The Luxe by Anna Godberson

Like TV shows like Gossip Girl, 90210, and the OC? Then this book is for you. Full of fancy dresses, secrets, and wealthy teens who seem to have not much better to do than one-up each other, The Luxe is as its title suggests. However, not is all as it seems. It’s 1899 in New York and socialite Elizabeth Holland has fallen in love with her family’s stable boy. Unfortunately, their difference in social status is not the only obstacle in the way of their love. The Hollands, who are “old money,” have lost their wealth, and Elizabeth must marry wealthy playboy, Henry Schoonmaker, before anyone finds out and her family is ruined. The plotting begins when Elizabeth’s best friend, and greatest rival, Penelope Hayes, finds out about the engagement. Penelope has already set her sights on Henry Schoonmaker and has been having a secret affair with him. She wants to marry Henry so he can give her “new money” family some credibility in the upper class social circles into which they are trying to break. There are some interesting twists to this story, one coming right at the beginning: the story opens at Elizabeth’s funeral, during which not everybody seems all so sad, including Elizabeth’s sister, Diana. What happened to Elizabeth? You’ll have to read this fun, guilty pleasure of a book to find out!

This story is a fast read- great for a travel or summer book when you don't want to have to think too hard! This is definitely fluffy, chick lit with lots of descriptions of clothes, friends betraying friends, and forbidden romances. It is the first in a series, the entirety of which has great reviews. I'll definitely be picking up the next guilty pleasure in the series soon!

Book; ISBN 0061345660; New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2007

Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

Secret Keeper is about Asha Gupta and her family's move from cosmopolitan Delhi to live with her uncle's family in Calcutta while her father looks for work in New York. The plan is for Asha, her sister, Reet, and their mother to join Baba (the affectionate term for an Indian father, kind of like "Dad") in New York once he finds a job. However, finding a job takes longer than expected and Asha must learn to cope with living in her uncle's house with her critical aunt and grandmother. As her family runs out of money, they are increasingly dependent upon her uncle's charity. Furthermore, this is the 1970s, and the Gupta family follows traditional Indian customs, such as arranged marriages, while Asha and Reet are ready for the changing, modern world. Soon, the family is looking for a suitable match for Reet, who is not ready for marriage. Accentuating the clash between traditional and modern worlds, Asha has met the boy next door and begins to have feelings for him while also dreaming of going to college to become a psychologist. When tragedy strikes the Guptas, they must find a way to pull together, even if that means making more sacrifices with their dreams.

This story will suck you in and make you want to read late to see what will happen to Asha, Reet, and their family. Will Baba get a job before his daughters are married off in Calcutta? Will Asha find a way to go to college? There are no easy answers for the characters in this book, but that is a part of what makes it so endearing. Perkins wrote a book that flows very well and does not waste the reader's time. There are no "long" parts to this book. Every word is important to the story. Mains themes include tradition, culture, depression, sacrifice and family.

Book; 12+; ISBN 978-0385733403; New York: Delacorte Press, 2009.