#popular: vintage wisdom for a modern geek

[twobrokegirlswithbooks]

booksforthoughts BPC: Popular

🎵I'll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair Everything that really counts to be— Popular, I'll help you be popular🎵

-Nerdy Panda

[readingbooksinisrael]

Title: Popular: Vintage Wisdom for the Modern Geek

Author: Maya Van Wagenen

Summary: Stuck at the bottom of the social ladder at pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren’t paid to be here,” Maya Van Wagenen decided to begin a unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s popularity guide, written by former teen model Betty Cornell. Can curlers, girdles, Vaseline, and a strand of pearls help Maya on her quest to be popular?

Review: When I got this book out of the library I thought it was fiction but I think I actually wouldn't have enjoyed it if it had been fiction. For the most part it was an enjoyable book. The end was kitschy, clearly trying to deliver a message, but the beginning and middle of the book were good. It was very well written for a diary memoir though it obviously had been edited heavily, which did make it seem sort of fiction. I do wish they had left in more bad moments because those had obviously been taken out but that was the author's choice. It also bothered me that she repeated multiple times that her little sister is autistic because that is spreading out someone's private medical information. I also really hope she changed everyone's names unless they gave her permission not to.

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐(2.5/5)

[beautifulpaxielreads]

October Wrap-Up

Books Completed (ratings out of five stars)

A sky painted gold by Laura Wood (reread, begun in September, ★★★★1/2)

Popular (a memoir): vintage wisdom for a modern geek by Maya Van Wagenen (begun in September, ★★★1/2)

Firekeeper’s daughter by Angeline Boulley (★★★★)

It’s not you, it’s me by Gabrielle Williams* (★★★)

The winner’s kiss (The Winner’s Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski (★★★1/2)

Books currently in progress

The library book by Susan Orlean

The inheritance games (The inheritance games #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Defy the night (Defy the night #1) by Brigid Kemmerer

Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie

Lives between the lines: a journey in search of the lost Levant by Michael Vatikiotis

*Australian author/s

Reflections on October and Goals for November

October was a mixed month for me in terms of reading. The last two books you see on my “in progress” list, I actually only started reading yesterday. The ones I was reading before that (A brief history of capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis and After Story by Larissa Behrendt) I DNF’d. Which was a shame, because the subject matter of both – I felt – were incredibly worthy and necessary.

I DNF’d Varoufakis’ book because despite its enlightening content, it was taking me far too long a time to read it, given it was only about 200 pages. And with After Story, I could tell was an important read by First Nations Australian woman Larissa Behrendt, but the diary-entry style format made it a chore to get through. And given that I have many books on my ever-growing TBR, I was pretty keen to get to them. So that’s how the cookie crumbled, I’m afraid to say.

· I went on a bit of a book-buying spree in October, so much so that I have promised myself not to buy any more until I have got through a decent chunk of the unread ones I have on my shelf already. And I’m going to stick to that promise. Hopefully.

My favourite book this month – aside from my reread of A Sky Painted Gold (as brilliant as ever, btw) – had to be Firekeeper’s Daughter. It was a great insight into a culture I know so little about (First Nations Americans). Least favourite was probably It’s Not You, It’s Me. I read it really quickly and the concept was great, but I think it was too fast-paced for me to take much in.

My chief goal for November is to finish the books on my “in progress” list. If I can do that before the end of the month, then I’ll be tantalisingly close to hitting my goal of 65 books read this year. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Other than the above, I’ll just keep making my way through my TBR.

That will do for now, I’ll see you in December for my November wrap-up. Until then, stay safe and happy reading!

[the--art--of--reading]

book review | Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card

Author: Sara Saedi

Genre: memoir/biography, YA, nonfic

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is my second reading of Americanized and I came back because I couldn't get over the fact that a book about Immigrant Kid experiences could be so relatable and entertaining. Saedi gives readers and intimate into her teenage years and readers will laugh and cry along with her as she recounts everything from failed crushes to cherished family memories. What made this novel even sweeter is that Saedi not only recounts, but she reflects. She is not afraid to admit her shortcomings and regrets, making this book all the more refreshing.

Read on for the review :)

The overarching premise of this book is her family's tumultuous struggle with the immigration system. Their journey is something that will speak to readers who are in the same boat and will also help those who haven't had such an experience to sympathize. Her voice is witty and wonderfully snarky at times, making for a thoroughly entertaining read. This book is also interspersed with Saedi's take on common misconceptions about Iranian culture along with explainers about the US immigration system, original photos, and entries from her high school diaries further adding flavor to an already lively novel. Since this is a biography, I cannot comment on things such as plot or character development, but I can rate this book on its presentation. Saedi is an excellent writer who is able to convey honesty and introspection in a way that still allows her personality to shine through. There are definitely some adult themes in this, but I think Saedi's experiences will reflect what the many in the target audience (14-17) might also be going through. Readers looking for relatable, humorous content in a format that's fresh shouldn't hesitate to pick this up. Some similar novels would be Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek (memoir format, similar witty and honest voice), Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (memoir partially taking place during Islamic Revolution in Iran), and Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (wonderful insight into Persian culture and family dynamics).

