Let me start this by saying I am a HUGE fan of Lauren Conrad, or better known as LC from The Hills and Laguna Beach. When I found out that she was writing a novel, I of course had to order it weeks in advance, and when I received it, I could not put it down! This book was AMAZING! I did not expect something like this from L.C. When I first started it, it reminded me of The A-List or Gossip Girl. The girls are not rich, but they are naturally beautiful and they moved to a new city in California. The main character, Jane, just graduated from high school. She is interning for the biggest event planner in L.A. She moved with her best friend. The two girls bump into a show producer, and end up on a reality show.
When the book came out, L.C. said that there were some similarities to her life, but it is not completely based off of her life. It is difficult to believe what L.C. says. As I read the book, I tried to not compare Jane to L.C., but it was very difficult. I kept trying to connect each character in the book with people on L.C.'s two shows. I also kept thinking of L.C. being Jane, even though the two do not look like each other at all.
I am not sure why I loved this book so much. The characters did not frustrate me, which is always a plus. I also really loved the way the book was written. It was very simple and easy to read. L.C. is very descriptive with what the scenes look like and each characters outfits. I always love when I can see the scene in my head. It makes the book a lot better. I think I also really enjoyed the book because Jane was a somewhat shy character. She had just broken up with her long time boyfriend and was scared to meet new guys, (but she does have boy drama!!). Jane is also a very timid girl, and she lets people take advantage of her. She is the girl that almost everyone can relate to, which is why she is the main star of the reality show.
Throughout the book, we see how reality shows are created, the behind the scenes. The girls are constantly getting text messages from the directors saying to repeat something, or speak louder, or go somewhere else. Also, before anyone from the outside world can talk to these girls, they have to sign contracts saying that they will be on t.v. It becomes difficult to figure out who is friends with them just because they are famous, or because they are nice girls.
This book is part of a series. L.C. wrote three books about Jane. I am impatiently awaiting for the second book to come out in a few months. I promise, before the new book comes out I will reread L. A. Candy, and write more in this blog. I read the book a few months ago, but hadn't gotten around to writing about it. However, Before I spill too much detail about this amazing book, I suggest everyone go out and read it! You will get sucked into it, and finish it in a day or two!
So after almost a year and a half, I realized how important it is to continue my book blog. I have read so many books since my last posting, and I am scared that I won't always remember what the books have been about. Starting today, with Jane Eyre, I am going to keep up with my blog. Since I am not writing this for class anymore, my entries will not be perfected, but they will be how I really feel. I may write about certain parts of the books, so if I ruin anything for you, I am so very sorry!!
Now, back to Jane Eyre, AKA one of the BEST books I have ever read. I know I usually say that I love the books I read, but this book was special. When I started the book, I had no idea what it was about. All I knew was that it was a classic, and almost everyone has read it. Meaning I had to read it as well. Now I can cross it off my list :). Charlotte Bronte (sister to Emily Bronte), wrote this novel in such an amazing way! She was able to give the reader insight to what almost every character thought, while still keeping the novel in third person. I found this way of writing to be exquisite. The reader was able to really get to know each character, and fall in love with them.
I read Jane Eyre after I had read Wuthering Heights. Wuthering Heights was written by Emily Bronte, and was a gothic novel. Before reading Jane Eyre, I did not think it was going to be gothic at all. Then I began to read the introduction. The person who wrote the introduction to my copy said that both Bronte sisters enjoyed reading gothic literacy. I then began to think maybe this would be gothic. Well, just like the narrator tricked me, Charlotte Bronte tricked me as well! There were a few scenes where it seemed as if the book was gothic. One scene hinted that there was a ghost in a bedroom, and another scene hinted that a vampire might live in the house. When I read the hint about the vampire, I almost gave up on the book. As much as I loved it, I was nervous it was about to get very tacky, very fast! But I continued on (thankfully), and found out what this "vampire" was. Lesson for readers: If you start a book, make sure you finish it. You never know what is going to end up happening in it (unless you can't get through the first page).
