How to Ruin My Teenage Life

Have you actually read a book outside of the typical American setting this month? If not, then for a new cultural immersion you can read How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles, a light, funny novel set in Israel.

The story centers on Amy Nelson, a sixteen-year-old American with her Israelite father, who she doesn't get along with due to him not being there for her. Unfortunately, this summer, she is forced to go on a vacation with him back to his homeland when her grandmother is struck with cancer. The problem? The Barak's—her father's family—doesn't know she exists. With cousins that give her the evil eye and a jerk that weirdly enjoys rescuing her in damsel-in-distress moments, Amy isn't exactly having fun this summer.

The book reads like a chick flick: it can bring laughs, it's cliché, but somehow it works. Although there isn't a cultural overdose, I could imagine most of the places that Amy went to and the things she did. My experience with Israel is admittedly very short, so it was nice to learn about a different country.

However, my biggest issue was with the narrator herself. Although she could get herself into situations downright hilarious, she overreacted way too much with things, and I couldn't really see why the love interest liked her that much. Inside, she seemed like a nice person, but she was just annoying. I even found myself chuckling in agreement when Avi called her a ‘spoiled American bitch'. That kind of describes her personality.

One thing that irked me was the way the size of her breasts was repeatedly mentioned throughout the storyline. Yes, I know, her boobs jiggle up and down always. Yeah, you have a big butt. No, it isn't necessary to tell me that ten times throughout the story. Another thing is the way she reacted when her best friend said she liked her boyfriend at the end of the story. It was almost like she was grateful for that, since she fell in love with Avi and there was a need to wrap the boyfriend matter quickly. That part was only a sentence long.

Despite the end being predictable, it was an okay book for me. I didn't hate it, but I won't be jumping up and either. I think it would be translated into a movie better, due to the length and the original storyline. However, if you like short novels with humor, you may enjoy this better than I did.

In a Nutshell
How to Ruin a Summer Vacation might be a perfect fit for someone to read on their own vacation, although the main character made the reading less enjoyable. Humorous and fast, I'll give in three stars.

For more reviews and . . . um, virtual cookies, you can visit Max's blog, ThePaperFortUpstairs. To, um, read reviews and get cookies. Yeah.

I'm so confused. How do people like this novel? I'm 18 years old, so I am well over the recommended age for reading this novel. At first, I thought that was why I hated it. But there's more to it. I have been reading for most of my life. While I appreciate the deeper themes of diversity in the novel, I believe they are not executed well AT ALL. The writing is absolutely atrocious. I do not believe any 8th grader is as stupid as this authors implies they are. There is no mystery in the novel with why the main character is acting a certain way. Almost too much is explained rather flatly to the reader.

The main character herself is certainly very spoiled and extremely immature. It's very painful to read and she is not likable at all. Just...definitely not a good book.
Could not finish it. Then, I looked at the first pages of the other two books in the trilogy thinking the writing may mature with the age of the main character. Boy, was I wrong. If anything, it got worse. Do not recommend for any literate teen girl.