Syal-- Anita & Me

Anita and Me by Meera Syal

4 of 5 stars

Very engaging story of young Indian girl in small English town in the 1960s. Anita is a trashy older girl (white) who Meena (the main character) semi-idolizes. Meena wants to be part of Anita's crowd, wants her family to fit into the bucolic English world... Pre-teen & teen angst appears to be universal!

Well written, some odd twists. I really like that Meena wasn't perfect, was sometimes downright unlikeable. A solid everyman anti-hero;) I've also read Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee by Meera Syal, a great story of 4 women.

Naylor -- Dog Handling

Clare Naylor

Dog Handling

3 of 5 stars

I wanted something easy and chic lit so I could live vicariously through the main character. I found this on the shelf at the library and wasn't expecting much. I was definitely surprised that this book had a bit more to it than the usual single woman working in publishing in big city vibe. The characters were amusing and I'm a sucker for a love story that has its ups and downs. Great beach read, quick read or you want something simple and playful.