Diary of a Mall Girl

by Luisa Plaja

The mall is the heart of the fifteen-year-old Molly's suburban town. Most teens hang around with friends there, get their first job there, and experience their first kiss there. And Molly? She actually lives there, in the complex's residential wing, where she navigates the dramas of teenage life, falling out with her friends and falling for the dark, mysterious boy-next-door.

But is living in a massive shopping centre as much fun as it sounds? Well, yes... and no. Find out the whole truth in Molly's private diary!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Author of teen comedy romance novels including Split by a Kiss, Extreme Kissing, Swapped by a Kiss and Kiss Date Love Hate, published by Random House. Latest novel is Diary of a Mall Girl, published by Curious Fox.

Reviews

[Charli - To Another World · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diary of a Mall Girl was a book that let me relax. You don't have to overthink anything in it; it just happens. This is good, because every now and then I need a book that I can just read without having to worry too much! I read it pretty quickly.

I loved reading about Molly's life, which was supposedly "over". It's full of fun, it's quirky and shows pretty much how a teenager's life goes, in all honesty. She had trouble with her family, friends and boys: that's how it goes! The characters all have simple personalities, but it works well! Wendy is a nasty girl at times, but realises her mistakes afterwards. Ameera is a bit of a sheep, and I didn't like her very much at all!

The best bit of the book, probably, is the romantic aspect. I love the fact that she seems to think she is in "love" with Liam, and is so happy when he goes out with her, but ends up falling for Jasper. That was quite obvious from the start, but it didn't matter but of all the twists and turns in the book!

Personally, I can't imagine living in a shopping centre! I just think it would be too loud and crowded, especially at Christmas! However, while reading the book, I came to like the idea... But I'm one of those boring people who would never live in a mall, even if you could just pop up to the cafe or ice-cream stall every few days. Even so, imagining it in the book is pretty simple, as due to the descriptions (which aren't too heavy unlike in some books where they are in paragraphs, this book has it quite subtley) you can just visualise it!

I believe that every book has a lesson, or moral, to it. In this book, it's less of a lesson and kind of like tips! I'm slightly younger than Molly is in the book, and it's given me some hints on how not to act when I'm in those awkward ages.

I would recommend this book for 10-13 year olds particularly, but most teens could enjoy it as a quick, light summer read!

Rating: 3.5/5

You can read this review and many others at charliotherworld.blogspot.com

[Zoe]

I liked the book, but I thought it would of been more intesting & more exciting to read it was quite boring.

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I’m going to stick with Luisa Plaja when I want to be surprised and won over by characters I don’t normally expect to love. I adored Molly, like I-wish-I-could-have-had-as-my-friend-when-I-was-fifteen adored Molly. She’s entertaining, a touch dramatic but nice. Not the perfect plastic nice that makes you yawn but nice.

Molly’s opening sentence of Diary of a Mall Girl had me laughing straight away. I didn’t need more than the first couple of paragraphs to know that I would like this book. There is a really good balance between Molly’s over the top moments and what is happening in her life. Yes it’s funny but you get attached to Molly because she’s believable.

It’s not just Molly that shines but her family (loved Nan), friends and even the boys. I also really liked how Molly’s relationship with Jamie (her brother) changed over the course of the story.

There are plenty of brilliant moments in the book but my absolute favourite is towards the end and all I’ll say is ‘paint’ – when you reach that part you’ll know. ;)

Diary of a Mall Girl is the perfect book to pick when you need something to make you laugh.

[Sabina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, funny and easy to read

[Anjah Pieterse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! Such an easy read and keeps you on your toes

[hawwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diary of a Mall Girl was the first book i've read of Luisa Plaja's and i surprised myself by enjoying it quite a bit considering i hardly read chick-lit at all.. It was a nice break to read something light and not too intense. Which i have been doing a lot recently!
I really enjoyed Molly's character, she was awkward and so not cool: being kind of a klutz - so thankfully i could relate quite a bit! I had one slight issue at the beginning to do with her age as i thought, wrongly, that she was younger than i thought her to be. The reason being, she sounded a little immature when she wrote about all her ''problems'' in her entries and i automatically assumed she wasn't a teenager, or just barely so, so when i found out she was my age i was kind of stumped!
I also found her a little....naive. Her supposed ''best friends'' were AWFUL. I couldn't imagine ever being friends with them at all as they dumped her whenever they felt like it but when everything was 'ok', they just let her back in and Molly just accepted it...
I can't imagine living in a shopping center but i thought Molly described the potential ups and downs of living in one quite well. The bonus of not having to go far to shop. But the problem of having so many people literally outside of your doorstep, being labelled as a 'Mall Girl' which may not seem all its cracked up to be, and having nearly everyone you know hanging around outside your 'house' practically every day. I personally would love to live in a shopping center. Just to try it out. But i wouldn't want to live there forever!
Most books have a theme to them and this one was one i particularity enjoyed. It was all about self-discovery and it was quite amusing to have an insight into Molly's life as she works her way around living life as a teenager, and juggling all the other problems that inevitable come in her way.
Quote Love:
"Friends are great, but they're also weird. I'm not completely convinced that you choose them any more than you choose your family. You just deal with what you've got."
The Word:
Fluffy
Why?
It was such a light, funny book and i loved that i could just sit back and relax and not take anything too seriously. It was a great way for me to just enjoy what i read, and have a break from the intense, traumatic (!!) dystopians that fill my book shelf. Its a perfect read for teenage girls in need of some entertainment on a rainy day who don't want to have a too elaborate a book on their hands.
*Thank you to Curious Fox for sending me this book free of charge. This in no way affected my review.
read my other reviews here

