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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
I loved this book, could not put it down! I can't wait to see the movie :)
Definitely more mature subject matter than a lot of YA. It was funny, clever, and the characters were realistic and engaging. I will absolutely read more from this author.
Definitely more mature subject matter than a lot of YA. It was funny, clever, and the characters were realistic and engaging. I will absolutely read more from this author.
I picked this up after reading about Kody (and being incredibly jealous of her) in an issue of Seventeen magazine. It took me awhile to get into it, but once I broke through, I was hooked. Definitely better than I expected and I hope to read some more of her work!
I don't usually read stand alone books or more realistic-fiction books, but after reading this I definitely will! This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, and I felt I was Bianca Piper every step of the way, especially when Wesley called her Duffy, because my last name is Duffy!
Kody Keplinger did an excellent job capturing the emotions of a seventeen-year-old girl, and Bianca's voice was quite hysterical at times. She seemed like any other girl struggling with insecurities, something I can relate to. I've felt like the Duff many times before, and I could almost feel like Bianca's story was my own journey.
The other characters were okay, though I didn't really like Bianca's Mom. I almost found myself irritated whenever she showed up, and I would flip ahead to see how much more time was spent with her. But I liked her Dad, I feel like he went through so much throughout the story. (for the most part, we all know about that OMG! moment)
Now for the love interest. I hated, HATED Wesley in the beginning, but who didn't? He was arrogant, mean, and a jerk, and I just despised him. But as the book wound on, we got to see the softer side of him.
Spoiler
When Wesley hit her Dad, I was shocked, but that is a good guy. And the note... Wesley Rush doesn't chase girls, but I'm chasing you... I died inside! And I kept re-reading the note with the roses over and over and over... It was so sweet!I loved this book and I will definitely be reading more books by Kody Keplinger in the future, well done!
[Disclaimer: Digital copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
I really enjoyed this book.
At first I was really frustrated by all the slut shaming that went on the novel but as the book went on this was addressed and it was acknowledged that you shouldn't judge someone else without knowing their story and their situation and I really liked that. I also had a real problem with Wesley constantly referring to Bianca as 'the DUFF' but again this was addressed directly with Wesley's character later in the book.
I love a book with a 'friends with benefits' or 'enemies with benefits' relationship as was the case here. I also totally enjoy secret relationships in books. So I enjoyed all those aspects to the story.
Overall I just thought this was a really enjoyable YA contemporary.
I really enjoyed this book.
At first I was really frustrated by all the slut shaming that went on the novel but as the book went on this was addressed and it was acknowledged that you shouldn't judge someone else without knowing their story and their situation and I really liked that. I also had a real problem with Wesley constantly referring to Bianca as 'the DUFF' but again this was addressed directly with Wesley's character later in the book.
I love a book with a 'friends with benefits' or 'enemies with benefits' relationship as was the case here. I also totally enjoy secret relationships in books. So I enjoyed all those aspects to the story.
Overall I just thought this was a really enjoyable YA contemporary.
I could write an entire essay on this book – and seeing how college applications are coming up, I probably will. The first time I read this book was when my aunt picked me up early from school because I was sick. Reading has always been something I like to do when I'm only a bit sick so I decided to snuggle in with this book and a pint of Ben and Jerry's red velvet ice cream in hand. I read it in one sitting whilst I ate and it was nothing like I expected. I proceeded to watch the movie and had a whole body cringe at the experience and I was done. It was a good book, nothing too special.
Then, last summer I read it again. Without the goggles of sickness I saw the true beauty of this book. The subtle innuendos, the complexity and articulate mingling of friendship, family, and romance, and its light-hearted nature struck me. The book deals with so many complex topics in a way that is not obvious and requires (at least in my case) a second reading. Bianca is the perfect cynical and honest narrator and her thoughts carry a vulnerability that allows you to relate to her emotional turmoil and her slightly misled way of dealing with stress. Keplinger's true gift is the unspoken understanding she is able to create between the reader and Bianca. Although the book can be interpreted in a shallow manner, it can also be understood for its complex subject matter. "The DUFF" is a dual-faced book – depending on your mood you can have a fluffy romance or a heart-felt book about a character's familial problems and how she struggles to deal with them whilst dealing with minute teenage drama. Besides this it also offers a dash of romance that completes a kaleidoscope of drama.
I can't tell you how many times I've read this book, but I'm still surprised and captivated every time I read it. Whenever my head hurts or I've had a bad day I can trust this book to clear my head and wrap me into the world of Hamilton High and Bianca's journey to realize she isn't alone. It's a book I believe everyone should read at least once and I will continue to read it for years to come.
