Saturday, August 29, 2009

What is Jen Calonita reading?

This weekend's featured contributor at Writers Read: Jen Calonita, author of the teen series Secrets of My Hollywood Life and the new novel Sleepaway Girls.

One book from her entry:
The Glamorous (Double) Life of Isabel Bookbinder: A Novel by Holly McQueen -- I tend to go for chicklit novels that will make me laugh out loud. I can't help it -- if it's light, funny and sweet, it's my type of book and this one by first-time author McQueen doesn't disappoint. It's about quirky girl named Isabel who dreams of being a successful author. Only problem? She hasn't written a single word yet. First she wants to perfect her author "look." Hilarious![read on]
Among the early reviews for Sleepaway Girls:
"After her best friend attaches herself to Samantha's first boyfriend, Sam is determined to spend her summer elsewhere. She ends up as a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines, where she gets to participate in all camp activities while assisting the counselors with the younger campers. By the end of the summer, Sam acquires an arch-enemy, as well as three best buds (the Sleepaway Girls) and a gorgeous boyfriend. Calonita offers a quintessential feel-good read, from Sam's earliest crush on the camp's gorgeous bad boy to her gradual realization that good men are the best boyfriends; from her initial jealous encounter with the camp director's daughter to their forced, uneasy truce; and from her early video postcards back home to her ultimate Sleepaway Girls testament to the camp season. The picture-perfect setting, the sweet little kids, the seductive freedom from parents, and the lure of adult-like responsibility make this the perfect read-alike to suggest to fans of Ann Brashares' Traveling Pants series."
--Frances Bradburn for Booklist
Learn more about the novel and the author's work at Jen Calonita's website.

Writers Read: Jen Calonita.

--Marshal Zeringue