OMG! Is This Actually My Life?

Details

Title: OMG! Is This Actually My Life?

Author: Rae Earl

Publisher: Walker Books
Publication Year: 2013

Language: English

Genre: Young Adults, Contemporary

Rating: 9/10

Continuation: No continuation yet.

Pages: 336

Review

The novel is the diary of Hattie Moore describing her tumultuous year with hilarious accounts of the ups and downs of teenage life. Hattie has no idea about the identity of her father, the most popular girl at school - nicknamed Ms. Gorgeous Knickers - hates her and guys don't pay attention to her due to her lack of, ahem, endowments. She has an extremely annoying brother who has it out for her and somewhat of a silly Gran, who texts rude jokes to everyone. Including her dentist.

This book has me in tears. Humor is a major element in it and I find that the author has a knack for effective description. Even though the language is not exactly advanced, this novel serves the purpose of a light read. The part that especially cracks me up is the fabulous British humor. I find the slang and words they use emphasize a point more effortlessly and make the whole plot even funnier.

Young adults - mainly females, due to the novel's female perspective - can relate to this book very easily. Hattie does what every teenager can easily relate to. She pines for something - or in this case, somebody - she can't have instead of noticing what is right in front of her eyes. Understanding the novel and the protagonist's motivations for actions for an easy task, due to the fact that us teenage girls think the exact same way. 

Characterization was done extremely well in this novel. This is commendable, considering the fact that the format is that of a diary. The boy next door, Goose, is a very lovable character and I just wanted to reach in there and give him a hug. Hattie's "mental" Gran was responsible for my moments of public laughter. I have to give to to Earl - she knows how to manipulate her characterization and make it interesting.

The only part of the book that kept me from thoroughly enjoying it is the excessive use of CAPITAL LETTERS. They of course emphasized Harriet's dramatic flair, but they also gave an overall jarring effect and became quite disruptive and annoying halfway through the novel.

The protagonist is endearing and naive and she makes the book quite amusing and interesting. I will certainly recommend it for a funny read. It is sure to have you in stitches. 

NOTE: Even though this is unrelated to the story, I personally find the cover extremely cute. It's bright, colorful and groovy. This cover is the most accurate representation of a novel's content I have ever seen.