When a rumor starts circulating that Tara's boyfriend Brent has been sleeping with one of the guy cheerleaders, the innuendo doesn't just hurt Tara...
read full description
reviews
Jan 26, 2012
Jenni
rated it: 
Tara, Pinkie, and Whitney have been friends forever. There couldn't be three more different people, but somehow they manage to make it work. Then a rumor and an argument spiral out of control, and the three friends are separated, each trying to come to terms with the truth. Tara is dealing with an absent father, a cheating boyfriend, and possibly a new girlfriend; Pinkie is still grieving her mother's death, and Whitney doesn't know what to do with herself when she discovers she is not the cen
More...
Jul 02, 2011
Maggie
rated it: 
I have been trying to get my hands on this book for, no joke, a year. Something about the concept, the cover, and the buzz around the author just stuck with me, and three library holds later (two very frustratingly came through when I couldn't pick them up) I finally got to read it. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
Diaz has a sweet style that, while it feels a little young for some of the subjects she discusses, is a delight to read. The book flew by, and even the triple perspectiv More...
Diaz has a sweet style that, while it feels a little young for some of the subjects she discusses, is a delight to read. The book flew by, and even the triple perspectiv More...
Apr 28, 2011
Donna
rated it: 
Loved it. I was hooked pretty much immediately. The book starts right at that moment when Tara finds out about Brent and it just keeps peddling from there. You watch as this once immovable friendship starts to crack and each of the three girls is chipping away at the glass, eroding its integrity. They all have the best of intentions but you know what road those are paved with. So those best intentions are the collection of hammers that ends up shattering the glass. But, in the end, at least some
More...
Jun 15, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
I met the author the other day in the library. I had to kick her out of the Teen Center because she was an adult using our computers but she took it in stride and when I asked if she needed help finding anything she just said she was looking up some of her friend’s books. I prodded and found out that she was also an author here in Seattle visiting friends. So cool that her new book was right there on display. I had to check it out immediately and read it.
I liked that you got the per More...
I liked that you got the per More...
Jun 11, 2010
Kate
rated it:
Of All the Stupid Things is an exceptional look into how the smallest of rumors can have a large effect. Told through the perspectives of Tara, Whitney Blaire, and Pinkie, the reader gets to the heart of the rumor and discovers the truth of what friendships, and even love, means to each of them. At first glance, the three perspectives can seem a little much; however, I really enjoyed seeing every side of the story. It gave me a deeper look into the whole picture. If the novel had only been from
More...
Mar 07, 2010
Kari
rated it:
This was an interesting read- in all truth, there wasn't much real substance behind the plot and yet I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading. This book is basically about 3 friends in high school, their drama and their relationships. Each have their own thing going on while trying to stick around with the others. If I had to give a summary of my own, all I could come up with would be drama.
Whitney Blaire is the self absorbed, bratty rich girl that is the character designe More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 14, 2010
Shanyn
rated it:
If you took a moment to read the plot summary, you'll notice that the title of the book (Of All the Stupid Things) is referring to a boy individual in the book possibly making a decision to have a relationship with another boy. I did not appreciate this title reference from the get-go, but decided to continue reading.
All of the chapters are from different character's points of view, and I found it hard to decide which character I even liked. They each have their quirks (as they norma More...
All of the chapters are from different character's points of view, and I found it hard to decide which character I even liked. They each have their quirks (as they norma More...
Dec 21, 2011
~ames~
rated it:
I forget how this book came to my attention but I was intrigued because it features a girl coming out and most GLBT YA I've read has been about boys.
Tara, Whitney Blaire (I love that everyone says her whole name) and Pinkie have been best friends since first grade. And each girl couldn't be more different. Tara is a bit of a health/fitness nut, eating healthy and training for a marathon. Her father took off and never returned a while ago and barely remembers to keep in touch via cards More...
