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Joe Cowley #1
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Joe Cowley este un băiat de 14 ani, fan Star Trek, care tocmai a intrat la liceu şi s-a hotărît să-şi facă un blog care să-l ajute să-şi facă ordine în viaţă. Joe este inteligent şi amuzant, îşi doreşte să devină caricaturist şi să-şi facă o prietenă.
Duminică, 1 ianuarie
Deci faza e următoarea: m-am hotărât să-mi fac blog.
Unul PRIVAT. Ideea e să mă ajute să-mi pun ordine în viaţă pentru că, sincer, mai rău de-atât nu prea se poate…
1. M-am ales cu porecla Borâtură după ce am vomitat pe Louise Bentley în parcul de distracţii.
2. Îmi iau zilnic şuturi în fund de la inamicul meu Gav James.
3. Aşa-zişii cei mai buni prieteni ai mei sunt gata să mă omoare în încercarea de a câştiga premiul cel mare la o emisiune-concurs.
Nu mai poate continua aşa!
Trebuie să fac ceva dacă nu vreau să ajung ca Morris Nebunu’, care îşi face veacul prin parc crezând că e Iisus Hristos.
Cel puţin, ăsta e planul…
De departe cea mai amuzantă carte pe care o vei citi anul acesta.
Joe Cowley este un băiat de 14 ani, fan Star Trek, care tocmai a intrat la liceu şi s-a hotărît să-şi facă un blog care să-l ajute să-şi facă ordine în viaţă. Joe este inteligent şi amuzant, îşi doreşte să devină caricaturist şi să-şi facă o prietenă.
Duminică, 1 ianuarie
Deci faza e următoarea: m-am hotărât să-mi fac blog.
Unul PRIVAT. Ideea e să mă ajute să-mi pun ordine în viaţă pentru că, sincer, mai rău de-atât nu prea se poate…
1. M-am ales cu porecla Borâtură după ce am vomitat pe Louise Bentley în parcul de distracţii.
2. Îmi iau zilnic şuturi în fund de la inamicul meu Gav James.
3. Aşa-zişii cei mai buni prieteni ai mei sunt gata să mă omoare în încercarea de a câştiga premiul cel mare la o emisiune-concurs.
Nu mai poate continua aşa!
Trebuie să fac ceva dacă nu vreau să ajung ca Morris Nebunu’, care îşi face veacul prin parc crezând că e Iisus Hristos.
Cel puţin, ăsta e planul…
De departe cea mai amuzantă carte pe care o vei citi anul acesta.
- GenresYoung AdultComedy
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 25, 2014
Many thanks to the children’s publishers at Oxford University Press for giving me the opportunity to read this quirky and amusing young adult novel by Ben Davis. After reading it, I immediately thought that it was the Adrian Mole for the new generation and one of my favourite things about the book was the cute comic strip illustrations and photographic images that made Joe’s blog entries even more interesting and fun to read. Joe Cowley is your typical fourteen year old teenager. He loves Star Trek, is both curious and terrified of the opposite sex – actually describing himself as a “repeller” after an unfortunate incident with a girl on a waltzer ride. He has dreams of becoming a comic strip artist, is harassed by the school bully Gav James on a daily basis and is still trying to deal with his parents recent divorce. Living with his mother, it is then not particularly easy when his mum moves in her new boyfriend and another familiar face that is going to be hell for him to deal with. As Joe tells the reader of his “catalogue of misery,” he decides on a more positive outlook. He is going to start a private blog to help him deal with his feelings (NOT a diary, as diaries are for girls in his words), he is going to get Gav back for everything he has put him through and finally he is going to kiss a girl. A real, live one.
As the blog entries continue, it looks like Joe might get one of his wishes as he manages to attract his ultimate girl crush Lisa Hall, who unfortunately is also the ex-girlfriend of the bully Gav James. You can almost sense the drama that is going to unfold! Lisa however, does not seem to be as invested in the relationship as poor Joe is. In fact, she only seems to want to be with Joe when Gav is around…hmm… slightly suspicious? Then Joe meets another girl, Natalie, another Star Trek devotee, but she tends to dress a bit differently and doesn’t really fit within the “popular” crowd. Joe is quite torn as although Natalie seems to genuinely like him and they share the same interests, being with Lisa actually makes him popular, something which is quite new and exciting to him. He is even at risk of losing his two loyal best friends, Harry and Ad as he attempts to change himself into the person Lisa expects him to be.
