I will stalk Meg Cabot and make her my new BFF

I'm going on vacation next week. I will be OFFLINE. I'm trying to decide if I want to pre-blog some back reviews and then just set them to post or if I just want to leave it and see you when I get back. It will probably depend on what I have time to do. It won't be tonight because it's the first night of Passover! There's a strong chance that I will, once again, be the youngest person at Seder (Ok, I know I won't be the youngest, but the baby can't talk yet!) so I should probably brush up on the 4 questions...

Anyway, how much do you love Meg Cabot? Reading one of her books is like laughing with your best friend until your stomach hurts. Also, you should totally check out the advice videos that she is doing with Michele Jaffe? They're chock full of good advice. (Like, don't trip boys to get them to notice you) Also, hysterical.

I recently read Cabot's upcoming book, Being Nikki, the sequel to Airhead. I'll review it around the time it comes out (May 5th) but I'm telling you now, it's crazy good and I liked it a lot more than Airhead and that if you haven't read the first one yet, you should go do it now, so it's all nice and read by May 5th.

Also, if you've already read Being Nikki, email me, because I want to talk about it. Especially the ending. OMFG.

So, here are two other Meg Cabot books that I've read and haven't reviewed yet.

Forever Princess

It's the VERY LAST Princess Diaries book!

About 2 and half years have passed since we last saw Mia, and not much has changed. For some reason, she's still with icky JP. She's not friends with Lilly, and Michael's still in Japan. After her "wait, Genovia is a democracy" bombshell, her dad's running for Prime Minister, but Prince Rene might beat him!

Graduation is coming and Mia got into every one of the schools she applied for. She's certain that this has less to do with her merits and more to do with her royal status. None of her friends got into their top choice schools, so she's told EVERYONE that she didn't get in anywhere. She also told everyone that her senior project is a history of Genovian Olive Pressing. Which it's not. It's a romance novel. A lot of the story centers around Mia trying to publish her romance novel under a pen name, so she knows it will be published because the book is good, not because it was written by a princess.

OH! And then, to make matters even more complicated? Michael's back from Japan. And even hotter than ever. But Mia's still totally in love with JP, right?

Cabot's own publishing career started in romance. I have to wonder how much of Mia's tribulations mirror Cabot's experiences, especially the crap people give Mia once they find out she's written a romance. JP's a total jerk about it (SURPRISE) and tells her she shouldn't be wasting her talents writing such trash and she should be writing literary fiction that will change the world blah blah blah.

I spent most of the book wanting to put corn in JP's chili and then pushing him. And then wanting to smack Mia for being so totally clueless that she doesn't see that JP is evil and slimy and gross.

When I was reading the book, I had to stop and write the following:

Why do I love this series so much when I have such a love/hate relationship with Mia? When will she get a spine? Why JP? and why for 2 years? Ew... I just cannot forgive [Mia for dating] JP. To the point where Mia, for choosing him and STAYING WITH HIM [that was underlined 4 times] is no longer funny, if mildly annoying, but just DUMB [also heavily underlined.]

So why do I love this series? Because Mia, as annoying as she is, is funny:

When I go to college the first thing I'm going to do is pick out all new friends. Because the friends I currently have are psychotic.

Also, because of how it ended.

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Best Friends And Drama Queens

See, where Mia annoys me, I love Allie. Because Allie has spunk and a spine is a lot less neurotic than Mia. I'm sure when Allie hits puberty, she'll get a little more neurotic, because that's what happens when you hit puberty--YOU GO INSANE but she'll keep her spine and kick a little more ass. Because that's what Allie is--KICK ASS.

But I shouldn't say that, because this is a Middle Grade book, and so I shouldn't use swear words when describing it. (Too bad, KICK ASS)

There's a new girl at school and she comes all the way from Canada! Too bad Cheyenne thinks that playing pretend is babyish. And she has high heel zip-up boots like Allie wanted, but her mom wouldn't let her have. But Cheyenne's also not that nice. She starts the kissing game, where packs of girls chase down unsuspecting boys on the playground and then kiss them. (Ok, so we totally played that in my elementary school, too. But if a pack of guys did that to a girl, it would be BAD NEWS. Why is it ok for girls to do to guys? I mean, they eventually get in trouble, but we never did.) She also starts "going with" boys and wants EVERY GIRL to go with a boy.

Allie doesn't want to go with a boy. And Caroline and Sophie aren't talking to each other to talk about. When Allie stands up to Cheyenne, she has to face her full wrath.

I love that Allie doesn't know how to handle situations but not in a "I'm so helpless!" type of way. I love that she knows some things--she doesn't want to "go with" anyone but doesn't know others--how to tell a boy that without being mean.

This is an excellent series for middle grade girls. It's funny and affirming without being cheesy or message-y. I think Allie might be my favorite Meg Cabot character.

A few types of Princesses

So, I'm about half way through reading Princess Diaries, Volume X: Forever Princess. Mia is STILL with JP? I mean, WTF? He's even ickier than I remember him. Also, why is Mia so spineless? I love this series, but girl needs to grow a pair. I'll talk more after I actually finish the book.

Today, we'll talk about some other princesses and fairy tales with two more books in the Once Upon a Time series...

Sunlight and Shadow Cameron Dokey

Mmmm. So this installment of the Once Upon a Time series gives a new face The Magic Flute. There are differences, of course, which is what gives this version new life and vitality. I cannot express how much I loved this book--I could not put it down.

Mina, the daughter of the King of the Day and Queen of the Night has been kidnapped by her father. Prophecy at her birth says that Mina's marriage would bring great changes to the powers of her parents, and so Sarastro has been grooming her husband for years.

Mina has no wish to be a pawn in her father's games, and so she runs from his house, to try and return to her mother.

Lots of great stuff here. I also really enjoyed the shifting points of view throughout the story to get so many different reactions to the events taking place. Dokey gives each character a unique voice and vision. This might just be my favorite in this series!

The Rose Bride by Nancy Holder

Rose's tale starts as a Cinderella tale, with an enchanted garden tied to her mother and an evil stepmother and stepsister. About half-way though shifts to "The White Bride and the Black Bride" as it becomes apparent that the evil steps are sorceresses. Plus, there's a war.

This one just didn't work for me. There is all sorts of random weird ties with Greek Mythology (who is a devotee of Zeus vs. Artemis plays a not insignificant role) even though it takes place in medieval France? That was never really explained and was just... weird. Also, in the author's note, Holder says she was inspired by the movie Ever After. It shows. A lot.

Also, the end was really rushed. Overall, like I said, it just didn't do it for me.

Forever Princess

Are you, like me, eagerly awaiting the release of Forever Princess the very LAST Princess Diaries book?

Well, Meg Cabot has a lovely sneak peak for us here. Just a little something to tide us over until the January!

The Secret Life of Librarians...

This weekend I... read 6 books, cleaned the house, hosted a party, went to see Emmylou Harris in concert, watched some TV, saw Big Rig, and spent a lot of time messing around on the internet.

It was a good weekend.

Let's talk about 3 of the books I read this weekend. We're going to slightly stretch "nonfiction" here. (Amazon is not playing with me right now. Linkies and pictures will come later)

Princess Lessons Meg Cabot

Told from the point of view of different characters from the popular Princess Diaries series, this book gives pointers on how to be the perfect princess. Everything is covered from how to write an excellent thank-you note, to posture, to how to defend yourself if your bodyguard is otherwise occupied. We hear from Grandmere, Lars, Lilly, Tina, Michael, and a host of others, all with Mia's commentary. Plus, movie lists by Mia and Lilly.

A fun companion volume for die-hard fans of the series.

Perfect Princess Meg Cabot

Once again, a companion volume to Princess Diaries. This on is cataloged as fiction though. In it, Mia, Grandmere, Michael et al. go through and list princesses through history, myth, legend, and pop culture and Mia gleans a lesson that can be learned from each. Every one from Elizabeth the 1 to Xena is covered in each characters voice and fashion.

There's also a fun rundown of who's a princess and who isn't (Britney Spears and Strawberry Shortcake are NOT princesses).

An irreverent and fun look at girl royals of all stripes.

Holiday Princess> Meg Cabot

The Library of Congress says this is nonfiction. My library, however, says it's fiction.

Focusing mainly on Christmas, with quick nods to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year, Mia and co. tell us how to shop for boys and how Christmas is celebrated around the world, covering New York, Genovia, and everywhere in between. Also, Mia and Lilly's top holiday movies, the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, and lots of holiday crafting fun...

Over all, these three companion volumes are fun additions to the series, with every character playing their part, but nothing I'd ever use for research!

Picture Book of the Day has the roundup!

48 Hour Wrap Up + 24 Hour info

Alright, I'm insane and didn't sleep all weekend. And when I woke up on Monday at 12:00 (I didn't have to work until 1, and I had gone to bed at 9 on Sunday) I still felt like I had been run over by a MACK truck. Apparently flying to Iowa and back last weekend, a few days of Code Red air days and no sleep = sinus and ear infection. So I didn't go to work yesterday which is very, very poor form. BAD JENNIE. Also, there is definitely a point of diminishing returns. I probably could have read the same amount if I had slept because the lack of sleep was messing with my reading speed and comprehension.

