- will be getting this book from me. Highly, highly rtecommended.
Book Description
University life isn't what Caitlin expected. Her roommate Liz is hostile to her faith -- tormenting her with raunchy music and sleazy boyfriends. Worst of all, suddenly Caitlin doesn't understand herself anymore. Why has she regressed to being the shy, insecure girl she was in junior high? She doesn't even fit in with her new Christian fellowship group! Caitlin tries not to envy Josh and her friends at Christian colleges, but suddenly all she has are questions and few answers. In the story of Caitlin O'Conner's soul, this frustrating year is the most significant one yet, as the homesick freshman eventually remembers there is one companion she can always trust.
Customer Reviews:
On My Own.......2007-09-30
Great teenage stories that draw students to want to read the book. I can't keep the series of books in my classroom. As soon as it's checked in it's checked out by someone else.
Best So Far.......2006-03-09
On My Own has seemed to be the best yet in the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. While I prefer Carlson's True Colors series to the Diary of a Teenage girl books, this one showed true challenges to Caitlin's faith.
While I believe in the awesome power of God to change hearts, the fact that Liz did not automatically convert made this book realistic. As a Lutheran, I believe that God calls us to plant the seed and to live as a Christian rather than overevangelizing. While some of Carlson's terminology hints that she is most likely a mainstream Protestant, I do appreciate that this book focuses on Caitlin living her faith rather than talking about it.
Caitlin also seems more human in this book. When she is angry, it seems genuinely angry, as compared to previous books where the most common expression of anger seemed to be "I'M JUST SO MAD" Her confusion over the Josh situation and her frustration and loneliness at college also make her seem more like the average Christian girl rather than Superdisciple.
I would recommend this book to any teenage girl, especially those who will be entering college in the next few years.
Off To College.......2005-11-23
On my own is mainly about Caitlin O'Conner going off to college and she doesn't know anyone there. She gets stuck with a roommate, Liz, who is not very nice. Caitlin got in a lot of fights arguments with Liz because Liz is more of a party girl, and they just don't get along. Caitlin met some friends that are religious, and had a youth group. When Caitlin finally went home college it was like a vacation for her. She would talk to Chloe, Josh Millers sister, often. Once she got back to college, Caitlin didn't know if she was going to stay with Liz or after term, change roommates. Is Liz going to follow through with college because of troubles with she is having with Liz? What are all the things Caitlin is going to have come into her life?
Overall this book was a pretty good book. This wasn't the best one that I have read out of this series, but it was still good. The book started out boring because nothing was going on except for things happening with her and Liz, but it get good once you get farther into the book.
I would recommend this book to all girls for grades 7 onto any adults. Girls that like diary books or books about teenage girl's life would really like these books. This book is the forth book in the series so if you want to read this book you might want to read the first three first or you will be lost. This book is kind of similar to the books P.S. Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail No More.
Can She Handle It?.......2005-11-22
Caitlin O'Conner is off to college to see what's out there for her. Her roommate, Elizabeth Banks or Liz, is Caitlin's first problem. Liz does not like Caitlin at all and tells Caitlin that right away. Before Caitlin leaves for Christmas she gets Liz a Christmas gift that makes Liz tell about the way she is. After Liz spilling about why she is Caitlin goes home to find another surprise. Josh Miller, Caitlin's ex-boyfriend from high school, gives her a Christmas present. Caitlin is so surprised by this gift she doesn't know what to do. The gift throws Caitlin for a whirlwind of emotions and she has to conquer all of them. Caitlin does get through these emotions but what happens to her and Josh is surprising. At the end of the book Caitlin's life seems to be looking up again. Everything seems as if it's all going to be all right.
I really enjoyed this book. I think that it is my favorite out of the other books in the series. On My Own keeps you guessing on what's going to happen next. It keeps you wondering if Caitlin will ever make it through this tough time. I had no dislikes about this book at all. I could hardly put the book down.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has already started the series. If you thought that book three wasn't the greatest or you thought that it was awesome and none of the other books could get better think again. Any teenage girl would enjoy this book. What Melody Carlson talks about in these books are true things that happen to every day girls like me. An average girl can pick up this series of books and relate to at least one thing if not more. I defiantly recommend this book, On My Own, to any girl from the age of tweleve to eighteen. Everyone I think will have no regrets of reading this book!