The rest of the book throws up some very funny, heart-warming and intensely cringe-worthy incidents that many teenagers will be able to identify with. My favourite parts included Operation Scooby-Doo which was absolutely hilarious and the drama caused by the computerised baby Adwina which Joe has to look after in a school project. This book is seriously funny and the illustrations are a fantastic addition but I think this book also holds some strong messages about family, friendship and growing up that many teenagers would relate to and appreciate. As a character, I think Joe learns a lot about life in general, and I’d love there to be a sequel just to see what he gets up to next!
Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.com
As the blog entries continue, it looks like Joe might get one of his wishes as he manages to attract his ultimate girl crush Lisa Hall, who unfortunately is also the ex-girlfriend of the bully Gav James. You can almost sense the drama that is going to unfold! Lisa however, does not seem to be as invested in the relationship as poor Joe is. In fact, she only seems to want to be with Joe when Gav is around…hmm… slightly suspicious? Then Joe meets another girl, Natalie, another Star Trek devotee, but she tends to dress a bit differently and doesn’t really fit within the “popular” crowd. Joe is quite torn as although Natalie seems to genuinely like him and they share the same interests, being with Lisa actually makes him popular, something which is quite new and exciting to him. He is even at risk of losing his two loyal best friends, Harry and Ad as he attempts to change himself into the person Lisa expects him to be.
The rest of the book throws up some very funny, heart-warming and intensely cringe-worthy incidents that many teenagers will be able to identify with. My favourite parts included Operation Scooby-Doo which was absolutely hilarious and the drama caused by the computerised baby Adwina which Joe has to look after in a school project. This book is seriously funny and the illustrations are a fantastic addition but I think this book also holds some strong messages about family, friendship and growing up that many teenagers would relate to and appreciate. As a character, I think Joe learns a lot about life in general, and I’d love there to be a sequel just to see what he gets up to next!
Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.com
February 27, 2016
This is brilliant. A new generation of the famous Adrian mole! If you have enjoyed this book (or the series) I strongly recommend the Adrian mole books. This is very comical ,a great laugh. BUT BEWARE these books will make you laugh cry and cringe (but probably not puke!) Hilariously funny and has a happy yet morally ending. Always be your self , never pretend to be someone you aren't to be liked as this has disastrous results as you'll find out in this amazing book!
May 21, 2014
Such a funny read! Not my normal genre, but really funny and loved the shipping in it :)
May 17, 2014
soo funny
July 11, 2017
This book is funny and entertaining fiction and a great start to a series that really grips the reader. The genre is comedy and the way how joe and his friends try to scare away gav to Scotland. But at the end Joe regrets this desicion and wants gav to stay so not to jeopardise his relationship with his girlfriend Lisa. This relationship isn't a great choice though, joe finds this out at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2021
This a supposed to be a more "mature" Diary of Wimpy Kid. It does feel a little like Wimpy Kid with lots of innuendo and language. I wouldn't recommend it for younger than 14 and maybe even more like 16+. His goal is to "snog" a girl and there is lots of language like "c..k" and "arse" and a couple "b..ch". It is fairly dumb humor. The low point is his father teaching him to put a condom on using a carrot between his legs. It feels like it is written by an adult trying to sound like a kid. Maybe it is because he is British but things like Star Trek Next Gen and some of the stuff he references just feels outdated for a teenager.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2025
Suures plaanis on see jah vanematele lastele mõeldud äpardi päevik. Mõnusa eneseiroonia ning kergusega on räägitud mitmetest noorte jaoks olulistest teemadest. Nii võib see teos noori tõesti kõnetada. Ilmselt sobib ka juba umbes 11-12-aastastele.
Pikemalt kirjutan blogis siin: https://midaheliluges.blogspot.com/20...
Pikemalt kirjutan blogis siin: https://midaheliluges.blogspot.com/20...
July 12, 2019
i think this is a very good book for people of my age. and is very funny. there was a lot of suspense.
the genre was comedy. this is a book about a teenage boy who wants a girlfriend and is a nerd. but next chapter his worst enemy's dad gets together with his mum.
the genre was comedy. this is a book about a teenage boy who wants a girlfriend and is a nerd. but next chapter his worst enemy's dad gets together with his mum.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2014
Joe Cowley, a wannabe comic artist and self confessed girl repeller, who has an intense love for everything Star Trek and finally fulfilling his goal of kissing a girl for the very first time. So far so good, well not really.
Joe is a 14 year old who decides to start a private blog in which he can talk about each day as they come and go, most of them though, are wonderfully disastrous, but that is what makes him an interesting character. He currently lives with his mother, who has decided her boyfriend, Jim, Is to move in with them, bringing along with him, an unwanted face.
