Princesses Don't Get Fat

A sweet story... Literally and figuratively speaking.

Princesses Don't Get Fat by Aya Ling

In today's society, young girls are often the target of vast and successful media campaigns. The power of a skinny body gracing the cover of Vogue is enough to make head-cases out of normal women, so what of a less equipped young girl with low self-esteem?

Princesses Don't Get Fat, by Aya Ling, addresses that question. I can't remember the last time I read a story where the book cover housed a less-than-perfect heroine. The cover is a telling supplement that sets the tone for the rest of the book.

The story cements its unique approach by changing the stereotypical, helpless princess-in-waiting. Every princess is allowed to find her own way in the world, including fighting off dragons and seeking indelible adventure. The food obsessed, plump Princess Valeria has become a great consternation to her mother, the Queen of Amaranta; who is distressed at Valeria's lack of self-restraint and burgeoning waist-line. In order to circumvent further weight gain and find the Princess a husband, the Queen decides to send her off to the Royal Riviera Academy of Fighting Arts.

Though Valeria has the option of changing herself to fit worldly aesthetics, she chooses not to. She chooses desserts over finding a handsome prince, and decides to forego the life of an estimable royal marriage. Regardless of where she find herself, Princess Valeria is always true to her own wants and needs. She doesn't mask them into a ball of shame, or find the need to hide her deepest desires. Perhaps that is the reason that love does not elude her completely; as she encounters Prince Ralph, who becomes drawn to Valeria's nightly jaunts to the palace kitchens.

Aya Ling has created a fun, uplifting story that encourages young women to find their own paths in life. It's okay to go against the grain, to decide your own fate regardless of social pressures. We are also reminded that as parents and responsible members of society, we should motivate and support the decisions of our youths.

Whupped

I honestly don't know what I was expecting when I read this book.

I began to read it when my husband and son were laughing away in the bath like little monkeys, most likely creating a fair-sized pond on the bathroom floor.

It was all down hill from there.

Whupped by Jim Stevens

Yes, it was hilarious. Please understand, this book is no feat of literary mastery.

Jim Stevens made it something quite special. The narration differs from one chapter to the next. Every character gets his or her chance to tell things from his or her point of view. That alone would normally distract and annoy me, but it worked for this particular book.

The story revolves around Jake Dombrowski, a dependable, loyal, hard-working man who always looks for ways to save money. Jake is absolutely enamored with his beautiful, spoiled, money-wasting fiancee, Alyssa Walworth. Their values couldn't be more at odds. As a matter of fact, Alyssa practically hemorrhages money by planning a five-star, over the top wedding with no regard to Jake's feelings.

Enter the Groomsmen, Gideon and Conrad, Jake's best friends from childhood. They devise an outrageous plan to save their clueless buddy from Alyssa's calculating grasp. Jake is subjected to a number of absurd, knee-slapping situations that not only makes the reader feel sympathy for his plight, but lends assurance to the stability of genuine friendship.

I don't think this book would appeal to a large group of women. Though the story of boys who grow up together and look out for each other is touching, the writing is bawdy and, at times, brutal. It is a hard boiled male approach to romance writing. Definitely an interesting perspective.