Know Your Nominees: Chick Lit

Not sure who to vote for in the Chick Lit category of the Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards? Or you’re simply curious about the nominated books? Here’s some information and reviews about the books. We hope this helps you vote, and pick up some of the nominees to read for yourself. :)

Don’t forget: you can show your support for your favorite books among the nominees of the first Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards  — just drop by this ballot and submit! The top 3 books per category will proceed to the next round. Voting period is until July 31.

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Fairy Tale Failby Mina V. Esguerra
(2010, Self-published)

Of all the twenty-something women who are hopeless romantics, Ellie Manuel is more “hopeless” than “romantic.”

Even after her Prince Charming broke up with her, she just won’t give up … because fairy tale heroines don’t live “happily ever after” right away, silly, they’re tested first!

Determined to pass the test, she spends the next year restoring herself to the girl Prince Charming had fallen in love with in the first place.

Until she discovers that life without him might not be so bad after all: her career is taking off, her confidence is back, and the cute guy at work is no longer a stranger.

So when is it okay to quit on a fairy tale?

Reviews:

• “Fairy Tale Fail is a fresh and cute story that’s sure to make you sigh and be kilig.” – One More Page
• “This was a short and sweet chick lit that charmed me with it’s whimsical main character, easy dialogue, and feel-good romance.” – Janicu’s Book Blog
• “Ellie is really believable as a character – she’s a representation of me, my friends and every young Pinay out there looking for her own fairy tale. – Chachic’s Book Nook

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Table for Two by Marla Miniano
(2010, Summit Books)

In Table for Two, a corner table at a quiet coffee shop takes center stage, the latest release from Summit Books author Marla Miniano. The table is the setting for pivotal moments in the lives of the main characters—who, as it seems, are quite the lovelorn bunch. First, there’s the long-time couple on the verge of calling it quits after college graduation. Then there’s the serial dater who accepts her younger brother’s challenge to go dateless for two months. There’s also a photographer who attempts to dissuade his best friend from getting married (and we’re curious to find out why). And finally, there are the two hopefuls: a young man who meets with the girl he never stopped loving, and a young lady who pores over romance novels, waiting for her turn to fall in love.

Reviews:

• “I loved the part that all the stories had something in common: the table for two…where a story may have begun, may have reached a turning point, or may have possibly ended.” – marginalia
• “A great read, with actual substance and style to boot.” – Girl Next Cubicle
• “Wonderful prose, good stories, and perfect reading companion on a rainy day with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate.” – One More Page

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Love Your Frenemies by Mina V. Esguerra
(2011, Self-published)

Kimmy Domingo was the kind of girl everyone hated and envied — until her fiancé dumped her a week before their wedding. Soon after, she quit her job, hopped on a plane, and just hid from everyone who knew her. A year later and she’s back in Manila to be maid of honor at a wedding she can’t miss.

Kimmy’s home because she’s ready to start over, but she also knows that some people at that wedding were responsible for the mess her life turned out to be. The first step to recovery? Cutting off the ones who caused her troubles to begin with: her best friend and her first love.

Reviews:

• “Overall Love your Frenemies was a delightful read that is highly recommended to chick lit fans..” – Book Harbinger
• “Although romance was in the midst, the main focus was understanding one’s role in the intimate, economic, and social dynamics of family and friends. ” – Jinky is Reading

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Fan Girl by Marla Miniano
(2010, Summit Books)

As a fan girl, do you:

A. Stalk your celebrity crush online and have a secret stash of his merchandise?
B. Believe that when he is singing onstage, he is singing to you—and only you?
C. Willingly agree to do anything he asks?
D. Leave your life behind and follow him to the ends of the earth?

For Summer, being the ultimate fan means doing all four. When the insanely good-looking half-Filipino frontman of hot local band Violet Reaction, Scott Carlton, singles her out, Summer knows her life is finally going to be spectacular. Only it doesn’t turn out that way. Scott leaves and becomes a huge star in the US, and where does that leave Summer? (Hint: check out letter D). Intrigued yet?

Reviews:
“The writing comes across as almost quiet — there are no frantic celeb chases here, no big dramatic scenes — and it’s the kind of voice that I’m really drawn to when I read.” – Ficsation

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Popped by Chinggay Labrador
(2011, Summit Books)

Enter the colorful world of K-Pop in this promising Summit Book debut from Sparkling magazine’s Chinggay Labrador.

In Popped, heartbroken office girl Andie turns to K-dramas and K-Pop songs after learning her ex-boyfriend is getting married. What begins as an innocent interest in K-Drama Coffee Prince turns into a full-blown Korean obsession when she discovers the charms of K-Pop boy band Movement. Along with her newfound BFFs (also fellow fangirls-in-arms), Andie decides to go on a pilgrimage to Tokyo and Seoul in the hopes of meeting her idols for real. Will she find the love of her life along the way and get her very own K-drama happy ending? Or will a trail of disappointments make her wary of men forever?

Reviews:

• “Popped is almost like reading a part of you, yes you, the working drone who got hooked into Autumn in my Heart, Boys over Flowers and Coffee Prince.” – Pinaywriter Simone
• “…in Popped, this kind of adventure is given larger significance because it becomes not just about chasing boys, but about being there for your friends.” – Ficsation

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One Crazy Summer by Ines Bautista-Yao
(2011, Summit Books)

A Recipe for Disaster?

Ingredients:
1 college junior, fired from summer internship
1 secret crush, the cute and flirty type
1 crush’s best bud, with a secret of his own

1. In large bowl, mix together college junior and secret crush.
2. Gradually add in crush’s best bud.
3. Stir until best bud’s secret is revealed.
4. Let mixture rest in a sleepy provincial town.
5. Bake under the blazing summer sun until golden brown (be careful, batter might burn).

Tania’s summer is more than she can handle! Her cooking career comes to a screeching halt before it can even take off. Then, best friends Rob and Mateo enter the picture. Can she figure out her feelings for them, AND get the internship credits she needs to make it to senior year?

Reviews:

• “Sweet and light (like a pastry).” – MangoJuiced
• “Ms. Yao had to add a cupful of true friendship, a dash of the knight in shining armor bad boy, a sprinkle of drinks and parties to make it more entertaining, a touch of a fashionable geeky boy-next-door and a pinch of college internship scrape, all combined to make one heck of an emotional yet truly believable teenage love affair.” – Gynen Kyra Toriano