Now on to Jane, the heroine of this novel. The novel starts with Jane being nine/ten years old. As she gets older and learns about love and life, the reader gets older and learns as well. Jane's character can also become very frustrated. Jane was sent to an all girls boarding school when she was ten years old. This is where she learned about how women are supposed to behave and act. It was also a very religous school. This means, as Jane got older, she did not understand love between a man and a woman. When a man was hitting on her, or showed interest in her, Jane did not notice. Instead, she found it interesting that he showed such an interest in her, and she eventually fell in love with this man. Yes, this book is another love story (a very romantic one as well).
Like our lives, Jane and her lover end up breaking up because of a huge secret he was hiding. Isn't that just like men? Always hiding something and lying to women!! When Jane finds out this secret, she does not know what to do with herself. She is beyond embarrassed, and does not want to stay where she is. This starts Jane's new life of finding who she really is, and her families history.
The best way to outline the book, is to say it is like a play with five acts. Jane lives with five different groups in the book, and each place teaches her about life. The book starts with Jane living with her Aunt nad cousins. This is a tough time for Jane, and she learns about fear and hiding from people. After this, Jane moves to her boarding school. Jane continues to learn about fear and sees how cruel people could be. Jane also learns about friendship and death. As Jane gets older, she realizes that she wants to "broaden her horizon". She finds a job being a governess. This phase of her life teachers her about love, and speaking aloud, and expressing herself. When her love admits to his dirty secret, Jane moves on and learns about her family, and surviving on her own. The last place Jane lives is with her husband. Jane is happiest at this time, and she realizes that it is the simple things in life that makes her happy.
We can all see ourselves in these different steps in Jane's life. We have all been scared, might not want to say what is on our minds, but we get older and learn how important it is to voice our opinions. I think what really got to me was the fact that this book was written over 100 years ago, yet I was able to relate to Jane. The most important thing when reading is having connections with the books. I was very connected with this book. I wanted to learn about every single minute of Jane's life. I wanted the book to never end.
I was a little upset with the ending. I had just read 600 pages about Jane's life, and Charlotte summed up the rest of her life in one chapter. I felt like I had been gypped information. Even though I was upset with the end, I would read another Charlotte Bronte book in a heart book. I loved this book so much, I would hope the rest of her books are just as great.
I will admit one thing, as long as you promise not to laugh at me: there was a part of the book where Jane reminded me of Gabrielle from Desperate Housewives. The boy problems Jane has made me think of a few episodes of Desperate. I know that this may make me sound like an airhead, but I wanted to be honest. I really hope you all read Jane Eyre and love it as much as I did. Unfortunately I rented the book from my library, so I do not have a copy at the moment. I am planning on buying the book as soon as possible and hopefully read it again, and again, and again!!!
Now, back to Jane Eyre, AKA one of the BEST books I have ever read. I know I usually say that I love the books I read, but this book was special. When I started the book, I had no idea what it was about. All I knew was that it was a classic, and almost everyone has read it. Meaning I had to read it as well. Now I can cross it off my list :). Charlotte Bronte (sister to Emily Bronte), wrote this novel in such an amazing way! She was able to give the reader insight to what almost every character thought, while still keeping the novel in third person. I found this way of writing to be exquisite. The reader was able to really get to know each character, and fall in love with them.
I read Jane Eyre after I had read Wuthering Heights. Wuthering Heights was written by Emily Bronte, and was a gothic novel. Before reading Jane Eyre, I did not think it was going to be gothic at all. Then I began to read the introduction. The person who wrote the introduction to my copy said that both Bronte sisters enjoyed reading gothic literacy. I then began to think maybe this would be gothic. Well, just like the narrator tricked me, Charlotte Bronte tricked me as well! There were a few scenes where it seemed as if the book was gothic. One scene hinted that there was a ghost in a bedroom, and another scene hinted that a vampire might live in the house. When I read the hint about the vampire, I almost gave up on the book. As much as I loved it, I was nervous it was about to get very tacky, very fast! But I continued on (thankfully), and found out what this "vampire" was. Lesson for readers: If you start a book, make sure you finish it. You never know what is going to end up happening in it (unless you can't get through the first page).