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mall is the heart of the fifteen-year-old Molly’s suburban town. Most teens hang around with friends there, get their first job there, and experience their first kiss there. And Molly? She actually lives there, in the complex’s residential wing, where she navigates the dramas of teenage life. But is living in a massive shopping centre as much fun as it sounds? Well, yes… and no. Find out the whole truth in Molly’s private diary!

*Please look out for the Spoiler Alerts that are clearly marked in bold if you do not want to know what happens*

I have no words for this absolutely amazing, wonderful book! Honestly, I read this book in half a day! I found myself going through the pages faster than I have any other book I've read. Luisa Plaja did an excellent job because the characters are realistic and believable and the writing style was brilliant. Every other page I would actually stop and look at the cover because it was so amazing! I think Victoria Allen (Cover Designer) did a fantastic job with the cover. She made it look like it was the cover of a real diary because of the girly doodling and handwriting.

I absolutely loved Molly! She was super kind, really funny and sometimes pretty awkward (In a good way) Jewel is a great character and I wished Luisa involved her a bit more in the scenes. The relationship Molly had with Jasper was so sweet! But, I have to say, I did find Jasper a little bit annoying. Well done Luisa, I've never ever felt annoyed with a character before. It takes quite a lot of work to get the reader actually annoyed personally with the character! Liam was so kind in his behaviour towards Molly *Spoiler Alert!* because he understood that she only wanted to be friends.*Spoiler Over!* Actually, I love all the characters, except Ameera and Wendy because they were both very annoying and Wendy had a crazy temper that struck for no reason!

Since Diary of a Mall Girl is the first Luisa Plaja book I've read, I'm really pleased with the outcome of this book and I'm hoping to be able to read more of her books soon! I hope (know) they'll be as fantastic as this one. I am so pleased with this novel that I give it a full 5/5!


Lots of love,

Erika

Note: Thank you so much to the people at Curious Fox for sending me Diary of a Mall Girl to review - Team Fox Assemble! x

Publishers: Curious Fox
Pages: 269
Official Publication Date: 14 March 2013

Luisa Plaja

[Rachel S · Rating 4 out of 5]

THREE AND A HALF/FOUR STARS! :D

This is the third Luisa Plaja book I've read and so can now say for sure I know what to expect from this author. When I picked this up off my review pile I was looking for a light, fluffy read. Something I wouldn't take all too seriously. And this proved to be the perfect read for the mood I was in. Though I didn't love it, it was a fun book to pass the time.

If there's one thing I love in chick-lit books, it's how the main character always seems to embarrass themselves one way or another. In Molly's case, she really did have some super cringey/awkward moments. Most of which had me laughing hysterically. Seriously, Luisa Plaja has a talent for making me as giggly as I was whilst reading this book! At certain points I even had to sit the book down and take a breather because I was so embarrassed on Molly's behalf!

Speaking of Molly, she was a fun character - likeable enough. Admittedly, when she fussed over her problems, I wanted to shake her. Her problems were just so juvenile! However, I would always remind myself just to enjoy this book for what it was - a harmless, light-hearted read - and it wouldn't bother me as much. Jasper was also likeable, despite being quite hot-headed and stubborn. I really didn't like Wendy and Ameera though! Molly's supposed 'best friends'. I found them to be too immature. There was a quote from this book that did make me stop and think though.


"Friends are great, but they're also weird. I'm not completely convinced that you choose them any more than you choose your family. You just deal with what you've got."


I can actually believe that to be true. No matter how much my own friends annoy me, I love them - despite their flaws. I think a lot of people can relate to that quote too. Anyway. To conclude, I enjoyed this book. It was a light, fun, fluffy read with some truly hilarious moments. I managed to get through it in only a few hours. Though Diary of a Mall Girl isn't amazing or complex, it's still a great read for a rainy day. I can easily recommend it to a number of teenage girls!

[Andre B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its an interesting book but i'm still not sure why i read it.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first half of Diary of a Mall Girl when it was published as an interactive serial on Fiction Express so I already knew I loved it.

As with my first read, I instantly disliked Wendy and Ameera. They’re fickle with their loyalty, a little manipulative and I hated the way they treated Molly. Abandoning her at the first hint of an argument and as soon as she made friends with Jewel was incredibly childish – Jewel was definitely right about them. I was so glad when Molly eventually stood up for herself.