A Life Changing Experience.......2005-11-22
Caitlin O' Conner has just started college. She's on her own, with none of her Christian friends. Second thoughts run through her mind; should she have chosen a Bible college like her friend Josh? Between her school work and her roommate's bad attitude, Caitlin somehow found time to go to church. She meets a group of girls, and even a guy named Bryce. All this is making Caitlin feel great, but is it enough to keep her from loosing it?
Caitlin has college work which is pretty tough, but to make matters worse, her roommate has a bad attitude. Caitlin can still keep her cool, which would be really hard to do. Liz (her roommate) is always getting Caitlin frustrated, but Caitlin always knows how to do the right thing, which I like about her. My dislikes of the book is how the author makes Liz a bad person right at the beginning of the book. I think the author should have taken some time to show background on Liz, and show why she is always acting like she does.
I think teenage girls looking for something that will give them proof that things can turn out ok, should read this book. Girls who need advice on what to do about college situations, or pretty much any girl who is looking for a really good book to read, could read this book. Overall I think this book was a really good one, I recommend you to read it!
Book Description
Fifteen years ago, in 1975, Genna Hewett-Meade's college roommate died a mysterious, violent, terrible death. Minette Swift had been a fiercely individualistic scholarship student, an assertive—even prickly—personality, and one of the few black girls at an exclusive women's liberal arts college near Philadelphia. By contrast, Genna was a quiet, self-effacing teenager from a privileged upper-class home, self-consciously struggling to make amends for her own elite upbringing. When, partway through their freshman year, Minette suddenly fell victim to an increasing torrent of racist harassment and vicious slurs—from within the apparent safety of their tolerant, "enlightened" campus—Genna felt it her duty to protect her roommate at all costs.
Now, as Genna reconstructs the months, weeks, and hours leading up to Minette's tragic death, she is also forced to confront her own identity within the social framework of that time. Her father was a prominent civil defense lawyer whose radical politics—including defending anti-war terrorists wanted by the FBI—would deeply affect his daughter's outlook on life, and later challenge her deepest beliefs about social obligation in a morally gray world.
Black Girl / White Girl is a searing double portrait of "black" and "white," of race and civil rights in post-Vietnam America, captured by one of the most important literary voices of our time.
Customer Reviews:
Water / Oil.......2007-09-01
Black Girl / White Girl is the story of two 1974 Schuyler College freshmen roommates who could not have possibly been more wrong for each other. Gemma Meade, on the one hand, is a descendant of the college founder and has been raised by ultra-liberal parents to feel somewhat guilty about the privileged circumstances of the Meade family. She feels compelled to prove that she does not consider herself to be better than her black roommate. Minette Swift, on the other hand, is a black teenager who has been raised by her ultra-conservative preacher father to be suspicious of the motives and objectives of whites who go out of their way to befriend her. She sees Gemma's offer of friendship as more condescending than genuine.
Both girls arrive at Schuyler College somewhat flawed by the families in which they were raised. Gemma's father, an attorney who not only defended Civil Rights activists and terrorists of the day but hid them when they were on the run and helped to fund their illegal activities, was away from home as much as he was there. Her mother, an alcoholic ex-hippie herself, was more a burden to Gemma than she was a parent. Minette's father, a "prominent" Washington D.C. preacher, raised her to disdain those who did not share her strong Christian beliefs and to find racist tendencies in others where they did not always exist. He was a proud and articulate man who spoke his mind at all times, quick to see "racism" in the words of others.
Reading Black Girl / White Girl is a bit like simultaneously watching two train wrecks. Predictably, Minette Swift becomes the victim of racist taunts despite the fact that she is not the only minority student living in her dormitory. She is so unlikable, in fact, that another black student is suspected of being involved in the incidents that occur. Gemma's efforts to shield Minette from the taunting ultimately backfire and cause as much harm as good for both girls. At the same time, Gemma's father is being pursued by the FBI who suspect him of being more than a defense attorney and who suspect that Gemma knows the details.
