Book Nerds Across America

"Mackenzie Wellesley has spent her life avoiding the spotlight. At Smith High, she's the awkward junior people only notice when they need help with homework. Until she sends a burly football player flying with her massive backpack and makes a disastrous - not to mention unwelcome - attempt at CPR. Before the day is out, the whole fiasco explodes on YouTube. And then the strangest thing happens. Suddenly, Mackenzie is an Internet sensation, with four million hits and counting. Sucked into a whirlwind of rock stars, paparazzi, and free designer clothes, she even catches the eye of the most popular guy at school. And that's when life gets really interesting... "(from Goodreads)

I was lucky enough to win this ARC from the publisher on Twitter. It arrived at my apartment during the holiday break and I set it on my coffee table. One day, in the height of my laziness (hey, what is break for?!), I was lying on my couch and grabbed it to read simply because I didn't want to get off the couch to find my Kindle. I loved it! Now you tell me laziness doesn't pay off?!? ;-p (Kidding, y'all.)

Awkward was just very refreshing. I flew through it in the span of about one day. Marni Bates has great chapter transitions, always along the lines of, "And then it got worse." And you're thinking, "How does it get WORSE?!?!" And you keep on reading. I loved Mackenzie's best friends Jane and Corey, who stood by their friend no matter what. I loved her little brother who is in middle school, yet is still not as socially awkward as Mackenzie. I enjoyed ReadySet and the twist with the lead singer and HIS crush. (I soo support that couple!) And I loved loved loved Logan, the cool kid who could have the most popular girl in school as his girlfriend, but is instead crushing on his very unaware history tutor. He may make my list of fictional boyfriends.

Awkward was a cute, fun and easy read. Any book that can hold my complete and absolute attention and make me not want to put it down until it's some crazy time in the A.M. and I've actually finished it rates high on my list.

Jane, Mackenzie's friend, pretty much faded out of the story in the middle. I am interested to learn more about her in Invisible, which will be her story and comes out next year.

~Flo~