What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

So, if you look at some of my earlier (and ill-formatted and quite boring) blog entries, you'll notice that I am a fan of Sonya Sonnes. The first book of hers that I picked up was What My Mother Doesn't Know. And solely because of the title. As you can probably guess, What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know is the sequel.

It picks up after Sophie's decision to publicly date Robin. What is different about this novel in verse, is that it is from Robin's point of view. It's fascinating. He loves being with her, but he's broken hearted for her because she has become just as much of an outcast as he has always been and he hates seeing her friendless. When one of her bestfriends does eventually come around it completely changes their relationship. Not that she likes him any less, but before that moment it had only been the two of them against the world.

Robin also starts going to a college art class, where he suddenly finds himself "cool". As he struggles to make things right with Sophie, he finds himself sought after by a girl in his art class. He has a sort of romance with her, but he loves Sophie and ends it with her. He kisses her goodbye and ends it once and for all (they never went very far to begin with), but as he turns around, Sophie just happens to be standing in the street.

At the end they kind of make up and we think they have the potential to still be together. It wasn't a very satisfying ending and even though I loved (LOVED) reading it, I just can't shake that there is more to this story. They get in a fight so close to the end of the book that I never felt satisfied with how it was resolved. Hopefully there will be a third. If there is, at least one person will buy it.

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

I loved this book! But not as much as What My Mother Doesn't Know. Still... fantastic. Although, I did set it down on a burner while I was cooking and almost burned my apartment down. Oops.

Summary: Ruby's mother has just died of cancer, so now she is in California living with her movie-star father... the one that never bothered to see her or speak to her ever, in her whole life. Her whole life is going down the toilet, especially when her boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend. Will she ever be able to forgive her father, get over her mother's death and get on with her life?

Other: This book is both sad and wonderfully happy. I loved the whole thing and I can't wait to read other novels of poetry by Sonya Sones.

Favorite Parts:
1. Ruby walks through the school sprinklers by accident... and she's not wearing a bra.
2. Ruby finds out the truth about her father, awww....
3. Ruby has a dream that saves her life.
4. Ruby writes e-mails to her mother (heart wrenching).
5. Ruby and her best friend make up.
6. Also, I like the poem about why Ruby is waiting to have sex. Amazing.

What My Mother Doesn't Know

This is a novel expertly told through poems. It was entrancing. I read it in one sitting, and the next day went to the library to get other books by this author.

Summary: The book follows Sophie after she breaks up with one boyfriend and starts dating a second. But she much watch herself because every time she's not paying attention she starts imagining herself kissing Murphy, the class loser.

Other: This book doesn't sound very deep, and I didn't expect it to. I had very low expectations for the plot because I didn't understand how a book of poems could tell a story. I was so surprised when I finished the book. The plot is great, it talks about about boys, and feelings, and problems and home. There's a lot here, and I wouldn't miss a word of it if I were you.

Favorite Parts:
1. Sophie goes on vacation at home, since her family isn't actually taking a vacation.
2. Murphy sends Sophie a post card.
3. Murphy finds Sophie skating and tells her that he doesn't care if she chooses popularity over him.
4. Sophie makes her choice.