Tara, Whitney Blaire (I love that everyone says her whole name) and Pinkie have been best friends since first grade. And each girl couldn't be more different. Tara is a bit of a health/fitness nut, eating healthy and training for a marathon. Her father took off and never returned a while ago and barely remembers to keep in touch via cards More...
Aug 16, 2011
Thorn
rated it: 
I'm kind of glad other readers liked it, because I despised this book. The friendship at the core seemed totally implausible, not to mention borderline abusive. And then while it's true that people do suddenly finding themselves falling for people of the same gender, in my experience that generally leads to some kind of soul-searching and not just making out and coming out with no real repercusssions to it, especially in a story where the girlfriend who's already been out had to leave her whole
More...
Feb 28, 2010
Allison
rated it:
This was certainly an interesting book, albeit not what I expected. Although I didn't entirely get a feel for who all of the girls were, I did notice that each of them had an extremely unique voice. That's always a really nice thing to see when there are alternating POVs; I was never unsure of who was narrating. On the other hand, each of them had their own set of strengths and weakness, and sometimes I felt like the weaknesses outweighed the flaws, making it harder for me to relate to them.
More...
More...
Dec 19, 2011
Bridgid
rated it:
OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS is written from the perspective of three friends. Tara, Pinkie, and Whitney Blaire have one of those friendships that began as a random bonding of little kids, but has carried them into high school without much thought or question - almost out of habit or comfort.
But when things start changing for the girls, they have to think about what role their friendship will play in their lives, and whether these are relationships they want.
Alexandra switches pe More...
But when things start changing for the girls, they have to think about what role their friendship will play in their lives, and whether these are relationships they want.
Alexandra switches pe More...
Aug 07, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Tara, Whitney Blaire, and Pinkie have been best friends forever, but can their friendship survive when Tara suddenly becomes attracted to the new girl at school, Riley?
In setup, Of All the Stupid Things is very similar to The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson, except that Tara falls in love with a girl outside their triangle, rather than two girls in the triangle falling in love with each other. The situation is complicated by an on-and-off boyfriend who may or may not be having a s More...
In setup, Of All the Stupid Things is very similar to The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson, except that Tara falls in love with a girl outside their triangle, rather than two girls in the triangle falling in love with each other. The situation is complicated by an on-and-off boyfriend who may or may not be having a s More...
Aug 16, 2010
McKenzie
rated it:
Rumors are flying that Tara's boyfriend, Brent, cheated on her. With another guy. Scandalous, to say the least. Tara, Pinkie, and Whitney Blaire have always been an odd group of friends, but they've always been able to stick together. But with the addition of Riley, the sultry new girl, things aren't looking so good. Tara can't resist Riley, and she's incredibly confused by this attraction. Now she's questioning everything she's ever known about herself.
Of All the Stupid Things easil More...
Of All the Stupid Things easil More...
Feb 01, 2011
Kelsey
rated it:
I started and finished Of All the Stupid Things in one day. Something about it just really kept me hooked. From the first page I was pulled into the characters stories. The three main characters (Tara, Pinkie, and Whitney Blair) each shared their stories in alternating chapters. Their first person narrations were personal and refreshing. Of All the Stupid Things was honest and very realistic. I liked how at the end all the characters were really struggling to find themselves and by the end they’
More...
Aug 04, 2011
Helga
rated it:
The book has three main characters: Pinkie, who lost her mother at a young age and is unable to restrain her own mother-hen instinct; Whitney Blaire, a beautiful and wealthy (but manipulative) girl who is always referred to by her first and last names; and Tara, who uses running to distance herself from her emotions, and the disturbing rumor that her boyfriend might be getting it on with another guy. These three lifelong friends are thrown into chaos by the arrival on the scene of the new girl,
More...
Feb 03, 2010
Carla
rated it:
It kicks off with Tara hearing a rumour that her boyfriend Brent was doing the dirty on her with one of the cheerleaders. It sucks when your boyfriend cheats on you, but you know what makes it worse?? The fact that it was a male cheerleader. Tara decides to move on and leave Brent and the nasty rumour behind. Bu then new girl Riley shows up, and Tara starts to feel things for her that she’s never felt before, but she isn’t gay, so what does this mean? not only is Riley making Tara question her s
More...