Joyce Carol Oates has created two memorable characters, unlikable as they may be, who reflect the times in which they lived. The 1970s were filled with guilt ridden whites who were very likely seen by blacks as naive and condescending when it came to the racial issues of the day. The two groups were a product of the '60s era that produced both peace loving, doper hippies and militant blacks and they found themselves working together in the '70s, not always comfortably, in the still relatively young Civil Rights movement. In the world of Joyce Carol Oates, good intentions and innocence can be a dangerous combination and Black Girl / White Girl is no exception to her rule.
NOT JCO AT HER BEST -- FOR ME, ANYWAY!.......2007-08-25
BLACK GIRL/WHITE GIRL
I feel somewhat like a traitor giving a book by JCO only one star. After all, she is one of my favorite authors of all time and a true genius! However, for me, this book fell flat.
Meet Genna, white girl, and Minette, black girl. They are roomies in college. Their fellow students do not like Minette, Genna tries to become her friend, she keeps getting rebuffed. Minette gets harassed and tragedy follows. The end.
That is what I got out of this book. Way too much of this book centered on Genna's old, political, hippie, parents. I did not care for Genna's parents, I did not care for all the past political history of her parents.
I truly tried to enjoy and like this book. I wish the book would have gone in the direction of Genna and Minette. However, much to my dismay, the two girls and their lives were barely touched upon.
I know every book I pick up will not be a winner. That is the beauty of reading and life in general -- everyone has a different opinion of a book and while some people loved this book, for me, it was hard to enjoy. However, Ms. Oates is one of the best and I will gladly, happily, and definitely look forward to reading all of her books. She has quite a list of accomplishments and I cannot wait to venture into the next one.
Thank you!
Pam
What a disappointment!!.......2007-08-16
First and foremost, was anyone else irritated by Minette Swift's omnipresent 'SCUSEME????'. Does she not know any other words?
Moving on...
What drew me to this book was the riveting synopsis on the book jacket. I expected a discussion (exploration?) of race relations between two young women of drastically different backgrounds in 1970's collegiate America and their collective movement toward understanding and friendship (before Minette's untimely death, of course). The descriptive scales are way out of balance in this book; the surface of Minette's life and that of her family are barely scratched, while Genna's is picked through with a fine-toothed comb. The book focuses heavily on white girl Genna's dysfunctional family, constantly hammering into the reader's head her father Max's valiant legal crusading on behalf of anti-war activists and people of color and his all-too-frequent absences. That's all well and good, but how about paying a little more attention to Minette? After all, isn't she supposed to figure prominently in this text? Was she experiencing depression before she came to college, or did her troubles begin at Schuyler? And if they did begin at college, what was the impetus? How about elaborating on what put this obviously intelligent and pious young woman on the path to depression? I wish Ms. Oates had expanded upon this segment of the plot and delved a little deeper into this character.
What a disappointment. I'm about to start on "The Gravedigger's Daughter"...here's hoping for a more riveting read!
A Tale of Two Girls.......2007-03-23
Truth/lies, past/present, friend/enemy-- Joyce Carol Oates revels in these and other opposites in her novel Black Girl White Girl. Set in the year 1990, but told as a flashback to the year 1974, main character Genna Meade, recounts the tragic events that lead to the untimely death of her roommate, Minette Swift. Genna, offspring of a radical, political father and a wounded, drug-crazed mother, pieces together the events of her father's background mingled with the disastrous racial attacks against Minette that ultimately contribute to her death.
In 1974, Genna and Minette enter as freshmen to an elite liberal arts school, Schuyler College, near Philadelphia. The bespectacled Minette, hardly acknowledges her roommate, Genna. Constantly muttering "'Scuse me," she reacts to Genna only if necessary. Genna, so desperately wishing to befriend Minette, continually indulges her in kindnesses. As Minette physically and emotionally spirals downward, the protections that Genna volunteers to her end in tragedy.
