Inspired by William Boot’s column at The Daily Beast, I decided to start my own version of “Should I Read.” If you are unfamiliar with Boot’s column here is a quick explanation, each week Boot tackles a title from the New York Times Bestseller List. He weighs in on the book and let’s readers know if the book is worth the hype. Sometimes the book lives up to the hype and sometimes it doesn’t. I will be calling BookFinds version of Should I Read, “OFF THE LIST.” We will literally be pulling titles right “off the list” and letting you know if they are worth the read.
This week I chose LA CANDY by Lauren Conrad. This book is currently number one on the New York Times list for Children’s Books. LA CANDY is a quick read and an interesting story. Anyone who has ever watched a reality show (especially The Hills, Laguna Beach or The City on MTV) will love reading an insider’s take on what it’s really like to be taped all day, every day. Obviously, it’s not as glamorous as it appears. I went into this book expecting the absolute worst and in a way I think that helped Lauren Conrad’s cause because it wasn’t as awful as I expected. Now I know that doesn’t sound like a ringing endorsement, but honestly, the book is a light, fun read and sometimes that is the perfect choice. Sometimes you want to sit back and get lost in a “fluffy” book. It ends on a cliff hanger to ensure that we all run out and buy SWEET LITTLE LIES. I’m not sure I will be picking up the sequel because I think I got all I could from the first book. For example, I never knew that the producers interact with the “cast” via text message during the shooting. Now I will have to pay closer attention to these MTV reality shows and see how many times they check their Blackberry.
So I would say, YES, read this book for the entertainment factor but don’t expect any great literary feat.