He and his two best friends, Harry, the old man Inside of a young man's body, and the accident prone Ad, are part of the lowest but one, in the order of popularity and social status, because of this they are victims to bullying and constant pestering. For Joe, this is mainly from Gav, his worst enemy, turned future stepbrother. Can I get an oh no for Joe!
Gav is the ex - boyfriend to Joe's crush since the dawn of time, and future 'girlfriend', Lisa Hall, but will Lisa be as genuine as she leads Joe to believe?
As the book goes on, Joe ends up falling for a second girl, Natalie, someone who is also a Star Trek lover and a victim, but due to her unique style and choosing, voluntarily, to stand out from the crowd.
Throughout, we see a new and changed Joe forming before our very eyes and he is being moulded in the image of how Lisa wants him to be and act. There is a sudden clash between her and his friends, causing him to choose sides every time. Friends or relationship?
This novel allows for us to venture into the mind of the 14 year old and see things from his perspective. We learn the pros and cons of friendship, relationships, school life and that living amongst the enemy is way worse than you could possibly imagine.
When first reading the book, I wasn't hooked, but as it went on, I admired certain characters more and started to understand the storyline. At times though, I felt as if nothing was really happening and some of the characters did not appeal to me as much as I had originally hoped and it took quite a while before I began to get into it. Saying that, when I did get into it, it was enjoyable and I must say, I had quite a good laugh. Overall, it was good!
if you liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you will definitely like this one.
Thank you Oxford University Press for the book!
Joe is a 14 year old who decides to start a private blog in which he can talk about each day as they come and go, most of them though, are wonderfully disastrous, but that is what makes him an interesting character. He currently lives with his mother, who has decided her boyfriend, Jim, Is to move in with them, bringing along with him, an unwanted face.
He and his two best friends, Harry, the old man Inside of a young man's body, and the accident prone Ad, are part of the lowest but one, in the order of popularity and social status, because of this they are victims to bullying and constant pestering. For Joe, this is mainly from Gav, his worst enemy, turned future stepbrother. Can I get an oh no for Joe!
Gav is the ex - boyfriend to Joe's crush since the dawn of time, and future 'girlfriend', Lisa Hall, but will Lisa be as genuine as she leads Joe to believe?
As the book goes on, Joe ends up falling for a second girl, Natalie, someone who is also a Star Trek lover and a victim, but due to her unique style and choosing, voluntarily, to stand out from the crowd.
Throughout, we see a new and changed Joe forming before our very eyes and he is being moulded in the image of how Lisa wants him to be and act. There is a sudden clash between her and his friends, causing him to choose sides every time. Friends or relationship?
This novel allows for us to venture into the mind of the 14 year old and see things from his perspective. We learn the pros and cons of friendship, relationships, school life and that living amongst the enemy is way worse than you could possibly imagine.
When first reading the book, I wasn't hooked, but as it went on, I admired certain characters more and started to understand the storyline. At times though, I felt as if nothing was really happening and some of the characters did not appeal to me as much as I had originally hoped and it took quite a while before I began to get into it. Saying that, when I did get into it, it was enjoyable and I must say, I had quite a good laugh. Overall, it was good!
if you liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you will definitely like this one.
Thank you Oxford University Press for the book!
April 23, 2016
At first I can't tell if the main character was a teen or a middle child, but as I go through the story, I understood he's a teen. I wasn't hooked at the first time but as the story goes on, it gets more interesting, specially the moment where Joe and Gav finds for the squeaky parrot pet. It was all an happy ever after, but I was kind of expecting more. Over all, I was about to rate this four but since it had drawings on it which makes it a lot more fun to read, I think it deserves a five!
March 19, 2015
This book is very well written it hooks in the reader and keeps wanting them to read it to find out what happens. However this book is to hard to relate to when the reader is under 14 years old. This is because the main character(Joe Cowley) is doing things that most people under 14 would never think of doing. He is simply to hard to relate to.
April 27, 2014
Hilarious.
June 28, 2016
decent
October 21, 2024
In the beginning of this book Joe Cowley the main character likes a girl Lisa, but she likes a guy that Joe hates with a passion. So Joe's who mission is to get rid of Gavin which is his worst enemies. In the middle of the story, Joe faces teenage issues like trying to become popular and dealing with his really embarising family and managing his friends, and as always he has to dodge bullies and try to impress Lisa. In the end of the book, he learns to be real with himself, and he changed becoming a more likable, and he finally ends up fighting in, and he is a lot more true to his friends that he once left to try to focus on a girl.