[supsorurta631093-blog]

list of non fiction books for teens : Popular | Teen

Listen to Popular new releases list of non fiction books for teens on your iPhone, iPad, or Android. Get any Teen BOOKS AUDIO FREE during your Free Trial

Written By: Maya Van Wagenen Narrated By: Lee Adams, Amber Faith Publisher: Listening Library (Audio) Date: April 2014 Duration: 6 hours 43 minutes

[rapunzelbooks]

Just One More Page Book Photo Challenge August 4th: Young Author Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen Written when she was 15 years old!

[tae3y]

Thanks! Maya, super woman!

I read the book, "POPULAR: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek“ written by Maya Van Wagonen“.

I wasn’t among the best students in my class. But I tried to speak to everyone when I was student.Finally I think I did be „popular“ as saying by Maya.It means the person who try to like others in no hurry who help others.

I regret I’m not popular now.

I’m scare to speak to someone.I ask me when I try to speak,„Why do you try to speak to a lonely? Because you are afraid to be lonely yourself or to go in a strange circle or bands?“

I read this and remembered that!(To begin with, I have no circle and band around me now…)

And I’m interested in different environment.They carry on lockout drill as like an earthquake drill in Japan.It’s too terrible a student is shot who holds an air gun.

Anyway, Thank you for exciting.Maya, your our hero!! Super woman!

読了：マーヤの自分改造計画 夢中になって読んだダイエットとかヘアメイクとか見た目に関することだけじゃなくて最終的に精神面のことが書かれててとても参考になった。 私はスクールカースト上位ではなかったけどいろんな人に話しかけてたなぁ。 転校生やったし無意識に生き残ろうとしてたのかもいろんな人と話せてすごく楽しかったし自信を持って毎日楽しく過ごせてたんやけどいつからか自分が怖くなった。 自分が一人になりたくないからひとりぼっちの子を狙って話しかけてるのか？集団が怖いから勇気が出やんからひとりの子ばっかり狙ってるのか？ってズルしてハンティングしてるみたいに感じて話しかけるのも怖くなった。 ってことを思い出しながら読みました! ロックアウトとか銃殺とか環境が違って興味深かった！ ありがとう。マーヤ！

[smallgoodwolfbooks-blog]

Popular: A Memoir, Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek | Maya van Wagenen (single paperback) True story: the author of this book, 15-year-old - 15-year-old!!!!! - Maya van Wagenen, who described herself as being stuck at the bottom of the social ladder at her school, decided to embark on a social experiment: she’d spend the school year following a popularity guide from the 1950s. Curlers, girdles, Vaseline, makeup, a strand of pearls...would it all help her to be popular? Spoiler alert: she ended up writing this book, so I guess she didn’t end up doing too badly.  rm10

[twobrokegirlswithbooks]

JOMP BPC: Read in January // booksforthoughts BPC: January Wrap-up

-Nerdy Panda

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen (A book with an item of clothing or accessory on the cover)

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty

Nerve by Jeanne Ryan (A book revolving around a puzzle or game)

Not pictured:

Archenemies by Marissa Meyer (A book about someone with a superpower)

Adulthood Is a Myth: A Sarah’s Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen

[readingbooksinisrael]

Reviewed

The Hero of Ages/Brandon Sanderson  ★★★ 3/5 (thoughts)

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek/Maya Van Wagenen ★★★ 2.5/5 (review)

Kristy’s Great Idea: the Graphic Novel/Ann M. Martin and Raina Telgemeier (thoughts) ★★★★★ 5/5

Unreviewed

The Well of Ascension/Brandon Sanderson ★★ 2/5

The Alloy of Law-Brandon Sanderson ★★★★ 4/5

Rereads

The Grim Grotto/Lemony Snicket 

[beautifulpaxielreads]

September Wrap-Up

Books Completed (ratings out of five stars)

The winner’s curse (Winner’s Trilogy #1) by Marie Rutkoski (reread, begun in August, ★★★★)

Southern sun, northern star (Glass Alliance #3) by Joanna Hathaway (★★★★)

The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★)

Hood by Jenny Elder Moke (★★★)

The winner’s crime (Winner’s Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski (reread, ★★★1/2))

Books currently in progress

Talking to my daughter: a brief history of capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis, translated from Greek by Yanis Varoufakis and Jacob Moe

Popular (a memoir): vintage wisdom for a modern geek by Maya Van Wagenen

The winner’s kiss (Winner’s Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski

A sky painted gold by Laura Wood

Reflections on September and Goals for October

It might not seem like it, given I managed to finish five books, but September has proved to be a relatively slow month for me. I had a lot of other stuff going on in my life, and I didn’t always feel like reading. Nevertheless, I’m still on track to reach my reading goal of 65 books read this year.

