Book Review: "The Lolita Effect"

The Lolita Effect is basically a psychology/sociology book outlining the social fallacies surrounding the sexualization of girls today at younger and younger ages, fueled by the media perception, and yet all its implications seem to be lost on most people. This book outlines just how damaging this mindset is, as well as suggestions on how to help counter it. While by no means is it the end all cure for this problem, it's a good start. That said, most of the information in this book would have better fit as a website than a full book on the topic, where open discussions about the subject could be held. Nevertheless, it's sort of an interesting read if it's a hot-button topic with you. Rating this one 3 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: "The Boy Book (A Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques For Taming Them)"

The Boy Book (A Study of Behaviors, Plus Techniques For Taming Them) by E. Lockhart is the second book of the Ruby Oliver series. The girls are a little older in this story, but the drama still hasn't stopped -- or even really died down since the last school year. (Then again, does high school drama ever?) But now our Ruby isn't just pining away after one boy, oh no. Now there's about three. As you can imagine, her reputation can hardly handle such a thing at this point. And then there's the matter of still being a social leper carrying over from the previous year...

Far-fetched though some of the drama may sound, a lot of it seems to be spot on for being exactly how I remember high school drama working. It sounds ridiculous as soon as you're old enough to be past it, but while it's going on, it seems like your world is going to end because of these things happening. (Obviously, it doesn't really happen.) I think a lot of girls could relate to the sort of feelings that get deal with in this story, and with some of the tough decisions that have to be made here. Have to say, I'm already looking forward to seeing how the story future unfolds in the next book! :) Rating this one 4 out of 5 star.