Saturday, October 20, 2007

The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I truly completely...

Shanahan, Lisa. 2007. The Sweet, terrible, glorious, year I truly completely lost it.

Originally published in Australia, The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly Completely Lost It is a fun YA romance that many girls--from preteen to adult--will enjoy. (Okay, maybe not every adult will enjoy this one, but those young at heart just might!) Meet Gemma Stone. She's feeling a bit out of sorts since her sister announced her engagement. Her sister, Debbie, is marrying a boy she's only been dating for one month. Now, Gemma is being dragged to bridal fairs and made to try on ugly dresses--though I bet no one can guess what she ends up wearing!--and spending lots of time with her sister's future in-laws and her sister's three best friends/bridesmaids. To say she is wishing herself far far away is an understatement. Everything is "Debbie, Debbie, Debbie." And she is expected to drop everything so she can do all these 'favors' and 'errands' and what not for her sister. But in the midst of all the family drama, Gemma is making time for herself. She's got a crush on a guy named Nick. A guy who only acknowledges her existence when it's convenient for him. (Most often when he's trying to get a petition signed). Nick casually mentions to her that she should try out for the school play. The drama department is doing The Tempest by William Shakespeare. She gathers up her courage, and decides to be brave for once in her life and goes after what she wants. What does she want? Nick's attention and approval. What she gets? The attention of the school weirdo, Raven, a 'deliquent' sort who comes from a long line of troubled brothers all named after birds--Crow, Magpie, Raven, Sparrow, etc. But Gemma is about to learn that love is full of surprises and that first impressions can be way off the mark. Raven or Nick? Which one is worthy of her time and devotion?

This book is a super-fun romance novel that I couldn't help loving. From her family dramas to her boy troubles, Gemma is a narrator I enjoyed spending time with.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

this book sounds awesome

Anonymous said...

the book is pretty good-but i think that it is just too weird how all of the De Head boys are named after birds. just weird!! but great job writing becuz i LOV it!!! <3 :]

Anonymous said...

i relly like it and i think they should mack a movie out of it

Anonymous said...

I never got the chance to finish reading this book so I was wondering if anybody could tell me if Gemma and Raven get togeter or talk to each other and make up. Because I really really want to know

Anonymous said...

SPOILER ALERT:

Okay, since you asked,
Yes, Raven and Gemma do make up.
And I haven't finished so...
no more spoilers, thanks!