The other characters in Black Girl White Girl contribute to the themes in the text. Genna's parents, Maximilian Elliot Mead (Mad Max) and Veronica Hewett-Meade, drift in and out of Genna's life as they always had as she grew-up in their rambling yet shameful home in Chadds Ford. Max's political antics and beliefs, even though a civil defense lawyer, provide an extreme, unconventional childhood for Genna. Veronica suffers the trauma of a life of drug abuse and spousal separateness. Because of this, she acts abrupt, child-like and needy. Genna plays more of a "parent role" in this book than her parents. Just who are we responsible for in our life?
The only parental relations Minette seems to have with her mother involve frequent, lengthy phone calls to the campus. Her father, Reverend Virgil Swift, is preacher for the World Tabernacle of Jesus Christ. Ironically, Minette, needing her father's spiritual guidance desperately, only has a poster proclaiming "I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE" and a white leather-bound Bible for guidance. This is the central misfortune in the story; these characters all cry out to each other but they never ease their wants and needs.
Post Vietnam America racial tensions and civil rights flow throughout this work. The great grandparents of Genna Meade and founders of Schuyler College were sympathetic to the "people of color," yet Haven House, the residence hall to Minette and Genna, offers no solace to either girl. Minette experiences racial harassment and Genna also suffers from her past history, not racially, but emotionally, because of her parents. Oates clearly defines the separateness of Minette and Genna due to racial/social backgrounds, but both are girls. Is she suggesting that they really are very much alike in their desires, wants, and needs? What really are the truths for each girl within the narrative? What lies are part of these truths?
Carol Joyce Oates creates a story in Black Girl White Girl worth reading because stylistically it interests; the use of language is succinct, the characters are both outrageous yet believable, and it is of interest in a historical context. It is a tragic story because Genna, after the death of Minette realizes that she, between choosing happiness and duty, must choose duty.
Ho Hum!!.......2007-03-17
I wnated to like this book because Ms. Oates is a wonderful writer and the book jacket seemed compelling, but the more I read the less I liked the characters and questioned the believibilty of the "victim", who is pegged as an intelligent black Merit scholar but comes off no more than a satisfactory, snooty student who is slowly losing her mind. I have doubts about her abuse and believe she is suffering from Munchausens Syndrome but towards the end of the book it didn't even matter. Gemma, the white roommate is so kind and long-suffering, desperate and lonely, partly due to this roommate and partly due to her insane upbring, but I tired of her as well. Read it if you must, but don't expect too much.
Book Description
Caitlin O’Conner, now 21 and in her senior year of college, accepts Josh Miller’s proposal for marriage. But Caitlin soon discovers there’s a lot more to getting married than just saying “I do.” Between her mother and mother-in-law to be (who don’t seem to agree on anything) and Caitlin’s old buddies (who still have problems of their own because of wrong choices), Caitlin’s life never seems to run smoothly. But Caitlin, as determined as ever to do things God’s way, always manages to find the high ground...eventually. As a result, the journey to her wedding is full of twists and turns where God touches many lives, including Caitlin’s. Most of all, Caitlin and Josh realize that a wedding only lasts one day, but a marriage is for a lifetime.
Saturday, October 22
My life changed today. It’s as if I got up this morning as one person and will go to bed as someone else. Okay, maybe it’s not THAT drastic. But I’m so excited I’m not sure I’ll ever go to sleep tonight.
Josh Miller asked me to marry him!
First she “kissed dating goodbye.” Now, several years later, Caitlin O’Conner is getting married—to the guy she’s loved all along, Josh Miller! It’s her senior year of college, and she has seven months to plan her wedding...but according to Josh’s mom, that’s not enough time.
Meanwhile, Caitlin’s roommate, Liz, has ditched her to move in with a boyfriend. Her new roommate and old friend, Jenny, is toying with anorexia again, and just when Caitlin needs her most, Beanie heads off to a New York City design school. On top of all this,
an issue from Josh’s past rocks Caitlin’s emotions. Can she handle it all?
True to form, Caitlin is more concerned with following God than having the perfect wedding. But it is her big day. Can Caitlin have a lovely ceremony without spending a small fortune? Will she remember it’s the marriage—and not the wedding—that lasts forever?
