The Princess Diaries: A Book Review

Surely, we've all seen the two Disney Princess Diaries movies starring Anne Hathaway, yes? I love these movies, and pretty much anything starring Anne Hathaway, so at my best friend's insisting, I decided to read the first book in the series by Meg Cabot. Man, was I in for a surprise? My best friend had told me that the movies and books were different, but I hadn't foreseen another Ella Enchanted (yes, another Anne Hathaway movie) style adaption, that is to say that the books and movies happen to have the same name and a few similarities.
As much as I love the movies, I also loved this book.

As always, I'll begin with a kind of "who-would-love-this" section. This book is really, obviously, aimed for the teenage, female population, as most of Meg Cabot's YA books are. Honestly, I think anyone who likes the books about the life of off-beat girls would enjoy this one. I would, personally, classify this as a YA Chick-Lit book. Despite the fact that I mostly dislike Chick-Lit, I love YA and really enjoyed this book. I really like the character of Tina (removed from the movie) and I hope to see much more of her throughout the rest of the series. I also really liked Grandmere, even though she's kinda horrible. One character I really dislike, not as a character but as a person, is Lily. I kind of like that the character exists, but I dislike her as a person.

If you didn't already know this, Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries is a book about a young girl named Mia. It is her diary as she goes through her life of mediocrity. She goes to a private school in New York (Not San Francisco), has a cat names Louis, a best friend named Lily, and a mom who is dating her teacher. She also has a dad who is a diplomat in a small principality called Genovia. Here's the kicker, not too far into the book Mia's dad find out that he will have no more children and he now has to tell Mia she will inherit the throne of Genova, because by diplomat he means Prince. The rest of the book follows Mia's understanding and experiences as she discovers her heritage, the world discovers her secret, friends betray her, and her Grandmere tortures her with "Princess Lessons."

As I said before, I really enjoyed this book. I liked coming into it having seen the movie and knowing the story, then having everything I thought I knew turned on its head. I like Mia's outlook on things and her writing is certainly, I think, true to a 15 year old's journal. I really enjoyed reading it and thinking back to being 15, thought I'm not a princess, and remembering the horrors of being 15 and imaging placing being a princess on top of that! I also really liked how she reacted to the news in the book verses in the movie. It's hard to explain without spoiling the differences, but if you've read it, you know what I'm talking about.

Have you read The Princess Diaries? Did you enjoy it? What did you think of the movie?

Secret Society: A Book Review

“Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.”

qtd. by Tom Dolby

“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”

qtd. by Tom Dolby

This is one of those books you cannot put down! It may take a few pages but the reader learns to love (or hate) the four main characters: Pheobe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch. This is an excellent debut novel and I expect to see amazing things from him. I’m eagerly awaiting to get my hands on the sequel.

Pheobe just moved to town with her mom. She doesn’t quite fit in at Chadwick, but she’s determined to make her New York life exactly what she dreamed it to be. Lauren is a girl thrust into the life a socialite by her mother. Definite Fashionista , Lauren is positive and loves a good time, or she used to. Nick is a little rich boy who is always in the spotlight because of his family. But the spotlight comes with responsibilities, ones he may not be quite ready for. Patch is nothing like the others. He’s an aspiring film maker, but not blessed with wealth. He’d do anything for his chance to shine. These four seem to have nothing in common but their school, but they have one thing in common: The Society.

I really adored this book. Especially towards the end I refused to put it down! I grew to love and hate various characters and some of then turned out to be nothing I expected. I suggest this book to everyone! Especially if you like conspiracy, rebellion, secret society type books.

Rumors: A Book Review

*Spoilers to first book!!*

“Then he drew her in, folding her small body into his arms, making her forget that there had ever been any other place.” – Anna Gobersen

“Wouldn’t she just let herself in? That’s what I did, and I’m not even related….” – Anna Goberson

“Good girls hold their heads high by daylight,
Their grace and their virtue soaring with kites,
While bad girls slink along in their shame -
Everyone stares at then, everyone blames.
But those bad girls sleep soundly at night
Ne’er do their consciences wake them in a fright,
While our good girls toss and they turn -
They lay awake for those who will burn.
-A Seamstress’s Verses, 1898 (Anna Goberson’s – Rumors)

“That was the way love was, she guessed – it left you always unsteady on your feet.” – Anna Goberson

I love the Luxe series. The scandal, the love, the betrayal, the clothes! they’re set at the turn of the 20th century. The lives of three society girls entertwined by friendship, love, and hatred. I loved the first book (Luxe) and this one did not disappoint!
Starting with Will and Elizabeth in California, everything seems great. Back in New York, everyone is mourning Elizabeth’s death, and preparing for the marriage of her once-fiance and once-friend, Penelope and Henry. Once Elizabeth hears of her mother’s fading health from Diana, she rushes back to town and trouble ensues.
The summary is so short because it’s so difficult to summarize without giving away the awesome things! I love this book, and this series! This is a must read for anyone who loves scandal, the turn of the 20th century, or even the Victorian era!