I had never heard of this book before yesterday. But, after debating for 20 minutes, I'm glad I decided to finally buy it.
How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller starts out with a normal 14-year-old girl who is just trying to survive her freshman year of high school. She has the usual popular girls who pick on her. ("Nice outfit...if you're color blind!") She has a crush who doesn't notice her. And just when she is convinced that her life can never change, it does.
Jamie is assigned an essay for her English class. After finishing, she decides to clear her mind by writing a journal entry. Too bad. She accidentally submits her journal entry instead of her essay to her English teacher.
And that's how a normal 14-year-old girl with a B+ in English gets her big break.
Sure, the plot may be a bit unrealistic, but it is an incredible book. I finished it in one day, causing my parents to raise their eyebrows. "Since when do you like reading?” they asked. I don't like reading, I like writing.
I think one of my favorite parts of the book is the fact that a 14-year-old girl managed to get a book published. I guess you can say that has always been one of my secret dreams. Although I doubt something like this would ever happen, especially to me, it's very cool to read about it, even if it is fiction.
Meg Cabot, author of the Princess Diaries series, said the book was "Wonderful fun! Aspiring novelists will love it." I think that Meg was exactly right. In fact, that was one of the major reasons I decided to read this book. I love to write. I'm actually inspired to start keeping a journal.
That is the main reason I liked the book but I think that people who don't even like writing would like the book. It appeals to a lot of different people. One of the main themes is that the popular people will not prevail. Ever.
The book that Jamie ends up publishing is about a superhero (IS), who defeats the evil clique of populars including Myrna (The Queen Bee), The Backstabbor, The Gossipor, The Insultor, The Fashionistor, The Ostracizor, The Dietor, and The Betrayor. I'm sure almost all girls my age have experienced encounters with one of these "evil villains." One by one, an evil villain falls and IS gets closer to her goal. Sometimes I wish that people like this at high school would fall so my life would be much better.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
Great review! You're a writer, no doubt about it.
2 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
3 - Howard Dratch
Good work. Excellent that it is being recognized by Phillip and Natalie and Advance.
4 - Maddy
UPDATE: This book is becoming a movie called Read it and Weep. The movie stars Kay Panabaker (Nikki from Summerland) and is due out on Disney Channel next month.
5 - Julia DeVillers
Yay! I'm so glad you liked my book... I predict someday yours will join mine on a bookshelf somewhere.
6 - Vicky Middlekauff
You captured how I felt about the book... I agree with Ms. DeVillers, your book will be on my shelf someday! I just hope mine will end up on yours...
And for everyone who burst into tears when they saw a preview for "Read it and Weep", you are not alone.
7 - AJ
That was an awesome review! I am reading the book right now, and it is better than the movie, so far!
8 - jojo
u r definatly going 2 b a writer!
9 - Nicole
I read this book about a month ago, and when I read your review, I thought you described it perfectly. You are definitely going to be a great author someday, and who knows? Maybe you'll be inspiring young girls to start writing, too! It is also one of my dreams to become an author, but that's probably not going to happen seeing as there are so many people my age who are much better than I am. Good luck with your writing career! WOW! Even Julia DeVillers commented on your review! You ARE an aspiring author, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
10 - Young Lioness
Great piece of work. I hope you will be a successfull writer XxX
11 - Jenny
I watched the movie Read it and Weep now I want the book!!! Great movie and by the sounds of it great book!!
12 - Sian
Hiya i loved the movie 'read it and weep' it was brill i am pestering my mum for the book and i started to write my own book a liitle bit like yours (but im not copying i promise )! Its called The Story Of Ella E.L for short thank you so much you have really inspired me!
sian
x x x x
13 - mina gerges
That was a super cool review, i watched the movie read it and weep too and i got the book thanx 2 u! I loved the movie and the book more. I wanna b an author too! Lets hope we both be successful along with Nicole. I wanna write a review like that someday too! Good Luck!
14 - Tara-Mae
OMG the best book i have ever read and i hate reading! lol! my friend, Marissa actually told me about the book--i guess her uncle is really close to Julia DeVillers, and dated her at some time! I think that's so cool!
15 - mony
I had to do a book review on my Fav book 4 school and i'm Like i know what book i'm doing!!!!
16 - mony
Can u guess????
17 - mony
J DeVillers rox my sox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18 - khareen
i've also watched the movie..
read it and weep..
and now i also want to buy a book,,..
its so nice..
i hope that i get the chance to read it..
19 - Dayna
My best friend recommended me this book and I didn't read it yet but I know it's going to be awesome for sure!
20 - Amanda
i love the movie read it and weep and now i want to buy the book - but i dunno where to buy it!! I hope there is an electronic book someday...