But it was fun.

Anyway, today I'm adding pictures and things to my 48 hour posts, I'm also going to be posting some things on my spoiler blog because I have a lot of opinions on where Princess Diaries left off.

ALSO! The 24 Hour Read-a-thon is coming up in 2 weeks.

This one is a little different--

1. Everyone reads for the same 24 hours (1:59 11:59 Saturday afternoon to 1:59 11:59* Sunday afternoon if you're on the East Coast like me.)
2. You can read anything you want.
3. Instead of fame and glory, this one's for charity (Reading is Fundamental.)

SO! I'm asking for sponsors to help me for this. There are a few ways to sponsor me.

You can just donate a lump sum. Or, you can donate based on how I do.

I will personally be donating $.03 for every book, hour and page I read. Based on this past weekend, I'm expecting that to be around $60-$70.

I've already received some sponsors, so including my own donation, I will be raising $.08 for every page I read, $.06 for every book, and $.06 for every hour.

If you would like to help me raise money for this worthy cause, please email me at kidsilkhaze (at) yahoo (dot) com.

**Edited to correct times. I can't read a time zone map.

Anyway, some further thoughts on books. I think I forgot to mention that Pure Dead... talks about poop. A lot. Mainly dragon poop. And baby poop. And how Yetis like to eat poop. This can either be a turn off or a selling point, depending on your audience.

Also, it was obviously written by a mother. There is a lot in here for adults poking fun at childhood foibles that kids won't get. But, for kids, there's poop. Lots and lots of poop. And talking crocodiles.

Also, the character of Ffup was interesting. I'm still not keen on how her personality totally changed when she found out she was a girl. I also think her as a teenage mother was odd, because she was very much a teenager and not ready for a child, even if she was 600 years old.

All in all, it was just very, very British. British children's books are always much more adult than American children's books are.

UPDATE:

Also, I wanted to add how much I love Mia's dorkiness. She talks in Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings similes. And she rights Battlestar Galactica fanfic. And is an expert on Lifetime movies, much like my friend Sarah.

47 Hours, 30 minutes

Hours read/blogging: 41 Hours, 30 minutes

Number of books read: 19

Number of pages read: 4299

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Princess Mia Meg Cabot

Well, Michael and Mia are officially splits-ville. Mia spends so much time wallowing in bed in the aftermath that Lars has to literally pick her up, chuck her into the limo and drag her off to therapy. There she's told to do at least one scary thing a day. Like go shopping with Lana Weinberger.

And everyone thinks JP and Mia are a couple, because of some photos that appeared in the New York Post. Lilly's no where near talking to her.

Also, Mia has to give a speech about Genovia to this highly exclusive women's society, Domina Rei (like Opus Dei, but non-religious and for women.)

The following thoughts were so forceful that I had to type them while reading the book:

JP needs to go away. He needs to go away NOW. Or Mia needs to wise up to see what he's doing and PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE!!! He is scum! Trying to put the moves on her and drive Mia and Lilly apart. I mean, I have my issues with Lilly, but who the hell does this guy think he is?! And why doesn't Mia or Tina see it? Oh wait. Tina does see it. Someone needs to hit Mia upside the head with a frying pan and knock some sense into her.

Ok. Now that I've finished the book, and this is the last in the series so far, I definitely have some thoughts for the spoiler page. Look for them tomorrow.

Update: Here are my thoughts on the ending.

45 Hours, 10 Minutes

Hours read/blogging: 39 hours, 10 minutes

Number of books read: 18

Number of pages read: 4025

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Princess on the Brink Meg Cabot

Michael has invented a robot that will do heart surgery without having to crack open someone's chest. Only he had to go to JAPAN for OVER A YEAR to get it up and running. He needs to prove to the world and to Mia's family that he's worthy of a princess. It's his quest, but Mia's not handling it well... especially when he tells her that he's sick of cold showers so not being around her all the time without doing IT might make his life a little easier.

So maybe it's time to give him her Precious Gift (just the fact she calls it that shows she's so not ready yet) and then he'll change his mind and stay in New York.

I hate J.P.-- I'll add thoughts on this later if still necessary after reading the next book...

update: See my thoughts after my review of Princess Mia.

42 hours and a half (I think--my math is getting fuzy)

Hours read/blogging: 36 and a half (Again, with the fuzzy math)

Number of books read: 17

Number of pages read: 3787

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Valentine Princess Meg Cabot

So this is a short one AND a flash back to Mia and Michael's first Valentine's Day. Mia's all excited because she has a Valentine, except Michael doesn't believe in the Hallmark Corporate holiday... alas.