Youth/Children/Youth Interests/Teen Fiction
1-59052-320-2
Story Behind the Book
“My teenage years remain vivid in my mind. It was a turbulent time full of sharp contrasts— love and hate, pain and pleasure, trust and doubt. Then, just as I reached my peak of questioning, rebelling, and seeking, I found God. And I found Him in a really big way! My life turned completely around and has, thankfully, never turned back. Hopefully this story will touch and change hearts—speaking to teen girls right where they live, reminding readers that God is alive and well and ready to be intimately involved in their lives right now! Caitlin provides a very positive role model for girls. And her wedding is a great way to teach them about the things that really matter in life—their relationship with God and their willingness to be used by Him.”
Customer Reviews:
I do!.......2007-09-30
I can not keep the books in my classroom! As soon as one is returned it is checked out again. High school students love the stories!
Ok book but too much Christianity.......2007-08-29
This was an ok book. The story was really good but the way the author kept writing about God was annoying and very immature. If you just ignore all the Christianity in this book, then it's a good story. The story did portray what planning a wedding is really like but the authors overuse of Christianity in this book made it hard to read.
Will You Marry me?.......2006-02-10
I do, is the fifth and last book in the Caitlin series. It is mainly about Caitlin getting ready for her wedding. Josh proposed to her at the beginning of the book. He proposed to her in a very special way. All through the book she is fighting her wedding battles. She has to try to go through with her mom and Josh's mom telling her different things she needs to do. Josh's mom likes to spend lots of money and Caitlin's mom is the complete opposite. Caitlin just wants to have a simple wedding. Jenny was a very big help since she has transferred to Caitlin's school. They are now rooming together. Beanie got accepted to a design school in New York City and is helping Caitlin out with the designs for the bride's dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Caitlin is also trying to figure out where they should go on their honeymoon. Caitlin and Josh are having their wedding at a big church and the reception at a place they went together in high school. Is Caitlin going to get everything worked out or get completely stressed?
I would recommend this book to any girl that can read the reading level. I would also recommend this book to people that like the books, P.S Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail No More because they are very similar.
This book was a very good book. I like everything about it and I don't think that I disliked any part of it.
I Do!.......2005-09-28
I do! Is a story about a girl named Caitlin O'Conner. It is the fifth book in the series of Diary of A Teenaged Girl. Caitlin is a senior in college and was at a wedding for two of her good friend. After a while at the reception, Caitlin and her best friend Beanie were leaving when Josh Miller stopped them. Josh and Caitlin have a history together, and Caitlin has always liked him since high school. Josh asked Caitlin if she was busy that night, and she said no. Josh was driving somewhere that he told Caitlin was special, but Caitlin didn't know about it. He drove to the park and hopped out to open Caitlin's door. They walked through the park until they came to a clearing by the lake. There, Caitlin saw a table lit with candles. They sat down and were served by some high school-aged guys from their church. Then josh went down on one knee, and popped a question.
I really liked this book because it explains what is happening really well, and makes it so you understand what is going on. I also like this book because every time you start the next book in the series, it explains like some of the things that happened in the book before that so you know what is going on at the beginning. I don't really have any dislikes about the book because I thought it was pretty exciting and interesting throughout the whole thing.
I don't think people who like adventure books would like this. I also don't think guys would want to read this book because it is more of a girl book.
Good-Bye Caitlin!.......2005-09-01
I was so excited to have Caitlin and Josh get together! I loved hearing "from" Caitlin again. I'll admit, Caitlin's life is a little dull in comparison to Chloe's life (don't kill me, everyone!!), but it was a good book. I wished that we had had more about Zach, I really miss that guy! Anyhow, Caitlin had wonderful wedding, wonderful flowers, whole deal! Yay for her! Other then that (and everything already said in the other post) it was just a good book. I'm sad to leave Caitlin... But we'll still hear from her... hopefully!
Book Description
From the author of The Inn at Lake Devine, a pitch-perfect novel about a young woman, too smart for her own good, and the chaos that ensues when her path crosses that of her glamorous new next-door neighbor "The timing was excellent . . . Just as I was craving more attention, along came Laura Lee French, dorm mother without a day job, single, childless, and ultimately famous within our gates." So explains Frederica Hatch, the beguiling narrator of My Latest Grievance. Chafing under the care of "the most annoyingly evenhanded parental team in the history of civilization," whose passion for liberal political causes is all-consuming, Frederica is starting to feel that her life is stiflingly snug. But then, into this cozy but claustrophobic world, comes Laura Lee French, a wannabe former Rockette and the new dorm mother at the college where Frederica's parents teach. "Like an inspired alchemist" (New York Times Book Review), Lipman turns this seemingly routine faculty hire into a catalyst for havoc and hilarity. For it happens that Miss Frenchin the distant pastwas married to none other than Frederica's earnest and distinctly unglamorous father. Fearing scandal, the three Hatches and Laura Lee are forced to keep the secret. The results? Vintage Elinor Lipmandelightful, memorable, and touching.
Customer Reviews:
Pretty silly.......2007-09-13
I do not think anyone would really call this book humorous. To the extent that the situation at the end is ridiculous, it is also in rather poor taste. I am referring particularly to the depiction of the Mrs. Woodbury. I think the author was attempting some kind of social criticism, but the fictional universe here lacks any underlying system of shared values. We are not likely to admire the canned liberalism and political correctness of Frederica's parents, and in any event, they are revealed to be confused about their own values. They make a big point of no religion, but then Aviva insists on observing kosher dietary rules in the cafeteria. Well, do you value this tradition or not? And Frederica herself is about as nasty a piece of work as I have encountered in fiction in quite a while. She orchestrates Laura Lee's arrival on the campus knowing that this will pain and embarrass her parents. She seems to have no feelings of sympathy or tenderness for her parents, even though they have made her the center of their universe. She is sly and manipulative of everyone she meets, including Laura Lee. Actually, Laura Lee was the only character in this novel that made any sense to me, but clearly we are not supposed to admire her. She is certainly not ever presented as glamorous, but rather sort of needy and undisciplined. I found Frederica's adolescent outrage about Laura Lee's behavior particularly obnoxious. Frederica was the one who set this big affair in motion, as Laura Lee does remind her at one point. The forced resolution removed the entire situation from any connection to a recognizable American society. In the end, there just doesn't seem to be any sense to the whole, sad, embarrassing story.
2 Stars = 5 Z's... zzzzz.......2007-09-11
This was the first book of Lipman's that I read, and I bought it based on the reviews that I have read here. While everyone else seems to be big fans of her work, after reading this book I am left wondering what all the hype is about.
This book was about as satisfying as a glass of tap water. Far from being "precocious" and "witty," the narrator Frederica comes off like a garden variety brat. What exists of a plot is weak and uninteresting, and we are left to meander along with the dry, dry characters hoping for something good to happen. I'll save you the $11.16: Nothing happens!
I guess Lipman is writing what she knows about since according to her author's blurb she has experience working for a university (the setting of this novel) and came of age during the same time as our little Frederica, but come on lady, if this is the best story you have inside you, I feel bad.
Another reviewer likened reading this to eating candy. I liken it to chewing a piece of gum that lost its flavor really quickly. Ptooey.
Very Entertaining.......2007-06-13
I have read most of Ms. Lipman's books, and I have liked some more than others of course, and this one is at the top of the list. I liked the characters, even liked not liking some of the characters. I thought Frederica, the narrator, was a great voice, and overall, a very entertaining book.
One of Lipman's best........2007-02-18
Reading Eleanor Lipman is like eating candy that's good for you. It light, it's quick, and it's delicously easy. Most of the time Lipman's books are great for a quick fix between heftier meals. But "My Latest Greivance" goes a bit further. It may not be War and Peace, but it stands (like Inn at Lake Devine), as one of her best, most satisfying stories.
Lipman humor at its best..........2006-12-18
As someone who has read ALL of Elinor Lipman books, let me just tell the "first timers" out there that you are in for a treat. All of Lipman's books are literary gems, and My Latest Grievance is no exception. Frederica Hatch and her politically correct "before it was cool" parents will delight and entertain even the most jaded readers- perhaps those most of all. Lipman has a real knack for capturing the idiosyncrasies of academia, and this provides limitless opportunities for brilliant satire.
