The DUFF

The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
by Kody Keplinger

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.(description taken from Amazon.com)

I initially resisted reading this book because the subject just hit home a little too hard for me. Until I was almost done with college, I wasn't really comfortable in my own skin and I always felt like the "DUFF." I heard great things about this book, though, so when AudioFile was looking for a reviewer, I figured I would give it a shot.

As a Librarian, I'm really glad I read this. It is a great book to recommend to high school girls looking for a quick, realistic read. It does have foul language, violence, and fairly graphic sex scenes, but it is also compelling and almost brutally honest at points. There are some great discussions about self worth, self confidence, societal expectations, abuse, alcoholism, family issues, birth control, and actually a ton of other issues...the best part? These issues are brought up in such a natural way the reader will not feel lectured at all.

Personally, I really related to parts of this book. Having the crush on the hot guy who's mean to you...but you just can't help but like him...I mean, come on - these were high school horomone days! Alternating between feeling good about your accomplishments and never feeling like you will be good enough...pretty enough...just...enough. Been there. Wishing my friends in high school had been as great as Bianca's (my college friends were...btw!).

Though this is not my favorite book this year, it was good. Unexpectedly good for me. I recommend it gets read...for a variety of reasons. Seriously, check it out. You can't help but both root for Bianca and alternately want to smack her around sometimes...but no matter what...you won't put the book down until you've read the last page!

Full disclosure: Audio book received for AudioFile review

Den of Thieves

Den of Thieves
by Julia Golding
Cat Royal Adventures, book three

Traitors, Captives, and a People's Revolution.
The third volume of the Cat Royal Adventure series takes readers to Paris on a covert mission.

The Theater Royal is closed for renovations, so Mr. Sheridan commissions Cat to act as his spy in revolutionary Paris. Disguised as a ballerina, Cat joins the revolution, only to find that it is up to her to save her friends when they are captured as traitors. Like the previous two books in the series, The Diamond of Drury Lane and Cat Among Pigeons, Den of Thieves is filled with disguises, danger, drama, and most of all, the impressive Cat Royal.
(description taken from Amazon.com)

This is a great tween-aged adventure series with a strong female character. I love Cat Royal and am impressed with how Julia Golding continues to invent great adventures for her heroine. Cat has passion for life, a great blend of sensitivity and street smarts, great friends, and a habit of falling into trouble.

This book really gave Cat the opportunity to see who she really is as a person, outside of the theater. Cat learned more about why her friends really love her and would do anything to protect her. Pedro, Frank, Lizzie, Johnny, Syd and even the Duke, the Duchess, and Mr. Sheridan all proved again what Cat means to them.

The revolutionary France setting was very interesting, too. Often stories set in this time period focus on the aristocrats, but to see what life would have been like as a regular citizen, even a thief, was very interesting. I'm curious to see what Golding does when she sends Cat to America...