A confusing flap copy error-- it says that Boris would declare his love for Tina, which would have made this make no sense. But, in the book, he declares it for Lilly, who is the girl he was dating at the time.

And we finally get the lyrics to "Tall Drink of Water"

42 hours-ish

Hours read/blogging: a little under 36

Number of books read: 16

Number of pages read: 3701

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Sweet Sixteen Princess Meg Cabot

Another short one-off type vignette-y type book. This time it's Mia's birthday. After last year, she doesn't want a party, just a nice night out with Michael. Only Grandmere has something planned. Something big. Something that will appear on a special episode of MTV's My Sweet ROYAL Sixteen. And Lilly isn't taking Mia's side. Yes Lilly and Grandmere-- they're the Snape/Malfoy of the Muggle world. Only without the capes.

I love Mia's voice.

I love Meg Cabot.

I actually really like these little short installments of Mia's diary...

41 Hours

Hours read/blogging: 35 hours

Number of books read: 15

Number of pages read: 3619

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Party Princess Meg Cabot

This one took me forever to read-- the lack of sleep started getting to me until I made another pot of coffee. Anyway!

Mia's student government is out of money 3 months before the end of the school year--which means they can't rent the graduation hall. Whoops. So, in order to raise the money without having to sell candles, schemes are put into motion. Lilly has a lit mag that she's calling Fat Louie's Pink Butthole, of all things. And Grandmere has written a musical about Genovian history and forcing Mia to play the lead.

And Michael's throwing a party. So he invited Mia (duh, girlfriend) but Mia's not a party girl and doesn't want to go. Whinge whinge whinge.

Ok-- WTF is with Mia moaning on about this party? SUCK IT UP. Michael would for you. Dude. It's 1 party on 1 night. I could understand if she were freaking out about what to wear or even the how to act aspect, but no, she just straight up doesn't want to go and is moaning about that.

Also, you can't Netscape something. Netscape is a browser, not a search engine, so you can't force it into being a verb, like we've made Google a verb. Because Google is a search engine, so you can look things up with it. You can access Google via Netscape, but you can't check Netscape for something. Ergh.

BUT! I love that Hermione and Ron are on Mia's list of couples you'd hate to see break up. Especially because this came out in 2006, before they were ever officially together. Even though we all knew it was coming. Even if Ron does have the emotional range of a teaspoon!

Ok-- 7 hours left...

38 Hours

Hours read/blogging: 32 hours

Number of books read: 14

Number of pages read: 3313

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

A Princess Diaries Book Meg Cabot

It's Christmas in Genovia! Only Lilly, Michael, and half of Europe's royalty are going to be there. Because when activist Lilly has to put up with royals and court protocol, what's the worst that can happen? 2 words: Strip Bowling. Also, a nice nod to O. Henry.

I really liked this. It's nice to see Mia having to be all royal and Lilly actually seeing what being Princess is all about--not as much as the usual teen angst. I mean, Mia is Mia, but she's angsty about different things than normal teens in this short vignette, so it's a bit refreshing.

34 Hours, 20 Minutes

Hours read/blogging: 28 hours, 25 minutes

Number of books read: 12

Number of pages read: 2934

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Well, I'm not going to beat Midwestern Lodestar in books or page count (I must learn her secrets!) but maybe in hours? Let's not talk about how much coffee I've had to drink already... plus I've seen 2 sunrises this weekend... Anyway...

Princess in Pink Meg Cabot

All Mia wants is to go to prom with Michael, so why hasn't he asked her? Because he thinks prom is lame and doesn't want to go!!! Then, at her birthday dinner, a busboy trips over Rommel and gets fired for dumping soup over Grandmere. Lilly takes up the cause of the unjust firing, but then ends up choosing Jangbu (the busboy) over Boris (boyfriend of 8 months) for a rousing round of 7 Minutes in Heaven. And things go from bad to worse as the the busboys go on strike and most of New York's service unions join them... meaning it doesn't matter what Michael thinks about prom, as it's been canceled and everyone blames Mia.

Still funny! And this volume is still filled with the same self-constructed drama that wouldn't be an issue if Mia weren't so... 15. But there are some bigger things Mia has to deal with that don't have an easy out that her neuroses won't let her see.