Jan 29, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Tara, Pinkie, and Whitney Blaire have been friends since they were children and Tara saved Whitney Blaire from where she was stuck in a tree. Thus their bond was created and they all play a vital role.
Pinkie is the mother hen who is always checking up on the well-being of her chicks due to the fact that she lost her own mother at a very young age. Tara is the dependable and independent one who does what she is supposed to and trains hard for her marathon because she is running from t More...
Pinkie is the mother hen who is always checking up on the well-being of her chicks due to the fact that she lost her own mother at a very young age. Tara is the dependable and independent one who does what she is supposed to and trains hard for her marathon because she is running from t More...
Dec 03, 2009
Eleni ( La Femme Readers )
rated it:
Alexandra's debut novel Of All the Stupid Things is enticingly fierce. Her writing is subtle yet powerful. The suspense hooked me from the first page until the end. I especially loved the first sentence, "Of all the stupid things he could have done, Brent Staple had to go and do that." I was immediately intrigued and wanted to find out who this Brent was and what did he do? There are three friends, Tara, Whitney Blaire and Pinkie, which I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know. Pinkie, who
More...
Dec 27, 2009
Alea
rated it:
Some of my favorite books involve alternating perspectives and a group of best friends so Off All The Stupid Things at first glance would be right up my alley. And while I did enjoy reading it, it wasn't focused enough for me to love it.
I enjoyed all the characters and their basic story lines and how different they were from each other. They were almost so different it was hard to understand why they were friends, but that does get somewhat explained in the book. I love how quickly t More...
I enjoyed all the characters and their basic story lines and how different they were from each other. They were almost so different it was hard to understand why they were friends, but that does get somewhat explained in the book. I love how quickly t More...
Feb 27, 2011
Three words; enlightening, intriguing & scandalous.
This was an interesting debut from author Alexandra Diaz. Diaz was able to accurately capture the voices of three teenage girls, teenage girls that are dealing with issues that I know even I faced or knew someone that is currently facing as a teen. I had a hard time connecting to one character over the others with the alternating chapters between the three girls, but still I enjoyed the insight to each character.
On the ot More...
This was an interesting debut from author Alexandra Diaz. Diaz was able to accurately capture the voices of three teenage girls, teenage girls that are dealing with issues that I know even I faced or knew someone that is currently facing as a teen. I had a hard time connecting to one character over the others with the alternating chapters between the three girls, but still I enjoyed the insight to each character.
On the ot More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 30, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Reviewed by McKenzie Tritt for TeensReadToo.com
Rumors are flying that Tara's boyfriend, Brent, cheated on her. With another guy.
Scandalous, to say the least.
Tara, Pinkie, and Whitney Blaire have always been an odd group of friends, but they've been able to stick together. But with the addition of Riley, the sultry new girl, things aren't looking so good. Tara can't resist Riley, and she's incredibly confused by this attraction. Now, she's questioning everythin More...
Rumors are flying that Tara's boyfriend, Brent, cheated on her. With another guy.
Scandalous, to say the least.
Tara, Pinkie, and Whitney Blaire have always been an odd group of friends, but they've been able to stick together. But with the addition of Riley, the sultry new girl, things aren't looking so good. Tara can't resist Riley, and she's incredibly confused by this attraction. Now, she's questioning everythin More...
Sep 06, 2010
Aileen
rated it:
This book starts off with one of the characters, Tara, and soon after the first few pages you realize that her boyfriend, Brent has been having sex with a guy, Chris Sanchez, one of the male cheerleaders. This "rumor" does more then just hurt Tara, it starts breaking up a previously inseparable trio, Tara, Whitney Blaire, and Pinky. Whitney Blaire has a male friend, David, who is in love with Whitney Blaire, but Whitney Blaire just can't seem to fall in love with him back. She seems mu
More...
