Vegan Virgin Valentine

Another novel from Mackler (The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things), that shows she can create great characters. Mara Valentine is a type A personality. She's been accepted to a prestigious college and is competing for valedictorian with her ex-boyfriend. She's even got a part time job and everything seems to be going perfect. But then V, Mara's niece who is only a year younger than her, shows up and V and Mara couldn't be less alike. V smokes pot, is into acting, and hooks up with Mara's ex-boyfriend. But Mara is about to figure out who she really is and not who she thinks her parents want her to be. With a not-always-easy relationship with V, a new (and older) boyfriend, and lots of trial and error, Mara may just learn how to really live.

Mackler make some really good characters. I love Mara and V, and Mara's boyfriend too. I love the journey she takes and feel the tension. There is lots of conflict and lots of emotions and it was just a good story. It isn't how I would have resolved Mara's situation, but then I am very different from Mara and her decision is true to herself and the journey she takes throughout the novel.

The Earth, My Butt and other Big Round Things

Virginia's life is... complicated: She's the overweight, youngest child of a perfectly beautiful family, she fools around with a guy named Froggy and kind of likes him, but is afraid to act on that, because that's not what good fat girls do, her best friend has moved to the other side of the country, and she's obsessed with making lists. But then her brother is kicked out of Columbia for date rape. Her whole family is thrown off balance and Virginia must learn to deal with the family she always thought was perfect and never felt a part of. And hey, maybe she'll learn to love herself and maybe get a guy too.

Seriously, I doubt that summary does this book justice. Every girl should read this book. Not only does Mackler know how to create amazing characters and tell a good story, but if you're interested in the thought process of an overweight 15-year-old, this is your Bible. As a character, Virginia could have easily been a pathetic, self-obsessed fat girl, but she's not. She's a real person and she learns how to stand up for herself. This book has such a great message, but it is also an enjoyable, well-told story.