Ready to Become a Fan of... focuses on those authors new and old whose works I have every intention of eventually reading, but haven't been able to devote the time to just yet. By discussing authors and their works that I'm sure I'll love, given the chance, hopefully I can be more easily compelled to take the next step in not simply acquiring one of their books, but actually take the time to read it.
This month I'm putting on record that I am ready to become a fan of E. Lockhart.
About the author:
E. Lockhart is the author of We Were Liars, Fly on the Wall, Dramarama, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and the Ruby Oliver quartet: The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book, The Treasure Map of Boys, and Real Live Boyfriends. How to Be Bad was co-written with Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski.
Disreputable History was a Printz Award honor book, a finalist for the National Book Award, and recipient of the Cybils Award for best young adult novel. We Were Liars is a New York Times bestseller. (Taken from http://www.emilylockhart.com/bio)
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Frankie Landau-Banks at age 14:
Debate Club.
Her father’s “bunny rabbit.”
A mildly geeky girl attending a highly competitive boarding school.
Frankie Landau-Banks at age 15:
A knockout figure.
A sharp tongue.
A chip on her shoulder.
And a gorgeous new senior boyfriend: the supremely goofy, word-obsessed Matthew Livingston.
Frankie Laundau-Banks.
No longer the kind of girl to take “no” for an answer.
Especially when “no” means she’s excluded from her boyfriend’s all-male secret society.
Not when her ex boyfriend shows up in the strangest of places.
Not when she knows she’s smarter than any of them.
When she knows Matthew’s lying to her.
And when there are so many, many pranks to be done.
Frankie Landau-Banks, at age 16:
Possibly a criminal mastermind.
This is the story of how she got that way. (Goodreads)
Why this author & this work:
I bet you all were expecting me to pick We Were Liars. It’s a tempting introduction to Lockhart’s works for sure, given all the recent pre- and post-publication hype. And it does have an absolutely fascinating premise. But I’m going to stick to my guns and choose the book I most wanted to read ever since I first learned about Lockhart and her works of fiction.
In addition to the accolades that Lockhart herself lists for Disreputable History, the novel is also the recipient of honors from various states and national organizations. Not going to lie: if a book receives this much attention from the critics, I’m much more inclined to read it for myself.
Besides the impressive awards, however, what really excites me is the promise of a solid girl-empowerment story. Because, really, we can never have enough of those. Frankie sounds like the type of protagonist I can really get behind, even if I’m not sure I’ll be able to actually relate to her.
But I’ve heard great things about Lockhart’s works - and this one in particular - so I am very eager to finally give Disreputable History a try.
For those of you who've already read some of Lockhart's works, I'd appreciate hearing what you think about them. For those who also haven't read his works yet, let me know what's been holding you back!
Ready to Become a Fan of... is an original feature of Late Nights with Good Books.
The Disreputable History isn't the easiest of books to read or begin, but the payoff is so worth it. I also love Lockhart's Ruby Oliver Series and with the exception of her latest--We Were Liars--I've thoroughly enjoyed all her work, so I can't wait for you to begin her books! :)
ReplyDeleteI was introduced to Ruby Oliver by a friend not too long ago, but I immediately fell in love with Ruby oliver and ended up reading all the books in just 3 days. Since then, I wanted to read The Disreputable History. I've been thinking what's holding me from reading it? the answer ---------------------------- i don't know. I'm gonna make it a point to read it this summer. I've hearing great things about We were liars, eventually I'll be picking it up. :)
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