I have, currently sitting beside me, ‘The Worst Things in Life are Also Free’ and ‘Let’s Pretend This Never Happened’ so those are the two that will get my focus today. They’re written and illustrated by the mc, Jamie Kelly, but there’s a distinct possibility that Jim Benton sneaked a peak inside her diary.  Here’s the cover for the first in the series:

I don’t remember what prompted my first picking up these books.  I mean, I’m clearly not the intended audience, so what pulled me in?  Maybe it’s the bright purple and pink covers, and my inner girlie that never gets a chance to speak.  They conspired together and pushed my hand out to pick up the book.  Maybe really the books are part of a plot by Jamie Kelly to take over the universe, one reader at a time, and the titles, if read backwards, would say ‘You Cannot Resist This book’ and ‘Read Me, Then Write a Blog Spotlighting My Amazingness’.  If so, good thing I’m able to resist, eh?

Whatever the reason I picked them up, I took them home and kept reading because they are hilarious.  Like, drop-down-roll-around-then-lap-up-the-dirt funny.  And I like books that make me laugh.  But if that’s not enough for you, they’ve also got all kinds of insights.  Like, why you shouldn’t attempt to dye your hair a color it was never meant to be.  (unless it’s red, purple or pink–those are exempt)  Also, how karma can come back to save your hide in unexpected ways, so it really does pay to be nice.  Even when you don’t want to.  See how fabulous they are?  Even Apricot-kitty will like them, I feel almost sure.

“I don’t like them–I love them!  Finally, someone who actually understands dogs!  They should have names like Stinker, and there inherent ability to hold grudges and eat homework should be universally acknowledged.  Excuse me now, I have to take this girl’s diary to my cat chat club.”

I suddenly have an overwhelming urge to follow my cat.  Many thanks to Shannon for hosting these Marvelous Mondays!

Oh!  I just thought of another reason I might have picked these up–because I kept a [not so]faithful journal as a kid.  And truth, I keep one now–under lock and key.  What about you?  Do you pour out your secrets in the privacy of your uber-secret and totally forbidden journal, or do you prefer Facebook?

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