Then, last summer I read it again. Without the goggles of sickness I saw the true beauty of this book. The subtle innuendos, the complexity and articulate mingling of friendship, family, and romance, and its light-hearted nature struck me. The book deals with so many complex topics in a way that is not obvious and requires (at least in my case) a second reading. Bianca is the perfect cynical and honest narrator and her thoughts carry a vulnerability that allows you to relate to her emotional turmoil and her slightly misled way of dealing with stress. Keplinger's true gift is the unspoken understanding she is able to create between the reader and Bianca. Although the book can be interpreted in a shallow manner, it can also be understood for its complex subject matter. "The DUFF" is a dual-faced book – depending on your mood you can have a fluffy romance or a heart-felt book about a character's familial problems and how she struggles to deal with them whilst dealing with minute teenage drama. Besides this it also offers a dash of romance that completes a kaleidoscope of drama.
I can't tell you how many times I've read this book, but I'm still surprised and captivated every time I read it. Whenever my head hurts or I've had a bad day I can trust this book to clear my head and wrap me into the world of Hamilton High and Bianca's journey to realize she isn't alone. It's a book I believe everyone should read at least once and I will continue to read it for years to come.
First of all, The DUFF was written by a 17 year old girl. That's so unfair cool. ;) I gave the book 3 stars; it's a quick, easy read and I enjoyed it. Bianca and her 2 best friends are going along in their lives happily, until the resident hottie, Wesley Rush, mentions to Bianca that she's the DUFF in their little group. What's a DUFF, you ask? Designated Ugly Fat Friend. Yeah. Kind of harsh. As I'm sure you all know, words can hurt.
Calling Vikki a slut or a whore was just like calling somebody the Duff. It was insulting and hurtful, and it was one of those titles that just fed off the inner fear every girl must have from time to time. Slut, bitch, prude, tease, ditz. They were all the same. Every girl felt like one of these sexist labels described her at some point.
Of course, Bianca is pissed and hates Wesley even more than she already did. Until she doesn't...hate him, that is. You know how it goes: you think about someone so much in anger, then all of a sudden, you're just thinking about them period. So what does she do? She sleeps with him. Yeah, that's smart. And that's where the book and movie start to differ, in a huge plot-changing way. (And big spoilers after this!)
In the book, Bianca & Wesley "hook up" a LOT, which surprised me a little. You don't see that very often in a young adult book and I suppose that's why they took it out of the movie. I can't say that I agree with their reasons for removing that plot though, it's not look teens don't know it's happening. Anyway, the other main difference was the relationship between Bianca and her parents. In the book, her dad is the one who is around, and despite their many problems, I really wanted to see that on the screen. So, as much as I love Allison Janney, I was pretty disappointed by that part of the movie. The additions to the movie (the mean girl, cyber-bullying, etc...) were all fine to me, as long as I didn't remember that it was a book lol. You really had to take these as 2 separate pieces, I think, to enjoy them. I really did like the movie and will probably buy it.
Check out my full Book vs Movie review at Give a Hoot Read a Book!
Calling Vikki a slut or a whore was just like calling somebody the Duff. It was insulting and hurtful, and it was one of those titles that just fed off the inner fear every girl must have from time to time. Slut, bitch, prude, tease, ditz. They were all the same. Every girl felt like one of these sexist labels described her at some point.
Of course, Bianca is pissed and hates Wesley even more than she already did. Until she doesn't...hate him, that is. You know how it goes: you think about someone so much in anger, then all of a sudden, you're just thinking about them period. So what does she do? She sleeps with him. Yeah, that's smart. And that's where the book and movie start to differ, in a huge plot-changing way. (And big spoilers after this!)
In the book, Bianca & Wesley "hook up" a LOT, which surprised me a little. You don't see that very often in a young adult book and I suppose that's why they took it out of the movie. I can't say that I agree with their reasons for removing that plot though, it's not look teens don't know it's happening. Anyway, the other main difference was the relationship between Bianca and her parents. In the book, her dad is the one who is around, and despite their many problems, I really wanted to see that on the screen. So, as much as I love Allison Janney, I was pretty disappointed by that part of the movie. The additions to the movie (the mean girl, cyber-bullying, etc...) were all fine to me, as long as I didn't remember that it was a book lol. You really had to take these as 2 separate pieces, I think, to enjoy them. I really did like the movie and will probably buy it.
Check out my full Book vs Movie review at Give a Hoot Read a Book!
I enjoyed this way more than I was expecting. The whole book was entertaining, and I never got bored. The characters were snarky and hilarious. Sure, it was written a little childishly, but I didn't really mind it. The one major thing that bugged me was the use of politically incorrect terms/phrases that I found offensive, but to be fair, most teenagers these days say things like that. Overall, though, I really really liked this and hopefully I'll be able to see the movie while it is still in theaters.
I was skeptical when I began this book, because from the very start it is all too obvious that this book was written by a teenager. Every thought and emotion is spelled out and described, and we are certainly told more than we are shown about the supporting characters. (If a character is bubbly don't have the narrator tell me that she's bubbly, show me that she is, through her actions and words!) However, as the story progressed I became less concerned about the utterly teenage voice (and, after all, the narrator IS a teenager) as I found myself more and more wrapped up in the plot and in the main character's choices.
I love, love, LOVED that this book features a main character who feels that she is "the Duff" and, even more than that, I loved that although there's romance aplenty in this YA novel, this is not a makeover story. Bianca, our protagonist, does not slim her average-sized body down, change her unmanageable hair, or adopt a new style of dress - she remains true to herself, and I was so happy to see that. Although I'm sure many out there will disagree, I also loved this book's frank and honest attitudes toward sex and sexuality. I'd certainly recommend this book for older teens, but I was thrilled to see smart, responsible teenagers who still do the things teenagers do.
Did I find the way some characters personalities drastically altered to be unrealistic? Yes. Did I find the resolution of the novel sudden and rushed after so much longing and debating? Absolutely. But for those who are looking for a smart, strong, normal teenage narrator and a fun (and occasionally steamy) romance with some thoughtfulness on the side - you absolutely can't go wrong with "the DUFF".
I love, love, LOVED that this book features a main character who feels that she is "the Duff" and, even more than that, I loved that although there's romance aplenty in this YA novel, this is not a makeover story. Bianca, our protagonist, does not slim her average-sized body down, change her unmanageable hair, or adopt a new style of dress - she remains true to herself, and I was so happy to see that. Although I'm sure many out there will disagree, I also loved this book's frank and honest attitudes toward sex and sexuality. I'd certainly recommend this book for older teens, but I was thrilled to see smart, responsible teenagers who still do the things teenagers do.
Did I find the way some characters personalities drastically altered to be unrealistic? Yes. Did I find the resolution of the novel sudden and rushed after so much longing and debating? Absolutely. But for those who are looking for a smart, strong, normal teenage narrator and a fun (and occasionally steamy) romance with some thoughtfulness on the side - you absolutely can't go wrong with "the DUFF".
The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Poppy, 2010
277 pages
YA; Contemporary; Romance
4/5 stars
Source: Won
Summary: Although one of Bianca and Wesley's first interactions is him calling her "the Duff," she is soon kissing him and she can't seem to stop as her family life crumbles.
Thoughts: First, I think that I just wrote a spectacularly concise summary! Anyway, review!
I really liked Bianca; she is snarky and cynical and funny. Then her home life starts crumbling and she seeks solace in the arms of a really hot boy. Speaking of home, her parents could have had a bit more depth but I liked that they weren't completely sucky and that she cared about them. Her friends were also pretty good characters as they revealed more depth and renegotiated their friendship.
As to the boy: Wesley=hot. Their scenes together=hot. Wesley=opening up and sharing his feelings and listening to Bianca=hot. All good.
Now the ending did come together too fast, in like eight pages, but I didn't really mind.
Warning: Language and sexual situations that might make some readers uncomfortable.
Overall: Wonderful-excited to see what Keplinger comes up with next!
Cover: I don't know about the gum; I get that something else needed to be on the cover but I don't like it. It's not like Bianca had a gum-chewing habit.
Poppy, 2010
277 pages
YA; Contemporary; Romance
4/5 stars
Source: Won
Summary: Although one of Bianca and Wesley's first interactions is him calling her "the Duff," she is soon kissing him and she can't seem to stop as her family life crumbles.
Thoughts: First, I think that I just wrote a spectacularly concise summary! Anyway, review!
I really liked Bianca; she is snarky and cynical and funny. Then her home life starts crumbling and she seeks solace in the arms of a really hot boy. Speaking of home, her parents could have had a bit more depth but I liked that they weren't completely sucky and that she cared about them. Her friends were also pretty good characters as they revealed more depth and renegotiated their friendship.
As to the boy: Wesley=hot. Their scenes together=hot. Wesley=opening up and sharing his feelings and listening to Bianca=hot. All good.
Now the ending did come together too fast, in like eight pages, but I didn't really mind.
Warning: Language and sexual situations that might make some readers uncomfortable.
Overall: Wonderful-excited to see what Keplinger comes up with next!
Cover: I don't know about the gum; I get that something else needed to be on the cover but I don't like it. It's not like Bianca had a gum-chewing habit.