Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

Written in two perspectives, those of Ursula Riggs and Matt Donaghy, two students at the same high school, the novel peers deep into the ideas of true friendship and self discovery. As the character describes in first person, Ursula Riggs comes from a wealthy, attractive, and popular family, but she is none of those things. When Ursula went through puberty she grew "big" and "ugly." When society began to reject her for these superficial subjects, she developed a second self - she called this "Ugly Girl." Ugly Girl is strong, immovable, and self-confident. She sheilds her heart and is hurt by no one. Matt Donaghy is one of Ursula's class mates, a popular, nice, straight A student. He seeks the approval of his friends through their laughter and is always attempting a joke. One day his big mouth and jokes get him into trouble and he ends up in jail. His friends quickly divide their confidences in him and refuse to come to his defense. The only person willing to come to his rescue is "Big Ursula Riggs" - Ugly Girl. Through their common trials throughout the novel, the two develop common virtues. They become friends, misfits, and lovers.

This book is really funny and very sweet. I liked Joyce Carol Oates' different take on romance. Aside from the language (cursing is fairly common) I would recommend it to all.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Dairy Queen is a story about family, coming of age, and young love. A romance between two of the most unlikely characters begins when the protagonist, D.J., a small-town farm girl, and her counterpart, a spoiled quarterback on the rival football team are forced together for the day. Brian, the football jock, is forced to go to D.J.'s family's farm and work there for the day. D.J.'s family has been raised to love football, almost more than their own lives. Normally unwilling to associate with any member of the rival high school's football team, they only allow Brain to stay because they are old friends with his coach, the person who sent him. D.J. is assigned to take Brian around the farm and put him to work. Although she does most of the work during the day, he still thinks his small load is too much and he quits. The coach forces him to return and asks D.J. to be his trainer. Though star-crossed, the two agree to it and begin, over time, to form a friendship, which later turns into love. The novel is full of wit and sarcasm, love and romance, and most of all football.

The book is a little slow, I think I had a difficult time with the writing style. Other than that the book is great. It is funny and sweet (a little too sweet, but not overkill). A fun read for anyone... but mostly girls.