The complications surrounding the Professors Hatch, an ex-wife, and a precocious daughter are a pleasure to read.
Book Description
“People always say I’m going to look back on these days and laugh — why put it off?”
When Angela Nissel found herself struggling financially while in college, instead of sulking, she decided to entertain herself by creating an online journal that chronicled her day-to-day trials and tribulations. Written with humor and intelligence, her “Broke Diary” quickly found an audience as people wrote to Angela to empathize with, console, and laugh with her about her experiences and even share their own.
The Broke Diaries is the first complete compilation of her experiences, written in a voice that is funny, unique, and dead-on.
On buying ramen noodles: I am sooooooo embarassed. I only have 33 cents. I (please don’t laugh) put the money on the counter and quickly attempt to dash out with my Chicken Flavored Salt Noodles. The guy calls me back! I look up instinctively, I should have run . . . Why didn’t I run???!! He tells me the noodles are 35 cents. I try to apologize sincerely. I thought the sign said 33 cents yesterday, so that’s all I brought with me. Could he wait while I ran home and get the 2 cents? I show him my student I.D. to let him know I am not a thief. He shakes his head and motions either for me to get the hell out of his store and
never come back again or get the money as
do come back. I don’t know. He said something like “Nyeh” and swiped his hand in my direction.
I can’t translate hand motions well.
The noodles: tasty!!!
Customer Reviews:
A hearty laugh.......2007-06-02
I read this novel quite some time ago and I must say that I was pleased! Angela Nissell is a broke college student just trying to survive. She keeps a journal of her everyday events and we are able to travel with her and go through her happiness and pain with her. I would recommend this book to anyone!
Reading in Public Draws Attention.......2007-03-01
There are times when people can let out polite laughter and nobody knows. NOT WITH THIS BOOK! REVOLUTION! I'm laughing while I type this review and laughed everywhere else (on the train, at my desk at work, at home). This book was hilarious. I love Nissel's dry wit. Some people just have a knack for being funny, and she's got it down to a science. I could relate to her on so many different levels about having broke days. Actually, after some of the crazy stories she told (from rent being overdue, to lack of food, to milking the bartender for free drinks, etc.), she made me feel rich. My favorite parts of the book was when she talked about her male friends (you could've given Corduroy another chance!), especially Peanut and TurdBoy. Absolutely classic. The only cons I could think of was the story about the chicken guy (I'm a vegetarian and sensitive to animals) and the stuttering poet (that's just mean to make fun of him...mean!) Other than that, great book!
I love this book........2007-02-15
Angela Nissel is hilarious...being a college student myself, I know how it is to be broke...not as much as Nissel though lol. The situations she got herself into will make you crack up...wonderful, fun book. Definitely recommend!
Funny Book.......2007-01-26
This book was pretty hilarious. It was great to read about her adventures as a completely broke college student. I really liked this book!
Laughing Out Loud!.......2006-12-13
I have had boyfriends tell me that they weren't sure about our compatibility because I don't laugh enough....I'm always so serious....Not anymore! Current boyfriend says he has never seen me laugh out loud so much as when I have been reading Angela Nissel's books. Not only does she keep it real, she is Chris Rock funny! Do not read this book in public unless you don't mind being embarassed. I don't want to say more and ruin the reading experience, but to avoid the hazards of reading this book, find a a quiet solitary place preferably near a restroom and don't drink too much while reading...
Book Description
In a time when the Industrial Revolution has become an all-out war, Mad Science rules the World...with mixed success. At Transylvania Polygnostic University, Agatha Clay was a student with trouble concentrating and rotten luck. Dedicated to her studies but unable to build anything that actually worked, she seemed destined for a lackluster career as a minor lab assistant. But then the University was overthrown and Agatha was taken aboard the giant airship Castle Wulfenbach - where it begins to look like she might carry a spark of Mad Science after all.