My first love will always be fiction, but I have more than a few non-fiction books on my TBR that I’m also starting to make my way through. First is Talking to my daughter: a brief history of capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis, and Popular (a memoir): vintage wisdom for a modern geek by Maya Van Wagenen.

Rereads have also been a significant feature of my reading life as of late. I reread the first two books of Marie Rutkoski’s Winner’s Trilogy to prepare for the third, The winner’s kiss, which I’m now reading. I’m also rereading a favourite of mine – Laura Wood’s first YA novel, A sky painted gold, which is as delightful as ever. She’s got a new book called A single thread of moonlight coming out this month which I’ve pre-ordered and am HUGELY looking forward to reading.

Aside from reading Laura Wood’s latest and making my way through my non-fiction TBR, my goal for this month is to continue with my TBR, plus begin getting into my recent book purchases. I have been on somewhat of a book-buying spree lately (thank you, COVID) – so I have a LOT of reading to get through. I don’t see that as a bad thing, though!

Several of my new purchases are by Aussie authors (some of which are in this photo). I have recently acquired Australia Street by Ann Whitehead (a freebie picked up off the street) and Social Queue by Kay Kerr. I love supporting Australian creatives and Australian businesses whenever I can, especially at this time when so many are doing it tough.

So that’s it for this month – as you can all see, I’ve got quite a bit to do! All enjoyable, though (hopefully).

See you next month for my October wrap-up. Until then, stay safe – and happy reading!

[littlemissbookland]

a closer look: popular by maya van wagenen

Every semester, when I have a list of books to read for school, I try to listen to at least one as an audiobook, even if the syllabus doesn't say I'll be graded on whether I do that.  (Spoilers: It usually says I will be.)  Similarly, I try to read at least one book as a traditional paper book--otherwise, I do most of my reading in ebook format.  This semester, I listened to Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen on audiobook, downloaded from Audible, and it was nothing short of darling.

At first, I thought the reader for the audiobook, Amber Faith, was a little syrupy for my tastes.  She sounded like watching a Hallmark movie: almost aggressively soft-spoken and gentle, the kind of voice that screams (well, whispers) I'M A REALLY NICE GIRL, OKAY.  I was hoping for something a little brassier than I got, with slightly sharper edges--but the book ended up pretty soft and gentle in itself.  I think it fit, in the end, even if it wasn't my favorite kind of voice to listen to.

Even if the delivery wasn't what I pictured when I picked the book up, the content was really charming.  Like I said above, darling.  Maya Van Wagenen writes better than plenty adults out there, and her willingness to share her more embarrassing moments is brave for a teenager.  (I don't think I could have been that candid at fifteen!)  

One thing we did find ourselves discussing in class was the question of the accuracy of her narrative, which is a concern to keep in mind when judging the merits of a memoir.  Did things really happen this way--was Van Wagenen completely honest about how her classmates reacted to her clothing and behavior?  And more importantly, how much does this matter?  Truthfully, I'm not sure.  I think the message of the book is lovely, enough so that I don't really mind that it might be a rosier picture than is entirely believable.  On the other hand, if there were opportunities for her to include less pleasant moments, it would have been meaningful to see those.

Another consideration in judging the book: The audiobook download said it included a .PDF of pictures, but unfortunately, I couldn't find the .PDF mentioned.  That would be a great add-on for non-fiction audiobooks, since listening to them means missing out on photos, but it should be clear how one actually views the pictures.  

[books-glorious-books]

We had a storm last night and so power was out at home, and even better school, so my exams were cancelled (whoo). So I took the opportunity to read all day. Luckily for me, The One arrived in the mail and I had Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek checked out of library. Popular was so cutesy (if you can call a book with drugs and arms lingering in the sidelines "cute") and I'm still recovering from The One. I was so scared about it, but now it's my favourite in the series! Anyone else have any thoughts on these books? Feel free to share.

[quoted-books]

Popularity is more than looks. It’s not clothes, hair, or even possessions. When we let go of these labels, we see how flimsy and relative they actually are. Real popularity is kindness and acceptance. It is about who you are, and how you treat others.

Maya Van Wagenen, Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek