Before I talk about the book, I want to mention its cover. When I first got a hold of this book, I recall thinking, "What in the world....". I liked how the title played off the artwork but the harshness of it was so jarring. The longer I started at the cover however, the more certain aspects came to focus (like her top for example); but all in all, I found this book a pleasant surprise to read. Pleasant because I didn't think I'd like this book at first to be entirely honest since I usually find it distracting when authors integrate another language into the text whilst not giving a clear translation. While I understand that its written in diary form--meaning it's personal and the writer shouldn't have to give translations--it would have been easier for me to read without stopping and finding out what some of the Spanish phrases meant (I'm that type of person who just has to know what's going on at all times unfortunately). Other than that, I immensely enjoyed reading Gabi's story because she reminded me SO MUCH about myself back when I was in high school (and even now in some situations).
Gabi's mother for example is a mirror image of my own mother. I cannot stress the amount of times my mother beat the notion "sex AFTER marriage" into my head when she herself had me at the ripe age of twenty--unmarried. Though my parents got married during her pregnancy, I laugh at her hypocrisy. It doesn't stop there however, like for Gabi, maintaining a "perfect" body (i.e flat stomach, non-jiggly thighs & arms, one chin etc) is also of dire importance for my mother; and just like her mother, my own wasn't in the best shape either (sorry Mom!). I'm sure my mother means well but some of the things she says when I'm caught, let's say eating ice cream straight from the carton....harsh. Love her but it can be tricky at times.
Overall, reading Gabi's diary entries was a hoot! While there were some downs, her father's drug addiction, family troubles/dysfunctions and problems in her social life, I found them all to be entirely relatable for readers. Though I've never personally had to deal with some of the troubles Gabi faced with her father or social life, I know other readers (younger than myself) can find solace in her entries.
Grade: A
Gabi's mother for example is a mirror image of my own mother. I cannot stress the amount of times my mother beat the notion "sex AFTER marriage" into my head when she herself had me at the ripe age of twenty--unmarried. Though my parents got married during her pregnancy, I laugh at her hypocrisy. It doesn't stop there however, like for Gabi, maintaining a "perfect" body (i.e flat stomach, non-jiggly thighs & arms, one chin etc) is also of dire importance for my mother; and just like her mother, my own wasn't in the best shape either (sorry Mom!). I'm sure my mother means well but some of the things she says when I'm caught, let's say eating ice cream straight from the carton....harsh. Love her but it can be tricky at times.
Overall, reading Gabi's diary entries was a hoot! While there were some downs, her father's drug addiction, family troubles/dysfunctions and problems in her social life, I found them all to be entirely relatable for readers. Though I've never personally had to deal with some of the troubles Gabi faced with her father or social life, I know other readers (younger than myself) can find solace in her entries.
Grade: A
No comments:
Post a Comment