Customer Reviews:
The fun continues in volume 2.......2007-08-30
Great fun, as are all of the Heterodyne books - I especially appreciate the "overdrawn poking-fun-at-Gothic" artwork throughout, and the "biographies" of the contributors. On a side note, thanks to these, one of my friends is actually trying to build a dirigible... oh well!
One slight problem with several of the Girl Genius volumes - the binding is very weak, and I've actually had to get Amazon to replace this one, as it fell apart when I opened it. Luckily, Amazon is simple and easy, and this one isn't their fault - the publisher is being scrooge-ish with their glue. Examine carefully when they arrive, and don't hesitate to send them back for replacements. This series is too good, and too compulsively readable to miss! (or to suffer with bad copies... )
Mad Science was never so fun..........2007-08-13
Return to the world of adventure, romance, airships, mad scientists and power hungry Nobles. Agatha Clay, now on the giant airship Castle Wulfenbach, wishes she could leave. Pretending to be the lover of a soldier while surrounded by monsters, angry constructs and talking cats is not her idea of fun.
But getting away isn't as easy as it might look when traveling thousands of feet about the ground while hostage to one of the most powerful men in Europe!
Great stuff.......2007-05-16
Phil and Kaja Foglio are marvelous. Girl Genius has an engaging, complex plot line; intriguing premise; characters full of personality; and great art - detailed, beautiful, very expressive, and always keep an eye out for what's going on in the background. There is lots of humor in the Foglios' work, with the text and art working together perfectly. The only downside is waiting for the next volume to be published!
Another excellent book that deepens the field.......2006-10-26
This second collection is just as good as the first one (while there are certain aspects that are better, the "raw fun" of the first one is a little more controlled here). There is little I can say to praise it enough that has not been covered in the other reviews or in the description, but I do want to point out something that makes me love this series.
While Girl Genius starts out as sort of a silly story with an odd cast, it quickly exposes one of its themes: the nature of legend versus truth. In this second volume, we begin to see more and more of the legends that build up the world. In contrast, we get more and more hints that legends do not always tell the story as it truly happens. This juxtaposition between belief and reality plays an important part in the storytelling method. False thing become increasingly chipped away at, enabling a story that seemingly is given away at the start a chance to actually grow and mature. Though we are told in Volume 1 what will end up happening, we quicly learn that there is a big divide in the legends and the reality which brings them about.
You end up becoming entranced, nervous, even though you know "the outcome".
Great fun, this series.
Steampunk Silliness.......2006-09-06
I really enjoyed this comic, which is an unpretentious, clever, and fun story; something too uncommon in comics these days! However I can't rate it as a major work, and the art is only "good enough."
Agatha "Clay" unsuspectedly has mad scientist ("spark") abilities; desireable in a 19th-century-ish Europe where the princelings of the 100 Years War are all mad scientists with steampunk war engines. This adventure, part II of the series, finds Agatha a prisoner in the zeppelin/fortress of Baron von Wulfenbach and his son Gil, where she is mistaken as the girlfriend of a soldier mistaken as the inventor of her inventions! Adventure, danger, and romance intertwine as she makes sense of her new surroundings and finds clues to her true identity (which, by the by, isn't QUITE discovered in this volume, nor are her "spark" talents more than suspected - by the other characters!)
The Foglios do a first-class plotting and storytelling job here, and especial kudos for a part II that stands on its own! The art is humor-manga style, and acceptable if unremarkable. IMHO, however, the artist (McNabb?) drops the ball on opportunities to have fun with some of Phil's silly inventiveness. I was also not impressed by Agatha regularly awakening (after sleep-inventing) in nightwear of the babydoll/merry widow variety.
A 6-page stand-alone story, "Spark of the Realm", is also included. Trelawney Thorpe, a 19th-C Lara Croft, must outwit a mad scientist seeking the powerful crown of King Arthur. The story is ok and the art a bit better than the main feature.
I'd strongly recommend this volume to anyone who enjoys comic manga, fantasy, or steampunk.
Books:
- Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life (Revised Edition with New Bible Study)
- Heard on the Street: Quantitative Questions from Wall Street Job Interviews
- High Profile
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- Hoopster, The
Books Index
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