Now on to Jane, the heroine of this novel. The novel starts with Jane being nine/ten years old. As she gets older and learns about love and life, the reader gets older and learns as well. Jane's character can also become very frustrated. Jane was sent to an all girls boarding school when she was ten years old. This is where she learned about how women are supposed to behave and act. It was also a very religous school. This means, as Jane got older, she did not understand love between a man and a woman. When a man was hitting on her, or showed interest in her, Jane did not notice. Instead, she found it interesting that he showed such an interest in her, and she eventually fell in love with this man. Yes, this book is another love story (a very romantic one as well).
Like our lives, Jane and her lover end up breaking up because of a huge secret he was hiding. Isn't that just like men? Always hiding something and lying to women!! When Jane finds out this secret, she does not know what to do with herself. She is beyond embarrassed, and does not want to stay where she is. This starts Jane's new life of finding who she really is, and her families history.
The best way to outline the book, is to say it is like a play with five acts. Jane lives with five different groups in the book, and each place teaches her about life. The book starts with Jane living with her Aunt nad cousins. This is a tough time for Jane, and she learns about fear and hiding from people. After this, Jane moves to her boarding school. Jane continues to learn about fear and sees how cruel people could be. Jane also learns about friendship and death. As Jane gets older, she realizes that she wants to "broaden her horizon". She finds a job being a governess. This phase of her life teachers her about love, and speaking aloud, and expressing herself. When her love admits to his dirty secret, Jane moves on and learns about her family, and surviving on her own. The last place Jane lives is with her husband. Jane is happiest at this time, and she realizes that it is the simple things in life that makes her happy.
We can all see ourselves in these different steps in Jane's life. We have all been scared, might not want to say what is on our minds, but we get older and learn how important it is to voice our opinions. I think what really got to me was the fact that this book was written over 100 years ago, yet I was able to relate to Jane. The most important thing when reading is having connections with the books. I was very connected with this book. I wanted to learn about every single minute of Jane's life. I wanted the book to never end.
I was a little upset with the ending. I had just read 600 pages about Jane's life, and Charlotte summed up the rest of her life in one chapter. I felt like I had been gypped information. Even though I was upset with the end, I would read another Charlotte Bronte book in a heart book. I loved this book so much, I would hope the rest of her books are just as great.
I will admit one thing, as long as you promise not to laugh at me: there was a part of the book where Jane reminded me of Gabrielle from Desperate Housewives. The boy problems Jane has made me think of a few episodes of Desperate. I know that this may make me sound like an airhead, but I wanted to be honest. I really hope you all read Jane Eyre and love it as much as I did. Unfortunately I rented the book from my library, so I do not have a copy at the moment. I am planning on buying the book as soon as possible and hopefully read it again, and again, and again!!!
I am finally done with my classes for this semester! Now I can read all the books that I want choose. The first book that I decided to read, instead of studying for my finals, is How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. I have only read the first 100 pages, and I am enjoying it so much! I was a little nervous when I first started reading this book. After finishing Everyone Worth Knowing I did not think that I could find a book just as good. However, after reading the first chapter in How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls I knew that I was going to enjoy it.
Right off the bat, the main character, Megan, has bad luck. Things just keep happening to her, and the reader has that feeling that they can connect with Megan. After striking out at her job, more than once, she was sent to Florida to teach two rich girls, helping them get into Duke University, and passing their classes in High School.
As I read the book, I just keep thinking of different things from the media. The twins in the book reminded me of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. However, the twins in the book are nothing like the real twins. They are much more crazy than the real ones. The twins also reminded me of the Paris Hilton/Nicole Ritchie duo. The girls in the book act crazy enough. The book also reminded me of The Devil Wears Prada. Megan has to leave her boyfriend in New York City while she works with the twins. Even though she just arrived in Florida, she has found a handsome man. I do not know what happens between the two of them yet, but it reminds me of the separation between the main character in Devil and her boyfriend. I was also reminded of the film "What A Girl Wants". Megan had to leave her home to succeed with her job. She is also seen as a foreigner by the twins because she does not wear nice clothing. There is a coming out/benefit party that Megan attends. When she arrives, she looks drop dead gorgous and attracts the eyes of everyone. The two twins finally realize that they will not win and get rid of Megan.