Also, it's nice to see that sticking a spatula down your best friend's throat during a frosting-related fight is a recurring event in Cabot's books. (Also happened in the opening chapter of Allie Finkle. In this case, it's Mia remembering a fight she had with Lilly when they were kids.) Also Lilly... I don't know how I feel about her... she has a lot of negatives, and I'm not sure we've seen enough of her positives to balance those out yet...

31 hours, 50 minutes

Hours read/blogging: 26 hours, 35 minutes

Number of books read: 11

Number of pages read: 2659

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Project Princess Meg Cabot

A short little vignette of a book about Mia's G/T plus a few students' trip to West Virginia for to build houses for a Habitat for Humanity-esque organization. Plus, Mia gets 5 whole days without her parents, Grandmere, or Michael's parents to always be around. Now, if only she weren't so sleepy and smelly...

Cute and short. I can see where this would be a nice volume to hold fans over while waiting for the next full-length installment.

31 hours, 20 minutes

Hours read/blogging: 26 hours, 5 minutes

Number of books read: 10

Number of pages read: 2609

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Princess in Waiting Meg Cabot

I don't think I've mentioned this yet-- all these books start with a quotation from The Little Princess. It's awesome.

So... Mia's off to Genovia for Christmas, where she creates a minor political scandal when she starts saying that what they really need is parking meters. Also, she's trying to navigate her new relationship with Michael. Grandmere doesn't think he's the most suitable of consort, but if
Mia insists, she should at least play hard to get a la Jane Eyre. Now, there's one love affair I never understood. Had I not already known what was eventually going to happen, I would have been rather confused when they fell in love...

There's a lot of Mia-constructed does he love me or not drama. But you know it's a good book (or at least an engaging Character voice) when you don't mind reading 259 pages of whinging on about "does he love me like a friend or is he in love with me."

Also, I love the fact that Mia wears Queen Amidala underpants.

29 hours, 40 minutes

Hours read/blogging: 24 hours, 25 minutes

Number of books read: 9

Number of pages read: 2358

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Princess in Love Meg Cabot

Somehow Mia has ended up actually dating Kenny. And all of her friends have a boyfriend... and Mia has Kenny. Too bad she doesn't like like him. Nope, she still lurves Michael, who may have a girlfriend. Because that's bad enough, finals are approaching and when she goes to Genovia for Christmas, she has to address her subjects-to-be. Grandmere is insisting she wears a dress by a Genovian designer-- her distant cousin Sebastiano. (Who may be trying to kill her, as he's next in line for the throne if she's not in the picture. Only what he does might actually be worse.)

Ah... love. Hilarious still. I love Mia's voice.

26 Hours, 40 minutes

Hours read/blogging: 21 hours, 25 minutes

Number of books read: 8

Number of pages read: 2098

WARNING: I am reviewing series books. While this review contains no spoilers for this book, it probably contains spoilers for previous volumes in this series. It’s the nature of the beast.

Princess in the Spotlight Meg Cabot

So, Mia's now totally in love with Michael and completely oblivious that he's in love with her too. Her mom's pregnant and getting married to Mr. G. And Grandmere wants to plan the wedding. And Mia's getting notes from a secret admirer that couldn't be Michael... could it?

More hilarity ensues. I CAN NOT believe I haven't read this sooner. No wonder Lauren stared at me all agog when I said I hadn't a few months ago. Why haven't you people told me sooner?!!!!

Off to read more!

24 Hours, 30 minutes

Hours read/blogging: 19 hours, 15 minutes

Number of books read: 7

Number of pages read: 1841

The Princess Diaries Meg Cabot

Basic gist is that Mia finds out that her father (who lives in the small principality of Genovia) is actually a prince. He can't have any more kids, so Mia is the only heir, so she has to learn how to be a princess from her icky grandma. Plus she's totally dorky and failing Algebra, despite the fact that her mom his dating her math teacher.

Angsty hilarity ensures.

So, I've seen most of the movie and this is pretty different. For one, Mia's dad is still alive. For two, her grandmother is no Julie Andrews, let me tell you. She's a chain-smoking side-caring drinking unsympathetic Dowager Princess. Damn Judy could have done that so well.

Meg Cabot is hilarious.

As part of her princess lessons, Mia has to write an essay on the 10 women she admires most. Woman number 8 is:

The Lady Cop I Once Saw give a truck driver a ticket for honking at a woman who was crossing the street (her skirt was kinda of short). The lady cop told the truck driver it was a no-honking zone, and then when he argued about it, she wrote him another ticket for arguing with an officer of the law.

On one hand, this is a pretty blatant abuse of power by the cops. On the other hand, I totally hope that this is based on something that Meg Cabot actually witnessed.

Anyway, I'm off to read more.