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lauriestein's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this quite a bit and found the character interactions so believable that my belief in them transcended my lack of recognition of this high school social pecking order and my disbelief that only one dude at a Seattle-area high school would be into metal and classic rock. I'm almost disappointed there are sequels because I think the ending is one of the strongest things about it.
mbrandmaier's review against another edition
4.0
Sad, angsty. With a "best friend" like this Roo has, who needs enemies? I honestly wanted to hit that backstabber.
8bluebutterfly8's review against another edition
2.0
The book was okay but there was no real resolution at the end. I think the book would have been much better if in the end she makes up with at least some of her old friends or some of the guys. The book was also kinda boring at times, I feel like nothing really happened.
meghan111's review against another edition
4.0
I really like E. Lockhart. This book, set in Seattle, follows a girl who goes to a private high school and what happens when her ex-boyfriend and best friend start dating and her friends become angry with her. It's funny, and contains an odd insight into the Northwest: people here really like hot tubs.
Also, I hate when any young adult author transcribes an instant messaging conversation, complete with screen names and special vocabulary.
Also, I hate when any young adult author transcribes an instant messaging conversation, complete with screen names and special vocabulary.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
This story is a must read for all young teenage girls. Every single one of them will connect to Ruby and can learn something from her. It is a funny, romantic, and very realistic novel that is just overall so much fun to read.
yousrabushehri's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read such an honest book in such a long time. Definitely ordering the other books on the series.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
There are several YA titles that came out when my daughter was first born that I missed out on and I have wanted to read for ages. I decided that I should probably do something about that rather than just thinking about it. I started with The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart. I read the much acclaimed [b:The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks|1629601|The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks|E. Lockhart|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1313980820s/1629601.jpg|1623714] by Lockhart and had mixed feelings overall, but liked the writing so much that I really wanted to give one of her other books a go. This one I enjoyed oh so much.
But don't worry—Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists.
Ruby tells the convoluted and twisty story of how all of the above happened resulting in panic attacks and visits to a shrink. Lockhart walked a fine line with Ruby making her unique and genuine at the same time. Ruby has a distinct voice and personality. She becomes an actual person you are listening to as her story unfolds. At the same time she is a character that I believe the majority of teen girls (or women who remember) can identify with. The scenarios that play out in her story play out in thousands of schools, homes, parties, and dances across the country every day. The realism that Lockhart brings to these situations, not overly dramatizing them and not minimizing the importance of them, make the whole easy to relate to. Ruby's story is not the worst thing that has ever happened to a person, but it's not fun. Yet the way she tells it gives it a light feel.
Despite it's mostly light tone the book does explore serious themes. There is a lot that the book very subtly says about the way girls look at and treat each other, the culture that has a double standard for the way girls behave and boys behave, and how much a teenage girl defines herself in terms of how she is viewed in the eyes of those around her. I appreciate this all the more for how light and entertaining the book is. Lockhart did this with a deft hand, it is there but it she is not whacking anyone over the head with it. I can think of many teens I know who would enjoy this book and get so much out of it. (Boys and girls.) I also think it is one that is beneficial for parents to read. Just to remember what it's like. It's so easy to forget.
I liked the way this wrapped up so much that I'm a little hesitant to pick up the other books in the series. Not because I didn't love this book, but because I did. I probably won't be able to resist though.
There are several YA titles that came out when my daughter was first born that I missed out on and I have wanted to read for ages. I decided that I should probably do something about that rather than just thinking about it. I started with The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart. I read the much acclaimed [b:The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks|1629601|The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks|E. Lockhart|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1313980820s/1629601.jpg|1623714] by Lockhart and had mixed feelings overall, but liked the writing so much that I really wanted to give one of her other books a go. This one I enjoyed oh so much.
But don't worry—Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists.
Ruby tells the convoluted and twisty story of how all of the above happened resulting in panic attacks and visits to a shrink. Lockhart walked a fine line with Ruby making her unique and genuine at the same time. Ruby has a distinct voice and personality. She becomes an actual person you are listening to as her story unfolds. At the same time she is a character that I believe the majority of teen girls (or women who remember) can identify with. The scenarios that play out in her story play out in thousands of schools, homes, parties, and dances across the country every day. The realism that Lockhart brings to these situations, not overly dramatizing them and not minimizing the importance of them, make the whole easy to relate to. Ruby's story is not the worst thing that has ever happened to a person, but it's not fun. Yet the way she tells it gives it a light feel.
Despite it's mostly light tone the book does explore serious themes. There is a lot that the book very subtly says about the way girls look at and treat each other, the culture that has a double standard for the way girls behave and boys behave, and how much a teenage girl defines herself in terms of how she is viewed in the eyes of those around her. I appreciate this all the more for how light and entertaining the book is. Lockhart did this with a deft hand, it is there but it she is not whacking anyone over the head with it. I can think of many teens I know who would enjoy this book and get so much out of it. (Boys and girls.) I also think it is one that is beneficial for parents to read. Just to remember what it's like. It's so easy to forget.
I liked the way this wrapped up so much that I'm a little hesitant to pick up the other books in the series. Not because I didn't love this book, but because I did. I probably won't be able to resist though.
sdoyle's review against another edition
4.0
Read and re-read this series as a teen and I absolutely loved them. Use of footnotes throughout is still one of my favorite writing techniques. 15 years later, I’m really appreciating the therapist - teen dynamic reading it now as a therapist to teens myself. Can’t wait to re-read the next few!
moorealexa's review against another edition
3.0
this was soo cute! loved Ruby and loved her little look into life as a sixteen year old girl (aka the hardest thing in the world). also a nod to normalizing therapy in teenagers!! i think this would be perfect for young, teenage girls.