Behind the mystery of Jewel and Jasper and Molly’s on-going difficulties with Wendy and Ameera, Diary of a Mall Girl explored a variety of entangled crushes. The mix-and-match crushes were brilliant and something I definitely remember from being fifteen. The ever-changing minds and complicated crushes that could fade in days or stick for months demonstrated just how in touché Luisa Plaja is with teenagers. She really captures how confusing, frustrating and all encompassing it is.

I especially loved the back and forth between Molly and Jasper. All of the uncertainties, the misinterpretations and misconceptions and waiting for everything to be sorted out so they could kiss and make up put me on the edge of my seat. The way that their relationship grew steadily and realistically was so refreshing. I particularly loved that Molly didn't even realise she had feelings for Jasper at first; it happens that way a lot so I’m really glad it was portrayed in that way.

With spirited, engaging prose and Luisa Plaja’s trademark humour and heart, Diary of a Mall Girl is a sure fire hit.

[Lucy Powrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in the voice of Molly, a typical teenage girl, this is a novel that girls will be able to relate to and enjoy. Plaja has created a fun and realistic environment in which teens can read about and escape into this world full of both hilarious and cringe-worthy moments.

Lets face it: teenagers have a hard life. The teen years are all about discovering yourself and this is what is happening to Molly. At the start of the novel we see her fuming over a fight with her best friends and this is the first hint we get at her character. Although not the most commanding person, we gradually see her confidence build and she then turns into a character that the reader feels comfortable getting to know.

This is a story all about discovery and it becomes a major theme. Molly's life is changing and a lot of the other, secondary characters' as well.

Molly lives in a shopping mall and it's easy to conjure up the image of her surroundings. It's a very clever idea and I'm sure many people dream of living in a place where they can walk out of there front door and come face to face with hundreds of shops. Yet Plaja has flipped these images and created a contrast where Molly begins to regret living where she does.

This was a light-hearted and exciting novel that I greatly enjoyed. After reading I definitely felt like finding a shopping mall and seeing if I could find some of the characters for myself! Maybe not...

[Andrea Costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Diary of a Mall Girl

Author:Louisa plaja

Date started: 13 Feb 2014

Date finished: 14 Feb 2014


What was the book about?
Was about one girl that really love the mall and she is sad because primary is been closed so she need to do something

What did you like about the book? I liked the way that is been wrote because for me was easy even because English is my second language.

Were there any parts you didn’t like? Discuss.
I think I liked it all because it was really funny, especially when she was trying to open all the shops.

What was your favourite part of the book?
Was when she was writing that she was desperate because one of her favourite shops closed, and she was writing that she felt she would die because of it.

Would you recommend this book to your friends at Halcyon?
Yes because is a really easy and funny book

How many stars would you give this book?
4

(5 – Excellent, 1 – Poor)

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diary of a Mall Girl is a fun contemporary Young Adult book that has the right amount of friendship, drama, mystery, and fun to keep readers 12+ entertained and enjoying Plaja's newest novel. The element of the story being told in "diary form" adds personal touches that connect readers more to the main character, Molly, who is extremely relatable. It was fun, since the story takes place in an England mall, to get bits of English culture thrown into the mix. I also loved the layout and cover of this novel, which along with the plot-line originally drew me to pick up the book. I am defiantly going to read more of Plaja's books in the future. Overall 4/5 stars.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can also read this review here: http://tendtoramble.blogspot.co.uk/20...

I really did like this book, it was definitely a fun read. The way that it was written was quite unique - both in the way that the readers voted for what happened next in the story and in the way that it was written as a diary on a computer. I don't think I've ever read a book done in quite that way before and I think it gave it a realistic feel and made it intriguing. The story had those kind of characters who you end up not wanting to say goodbye to and overall it was a really enjoyable book.

[Emma Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Actually would give 4.5 stars.

If anything I enjoyed 'Mall Girl' more than 'Kiss, Date', mainly because I loved the main girl Molly and the twins were great too. The plot in 'Kiss, Date' is more unusual, where as this is more of a typical story of teen friendship, shopping and boyfriend dilemmas, but there was something extra with this book that kept me glued until I finished at 1am! This is a fun, fast read ideal for a rainy weekend curled up on your bed! Four and a half pink stars this time!

[Anu-vinkkari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kirjastoklubin viidesluokkalainen suositteli tätä minulle. Lainasi omansa kun ei kirjastosta löytynyt. Ihan hauska "girl-lit" kirja, romantiikkaa, sähellystä, pussailua ja teiniangstia juuri ikäryhmälle sopivassa suhteessa.
Harmi että näitä Girl-it kustantamon kirjoja ei voi hankkia kirjastoihin, tämä menisi varmasti erittäin hyvin kaupaksi esim. Nolo elämäni-sarjaa lukeville 5-6 luokkalaisille tyttölapsille. Pussailumäärän ja päähenkilön määrittelemättömän iän vuoksi kelpaisi hyvin varmaan vielä vähän isommillekin.

[Debbie]

DNF at page 60

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite sweet

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book.

[Chlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book

[Rachael]

Nice light hearted read. Some teen drama, but not silly or annoying

[Su Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute & fun to read.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 Stars for the perfect summer-read: relaxing, quirky and fun!

[janie love · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny