Reviews

What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold

mokey81's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

redrobot's review against another edition

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5.0

Amazing! Brutally honest, well-paced, leads to a resolution that feels earned and real, but it’s still uplifting. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

laellede's review against another edition

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5.0

Good: dark, important, edgy.

serru's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a raw and unflinching look at the experience of being a girl. Nina Faye is finally dating the boy that she has liked for years, and she will do anything to prove that she is "worthy" of him.

The author really wrote with such honesty that at times it was really painful to read about what Nina was going through, or even the things she was doing herself, the choices she made (however bad). But haven't we all been there at some point, desperately clinging to a guy because we wanted to be loved? I felt so bad for Nina but at the same time, I totally got where she's coming from so I couldn't help but like her. I also love the fact that the author wrote frankly about bodily functions-- gross but absolutely a part of the realities of life and growing up-- I love it when fiction refuses to gloss over this stuff.

The story is interspersed with bits of Nina's writing-- short stories about virgin martyrs and saints. They were kind of an interesting peek into Nina's head, but they didn't do that much for me. I thought the story was already great without these bits.

foxfirefly's review

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challenging dark inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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shoshin's review against another edition

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challenging emotional tense medium-paced

4.0

Slow to start. I almost gave up on it because Nina seemed like she had no personality aside from her obsession with her boyfriend. But it's a slow burn and Elana K. Arnold was, once again, making some very important points about women's experiences and lives.

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hey_yall's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

3.0

My favorite part of this book is the “Author’s Note”. 

ktbkitten's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

johnnymacaroni's review

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5.0

Wow. I have never read a more honest book in my life, adult books included. I wish I had read something like this as a teenager. I pretty much read it in one sitting with a brief sleep period in between (hello 4AM for no reason!) -it is just that compelling. In the author's note she says Nina may not be likable but I F-ing loved Nina! She is thoughtful and thoughtless and messy and stupid and smart - she is a real human girl! And honestly what she did ... wasn't so bad if you compare it to some of the mean things real life people do. Nina, you are going to be OK.

heathbc's review

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5.0

I so wish I read this book when I went through my first heartbreak in high school. I really related to the discussion on what women will do to try to "earn" a guy's love. And Arnold's afterward on this book was the perfect addition. Even now as a 26 year-old, I learned the value of being active in your own life rather than passively waiting for things to happen to you. It's a value you do see in books aimed towards young people, but for some reason, the way this novel expressed that value really reached me.