I am very excited to continue the book. I strongly suggest that everyone reads this book if you have enjoyed the other books that I wrote about. You will also enjoy this book if you liked The A-List because they are written by the same author. The book is hard for me to put down, which is a horrible thing during finals. I can not wait to read more, and update you guys on the book! If you guys want to read the book, let me know so that we can talk about it while we read!!
So I finally finished Everyone Worth Knowing and it was definitely worth reading. I am kind of upset that the book ended, because I was so in love with reading it. The second half of the story was way better than the first half, in my opinion. I recommend this book to anyone that loves to read chick novels. There is finally a love interest that is introduced, and every page that I read, I was dying to know what was going to happen. This is a book that you will not be able to put down very easily. The characters are written wonderfully, and the development of the story works at a great pace.
The book gives all of us "normal" people an insight into the world of party planning, but for celebrity hosted events. The company that Bette works for, plans events for Blackberry and Playboy. Famous names are constantly being dropped throughout the book like Lindsay Lohan (my favorite), Jay-Z, and others. Bette and her co-workers are constantly partying. They go to Bungalow 8 everynight, just for publicity. Bette is in the gossip section of the newspaper almost daily. This is the life that almost every girl dreams of, but when reading it, realizes that it is better to read about it and fantasize, rather than actually live it. I do not want to give up the ending, but all I have to say is think about how The Devil Wears Prada ends. Just because you sort of know the ending, please read the book anyway because it is just that good.
Like I said in my previous post, this novel was written by the same author who wrote The Devil Wears Prada. When reading the two books, you can tell that they were written by the same author, but they are different from eachother. I think that this story, Everyone Worth Knowing, was a lot better than Devil. I found that the movie of The Devil Wears Prada was a lot better than the book. However, I could not imagine that if they made a movie for Everyone Worth Knowing it would be better than the book. I found the characters to be more exciting, and easier to fall in love with. It is so hard for me to find words to explain this novel, because it was just so great. I also feel like if tell you anything about the story, you will know everything and won't want to read it. And remember, when you do read the story, do not look at the back of the book to see what happens. Every time I opened up the book, I just wanted to read the ending but I would not let myself. And of course it made the book that much better!
I will admit that I have not finished this book yet. I am only half-way through it, and it is taking me forever to get to the ending of it. This book is one that I chose on my own, so no, I do not have a class to associate it with. The author of the novel also wrote The Devil Wears Prada. And don't get the wrong message, just because I am taking forever to finish it does not mean that I do not like it. I absolutely love the story, it is just that I do not have a lot of time to read it.
For anyone who has read The Devil Wears Prada, or has seen the movie (book is SO much better!!!), this book is very similar. The main character, Bette, starts out working for a banking company. She eventually gets so fed up with it that she quits. After taking a month hiatus, her uncle gets her a job. The job is working with a public relations company. This company is insane. Any woman who loves to gossip about celebrities, or reads tabloids, than you MUST read this book. Bette begins working for this company and gets a somewhat glamorous life. She gets to go out to all different expensive bars, and gets to party with hot guys. This book includes boys, booze, and gossip...what else could anyone else? Bette gets to plan a huge party, and a whole bunch of celebrities go to it. It's all very exciting, and of course it's the life that I want to live (I say that with every glamorous book like this).
Of course as a teenager I am in love with the book. I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys reading teen novels or about the exciting life of women living in New York City. I wish I could tell you more, but I really don't have much to say. I am only half-way through the story. Once I read more I promise to update you on what happens. And if anyone does finish it before me, please do not ruin the ending of it! I am excited to see what happens with Bette and her love interests.
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