How to Ruin My Teenage Life

So once again Simone Elkeles did it! I simply loved this book; You can find love, trouble,sometimes sadness, but always lots of laughter with Amy and the rest of the characters. I can wait to get my hands on the third book of the "How to ruin series" and actually ALL of her books!

A great spin-off from "How to Ruin My Summer Vacation," this book is another enjoyable page-turner from talented author Simone Elkeles. My sister, who has a disability, enjoys these books for the stories' humor, escapades, and realistic scenarios. Thanks, Ms. Elkeles!

I'm feeling a little tired today. Why? Because I reading HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE by Simone Elkeles. This book mesmerized me and kept me turning the pages well into the wee hours of the morning. Rarely a sequel lives up to the first book. HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE far surpasses in wit, humour, and charm. Amy is back in the United States after spending her summer in Israel. Being home presents a new set of problems and challenges. Her mother is pregnant with her new husband's baby while her father refuses to go on even one date and Amy worries he will never find true love. Her relationship with her non-boyfriend Avi, who is stuck in Israel for military training, confuses her, and her best friend Jess is having guy problems of her own. Not to mention her constantly farting dog who impregnates the neighbour's prized puppy. Amy's relationship with her father is one of my favourite parts of this book. Their dialogue flows much more easily and even though Amy signs him up for an online dating service without his permission, they seem closer than ever. Her dad even shows his over-protective side when her non-boyfriend Avi, shows up to surprise her. But how will Avi react when he hears that she kissed Nathan? Being a person who wants to fix everything, Amy is always trying to figure out how she can make her life better, but at the same time makes everything worse. Will she learn that it's okay that her life isn't perfect? HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE is filled with awkward moments that will make you laugh. You won't be able to put this one down, not even to sleep!

I really enjoyed 'How to Ruing a Summer Vacation,' but I LOVED this sequel. I was laughing so hard during the walkie-talkie incident that my family made me stop reading and explain. Amy's voice is wonderful. She's so crazy and fun that I look forward to turning the page to find out what happens next. (And it is never predictable.) I enjoyed the new characters that were brought in and was so glad when Avi came back into the picture. (for a while there I was getting worried.) Anyways, I highly recommend this book. I couldn't put it down.

Amy Nelson-Barak is back and better, and maybe a little crazier, than ever! When we last left Amy, she had traveled all the way to Israel for her summer vacation with her dad, arriving with very low expectations, only to come back with a whole new appreciation for her religion and culture. Now, Amy is back in Chicago, living with her mother in the suburbs and her mother's new husband. After her trip to Israel, Amy feels like a totally new person. She's beginning to embrace her religion and her father, she has her very own dog, Mutt, and a non-boyfriend, Avi, who is unfortunately in military training back in Israel. Unfortunately, this new Amy still has her drama and fair share of problems. Like how her mother just dropped the bomb that she and her husband, who by the way isn't too fond of dogs, are going to have a baby. Then there's that new guy in her building, Nathan, who for some unknown reason totally hates Amy and only sees her as this superficial Barbie. If only Amy didn't have this weird attraction toward him. Her friend, Jess, is having major problems with her new boyfriend, who is also Amy's ex-boyfriend, and her dad is becoming too wrapped up in his work, making it seem like he will be lonely forever. But can Amy deal with all of these problems without causing even more trouble? Or will her attempts at resolving these issues spiral out of control, making it worse for her relationship with a certain non-boyfriend who just might show up to surprise her? Sequels do not usually live up to the first book, but HOW TO RUIN MY TEENAGE LIFE certainly did. You just can't help but fall in love with Amy and laugh at her crazy attempts to solve her problems. Her relationship with her father is absolutely adorable, one that anyone would want to have, and the way she embraces her religion just makes us think how we should be proud of ours, as well. Exercising your mouth muscles is a must before reading this novel, since there will be a smile on your face throughout the entire book. Fans of the first book (How to Ruin a Summer Vacation) will not be disappointed with this wonderful follow-up. Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen