BOOKS, Pick of the Month: February

"Pretty Little Devils" by Nancy Holder
Namelia-J's Pick of the Month


Hazel Stone is sick of being a wallflower and will do anything to get into the most popular clique in her school; The Pretty Little Devils. The PLDs comprises of Sylvia Orly, the ruthless ringleader of the clique; Megan Williams and Carolyn Bosch, who will do anything to stay on Sylvia's good side' and Ellen Schmidt, whom the group treats as their scapegoat, who knows better than anyone that popularity comes at a price. Especially when it comes to Brandon Wilde, one of the school's first string jocks, who is juggling relationships with more than one of the PLDs; and Matty Vardeman, the mysterious new guy who caught Hazel's attention, but he is also in the sights of Brenda Wu, head cheerleader and the PLDs top rival. Like Sylvia, she'll do whatever it takes to get what she wants. One is a killer. Before the school year is over, three will die. Will they be able to catch the killer?


We think: The book reminds me a bit of the movie Mean Girls. It keeps me guessing who the killer is till the very end. I rate it 5/5.


"Queen Of Babble in the Big City" by Meg Cabot
Lizzie Nichols, the woman with the biggest mouth is back and she is trying to find her place in the big city of New York. While trying to make it in New York, she is looking for a job, and a place to live. When 'Summer Fling' Luke uses the L word (Living Together), she is only too happy to move into his mother's Fifth Avenue pied-a-terre. But she is not as lucky in her employment search. Her bestfriend Shari has landed the perfect job while Lizzie struggles through one humiliating interview after another, until Shari's boyfriend Chaz lands Lizzie a receptionist's position at his father's posh law firm. The non-paying job at a local wedding-gown shop Lizzie manages to find all on her own. But Lizzie's notoriously big mouth gets her into trouble almost at once - first at the law firm for getting too chummy with a society bride and then with Luke when she brings up the M word (Marriage). Soon Lizzie finds herself jobless and homeless all over again. Can she save herself and find career security (not to mention a committed relationship) at last?

We think: I found the book a bit boring. Meg Cabot can do better than this. 2/5


"Dancing at Midnight" by Julia Quinn
When a suitor tells Lady Arabella Blydon that he is willing to overlook her appalling bluestocking tendencies on account of her looks and fortune, she decides to take a break from the Marriage Mart. So during an extended stay in the country, she never expects to meet Lord John Blackwood, a wounded war hero who intrigues her like no other man. Lord John has lived through the worst horrors of war, but nothing could have been as terrifying to his tormented heart as Lady Arabella. She is intoxicating, infuriating... and she makes him want to live again. Suddenly he is writing bad poetry and climbing trees in the pitch-dark night, just so he can dance with her. But when the harsh light of day replaces the magic of midnight, can this tormented soul learn to love again?

We think: Perfect for girls who are pure romantics at heart who think that they can change a man and pull him out of the pain that he has been living for the past few years. I give it a 4/5.


"Jenny Green's Killer Jr. Year" by Amy Belasen & Jacob Osborn

Jenny Green is a spoiled teen "princess" and she wants a fresh start at her new school (Montreal's Molson Academy). She is curious to see what Montreal has to offer, especially in the boy department. Beautiful, charming and sharp-witted, Jenny has no trouble getting the boys to fall for her. But when she discovers just how despicable the male gender can be - with the lying, the cheating, and the utter disrespect - she decides to make them pay... with their lives.


We think: Sadly, I can relate to some of the things that Jenny went through when dealing with boys. And also the things that she has done to them to make them pay, I can honestly say those thoughts have run past my mind a few times in my imagination; only thing is that I do not act out on the scenes in my imagination. I give it a 4/5.