Leftovers

I loved everything about this book. The format really helped to emphasize the meaning of the book, the ending was awesome, and I loved being able to discover who the characters were talking to before it was revealed. I'd recommend this to anyone really.

This book was promoted as a sequel to Such A Pretty Girl, but I don't think it is. They both deal with tough issues in today's world, but that's where the similarities end. The characters, setting, and even perspective are different, which is nice. I don't think I could've read another book related to Such A Pretty Girl. Just reading that once was enough for me. Leftovers brings its own goods to the table and even though it's an extremely different type of narrative, I think it's just as good as the first book. The thing I liked best about it was the way it was told. The chapters alternate between who's telling the story and as they're telling the story, they are actually speaking into a recording device for a person who's revealed at the end. And even through that, they each have a different method of talking. One narrates as if you're actually her, and the other tells it like a diary. Those things helped to distinguish points of view and details of the plot which was quite handy because there are many little details to keep straight. This book is much more of a thinking and analyzing book than Such A Pretty Girl which was a refreshing difference. I also liked how the girls were down to earth, funny, and completely relatable, despite their terrible home lives and the horrible things they went through during the course of the story. They themselves were undeniably changed and as the reader, you got to be there to see them go through it. And the ending is flooring. I loved it so much. My one itsy bitsy complaint about this book was that I think the ages of the girls were a little bit unaccurate. I think, no I hope, girls who are in their freshman year of highschool wouldn't be going through the things that Blair and Ardith went through. But really, I don't know. The one thing I do know is that this is a seriously amazing book and it is a definite must read for any teenage girl of today. But as with the first book, beware of some explicit content.

I picked this book up on a whim from Borders. The cover actually drew me into it. I figured I'd give it a whirl. It was a pretty good book. I enjoyed the story line and even added the author's other book, 'Such a Pretty Girl' to my wish list. Who knows? Might like that one too!

Everyone overlooked the power that best friends have as a combined power. Blair and Ardith are from opposite lifestyles, but that is never an issue, until one night. Ardith has alcoholic parents who allow her brother and his friends to party at their house, so they can be seen as "cool". Blair is an only child. Her mother is not stopping until she becomes a judge. Blair's mom is all about appearences. Mom goes too far. The only person who actually sees them as who they are is Officer Dave. Read this book, then go back and read the beginning again. This is a book you just can't put down.

Have you ever felt alienated from the rest of the world? Have you spoken and known that nobody was listening? Have you ever screamed "No" and been ignored at every turn? Ardith and Blair have experienced all that and more. And now they have committed a despicable act of vengeance in an effort to make everything "right" again. Blair and Ardith are best friends. They are fifteen, in the ninth grade, and have miserable, though very different, home lives. Ardith lives in a party house. Her parents are nightly hosts to a group of drunken teenage boys. Without limits, the boys control the house and any female that dares to enter it. Not even Ardith is safe from their advances. Blair comes from an affluent family. Her parents are successful in their careers, have a new home, and are poised to rise through the local social and political ranks. Now her mother is making decisions to shape the family image; decisions that are wrenching Blair away from the those she loves most. In addition to their family problems, Blair and Ardith are now becoming victims of the school rumor mill and some very cruel classmates. How much can they be expected to tolerate? LEFTOVERS is a dramatic and disturbing story of two girls who have been pushed to great lengths. It is written in alternating points of view, as each girl describes the events that led them to a final, desperate act. LEFTOVERS is a captivating book that will keep you turning the pages. Reviewed by: JodiG.