Nov 27, 2009
Lauren
rated it:
After seeing ( and falling in love) with the cover of Of All the Stupid Things, I couldn't wait to dive right into it when it arrived. Sadly, while it was an cute and adorable read, it lacked in some key aspects.
First off, I want to start with the things that I liked and/ or loved.
Tara, Whitney Blaire, and Pinkie were three girls who were a mix of very different characteristics, making it easy to find at least one to relate to in some way or the other. Also, each girl, I More...
First off, I want to start with the things that I liked and/ or loved.
Tara, Whitney Blaire, and Pinkie were three girls who were a mix of very different characteristics, making it easy to find at least one to relate to in some way or the other. Also, each girl, I More...
Feb 09, 2011
Anne
rated it:
Tara, Whitney Blaire, and Pinkie have been friends ever since grade school. Now they are in high school and an interwoven set of issues threatens to tear them apart. Not the least of these is new girl Riley since it appears Tara has a crush on her even though she just broke up with her boyfriend.
Not the best writing ever, but pretty realistic handling of the LGBT theme and consequent reactions from students and most of the adults.
Not the best writing ever, but pretty realistic handling of the LGBT theme and consequent reactions from students and most of the adults.
Jul 28, 2011
While the set up for this book is interesting, the ending is a bit of a sloppy mess. Tara comes too quickly to grips with her sexual orientation and Riley has nearly no personality of her own. Whitney Blaire is a raging bitch and I still don't understand what happened to her at the end. Pinkie is probably the best character but even she isn't enough to save this book. Which is too bad because it had a lot of potential.
Sep 16, 2010
Trisha
rated it: 
Of All the Stupid Things is narrated by three girls, each with their own parental issue: absent father, unconcerned parents, dead mother. While the situations and voices used in the story were interesting, I was disappointed with the lack of a central focus which would have allowed for full development. I am looking forward to future works by Diaz, however, because I think she has the potential for truly unique stories.
Jul 17, 2010
Rae
rated it:
This is a good book about friendship. I really enjoyed it and I think it had a great message.
Although, the characters weren't developed as much as I would like and I did have a very strong dislike of one of the characters in the second half of the book. I also wish there would have been more about Tara and Rileys relationship.
In the end, it was a cute and fast read and I think everyone that likes YA books should give this one a read.
Although, the characters weren't developed as much as I would like and I did have a very strong dislike of one of the characters in the second half of the book. I also wish there would have been more about Tara and Rileys relationship.
In the end, it was a cute and fast read and I think everyone that likes YA books should give this one a read.
Apr 06, 2010
Anna
rated it:
PROSs: Lots of drama if you like that sort of stuff; the multicultural bisexual love triangle is something ya don't see everyday; and, last, but not least, the uber cool knod to 1980's hair metal cover art! CONS: Disjointed narration, lack of character depth, and, given the rich subject matter, suprising overall bore factor (but I've read worse).
Dec 02, 2010
Michelle
rated it:
I heard this author at YALSA and was very excited to read the book. However, I wasn't very impressed with what I read. It was uneven and choppy and there wasn't, in my view, a clear plot. I did like how the author addressed a sexual orientation issue (wow, how formal was that!!) in what I perceived as a realistic way.
Jan 18, 2010
Sara
rated it:
I was originally drawn to OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS because of the interesting title. It definitely caught my attention and the interesting cover art was also enticing. Unfortunately, I simply couldn't get into this book.
I've read a lot of mixed reviews for this book and I'm finding it hard to write my review as well. I liked that the story was told in alternating points of view, it kept it interesting, but I just wasn't a fan of the novel overall. Perhaps if the characters would hav More...
I've read a lot of mixed reviews for this book and I'm finding it hard to write my review as well. I liked that the story was told in alternating points of view, it kept it interesting, but I just wasn't a fan of the novel overall. Perhaps if the characters would hav More...