Themes of “The Private Blog of Joe Cowley” the two biggest ones I noticed were friendship and self identity throughout the story both of those were up and down but as he grew to realize who he was his friendships grew way better and his self identity was very real and people grew to like him. The big message I saw in this book was to not change who you are for someone because if they don’t appreciate who you are then they don’t deserve you. The thing I liked the most about this book was the characters changed for a better through the story and they all came together and became fine with each other. I would recommend this book to anyone that struggles reading and prefers books like diary of the whimpie kid. This book is like the real world in many ways, but as teenagers people think too much about things and get in their heads, and they change their personalities instead of being themselves.
Themes of “The Private Blog of Joe Cowley” the two biggest ones I noticed were friendship and self identity throughout the story both of those were up and down but as he grew to realize who he was his friendships grew way better and his self identity was very real and people grew to like him. The big message I saw in this book was to not change who you are for someone because if they don’t appreciate who you are then they don’t deserve you. The thing I liked the most about this book was the characters changed for a better through the story and they all came together and became fine with each other. I would recommend this book to anyone that struggles reading and prefers books like diary of the whimpie kid. This book is like the real world in many ways, but as teenagers people think too much about things and get in their heads, and they change their personalities instead of being themselves.
January 29, 2026
For 2026, I decided to revisit this series that I enjoyed when I was a teenager. There is some humour here and there that hasn't aged well in the 2020's so I wouldn't recommend this series if you can't push through that. This first book isn't my favourite as once you realise the twist with Lisa, on a second read, it can feel very slow and it does feel a bit directionless at times, unlike the rest of the series where they are more focussed. Enjoy the characters and the sarcastic humour in it. I also enjoy the art style and imagery, even if they do give the wrong idea with the target audience, something that has been brought up by many people over the years. I enjoyed the book overall and I would recommend it to teens, with a warning about some outdated jokes here and there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2022
The cover of this book should be amended so it looks less like books aimed at pre-teens (Tom Gates etc). I'm glad I checked the content before passing on to its intended reader - my 11 year old son. The language and content is more aimed at 14-16 year olds.
August 3, 2023
it was a cute book for sure! definitely funny and has all the little quirks you would expect from a loner high schooler. also some things you can predict as well but overall, a quick funny read to kill time with.
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 16, 2017
Amazing book.
March 3, 2021
Very funny and explains what most teenagers go through during high school
March 10, 2025
It’s a teen version of Adrian Mole
October 7, 2017
Great Book
Very funny, a bit inappropriate at times though.
Very funny, a bit inappropriate at times though.
February 15, 2017
This was an Hilarious book that was very interesting to read as a past time
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2020
One of the first books I read in English not disappointed!
November 7, 2022
Joe er desperat etter å få sitt første kyss, men som erklært nerd er det ikke lett å få napp. Spesielt ikke når han sikter skyhøyt, på selveste Lisa Hall. Livet går fra passelig greit til riktig ille, når den bøllete sønnen til morens nye kjæreste også flytter inn, og må dele rom med stakkars Joe.
Dette ER ganske morsomt, selv for en på 53. Åpenbart en bokserie "i tradisjon etter" (som man sier i folkemusikkmiljøet) Diary of a wimpy kid, men denne krever, og gir, litt mer.
Dette ER ganske morsomt, selv for en på 53. Åpenbart en bokserie "i tradisjon etter" (som man sier i folkemusikkmiljøet) Diary of a wimpy kid, men denne krever, og gir, litt mer.
June 25, 2019
This BOOOOOK!!!!!!
TOOOOO GOOOOD
JOE COWLEYYYYY!!
I just LOVEEED it,I kind of loved it more then wimpy kid. The blog ughhh,his jokes ughhh,his poor shit life uggghhh.
I almost feel pity for the poor boy,he isnt dumb nor anyone else except their life is hard and whatever decision they take,life has put blockade.
Him and bully gavin,dammmmnnnn.
This author as some healthy sense of irony.
TOOOOO GOOOOD
JOE COWLEYYYYY!!
I just LOVEEED it,I kind of loved it more then wimpy kid. The blog ughhh,his jokes ughhh,his poor shit life uggghhh.
I almost feel pity for the poor boy,he isnt dumb nor anyone else except their life is hard and whatever decision they take,life has put blockade.
Him and bully gavin,dammmmnnnn.
This author as some healthy sense of irony.
April 22, 2015
Really good description but a bit weird. Otherwise it is excellent and I really would recommend this book for someone ages 9 and above. It is an older version of diary of a wimpy kid. For children a bit older than that.
September 11, 2016
Funny in places, definitely Diary of a Wimpy Kid for teenagers. A good addition to the genre.
January 2, 2015
I got this book for christmas and it was great
October 19, 2015
SUPER FUNNY
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews