To Keep or Not: The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

to keep or not

When I moved a couple of years ago, I was’t very organized. I have boxes of books I haven’t been able to part with yet. But now I’m trying to get rid of things I don’t need and grow out of my pack rat ways. So, I’m going to reread some of the books that were boxed and decide if I should keep them or not!

my cat, Sno Cone, likes it too!

I went into the reread thinking it was pretty much a toss and I barely needed to read it at all. But I was wrong, and I’m glad I read it.

the Boyfriend List (Ruby Oliver #1)

Emily Lockhart website | twitter | amazon | book depository

229 pages | September 26th 2006 | Random House | Goodreads summary: Fifteen-year-old Ruby has had a rough ten days. During that time she:

   * lost her boyfriend (#13 on the list)
   * lost her best friend (Kim)
   * lost all her other friends (Nora, Cricket)
   * did something suspicious with a boy (#10)
   * did something advanced with a boy (#15)
   * had an argument with a boy (#14)
   * had a panic attack
   * lost a lacrosse game (she’s the goalie)
   * failed a math test (she’ll make it up)
   * hurt Meghan’s feelings (even though they aren’t really friends)
   * became a social outcast (no one to sit with at lunch)
   * had graffiti written about her in the girls’ bathroom (who knows what was in the boys’!?!)

But don’t worry–Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists.

What I remembered before I reread: Not much, honestly. I am almost positive I did read it whenever I bought it, but I didn’t remember much

Reread thoughts:

Ruby has had a stressful week. Stress leads to anxiety attacks. Anxiety
attacks lead to her parents making her visit a shrink and since a lot of her stress has to do with boys, her shrink (Doctor Z) has her write the boyfriend list. It’s not just boys she’s dated, it’s kind-of, almost, rumored and wished-he-were boyfriends, too.

I like Ruby! She has problems and she isn’t perfect, but the book isn’t stressing how cool she is even though she has flaws. Also, with the shrink/footnote format, you get to see a response to her irrationality, which is awesome. Most the time in YA books, when the main character does something dumb I wish someone would call them on it. In this book, Doctor Z did, and Ruby actually started picking up on ridiculous acts herself. It was nice to see that she understood mistakes and was self-aware.

Ruby’s explanations of her boyfriend list is entertaining. She’s got such a realistic voice. She likes to watch movies, first kisses, and crushes on teachers. She lives in a house boat. Like most teenagers, she doesn’t always realize the effects her words and actions have on others but she starts to learn. I really liked the evolution of her friendship with Meghan.

Ruby’s friends are so frustrating. I know some of it has to be perspective, but I felt so bad for Ruby. None of them were willing to listen to her side of the story. Plus Kim is ridiculous and nobody seems to care, but the moment Ruby does anything they snap and attack. It’s also sad how willing to trash talk friends are. High school is a dangerous place for anyone but if your friends are willing to call you names so easily, that’s pretty sad. The book did take an interesting look at slut shaming and language used in situations like that.

I didn’t know there was a series until I went to Goodreads to make this post. I’m interested in seeing what else happens to Ruby and the rest of the Tate Universe. I might have to pick them up! I really enjoyed this reread. I’m not sure if there was anything that attached me to the book itself enough to want to read it again later. But for now, I think I’ll keep it. Maybe I can gift it to someone in need or a good read later!