Sunday, March 9, 2014

Review: Jessica Darling's It List #1: The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Popularity, Prettiness, & Perfection by Megan McCafferty (ARC)

Jessica Darling's It List #1: The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Popularity, Prettiness, & Perfection by Megan McCafferty
Publisher: Poppy (Hachette)
Release Date: September 3rd, 2013

I hadn't even gotten to homeroom yet and I'd already discovered five hard truths about junior high:

1. My best friend had turned pretty.
2. She didn't know it yet.
3. It wouldn't be long before she did.
4. That knowledge would change everything between us.
5. And there wasn't a thing I could do about it.

It's the first day of seventh grade. Is Jessica Darling doomed for dorkdom?
 Disclaimer: I received an ARC through the ARCycling program. This did not affect my review in any way, nor was I compensated for writing the review.

"It is well-written and the voice of the main character felt so real."

Ahhh, the drama of middle school. This brought back all of those horrible memories. As much as I don't like high school, I'd prefer it over middle school any day. Middle school's a time when your peers seem vicious and cruel and out to get you. And more than half your grade is also probably extremely immature and think they're cooler than they are.

Moving on, this book captured the essence of middle school so well. It brought me back to those days. *shudder* The drama was so real and believe-able, and the actions of the characters all seemed like something that middle schoolers would do.

At the same time, since it's being told from the perspective from a middle schooler, there were times when I wanted to yell at the characters! There was also a sense of predictability, possibly because there are only usually so many ways conflicts end when you're in middle school, and, having lived through that, it isn't so hard to figure it out.

I'm finding it hard to say anything more about this book, not because it was bad. It was a fun, quick read, but I'd rather not remember middle school. :P I'd consider reading book #2, but while this was a good read, it doesn't appeal to me so much. It is well-written and the voice of the main character felt so real, but it didn't stick out to me.


Jessica Darling's It List #1: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository

Megan McCafferty: Website | Twitter | Facebook |

4 comments:

  1. That's such a quirky title! Schools in Australia are pretty different to America, so we don't even HAVE a middle-school (sounds like we had it better, then, eh?! XD) I don't really mind the occasional MG book and I do like the blurb. I kind of think it would frustrate me though...the whole thinking you're mature and cool and NOT being either. Gah. On the agonies.

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    1. It is! It's really long, but. :P Huh. That's interesting! How does your school system work? (But yes, it does sound better. Although, I suppose it's more the age and that transition than the setting, if that makes sense. xD) Yeah, I mean, I think kids at that age tend to act more immaturely and all of that, but it's not the funnest time to read about once you're past that age. hahaha

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  2. what is the arcycling program? hope you don't mind me asking :D

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    Replies
    1. Not at all! This is the website for it, since it definitely explains it better than I can. http://arcycling.blogspot.com/

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