Review: Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
What: Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling #1) by Megan McCafferty
Who : Three Rivers Press
When: 2001
How: Purchased.
“My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? … I don’t see how things could get any worse.”
When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?
A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment—from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart. Like a John Hughes for the twenty-first century, Megan McCafferty taps into the inherent humor and drama of the teen experience. This poignant, hilarious novel is sure to appeal to readers who are still going through it, as well as those who are grateful that they don’t have to go back and grow up all over again.
I have read this books many times from when I first picked it up at age fourteen. I simply love it.
Jessica Darling is your not-so average teenage girl who’s one and only best friend moves away just before the new year. Jess has relied on Hope’s friendship to get her through her days at Pineville High, and now that she’s gone, Jess is confronted by how much she dislikes the other people she spends time with. And then, one day, in the nurse’s room, she helps out Marcus Flutie. And I suppose that is where the real story begins.
I have mentioned before how a book must be pretty spectacular to make me cry. Well, the same goes for making me laugh. Not just any old book will do it. But Sloppy Firsts does.
I love Jess’s character so much. I love her funny, cynical, obsessive way of life, and the way she expresses her emotions in her diary. I feel as if I know her; especially more so, considering the amount of times I have read this book. I read this book for the first time when I was younger than Jess is, and now I have read it yet again, this time a few years older. It hasn’t lost it’s lustre. It’s still one of my favourite books, and will remain so.
I am about to read Second Helpings again soon, and will follow it with the other books in the Jess Darling series. I feel as if we’re growing up together, and it’s pretty amazing, if I do say so.
Oh, and I love Marcus. A whole lot.
© 2013, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.
I’m glad you enjoyed this – the laughing part :)
Have you read it? :)
Not yet :)
You should, it’s very enjoyable :)
I’m actually starting to read more funny light reads! It is enjoyable!
It’s not always light, but there are definitely a lot of funny moments :)
It is good when a book can make you laugh!
There are so many books from my teen years that when picked up again disappoint me, books that I had loved. For me, the exception to this is usually Med Cabot! Anyway, I think you’ve strongly indicated that Sloppy Firsts is one I should read! :-)
I know what you mean. It’s so sad when they don’t hold the same magic when you go back and read them :(
Sloppy Firsts is such a good book! Let me know if you get the chance to read it :)
This is also a favorite of mine from my teens. Marcus Flutie is so dreamy … have you read all the sequels?
Glad to find another Jess Darling reader!
I love Marcus so much! <3
I have read Second Helpings (I'm about to post the review), but I haven't read beyond that. I own all of them except Charmed Thirds, but I want to find a copy to match my others (they are the first editions, so it's a bit tricky) and they don't have it at my library!
Have you read any of them? :)
Her voice is hilarious. I so enjoyed this book when I read it years ago. Cracked me up! I read through high school, I don’t think I got to the college book.
I love it a lot! She’s so funny :)
Yeah, I never got to her college years, either. I felt that it would might not be as good, but I definitely want to try them!